Krishna, Aparna and karnukar ate prasadam. As Karunakar was about to get up, Aparna stood immediately crashing his brother's shoulder. Her brother , being immune to all her reckless and unpredictable nature, just asked ''what now?''sitting again from where he was about to get up. Aparna ''Brother, Krishna, actually I forgot to tell you that I came here for another purpose. Actually mother asked me bring her clothes from aunt subbamma the last day and I totally forgot about that until you mention about temple. Can I ask both of you to wait here for a while, i'll go fetch them fast.... please...please??....'' with a guilty and pleading expression on her face.
Krishna '' okay, be careful on your way, and DON'T WANDER AROUND'' with a hint of warning.. Karunkar chuckled as he heard Krishna's words and '' come back soon. We will be waiting right here.''looking at Aparna. As such, Aparna left leaving them alone. They became awkward with each other. Neither of them knew what to do. Krishna just kept looking at a distance which only god knows what she is looking at. Karunakar, usually is not a quiet man but infront of Krishna cat got his tongue. Karunakar kept stealing glances of Krishna the moment they met at morning. As he saw walking towards them, he felt a goddess has descended and walked through the morning dew. From then onwards he kept looking at her. Krishna ,without noticing this , kept her head low every time she saw him.
Now..... as he looked at her, her eyes gleamed so bright as sunrays reached her eyes like lignite. He just kept looking at her eyes. Feeling someone is watching her, Krishna turned her head towards her left side and caught Karunakar looking at her. Bashful, both turned their heads in the opposite direction as fast as could with their eyes closed tightly , pressing their lips tightly with their clenched fists.
Karunakar broke the loud silence '' krishna ,aaahhh..... how long has it been since we three came together! I miss the old days where you and Aparna kept clinging to me asking to play with you....!''as he leaned againt the tree. As soon as Krishna heard those words, her face looked so shocked as she was not expecting him to remember her like that. So she immediately '' THAT'S WHEN WE'RE AROund 5 or 6 years old, don't remember those things'' in a murmuring tone pouting her lips as she reached the last word.
Krishna still couldn't look at him:-(
Karunakar asked '' Krishna, can you give me your hand?'' mustering courage from every single cell of his body with closed eyes and extending his hand towards krishna slowly expecting to meet krishna's hand .... Krishna still coudn't believe what she just heard with her eyes opened wide and as she saw Karunkar hand slightly extended....she slowly put her hand over his hand with head still looking down mushy eyes with tears and lips curling towards a beautiful smile. Karunakar exhilerated as she gave her hand.... his hand trembled slightly as he tried to fold his fingers around her hand. ''Can I ..., can I kiss?'' asked as he held her hand tightly afraid she would take her hand away. Krishna, nodded slightly in response. Karunakar felt his heart trying to jump of his chest. He took her hand with both his hands and placed a gentle kiss in her palm slowly bringing her palm to place over his cheek and nudged a little into her palm with his eyes closed. Krishna felt something inexplicable feeling as he placed her palm against his cheek. Karunakar slowly lifted his eyelids and open them widely as he saw tears streaks on the ckeeks of the person infront of him. He was afraid. Scrared. ''Kk...kkkrrrr..krisshhnaaa... what happened?''he asked. She just shook her head indicating there is nothing wrong. Karuakar slowly reached her cheek and rubbed her tears away with both his hands on either side of krishna's face before he realised it. Krishna just looked into his after a long time, tears fell again making karunakar palms wet( not that he minded them)
Karunakar gently wiped them again with his thumb cupping her face. Krishna called ''Karnaa....'' looking into his eyes with a melancholic voice. Karunakar felt as if someone is twisting the insides of his abdomen. His hand jerked over her cheek as he heard his name through her lips in such a voice. His eyes became tearful but they refused to leave the eyes of the owner. He gently leaned towards her placing warm and gentle kiss over her forehead...as krishna felt the warmth of his air and lips tears fell again which karunakar wiped again slowing taking his hands off her.
Both became silent..and atmosphere became awkward again. But this time something is added to that air of awkwardness filling their hearts.
After a short time Aparna came with a bag in her left hand. As soon as she came, looking at krishna's face smacked her brother's back ''Brother, you did something to her, right? How many times did i tell you not to tease her? Idiot brother'' hearing those words krishna and karunakar blushed .Aparna just hugged Krishna as if she is protecting a child from a wild dog slowly patting her shoulder as reassurance....
Karunakar stood up looked at the location of sun '' we better hurry home. I've important work at farm today. I can't be late'' looking at both of them. Aparna'' I just came back and brother, you are telling me to walk again'' kept whining. Krishna'' I too think we should go. I need to prepare food '' Aparna sighed helplessly and got up to set off reluctantly. They walked to their respective houses shortly.
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Aparna came back. As she saw her brother and Krishna holding hands she went to talk to another relative leaving them be with a full smile '' finally , it's happening....''