*
Later in the night, Punita locked her bedroom door and grabbed her phone. She tapped on it to call Nitin but the phone was switched off. Damn it! How if I call Nita? She may help me in this crisis, and tell me about Nitin’s condition.
She searched her classmate Nita’s name in her phone book and tapped on her number. After a couple of rings, Nita answered her call. “Hi, Punita what’s up?”
“Nita, I need your help, Nitin is admitted in the Central Hospital in Mount Road. I would like to know his condition,” Punita said.
“Okay, but what happened to Nitin?” Nita asked.
Punita’s eyes welled, and waited for a couple of minutes. How can I tell Nita my brother has beaten Nitin? I feel ashamed of it. “My brother Mohan is after him, and he beat Nitin in the evening after the college hours.” Punita swallowed.
“Oh, my God! I will go immediately to the hospital and call you from there,” Nita said.
Punita’s chest lightened. “Yes, Nita, you please do the favour, and I appreciate your help.”
“You don’t worry, I’ll take care of everything,” Nita said.
“Thank you so much, Nita.”
“Are you coming to the college tomorrow?” Nita asked.
Why is she asking so? Is there anything important in the college which I’m going to miss? “I may not, I am quiet upset, and my brother may not allow me to go for few more days. Why are you asking so?”
“Don’t you remember tomorrow is the last date for paying exams fees? I can pay for you and Nitin if you wish,” Nita said.
“Yes, it will be great, Nita, and at least you pay Nitin’s fee. I don’t want him to waste a semester because of me,” Punita said.
“All right, I’ll pay both of your exams fees, and I’m leaving now,” Nita disconnected the call.
Meanwhile, someone knocked on the door, and Punita hid her phone under the mattress and strode towards the door to open it. It was her father, Jagan. He wore a white pyjama and had applied a sandalwood paste on his forehead.
“Why have you locked your room?” He asked, knitting his brows.
Punita remained silent, and walked towards the bed. Jagan sat on the couch and waved Punita to take her seat. Punita made herself comfortable on a chair.
“Mohan told about your closeness with your classmate, is it true?” Jagan asked.
Punita remained silent, and she rolled her eyes.
“Don’t you know our family status? You will ruin our fame by indulging in these affairs. I will not be able to face my colleagues if you behave so,” Jagan said, with his brows knitted.
Punita inhaled a heavy breath. “Is it a mistake if I’m friendly with my classmate?”
“Mohan said you always hang with that guy, and don’t you fear what people will talk about you and us?”
“Well I don’t care what others say about us,” Punita said.
“But we do care for our status, and if you become so adamant, you have to leave us forever,” Jagan said in a stern voice.
“I don’t mind leaving all of you for my happiness,” Punita said.
“Don’t talk nonsense. Do you think you’ll be happy if you leave us and stay with that nerd?”
“Dad, I don’t like calling my friend like that, and everyone has their own respect.”
“Punita, you’re staring at destruction of yourself and loss of our status, try to be rational in your thoughts,” Jagan suggested.
Punita remained silent and clasped her hands together, staring at the floor.
“Don’t be adamant in your behaviours, and listen to what I suggest.” Jagan walked out of the room.
Punita felt a knot in her stomach when her dad left the room cautioning her of the incident. She needed Nitin and wished to know how he is doing. It is better to act faster as my parents and Mohan may not leave us to live in peace.
She waited for several minutes for Nita to call her in eagerness, and when she didn’t get her call, she decided to call. She tapped on Nita’s name and waited for her to answer.
“Punita, I’ve just parked the vehicle and about to enter the hospital. I will call you in few minutes,” Nita said.
“Okay, let me know how Nitin is doing when you reach his place.”
“Sure, I will,” Nita said.
Punita paced in her room for a couple of minutes and her phone rang after a few seconds. It was Nita.
“Hi, Nita, any update?”
“Nitin is being treated in Intensive Care Unit. A security guard told me Nitin is hit badly in the head by one of the men from Mohan’s group.”
Punita’s chest tightened. “What? Intensive Care Unit? Is he alright now?”
“Yes, serious but out of danger.”
“Where are his parents? Are they all right?” Punita paced in her room.
“Yes, they’re waiting outside, and are worried.”
“Can I speak to them for a minute?”
“Sure, I will give them the phone,” Nita said.
“Punita, how are you? Please don’t put us into trouble by speaking with us,” Nitin’s dad said.
“No, Uncle, I’m sorry for whatever has happened.”
“You need not be sorry, and please leave my son alone. We don’t want your brother to trouble him anymore.”
Punita felt a knot in her stomach, and she rose from the couch. She wanted to convince Nitin’s dad further but decided to remain silent, and switched off her phone.
Moments later, she felt sympathetic towards Nitin’s parents and called Nita. “Nita, please help them in whatever way it is possible. I meet them when I get out of my home. I am stuck here as my parents are not allowing me to go out,” Punita said.
“All right, I’ll help, and you take care of yourself.” Nita ended the call.
Punita sat on the couch and her eyes welled with tears. What should I do now? Nitin is being treated in the hospital, and I’m in my home locked up. I will teach a proper lesson to Mohan when Nitin is discharged from the hospital. We will speak with Gopal to help us to find a solution to our love affair.
The Wounded Hearts Page 3
