Krishna couldn't get a wink of sleep as she was rolling all over the bed in happiness. She never thought it would be so simple. She just asked her father and his father agreed. She lied on the bed staring at the wooden ceiling. "My father agreed. If I knew my father would agree, I would have asked him sooner. What to do....? Why does a night last so long? I wanna share this with him as early as possible. I should sleep now.... no..no.. I shouldn't. What if wake up late? Don't sleep. Be awake. When the rooster crows the first sound I will jump out of the bed immediately and finish the chores at a lightening speed and head to his farm. He'll be there working at the field. If I'm late, he may go home. I should finish everything quicker and meet him as soon as possible. I need to tell him that father agreed. What to do, I can't stop shaking. Krishna... sleep, other wise it will be difficult to wake up tomorrow. Sleeeep, sleeeeeep... NO WAY I can sleep with all these THOUGHTS RUNNING AROUND MY HEAD. When does the sun rise? Did Surya dev forget to rise? Should I just finish every work now and set out to meet him as soon as the rooster crows? NO NO NO....If I start with chores now, father will definitely wake up from the sound of bucket from the well.... close your eyes.... right sleep. " internal screaming continued till three hours before sunrise. She finally fell asleep thinking about night and morning.
Rooster crows...
Krishna woke up in a snap. Freshened up. Finished chores at an abnormal speed. Kasthuri hasn't come home yet. She did everything herself and went to her father who just finished offering his prayer to sun. "Father , can I.." Krishna was stopped abruptly by her father "you can go." looking at his daughter. His daughter bent down to touch his feet for his blessing. Her father blessed her placing both of his palms over her head. She then took off from her house to field where he is working. She ran from her house in happiness attracting all the eyes of the villagers she passed by. She ran as fast as she could slightly lifting her skirt of half saree so as not to be in her way of running, long braid moving along with her moves, the sound of her anklets resounded in the silent path, sound of her bangles resonated with that of her ear rings, huffing lightly with an expression showing that she got everything she wanted, and a beautiful smile that never faded ,that reached her eyes which made them twinkling even more with the sun rays falling on them. she almost reached his field. He saw her running towards him from a distance so he strided towards her closing the distance between them. People who are already working in the field saw her running and began to speak among themselves. Not only the people of this field, but also villagers she passed through without heeding to anyone's calling her name, people working in the other fields, everyone she passed by thought what happened to her to make her run. Krishna was known to villagers for her gentle and calm nature. They were shocked to see her running early morning.
He closed the distance between them in a few step. Krishna came to him running, collided with him and held him tightly with regard to no one. She held him so tightly that he made a short whimper before returning her hug. Every one was watching them with their mouths open as it is almost a taboo to show affection for an opposite gender in public in villages especially, even more if they are not married. Karunakar caught those silent whispers and "Krishna Priya, let's go somewhere else." told as he gently moved her from him. He took her hand guided her to a solitary place surrounded by mango trees. No one will be coming to that farm. It is one of the farms Obulesu owns. It's not season for mangoes yet ,so Karunakar himself looks after the entire farm by inspecting and watering the farm. When in season, other workers will be employed there to take care of the trees and fruits.
He's still holding her hand. She stood with her head down unable to process what she's done earlier in front of those villagers. She was bashed from her own action, but didn't regret. "Krishna Priya." he called in a low voice. She nodded. He took her other hand into his hand and slowly swayed them sideways. She's smiling. He smiled looking at her. "Krishna Priya, you're looking so happy." he said as he took a step forward , holding her both elbows. She was overflowing with joy that cannot be expressed. She has no way of finding words to express her feeling now. She couldn't stop smiling ,her happiness reflected in her entire body. Her eyes twinkling, ears and lips twitching, feet tapping the ground in excitement, nasal ala flaring. He looked at her beaming as if the happiness traveled to him through his hand held at her elbow. "You know..." she said in a low voice and stopped as she was feeling shy..he leaned a little "I know..." he repeated her words. "My father..." she said. "Your father.." he repeated. "Give me..." she said. "Give you.." he repeated. She said "YOU.." looking into his gleaming eyes as she lifted her head closing the distance between their faces. Karunakar heart was pounding that Krishna could clearly hear it from the distance they were. Karunakar almost stopped breathing if not for Krishna holding on to his arms with her hands. His staggered a little soon balancing himself took her into his arms as slowly as possible as if not believing what he just heard. Krishna put her hands around his waist as if entirely taking the hold of her world. "Priya... you... really..?" he spoke in pieces. Krishna chuckling to his chest "mmm. Really. My father told me that he will be giving you to me. Is that alright?" she asked tightening her hold around him. He nodded into her head, "any time, with pleasure." he replied. "Priya.." he called. "Haa" she replied. "It is a beautiful dream. Right? " he questioned.