Aparna went to Krishna's house after completing her chores at home. On her way she kept on thinking about her brother's words last night. She thought "am I really gonna get married? Not like I don't want it. And my parents really waited for me despite many were getting married at 15 or 16 years. They wanted me to be happy more than themselves and I know it firsthand. Why is it Chandranna? No one mentioned about this when I talked with them, not my parents, not my brother and not even Chandranna who just talks to me casually whenever we meet. What to do? If I say no, they won't force me further, but won't I be a burden if I still stay with them? I can't decide this myself....." she kept on talking to her self all the way to Krishna's house. She didn't call for her from outside and just went inside normally. Krishna came out of her room and they both talked in the yard and Aparna understood that they are having similar problem and reassured Krishna. She took her leave from them. Aparna kept walking for a while and stopped as she reached a familiar spot and a familiar back.
On the bank of river, Mallikarjuna was sitting as he stared deeply into the river. Aparna walked towards the rock and sat beside him. No one talked for a while. "Aparna, you did not come to our house today?" Malli asked. Aparna sighed and "I was not in a situation to come." Aparna replied with another sigh. Malli looked at her for once and turned his head towards the river again "what happened? Can I help you?" he asked in a worried tone. Aparna shook her head placing both her palms on the rock as she leaned on them facing the sky with her eyes closed. She took a deep breath "my brother asked me if I'm okay to marry..." she didn't tell the name. Malli "marriage? What did you tell to your brother?" asked hastily. "I don't remember what I told him clearly, but my brother did not ask me anything when I was leaving."she replied. Malli looked a little sad "are you going to marry him?" he asked in a low voice with his head down. Aparna looked at him "I don't know what I want. It's better if my family just decides and I can act accordingly. If I were given a choice I can't choose." she told him in discontent about her indecisiveness. Malli "Aparna, can I ask you a few questions? And answer me if you are comfortable okay?" Aparna nodded yes.
"Do you know him well?" He asked.
"I know him well. We used to play together and we still talk to each each other whenever we cross paths." she replied.
"Is he good to you?" he asked
"Not just him, his entire family is good to me. His mother loves me way too much." she replied with a content smile.
"Does he know everything about you?" he asked.
"We've known each other for more than ten years. I think he does." she answered dubiously
"Have you ever thought of marrying him?" He asked hesitantly.
"Not even once that crossed my mind." she replied immediately
"Do you like him enough to share your remaining life with him?" He asked.
Aparna couldn't answer that with yes or no.
Malli waited for a while to see if she answers and
"Do you have anyone you would like to share your future with?" he asked.
Aparna looked at him once as if searching for an answer, but silence was what she answered with.
"Can you get married to him just because your parents tell you to?" he asked
"Yes. With no second question." she immediately replied
"Can you imagine a life with him if you get married?" He asked.
"I... after...." she tried to answer but she was not clear herself to answer that question.
"Now... try to find out the answers for the questions you did not answer. That may help you to decide."he told as he reassured her. She smiled a little and "I will definitely try and tell you the answers" replied as she looked at him with a grin on her face.
Malli nodded.. and stared into the river again.
"Mallikarjuna, I really didn't expect you to be like this when we met for the first time. You are talking to me, looking at me, caring enough to help me to decide something. Your father must be happy to see you like again." Aparna expressed her thoughts. Malli chuckled a little "I'm sure he'll be glad. To see me with a lady, he'll be surprised." giggling to himself. Aparna didn't get that "what do you mean by that?" she asked to pacify her curiosity. He let out a soft sigh and "nothing, anyway why did you come here?" he asked curiously. Aparna replied "I don't know how and why I came here. I left Krishna's house and walked for a while. And when I came to my senses I saw you sitting here and I just joined you." explained the situation in detail as she herself couldn't understand the reason why. Malli smiled "don't just go walking around with an empty head. What if you're lost?" he teased her. "I this this is my first time walking like this. And..."she paused. "And... complete the sentence." Malli whined. "And I think I thought about how I came here when I felt like seeing you the previous month. I just came here and sat on the rock as I reminisced about you." Aparna replied as she tried to explain to herself rather than to the person beside her. Malli looked at her with beaming face, Aparna did not understand her own words and tried to recall and understand them. She looked at him who's already looking at her "I think I came here without thinking but for the same reason, I wanted to see you" she told him after organizing her thoughts. He smiled "I wanted to see you too. I can sense your presence here even in your absence." told her looking into her eyes. Aparna's hear skipped a beat. She immediately held her right palm over her chest for the unusual reaction of her heart which she's not associated with. Malli flinched "what happened, is it painful?" asked with throat full of worry. "No, it's just.. I don't know." her face looked confused. Malli looked like he understood and "let's head to our homes. You may get reprimanded again if you are late." he told her as he got up from the rock. Aparna stood up and trying to process what was happening to her. Malli took his towel and lead the way. They reached half way to their houses and separated in their respective directions.