บท 46: Four - Five hours

As the countdown began for the tournament, Punya and Jyoti were practicing on full scale. Coach was very strict, he used to give them critics when they're wrong and train them properly. Sometimes he used to scold badly.

"Punya, this coach is grumpy.... Wish we had Prakruth here" said Jyoti during a break.

"Prakruth's exams are going on, he can't come to coach you..." chuckled Punya.

"Yeah I know. It is our fate to get scolded from this old coach...."

"Isn't Prakruth coming to the tournament?" asked Punya.

"I don't know" shrugged Jyoti "Ask the coach yourself" she added.

"No need, he'll growl again..." said Punya.

Jyoti started laughing....

"Stop chatting and take positions" shouted the Coach. Girls took the position.

_____________________________________________

On the day of departure, Varun brought Narmada and Punya to the Airport. Mother and daughter walked in to the security check. Varun came behind them running. Jyoti and her coach was already there in the queue.

"Take this bag, keep your purse and mobile safely. Call me whenever possible" instructed Varun.

"Ok I'll take care of your darling daughter, don't worry" said Narmada.

"Punya and Jyoti, All the best for your game" he wished both of them. His voice was shaky.

"Appa, look at me" said Punya... He turned away. She held his hand and pulled him towards her.

"Appa, I'm not going forever. It is only for a week and you're crying?" she asked.

"I'll miss you very badly, darling" said Varun and hugged her. Narmada was rubbing his shoulder to console him.

"I'll miss you too, Appa" said Punya embracing her father.

"Ok, Ok time up, we've to proceed" said Narmada.

"Careful, you both are precious to me. Happy Journey" said Varun wishing them with a heavy heart.

"I will take care Sir, don't worry" said the coach.

"Bye Appa" said Punya.

"You too take care" said Narmada.

Varun was walking backwards and accidentally crashed onto a guy who was rushing towards the queue.

"Sorry Sorry" said Varun holding him carefully.

"Hi Uncle" said Prakruth.

"Oh Prakruth, going somewhere?"

"Yeah, Shimla Uncle"

"What?!!!" asked Varun in surprise.

"I'm also a participant in the badminton tournament, Uncle"

"Oh that's awesome.... Please take care of Punya and Narmada then"

"Sure Uncle, I will. It is my duty" said Prakruth rushing into the security check which was almost empty.

"How is it his duty..?." wondered Varun but he just wished "Bye, take care". He could go home light hearted... He was relieved as Prakruth was with his wife and daughter.

Coach was near the window, Jyoti and Narmada had seats next to each other in the aisle but Punya was left alone two rows behind them. Prakruth had some technical issues and he boarded the plane a little later. His coach kept calling him but he couldn't answer. He was the last passenger to enter the plane, his seat was next to Punya.... "Hi my angel" he said sitting next to her. She gasped looking at his face, he was smiling charmingly.

"Fasten your seat belts" said Prakruth as there was an announcement about departure. She was still in shock, she didn't respond. He put her belts on and fastened it himself. She was still staring at him astonished. He pulled her more closer to him sending a live wire down her spine. She shivered lightly and said "You scared me!!!"

"I'm sorry, I didn't want to scare you" he said.

"But... How did you come here?.." she asked.

"Through the same door you came" he chuckled.

"Oh Great Joke, leave me" she tried to get away from his arms.

"No... I won't" he tightened his embrace.

"Idiot, leave me" she scowled.

He released her from his arms and asked "Do you really love me?"

"No... I don't" she said and turned away looking out in the sky.

"Punya! Look at me" he pleaded. No response. "I'll go away if you don't respond" he threatened. "Go" she said.

Prakruth got up and went to the coach a few minutes later....

"Hey Prakruth where were you?" asked the coach.

"Sir, I was at my seat. I got delayed at security check" he grinned.

He was doubtful, "What happened? I was worried about you. You didn't even receive my call" complained the coach.

"Sorry Sir" apologized Prakruth.

"Ok ok, now settle down..." said the coach.

"Hi Aunty" said Prakruth turning towards Narmada who was sitting in the same row next to Jyoti.

"Hi Prakruth, didn't know you'll join us. Punya didn't tell me" said Narmada.

"Even she didn't know Aunty" said Prakruth waving at Jyoti.

"Hi Senior, you had exams till yesterday right?" asked Jyoti.

"Yeah... Why?" he asked.

"Then how will you be able to participate in tournaments day after tomorrow?? You haven't practiced at all..." she asked.

He chuckled... Coach replied instead of Prakruth. "He used to practice in the afternoon session and go home. You used to come after that. Prakruth is our esteemed player, he can participate even without practice" said the coach proudly.

"Nice Sir... Sorry for asking" said Jyoti. "Thank God, he's on the other side... Grumpy master" she whispered. Prakruth started laughing...

"Shshhh... He'll scold me if he knows" said Jyoti.

"Prakruth can you do me a favor?" asked Narmada.

"Yes Aunty, please order" he said.

"Ask the Air hostess to change Punya's seat here. Please"

"Aunty I can go there and send her here" said Jyoti. Prakruth crossed his fingers, he had purposely booked seats separately. Jyoti was about to spoil all the fun.

"No, Jyoti. You're also like my daughter. I can't send you alone there" said Narmada.

"Then we'll send coach there" said Jyoti.

"Why can't you keep your mouth shut Jyoti?" thought Prakruth.

"Your coach is grumpy, he might not leave that window seat. The guy who's sitting next to him is also a stranger. Punya's adjacent seat is empty. It is better, let her be there." said Narmada.

Prakruth exhaled deeply in relief and said "I'll check with Air hostess, Aunty. If not available, I'll look after her. Don't worry about it" he said and walked to his seat.

"Your mother is worried about you sitting alone" said Prakruth to Punya.

"Oh wait I'll talk to her and come" said Punya getting up from her seat.

"Punya sit down, I told her I'll take care of you. Please spend four hours peacefully with me" he pleaded.

"Oh oh this seat arrangement plan was yours??" she asked. He chuckled softly.

"Why did you do so?" she asked.

"To spend time with you" he said.

"Wait, my appa had booked tickets for amma... How did her seat come next to Jyoti and yours next to me?" she asked.

"Your father didn't select the seat, I booked these two. I paid extra for selection of last row and bribed cabin crew" he winked.

"Clever boy" she appreciated.

"What to do? It has been almost six weeks since we spoke properly so I didn't want to miss this chance" he shrugged.

"You missed me so much?" she asked.

"I was like a body without soul, Didn't you miss me?" he asked.

"No..." she shrugged.

"What????!!!"

"When you are inside me, why will I miss you?" she said.

"Stop those dialogs, tell me truth" he ordered.

"I almost forgot to breathe when I saw you today, do you know why?.... I was so desperate to see you all these days, but I couldn't meet you. Suddenly when I saw you, my heart skipped a beat in happiness" she said as her eyes became wet.

He opened his arms wide and she embraced him warmly.