I was trying hard to sleep but I was
very excited that I couldn't. I was happy that we landed in Hyderabad. We hired
an auto early in the morning with the highest we can pay. Kiran was excited
that he agreed to pay more to the auto driver. That auto driver was lucky that he
found us as customers. I was playing pranks on kiran and he was enjoying it.
We reached their bungalow. Madhu Uncle
was there in his jogging dress reading newspaper.
'Surprise Madhu Uncle!' He was happy
seeing us.
'Where's Mounica? We are here to
surprise her?' Kiran spoke out boldly.
Uncle's eyes were suddenly dull 'Oh! Am
sorry about that! She already left'
'What?' We both shouted.
'Yes! It was yesterday. Didn't she tell
you?'
'We should have called her once Kiran!'
I said to him. He was feeling bad.
'You didn't call her? You should have
called her!' He laughed out and we heard a voice.
'Hey daddy!'
We turned our heads and it was her. We
were delighted. She was surprised seeing us there.
'I am sorry guys!' Her dad left leaving us
three there.
'Mounica! Am glad you are here. Uncle
almost killed us.' I admitted and Kiran said 'I am happy seeing you.' He was
staring into her eyes. I think I should not be here but how to go away.
I can smell that aunt's cooking and I
found that she was making 'Pulihora(lemon rice). I was attracted.
'I am suddenly hungry. I will bring you
both breakfast.' I stood and went to Kitchen.
Aunty and Uncle were discussing what he
did with us few minutes ago. Aunt was laughing at us. I went to her and
greeted. She insisted to get fresh before having breakfast. I was sent to Ravi
brother's room. It was not yet designed, I was expecting a lot and then I came to
know that the couple shifted to another room which was bigger. When I went down
after having a bath, Aunt was serving breakfast to Kiran and Mounica. Everthing
was looking great. Kiran and Mounica were smiling, but I was curious what
happened.
'Did you have a bath Kiran?' I smiled.
'I was hungry Arjun! So Aunt suggested
only to brush my teeth instead of a bath' Everyone was smiling at him.
'Arjun! Am happy you both planned to
come here before I leave. Thank you' She said.
'Mounica! We didn't plan. It was a
sudden one. Arjun was longing to see you.' Kiran said.
We had a long chat along with carroms.
It lasted till lunch. It was a feast cooked for us. I was concentrating on my
food and Kiran on Mounica. Why is he disturbing her with his looks.
'Kiran! What happened in the morning?'
I whispered in his ears.
'I said everything to her.' Kiran said.
'Everything? Did it go well?'
'I think so! I said everything!'
Kiran said everything in few minutes.
Did he express himself in his own style or he was a little bit romantic? How
did he do that? He is a brave one. I was saving my questions for him.
'Kiran! Then what are you doing now.
Will you cause a problem now?'
'Looks like I will!'
'Why?' I moved my lips.
'I didn't get her. She just smiled and
said nothing. I want it clear. Is she okay with it or not?'
'Stop whispering to each other and
start concentrating on food' Mounica shouted on us.
Soon after lunch, we came out to get
her some gifts. I bought some chocolates for her. Kiran was still thinking. And
I started giving suggestions.
'Buy some chocolates?'
'That! you already bought for her. I
want something different.'
'Buy some flowers?'
'It is good but I want something
other?'
'Are you thinking of some showpiece..
or a comedy piece?' I was laughing.
'Stop it Arjun! I know now what to buy
for her! Arjun! Let's go!'
He made us stop at a place where a lot
of watch stalls were available.
'A watch..Hmm!' I smiled.
He showed me a watch and I went to
flashback.
We were on a visit to Mounica's home on
summer vacation. She had shown us a watch. It was woven which was colorful and beautiful. The
wrist band had light brown colored beads in it forming 'BEST FRIEND', it's one end was
attached to a small dial which had little dummy diamonds on it and the other
end to a hook which beautifully holds the dial. She insisted us to buy it for
her but we rejected saying it was too much colorful. And today we are here
searching for it and Kiran found it.
'Where did you people go?' She shouted
on us.
I handed over some chocolates to her.
She smiled and started eating.
She asked Kiran 'What did you bring
Kiran?'
'Nothing!'
'Nothing?' She asked in disappointment.
'Mounica! I am here right! What is the
need of gifts?' We all smiled.
She was leaving as there was an
announcement that her plane was about to leave. Kiran took her aside, took her
wrist and replaced her watch with the one he bought for her. She was happy.
'Did you remember this?' he asked in
happiness.
She nodded horizontally. Kiran was
about to feel bad and she said 'Yes Kiran! I remember it!'. His eyes were lit
and were sparkling.
She said something into Kiran's ear.
And she went away waving us. I was feeling good that we were happy.
Madhu Uncle suggested taking their car
to Bangalore but we rejected softly and managed again to catch a bus and were
seated comfortly.
I was very much curious what she said
to him secretly. I was requesting him to reveal.
'Please Kiran! Tell me.!'
'Why don't you ask Mounica?'
'I want to hear from you! Pleaseee!'
'She said..' I was hearing.
'She said that..' I was still hearing.
'She said that she will say a 'Yes'
after she returns to India.'
'Yeah!' I shouted and everyone was
staring me in the bus.
-Arjun Krishna
-Arjun Krishna