18. potential places.!

After taking their leave from Kasthuri and Krishna, Aparna and Oormila left for their homes when the sun was about 120⁰. They went to their respective houses. "Mother, you know, Krishna looked delighted. She's overflowing with joy. Brother already left her house by the time we reached there....." Aparna continued talking as soon as she entered the house. Subhadra looked contently at her daughter who looked elated due to her friend and brother's marriage. Subhadra thought "she's so happy about them, would she feel the same when it's her turn.?" she asked herself internally. "Aparna, can you go and inform this to Paresham and Surappa grandpa?" she asked her. Aparna smile dropped a little remembering that those two are the potential places where she could encounter Malli. Aparna let out an awkward chuckle and "mother, we just confirmed it now. Isn't it too early to tell them?" she asked hiding her true intentions. Subhadra sighed a little and "Aparna, it's what we've been talking about since ages. So now just inform them that this is confirmed. And one more thing... your father might be at Brother Muthyalaiah's house by now to talk about further things." she answered her daughter patiently. Aparna internally screamed "Idiot brother, why are you not at home now....?" maintaining her facial expression with a sweet smile "okay mother. I'll be coming back the..." she turned her back to go. "Aparna, wait." her mother called. Her eyes beamed with a little hope that she isn't needed to go. "Eat this before you go" she handed her some fruit slices. Aparna's lips went down again. "Okay mother. I'll take a few pieces and eat on my way." Aparna took few pieces and walked away.

"How can he do that to me? Now I'm so awkward even to go near their house. Not to mention the river bank which is like his second home. What's gonna happen if he were to appear before me? Last day I was saved as there were many others. What if I'm stuck with him alone again?...." her brain overworked form creating the scenarios about what she'll be doing if he were to appear infront of her while eating the fruits. She completed them in less than twenty steps. She stopped at a cleavage of road which leads to two different locations which she's supposed to go.

She stood at the center looking at the two directions one by one. "Aparna..?" a voice called her from her left side which leads to Surappa grandpa's house. She knew the voice without turning around. "Chandra..?" she called him as she turned around. Chandranna's face gloomed on encountering her. "Where are you off to?" Chandranna asked. "Uncle's house." she replied. "Ohhh. Is that so!! Then, do you wanna stop by our home on your way back home?" he asked excitedly. "Huhh?" her face filled with multiple questions. "Don't worry. No one will ask you about marriage until we hear anything from your father." he replied her with a sad smile knowing that she's been recently not talking to him much after mentioning marriage proposal. "Huuh. I'm sorry but there are other things to be taken care of." she replied with an awkward chuckle. "Aparna, can I walk with you till there?" he asked taking a step towards her. Aparna looked at him and nodded slightly. They continued to walk towards her Uncle's house. "Aparna, my mother misses you a lot. You haven't come by our house recently. She even asked me to bring you personally. "he stated. "Oh! I miss aunt too. I've been occupied with other things lately so there wasn't any chance to stop by. Help me tell her I'll visit her tomorrow or the following day." she answered him with much delight. Chandranna "okay. Don't forget. She'll make your favorite food and wait for your arrival." he said with all smiles over his face. "Chandra, can I ask you something?" Aparna asked him suddenly causing Chandranna flinch and was scared to hear or expect wait would be coming from her mouth.

Chandranna "hmm. What is it?" he asked calmly despite the inner turmoil. "Are you sure you wanna marry me?" She asked. Chandranna somehow expected the question but to be encountered is still different feeling. "I'm sure since I've met you." he replied with confident smile looking straight into her eyes. Aparna was a little taken aback "how are you so sure about that?" she asked curiously as if she's trying to figure out something or asking to clarify something for herself. "I don't have any particular reason for that. I just love you, no matter what you do. I've become too attached to distance myself from you now." He expressed himself as he walked with a content grin over his lips that is peaceful to look at. Aparna looked at him "won't that feeling change when I don't like you?" she asked after much hesitation. Chandranna "NO" replied immediately, "no matter what your reply will be, I can't seem to dislike you in any case. Not even if you kill me." he added with his eyes moistened but still lips are smiling. Aparna eyes moistened hearing those. "What if I agree?" he asked in a low voice. Chandranna eyes bloomed "I'll still love you." he replied in a calm voice. Aparna nodded and doesn't seem to be disturbed much about that. "Aparna, I'll be happy with you if we marry each other, but sure of its on your own accord. Don't listen or think about anyone or anything. Think for yourself before you answer." Chandranna told her hoping that she would try to think with a clear mind and accept him without anyone's interference. He likes her to be in his life, he wants her to think like that too. He can definitely find many ways to marry her forcefully but he doesn't want that, not when she's the reason whom he's now. Aparna just nodded without any words. "Aparna. We've arrived." Chandranna said looking into a distance. Aparna looked at the same point and "hmm..." Chandranna "okay then... I'll be leaving. Don't forget to stop by our house." he told her that repeatedly not to forget. Aparna "don't repeat it again and again. I'll come by. Don't worry and get going now. I need to finish some work and go to my house early before it gets too dark." she was slightly annoyed when he repeated the the same thing. "Sorry. I'll be going then. Get home before its too dark. Okay?" Chandranna told with a giggle. Aparna nodded "okay. I'll go first." left him before he could answer.