Krishna nodded slightly'' maybe''. Aparna '' I will go and check that. If it is true, I will ask him what happened and apologize properly.''as she was about to get up ,pulled down by Krishna. Aparna gave her a dubious look. ''Hold your reigns'' , ''but..?'' ''I will come with you'' with a concerned look. Aparna nodded happily. Like that they left to village head's house as the heard a new family came near his house.
Village head Ramana Murthy is kind hearted and leads the village in a healthy manner. As they arrived at village head's house they noticed him just leaving ''UNCLE MURTHY.....'' Aparna called out loudly. Ramana murthy stopped and looked at them.''Aparna. Are you here for an errand of your father?''. ''No Uncle, I came here to confirm something.'' Aparna replied. ''Confirm something ! Is every fine?''asked with hint of concern. '' everything is fine. Actually I came here to ask about the family who came here few days ago.'' with a hint of hesitation as she asked about their family. Ramana Murthy...looked at Aparna and Krishna alternatively and answered'' they came here three days ago. Head of their family died due to snake bite when he was working in his field. The lady couldn't bear to be in their house without her husband so they sold their house and land to someone from their village and came here. You know grandpa surappa, right? She was his older brother's daughter.'' looking at the direction of grandpa surappa house, continued ''situation of her son became bad as his father died. He blames himself for his father's death saying he would've worked with his father a little longer without leaving him alone. Watching her outgoing and bright son blaming himself for everything and loss of her husband ,mother doesn't know what to do anymore.'' Murthy concluded.Krishna and Aparna looked at each other as if they got the answer they came looking for. Krishna, noticing Aparna's hesitation asked '' can we go and meet them, Uncle Murthy?''. Ramana murthy '' do you know them?'' asked with a little surprise. ''No, but... i saw the young man...'' Aparna answered in a low voice. Krishna explained what happened between them. Murthy'' You can meet them but don't make them uncomfortable. They just came here and their situation is not so good.'' Krishna and Aparna nodded simultaneously ''okay, I am getting late, I will take my leave'' uncle Murthy left them hurriedly
'' shall we go?'' asked krishna,looking at Aparna. Her heart began pounding just by remembering the way that young man trembled. She braced herself and clenched her fists tightly, took a deep breath and composed herself before nodding her head. Both Krishna and Aparna walked towards the direction of grandpa Surappa's house. As they neared the house Aparna heart raced faster and faster. Grandpa Surappa noticed krishna and Aparna and called out them''Aparna,.... krishnamma... come here '', in a voice that is audible to them. Aparna '' coming.. coming....'' immediately changing into her cheerful countenance. They arrived at grandpa's house and greeted him.'' Come in , let me give you some sweets your grandma made'' leading them into his house. Aparna'' thank you grandpa. I missed grandma's cooking.''followed grandpa . Krishna followed her. As they entered their house, they noticed a lady in her middle forties sat on a leaning chair made of wood looking so sad.
Aparna went and gently kneeled down infront of her placing her hand gently on aunt's hand'' aunt, I am Aparna. May I know your name?'' asked with a genuine smile. Aunt looked at her with a forced smile and placed her other hand over her head '' Prabhavathi'' in a low voice. ''Woah. Aunt Prabhavathi. Your name is so beautiful just as you. I like it.'' with a big smile making her eyes look smaller. Hearing these words Prabhavathi felt happy remembering her husband saying the same sentence. She smiled at Aparna genuinely this time and looked at grandpa Surappa and the girl beside him. Grandpa introduced them as '' she is village daughter Aparna, and the girl beside me is krishnamma.. I am close to their parents and naturally we became acquainted quickly.'' with a big proud smile as they introduced them as his grand daughters. Aunt Prabhavathi looked at Aparna and called ''village daughter, seems so true.'' with a sweet smile. The sadness in her face began to fade as they talked, grandma brought them some sweets and savory items to eat.
Krishna looked at grandpa and grandpa asked'' I still can't believe how fast she can make anyone comfortable around her. This is the first time she smiled after her husband's death. I was very much worried about her and her son. Seeing her now , sure makes me happy.'' Krishna replied '' you are right ,grandpa. It's really a blessing. Sometimes I wonder about that too.This is their first meeting but it doesn't seem so'' both smiling.
They smiled and laughed as they talked. After a short while, an young man came into the house with his hands holding basket of flowers. Aparna stopped laughing and looked at him as he went into a room where he placed similar baskets. Prabhavathi called him. He came. ''This is my son mallikarjuna '' Prabhavathi looking at krishna and Aparna. And intoduced Aparna and Krishna to him he just nodded and sat silently without a single sound from his throat. Aparna tried to talk to him but in vain. He didn't even look at her directly. Grandpa looked at Aparna ''Aparna.. don't discourage, come by our home whenever you feel like , he'll definitely warm upto you'' patting at shoulder encouragingly. Krishna supported grandpa's words. Grandma '' You haven't come by recently. Do you not miss me?'' sulking. Aparna went to grandma's side '' I miss you too... I miss the snacks you make...'' wrapping grandma in her arms and swinging sidewise playfully. ''Then come by often ,I'll make you different kinds of snacks'', ''Really?'' Aparna asked making her eyes wide.Everyone chuckled expect one.
After some time they took their leave from aunt Prabhavathi,grandpa and grandma and left to their home. Krishna dropped off Aparna and headed to her house. As aparna entered her house, her eyes layed on a calender and remembered something ''Brotherrrr...''
Her brother was not at home. He was still with Siva. Her mother came out of the kitchen , '' what now? What did he do this time?''in a flat tone as if her screaming meant nothing to her. ''Mother..... tt...ttoo ... ttommorroww....'' pointing at calender making her eyes as big as possible.