"As my mother saw me like that, she couldn't bear it. Surappa grandpa adored my mother and me even though my mother is not their child. When Surappa grandpa heard this from my maternal grandfather, he immediately wrote to him to send both of us to his house. Grandfather agreed and my mother too agreed for that. When we came here we didn't know anyone except grandma and grandpa. Grandpa brought me to village heads house, to his flower plantation, to his regular customers on the very first day. I didn't talk a single word. I did everything as he told. Two days later you came with your friend . The next day you followed me, I tried to ignore you, you still followed me..the next day... the next day..till a month passed away...you still followed me around. I would be lying if I say I didn't enjoy your company eventhough we never literally spoke to each other. You following me all around reminded me of following my father entire day without complaining same as you did. I became curious. I thought I would be talking to you the next day but you disappeared without a trace. I stayed back at home for sometime in case you would be running late...you didn't come..the next day and the next day....almost two weeks passed.. you came today. So I think I should tell you this now or I don't know when I will get the chance." He took a breath.
Aparna was wailing his heart off pressing her nose with the corner of her floating pleates of her saree. She didn't think that his heart would be holding such weighing emotions. She didn't think she would cry. She didn't think he'd wait for her. She didn't think he noticed her. She didn't think he'll have anything to tell her... Young man looked at her and "ooh! Why are crying?"he exclaimed. "I don't know. They are just falling."she replied as she continued her wailing. He chuckled. "What is that you wanted to tell me?" Aparna asked as she tried to compose herself. "I show you my gratitude from the deepest part of my heart." He said. Aparna confused at his figure of speech using such sophisticated language. "What are you trying to say? Tell me like I can understand." with a dumbfounded look. "Aparna thank you. I really mean it. You made me remember my happy and joyful days with my father. When you went around your way to greet the villagers, it reminded me of my father's words and you made my mother smile and laugh which I failed her as a son and most importantly you made me want to talk again. I don't think I uttered a single word out of my will since my father's death. Thank you Aparna. My mother made a great decision to come to this village." Aparna was awestruck by his gratefulness. She was shy as he praised her straight to her face. She reminded herself to calm down "you really talked all the words of past three months within such a short time. Sun hasn't even moved a notable distance. And don't Thank me for those things. I just did as Surappa grandpa told me to do. Today too, I normally came to visit them as I used to ,even before you came."she insited on the last part firmly. He laughed to himself as he saw her red ears and fidgeting her fingers so hard. He nodded and kept silent for a while. Aparna couldn't bring herself to ask more about his father and his childhood when he himself told her all these. Aparna "Mallikarjuna.... how are you feeling now.?" asked hesitantly. He let out a sigh and "I think I'm a little relieved after talking about my father. I should apologize to mother for making her worried about me. I'm feeling better than before. Thank you Aparna." smiled at her a little. "Idiot, don't thank me. You should really say sorry to aunt ,grandma and grandpa." Aparna added with her bashful face. "Let's just sit for a while and go to grandpa's house" he replied. She nodded. They both were silent with a satisfactory and gentle smile appeared over their lips. After a short while "let's go. We can't make them wait for too long" Aparna said as she stepped down from the rock and stood beside him.
He nodded "let's go."
They arrived at grandpa's house. Grandpa was working on some plants in the yard. Grandma and Prabhavathi were working on kitchen. "Mother" he called from outside. Prabhavathi almost cried at the sound of his son after a long time. She immediately got up and ran towards the front door, followed by grandpa and grandma. "Malli..." Prabhavathi looked at his son dearly. "Mother, sorry for making you cry and worry about me all this time. I'm really sorry" touched his mother's feet as he apologized. His mother took his shoulder and lifted him up. "Good to see you talking to me now. I'm really glad" hugged her son as she cried, he comforted her. He apologized to grandma and grandpa. They were happy he was talking to them. Every one looked at Aparna with eyes full of gratitude that cannot be expressed in words. Grandpa " Aparna ,come in. Let your grandma cook you favorite dish." asked her to come into his home as usual. This was enough for Aparna. "Ooook grandpa. Grandma I want Jowar roti and fresh honey." Aparna asked excitedly. Grandpa " Dear, make roti, I'll go and fetch fresh honey from Ramalingam." turned towards his wife and later patted Aparna's head. She giggled. They went into the home and chatted for a while. Grandma started to make Jowar roti. Aparna helped her to make them. After grandpa brought honey, Aparna smeared a roti with honey and rolled it and took a bite and hummmeddd deliciously closingher eyes and feeling that sensation with her entire face. "Grandma your roti must be eaten only with honey from uncle Ramalingam farm. It's to die for." She took another bite and ate it in such a delicious way that made everyone follow her. They completed their rotis and Prabhavathi preserved the remaining honey. Aparna took her leave from there and went to krishna's house directly.
.....
Grandpa, grandma were literally in tears when their grandson talked for the first time since he came here. Prabhavathi "Thank you Devi Parvati for sending Aparna "prayed to goddess Parvati with gratitude. And reassured her husband that their child is doing well now.