The next day, Aparna went to Krishna's house."Krishna Krishna where are you?" Aparna called for Krishna as soon as she entered her house. Kasthuri came to her "just wait for a while Aparna, master is talking about something to her." told Aparna and left to continue her work. After a short time, Muthyalaiah came out of the room and "Aparna when did you come?, Krishnamma Aparna's come." looked at Aparna and at the same time told his daughter about Aparna. "Just a while earlier uncle." Aparna replied and looked at Krishna who just came out of the room after her father called.
"I'll be leaving for work. Think a little about what I told you." Muthyalaiah left. Krishna looked at Aparna gesturing her to come near with her head. Aparna moved towards her. Krishna walked into the yard taking Aparna's hand.
"Krishna is everything okay?" Aparna asked with a worried countenance. Krishna sighed and "what to do? Aparna. Should I tell him about your brother?" asked as she held both of Aparna's hands with hers tightly. Aparna looked worried and "can you tell me what happened?" Krishna looked at her "my father wanted me to marry someone. I don't know what to do " explained the conversation between her father and her. Aparna laughed out loudly... "Krishna, how is it even possible?" laughed again. Krishna looked at her confused. Aparna calming herself, "actually I came here to talk about that. But you really surprised me Krishna." Krishna looked perplexed "how do you know before I talk about it?" asked innocently. Aparna pet her head and "mine too. My brother asked me about same thing the last night so I came here to ask for an advice. But here you are having the same situation." Krishna nodded, "are you going to get married? To whom?" asked excitedly. Aparna "hold your horses. It's not confirmed. They just told me and asked if I like it. If I'm okay with him, they will proceed with marriage." Krishna "did you say okay then?" "No. I didn't know how to react so I just nodded when my brother asked me. And he just kept it at that."Aparna replied. "Is he someone you know? How is he ? How about his family?" Krishna asked. "You know him. He is Chandranna, son of younger brother of village head." Aparna replied with her head down. Krishna "oh. Chandranna. He is very nice guy. And his family too. Why did you not answer to your brother when he asked? You know him right?" asked Krishna. Aparna couldn't reply that. She's known him since young. He is an ideal person one could ask for marriage and his family is kind and caring. Her mother likes her a lot. Aparna thought these and "I should have said okay then right?" asked looking at Krishna. Krishna "yes if you're truly okay with that." Aparna nodded. "Krishna what is about your marriage? Is he someone I know...wait ?"Aparna stopped abruptly as she remembered her brother. "Did you not tell your father about my brother?" Krishna shook her head sideways "I couldn't tell him. He asked me before if I was ready for marriage. I couldn't tell him then and now" looking disheartened. "Don't worry. My brother won't let anyone else marry you" Aparna told her in a reassuring tone. Krishna nodded. Aprana took her into her arms and pat her shoulder. Krishna felt reassured. But Aparna felt even more anxious. She went home after some time.
After two days....
Karunakar "Aparna, what do you think of him? Is he to your liking?" Aparna nodded yes. Karunakar "then can we proceed with marriage arrangements?" She nodded again and didn't say a word. Karunakar jumped around her sister in joy. She burrowed her face into her palms. Karunakar went into the house "mother ,father Aparna agreed to marry him. We can start by arranging pelli chupulu¹ for them." excitedly told his parents. Aparna still couldn't belive she is going to get married.
Krishna couldn't hold her anxiety from when her father told about her marriage. Internal monolouge....I will definitely tell father today.Encouraged herself. Inhaled a long breath... once.. twice.. thrice...no way I can talk about that to father.. no..no I must tell him before he brings a name of the groom. I will definitely tell him. I can.. I can.. I will...tel....
"Krishnamma..water" her head got rolled into reality and went to his father with water and towel hurriedly. Looking at her fidgeting daughter "do you want to tell me something?" Krishna nodded and immediately shook her head sideways violently. Her father chuckled at her cute action. "Tell me. Is there something you want?" her father asked. Krishna nodded. "What is that?" he asked. Krishna took a deep breath and "Karunakar". She finally said it. Ewer from her father's hand fell suddenly and he looked at his daughter for a while in shock. Krishna couldn't guess what his father will do as she said it. She closed her eyes tightly not daring to look at her father's expression. She heard a light chuckling sound. She tried to peek through her right eye and slowly opened both eyes. Her father was trying his best to control his laughter. Bashed. She didn't lift her head to look at her father. Her face and body became soft due to nervousness. She felt a warm weight on her head slightly moving to and fro. She gently tried to look at her father. He was affectionately stroking her head. "Krishnamma I really didn't expect you to ask for him." he told her, continued "I'm really dumbfounded at your sudden confession." Krishna just moved her head according to his father's stroking and felt very happy. "Okay. I'll give him" he answered. Krishna's face lit up in mere seconds and her eyes moistened. "Father, really?" He nodded. She almost jumped in joy. Seeing her daughter lightening with joy ,he remembered her wife when their parents accepted their marriage.
Muthyalaiah..
His father had long known about them liking each other. Not just his father but every one who knew them have known that they liked each other since they were young. In fact his intention when he asked Krishna about marriage is this. But he didn't expect that his daughter would ask him to give Karunakar to him. Obulesu and Muthyalaiah talked about their marriage since they were children.
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1. Pelli chupulu:- literally translated to wedding looks. Hindu tradition where some people from groom family formally visit brides family before confirming marriage, if successful leads to marriage.