Both of them took their hands to themselves and Krishna " hello uncle, you've come " Obulesu smilled at her and nodded his head. Father looked around the house and "hasn't Aparna come home yet?" asked in a serious tone. Krishna was scared and took a step back where she bumped her back against Karunakar's chest. She moved aside. Obulesu was furious. Subhadra came into the house as she saw her husband entering the house." Dear, should I serve the food?"asked Subhadra getting into his line of sight suddenly. Obulesu looked at his wife "okay" with the same serious face. Subhadra came to Krishna and whispered "you two stay in the yard. I'll need sometime to cool him off". Both left to the yard. Subhadra "why did you speak like that in front of Krishna? Did you forget about how sacred she was before?" Obulesu's face changed from seriousness to worry, "many people in the village are talking about Aparna following an young man all the day. I didn't have any objections towards her wild behavior but now she is just revolving around that young man. She's ought to get married tomorrow or the next day. I don't know what will happen if this continues" with a face full of worry and trembled voice. His anger turned into worry in mere seconds. His wife looked at him with an anxious countenance and " I know that but she looked like she's enjoying herself so I thought nothing about that". "Of course she looked happy and I am very happy for that. For when the future comes where she'll be questioned about this situation, how is she gonna answer those? How will everyone talk behind her? I don't want my daughter's life to become so insecure." Father's words were full of worry and eyes at corners have reddened. Mother became silent as her husband's were not just speculations but he's truly worried about her. " Okay dear. We'll try to talking to her tonight when she arrives." Father nodded and sat down to have food. Mother served him food and the worry about their daughter remained same.
In the yard... after Krishna and Karunakar came to the yard her hands continued to tremble, he took those into his hands and gently stroked them until her breath became even. They sat on the cot for a short time and he left to the field. Krishna sat alone for a while and she went into the house. Later she and Subhadra had the lunch. Subhadra told about her husband's words to Krishna. Krishna too was worried about that ," aunt I don't think she just follows him around to annoy or play with him,there may be another reason why she is acting like that. We know her well enough ,so I think we need to wait for her to tell us." Subhadra thought the same. .. ..
Later the late evening
Aparna came home later than her brother.
"Aparna, have some food and come here. We need to talk." Karunakar firmly told his sister. Aparna flinched at his brother's tone, who's voice is so warm and playful all the time when he talks to her. Aparna had some light food and came to his brother in the yard. She saw her brother and Krishna standing under a tree. "Krishna, what are you doing here?" Aparna looked at her. Krishna didn't answer the question but walked towards her and tightly hugged her. Aparna didn't understand that because she's the one who always pounce on to her and she reciprocates her affection. But now Krishna hugged her first. What happened? Regardless of these thoughts one thing she knew is she's happy to be hugged by her. She hugged her and slowly parted.
Karunakar asked
"Aparna, lately you've hanging been around an young man, right?"
Aparna nodded.
"Regardless of time. Do you realize that you've been coming to home late evening?"
Aparna nodded again.
"Do you know that mother and father are worried much about you lately?"
Aparna looked at him once and nodded with a guilty face.
" Are you happy hanging around him all the day?"
Aparna nodded.
"Would you hang out with him again after we tell you to stop that?"
Aparna looked sad and shook her head side ways as no.
"Will you be sad if you don't see him around?"
Aparna nodded and bent her head down looking at her toes.
"Okay, then. I'll try talking to mother and father. But you must be home before sunset."
Aparna looked at her brother as if she doesn't understand what he was talking about and looked at Krishna as if asking for an explanation.
Krishna "Aparna, you can hangout with him but not too much. Lately you haven't been at home or with me, or Oormila or any other villagers. Your entire Month has been filled by him. Your mother and father are worried about your reputation. If you were to get married tomorrow or the other day, they are worried some people may speak ill of your friendship."
Aparna doesn't know what to answer so she just "okay brother. I'm sorry to have you made worry about me." Her brother came to her and reached out his hand on to her head slightly pressing down " don't look so down. Your brother is with you. Don't worry. If anything were to happen I will take care of that. You just smile and laugh as much as you want."with a huge reassuring smile on his face. Aparna smiled a little, and as it was late at night, karunakar dropped her off at her home.
Aparna thought " is it not possible for me to play around with him all the time? And I didn't even realize I'm making all of them worried about me."As she thought those, without knowing, she fell into a deep sleep.
Next day morning, she got up early. Helped her mother with her chores. Made them food playfully. Mother looked worried. After eating, she asked " mother, do you want me to do anything for you? I'm on my way to Krishna's home." Her mother looked at her dubiously, "yes. On your way back, ask Sathyavati aunt for the earthen pots I asked her before. Bring them back carefully." "OKAY MOTHER. I'll come back fast. Are there any other things to be done?"
"No, but be careful when you bring the pots."mother replied. Aparna "okay,then I'll be going" and ran towards the front door...and disappeared. Mother thought someone was weird. Aparna left to krishna's house and reached in no time.
"KRRRRIIIIISHHHHHNNNNAAAAAAAAA...." called for her from about four houses distance between them...Muthyalaiah who came back to eat, pulled back himself at the front door when he heard the loud scream running towards him. He laughed out loudly....
...
The young man is late for work after waiting for Aparna.