Aparna and Karunakar froze when they heard their father's voice beside them. Obulesu is same as Aparna when he was younger. He still plays around with the elders of the village whom he's seen and played around with when he was younger. He really was handful to his parents. Village head, Muthyalaiah, Venkatesham, Singanna often hanged out together.... Obulesu put his hand on Aparna's head "what's with your brother, Aparna?" stroked her head gently. Aparna and Karunakar looked at each other not knowing what to do. "Dear, they were just playing around. Don't mind them. Should I serve the food now?" Subhadra came from the kitchen as a savior of those two. Karunakar didn't intend to hide that from their parents but surely he was not prepared to tell them now. Aparna and Karunakar's mind--in unison "mother you really saved us" sighed in unison. Their mother smiled as if she heard their internal gratitude. Obulesu "oh is that so? Okay. Dear serve the food. I'll wash my hands and feet and be back." Subhadra nodded and continued "you two quit playing around too much. How many years old do you think you are? Clean yourself and come back. Let's eat together today" spoke as she smacked her children back twice. Obulesu, Aparna and Karunakar came back. They all had the food together.
Krishna house.
On her way back home "can we get married already?" played in a repeat mode in the back of her head. Even after reaching the home, it still played in her mind with out leaving. She sometimes answered "we can" to the question in her mind. Her father was already at home waiting for her to have the food. She saw him waiting "Father.....! Are you waiting for me?" walked towards him hurriedly. "Slow down a little. I'm just sitting here, and thought it's about you come home so I sat here." Muthyalaiah replied. Krishna "Father, it is what you call waiting." Muthyalaiah giggled "hmm wash you hands and feet. I'll serve the food ."handed her ewer and towel. Krishna perplexed. She thought their roles seemed to be reversed. "Father..." in a low voice. "Hurry up. Food is gonna get cold Krishnamma." She nodded. She entered the house. He served her food first and then himself. They ate together. And when it was about to be completed, "Father, should I make you khilli¹?" she asked. He "no not today. I'll just have a banana" replied. She felt restless as to why her father is not asking why she's late. She couldn't hold it in anymore. "Father..." As she called him "Did you enjoy yourself today?" he asked. Krishna "yes father. I really had a great time today." smiled in satisfaction. "Then it's good" he replied and got up from eating place, went to wash his hands. Krishna hurriedly went before him and washed her hands and gave her father water and she went to bring a towel and came running to him , handed him the towel. "Seethamma, your parting gift to me is so lovely. You must be missing her so much right?" thought to himself taking the towel and looked at his lovely daughter with the eyes of him and his wife.
.....some days passed by
"Oormila, can you get butter from Krishna house? Auny Kasthuri should have completed its preparation by now." Kamala asked Oormila. Oormila "okay mother. Is it okay if spend some more time with Krishna?" asked her mother. Kamala smiled a little "it's okay. Bring the pot carefully. Remember not to break it like the last time." laughed out loudly. Oormila blushed.."mother that's not my fault."insisted firmly. Kamala "oh I forgot that it was the pots fault. How dare it escape from my daughter's grip?" she hid her face behind her hand trying hard to hid her laughter. Oormila face flushed to the latter statement where her mother clearly mocked her "motherrr. I'll be leaving to krishna's house and come back soon" puffed her cheeks as she said those and walked to the front door by stomping her feet on the ground. Kamala found her daughter very cute.
Oormila went to Aparna's house to ask if she could accompany her. "Aunt , is Aparna not at home?" Oormila asked Aparna's mother. "Oomila, you should've come a moment earlier. She just left the house to meet Krishna." Subhadra replied. Oormila "oh! No problem aunt. I actually came to ask if she could accompany me to Krishna's house." told her reason of visit. "It's good then. You can meet her there and come back together soon." Subhadra said happily. Oormila took her leave from Subhadra and left in her way.
Oormila reached Krishna's house. "Krishnaa are you home?" asked as she entered the house. "Oormila. Come in. Did your mother send you?" Kasthuri received her warmly. Krishna came in next few seconds. "Oormila.... did you come alone. You should have brought Aparna along. How nice it would be if we three talked together!!!" as soon as she saw Oormila Krishna spoke out. Oormila's flabbergasted by Krishna. She mentally calculated_ "didn't aunt Subadhra tell me she's headed to here? Am I mistaken or did she leave elsewhere? Why would she lie to her mother....." ."OORMILA.." Krishna's loud voice made her thoughts pouring out. She just replied "yes . I should've brought her along."with a dry smile. They talked for a long time and it was evening before they knew it. Kasthuri "Oormila, this is the butter your mother asked me to prepare. Be careful not to slip it. okay?" her eyes were full of doubts if Oormila can really handle the pot.
...Aparna took her leave from her mother after saying that she would be visiting Krishna. She headed towards the river and sat on the same rock she's been sitting for more than ten days,for a while as she looked into the river..."it's been almost twelve days since I've seen you. How are you? Should I just go to you despite the talks? No. Mother father, brother and Krishna will be worried if I see you. I really want to see you now." A tear dropped from her left eye as she was thinking those. She didn't meet the young man but came to the river bank and sat on the rock for a short time while reminiscing about the events happened during the month they were spending time together. After spending some time she headed to Krishna's house.
1.khilli-made of beetel leaf and beetle nut ,consumed after a meal.