Kanthamma rushed towards her son and kneeled down to his level hugging his son desperately. Chandranna just stood there holding Aparna's hand tightly. Village head Thimmappa, came to his grandson and tried to reach Chandranna. Chandranna flinched as he tightened the hold on Aparna's hand. Aparna looked at her hand once and looked in the direction Chandranna looked before shutting his eyes in fear. Aparna looked at his grandfather "grandfather, I'm Aparna. Don't scold him. I forced him to play." in a pleading voice. Grandfather looked at her and his grandson alternatively, "you are the granddaughter of Gireesham, right?" he asked Aparna. Aparna's eyes brightened and took a step forward "grandfather, you know my grandfather.." giggled while looking at him brightly and looked at Chandranna as if she's showing off her grandfather's popularity. Chandranna lips curled slightly. Grandfather looked at his grandson "I'm not going to reprimand him or punish him. We were worried about him since we couldn't find him here." he said gently patting his grandsons head and Aparna's shoulder. Aparna laughed brightly at his gesture. Aparna "grandfather can I play with him again?" she asked holding his hand with her other hand. Grandfather nodded. Aparna jumped excitedly in joy with both her hands occupied by grandfather and grandson duo. Kanthamma and his husband, Krishna murthy relieved to their son return unharmed and were happy that he found a playmate. Chandranna looked at his grandfather "grandfather, I'll learn stotras properly from now on. Can I really play with her for sometime?" asked in a low voice with fear filled words. Grandfather "okay. If you don't learn properly, I'll definitely whip you with cane." he almost threatened him. Aprana moved her hand towards her a little pulling Chandranna closer to her and she stepped infront of him as if hiding him from his grandfather, looked at his grandfather "please don't whip him. It pains. Very much." she begged him as if it was her getting beaten up. Grandfather eyes widened and "you are exactly like your father." as he looked at her, and continued "I won't whip him, is that alright?" asked ruffling her hair. Aparna "HMMMM" and grinned from ear to ear and looked at Chandranna where he let out a sigh of relief. Kanthamma called a servant "Rangaiah, go to Gireesham uncle's house and inform Aparna will be playing here for a while and don't let them worry about her." taking Aparna's hand into her and moved into their house. Rangaiah went to Gireesham house "sirr, Gireesham sir ?" called for him from his front gate. Obulesu came to him "What's it Rangaiah brother?" asked him as he came towards him. He explained the situation at his masters house and about Aparna. Obulesu nodded and "no problem. But accompany her when she want to return." said to Rangaiah as he's worried about her easily going out of her way. Rangaiah nodded and took his leave while greeting him. Obulesu went to his father and told him about this. Gireesham just smiled.
..
After leaving Aparna and Chandranna, Krishna took Karunakar's hand headed to their house with her small steps. Oormila looked at Siva "you know that kid?" asked him. Siva nodded, "we play together usually recently he hasn't come out of the house nor he played with us." replied to Oormila while walking leisurely putting his arms crossed at the back of his head. Karunakar continued "he fears his grandfather too much. I saw his being reprimanded. And he's really scary so I didn't even go to their area altogether." Oormila spine shivered as she heard about that and "what if he beats Aparna. Aparna just wanted him to play as he looked so sad." she was very much worried about Aparna. Siva pet her shoulders and "don't worry he is not like that. I told you, you're misunderstanding him. That's it. Aparna will come laughing brightly. I promise." he reassured Oormila. Karunakar looked at Krishna who's tightening her hold and smile dissipated from her face "Krishna Priya, don't hear to her. Aprana will come to your house and play with you. We should go and wait for her. Okay?" explained the situation as if he read her mind. Krishna gently nodded and "I ...wait for Apanna." smiled a little looking at him. Karunakar let our a sigh of relief and continued to walk forward as he told her random stories he heard previously along their way till they all reached Krishna's house.
Kasthuri received them and made some snacks and drinks.
Aparna went into their house with Kanthamma and Chandranna, and Kanthamma asked the children to wash their hands and feet. They did as they were told and followed her. "Chandranna, Aparna you both sit here on the mat, I will bring you something to eat" Kanthamma left them after making sure that they sat properly. She brought them some sweets and savory items along with fruit juice. They both ate them deliciously. After playing with Chandranna for a while, Aparna said "I'll be leaving now. I need to to Krishna's house. She might be crying by now." to Chandranna and his mother. Chandranna "will you come tomorrow?" he asked her as if he's inviting her to play with him. Aparna "yes. I will bring others too. We can play even more games and have more fun." replied to him with a beaming smile. Chandranna laughed too and sent her off along with her mother.
Aparna set out with Rangaiah "uncle, what's your name? I'm Aparna." asked him while introducing herself. Rangaiah looked at her affectionately "Rangaiah." he replied. Aparna tried pronouncing his name "Ramgaihaa" , "rangahai", "Rangaiah" ,"Rangaiah " she exclaimed "oh! I got it Rangaiah uncle hehe" giggled with a sense of satisfaction. Rangaiah looked at her " Aparna, me too. I got your name." They kept talking all the way to her house. They reached their house Aparna ran into the house and brought his grandfather outside holding his hand. Rangaiah greeted him with both of his hands. Gireesham nodded in response. Rangaiah "sir, our young master had a great time playing with Aparna. If you don't mind please allow them to play together." requested him. Gireesham "Rangaiah, if they are getting along why don't we let them play?" gave his approval which made Rangaiah happy. Aparna "grandfather, I'm going to play with Chandranna also. I like his mother too." told her grandfather with beaming eyes. Grandfather lifted her into his hands and held her tightly and told good bye to Rangaiah. Aparna "grandfather let me down. I want to go to Krishna's house. They are waiting for me there." told to her grandfather while struggling to get down by herself. Grandfather laughed at her struggle and let her down. She immediately ran off. Gireesham went into his house while chuckling to himself as he looked at his grandchildren.