Chapter 4: 4.LUNCH in a paddy field ll
As soon as Aparna saw uncle venkatesham gesturing to come '' I know uncle won't forget me . I will come after having lunch with krishna and uncle muthyalaiah .'' Waving both her hand along with her upper body as she responded to uncle venkatesham. Uncle venkatesham chuckles himself and imitated Aparna by waving his both hands back.... watching this, people around them, filled the field with heartful and content laughter...making Krishna, Aparna, and uncle Venkatesham laugh out even more.....
After laughing with all ,krishna and Aparna continued to pass through the field along the ridge made of mud , as careful as possible. As they pass , uncle sathaiah(38), grandfather tirumaleshappa(62), uncle veraiah(39), aunt kalavathi(44), sister padma(24).....and many more greeted them in the same way as uncle venkatesham.
Krishna and her father Muthyalaiah treats every one with respect and care for them as a gaurdian making them even more respectable despite their status. Krishna , she grew up as their daughter since childhood calling them with particular relations ,recieved everyones love which made her forget her mother when she is spending time with them...Aparna , also familiar with everyone as they both used to stick together... Aparna and Krishna greeted everyone of them and made sure no one is left.... and they even got introduced themselves to new workers rajappa(23) and kanthaiah(47) as they walked forward. They were late for lunch.
Atlast they reached their father who is resting in the shade of neem tree by lying down on a sheet spread over a small area which can easily accomodate four to six adults lying down.
Muthyalaiah , on hearing her daugther footsteps through her anklets, opened his eyes with a satisfactory smile on his lips and as he looked towards his daughter, who is with all smiles over her lips and eyes, could not help but feel her daughter as the most precious being on whole earth.... as muthyalaiah wacthing his daughter with full love, Aparna came into his line of sight with a huge smile from ear to ear as she gives junnu box to him with both her hands fully extended towards him... muthyalaiah patted her head few times with affection and apprecition before taking the box into his hands. Krishna'' father, Aparna came running to our house to give this to you. As you were not at home, aunt Kasthuri suggested Aparna to come along with me to the fields and hand it over to you herself, '' krishna paused and looked towards Aparna as if she is passing a baton in a relay race.... Aparna took the baton with small chucking and looked towards uncle muthyalaiah '' uncle, aunt kamala's cow gave birth to a heatlhy calf. Aunt made junnu out of milk and shared with us a small portion and gave another portion to pass it to you, uncle.'' Finishing with a smile which made her eyes looks smaller with a big smile on lips and a little smug as she felt proud of herself for giving her favorite uncle his favorite sweet...
Muthyalaiah opened the box and huge smile appeared on his face.... as if he could not wait to taste that his legs felt restless and looked at krishna as if asking his daughter's permission to eat...
Krishna with a gentle tone and eyes towards her father and Aparna...'' wait for a moment i will set the lunch'' .. with that sentence both Aparna and Muthyalaiah faces shone brightly... krishna went to near water pump clean her hand and feet and came back to them as they watched her like six year old kids waiting for her mother to give their favourite dish... krishna looked at both of them and gave a small smile '' both of you , get yourself cleaned over there..'' like an order. They both went and came back to see themselves awed as they saw brinjal curry , spinach dal, mango pickle, piping hot rice, ghee, thick curd and at last junnu....
Muthyalaiah and Aparna looked and smiled at each other simultaneously.. and laughed even more , and both looked at Krishna as if asking her permission to sit down...as soon as she nodded both sat down and Krishna spread banana leaves infront of them and herself , they spread water over the leaf and washed it over, took water in their right hands and poured water around the leaf three times and prayed to Goddess Annapoorna Devi. Krishna served them and hers with the food...they started eating , as soon as they felt their hearts filled with joy and not just their stomach .. soon they finsihed eating with curd and completed their meal with satisfaction... and at last session they are waiting for.... Krishna asked the person near them to bring some palm leaves and he brought them... Krishna served junnu in those palm leaves after cleaning them.. and Krishna gave a small portion to the person who brought palm leaves. And she watched Aparna and her father looked as if they are over clouds. She felt so happy looking at them enjoying themselves like children.... as such they completed their lunch with satisfaction. Krishna packed the boxes and cleaned the area and got ready to leave. Her father '' rest for a bit before you leave'' . On hearing those words Krishna felt a little happy and lied againt the trunk of the tree observing everyone. Almost an hour later Krishna and Aparna left for home. On their way back home, they left bidding their farewell to everyone. As they went further ''Aparna, come here. You 've promised me that you would learn from me'' Uncle Venkatesham called for Aparna loudly. Aparna looked at Krishna nodding her head slightly went to uncle Venkatesham... '' I AM COMING ,UNCLE''...
Krishna looked at her and bid farewell to Uncle Venkatesham and Aparna ,returned to her house, where aunt kasthuri was waiting for her to return....