"What's happening with Aparna? I can't even imagine what's in her head?" Karunakar queried himself. His uncle looked at him dubiously "Karunakaraa, what happened? Is something wrong?" asked his nephew who seemed to be struggling internally. He woke up "nothing, uncle. Just... by the way, aren't on your way to your farm?" he asked as he steered the topic off. "Hmm. I got up a little later today, sun is all up now. I need to go now. Go and greet your aunt." Paresham told him pointing to his house where his wife's sweeping the front yard. "Okay uncle. Take care, then..I'll go and meet aunt." he took his leave from him and walked into his aunt's direction. Padma saw him coming as he neared their house, "Karunakaraa, come, come,..." invited him excitedly while placing the broom on to a corner. "Aunt, how are you? My cousins..... still sleeping?" he asked with same energy. "Yes. They're still sleeping. Did you not go to the farm today?" she asked him as he's not the type to skip the work. "Actually, I came here to temple and was talking with someone, then uncle saw and called me.." he replied. "Oh is that so? Wait here, I'll give butter pot, I was supposed to give it to your mother today, thank God you came here." she went into the house as she said those words, and came back with a pot with butter till the brim where cloth is slightly stained with moisture. "Aunt, can I taste a little?" he asked his aunt unable to resist the fresh smell of the butter. Aunt chuckled at him who's looking at the pot as if one could engulf that it in a single gulp. "Haha, wait for a while, I'll get you that in a small bowl"she went in while giggling. Karunakar stared at the pot intently like he could easily bore a hole through it. "Here, if you want more,tell me" Padma handed him a earthen plate with butter as soft as cloud. "Thank you aunt" Karunakar received the plate with beaming grin and took a bite from it "hmmmmmmmmmm" he hmmed with delicacy while appreciating his joy with his face, closed eyes and smile from ear to ear. Padma looked at him "you become a kid infront of butter. I still remember you watching the pot as I churned the milk till it become butter." she laughed while reminiscing about his childhood. Karunakar "you would always give me the fist bite from that." smiled at her aunt and took another bite of butter. Both chucked and giggled while recalling his childhood. After sometime, "aunt, thank you for the butter. I'll give this to mother an head to farm from there. Take care aunt." bid his farewell. "Okay. Careful on your way. If you want to eat it, come here as usual. I'll make it for you." seen him off with a warm gesture and smile. Karunakar left her and walked towards his home.
On his way back home he put the pot on his right shoulder while supporting it with his right hand from its side. "Aparna, is there anything you are hiding from me? Or am I missing something?" asked himself as he approached his house front gate. "Mother, water." he called for his mother. Mother came to him hurriedly and "what happened? Didn't you tell me that you would be going to farm from the temple? Did you forget anything?" she asked in a worried tone. "No mother. I did not. Padma aunt gave me butter so I just dropped by to give this." handed her the pot which he kept aside after reaching his home. "Did you eat from it?" she questioned him almost believing that he would definitely taste that. "Noooo. Aunt gave a separate portion."he replied happily. Subhadra laughed at her son "okay. Then no problem." she told him in a nonchalant tone and lifted up the cloth to take a glance at butter. Karunakar trying to control himself "mmmother, I'll be going to the farm and be back" he walked reluctantly without entering the house.... his mother chuckled at her grown up son behaving like a kid infront of butter. "Come back a little earlier " she said in a loud voice which made Karunakar turn around, he nodded and went off.
He went to their farm where people were already working their parts. Subbanna "young master is late today! It'll definitely rain today. We better be careful while storing these." he teased him loud enough to make other workers laugh. Karunakar smiled at him "uncle, I just went to temple before I came here." he replied embarrassed having everyone looking at him. "Haaa... don't look an laugh at me. Continue with your work. I'll join you shortly after checking other fields." he left them feeling abashed. He continued to oversee the workers in fields, water supply channels and looked for any pest infestations. Before he realized shadow was right under his feet. He called for Anjaneyulu "brother, look after these for a while. My mother asked me to go home earlier." explained what he need to do. "Okay. Be careful on your way. Don't worry about farm.." Anjaneyulu reassured him and sent him off. Karunakar as he neared his house "Karunakaraa, wait." Siva called for him from a distance who's walking along with Oormila. Karunakar stood there until they reached him "Siva..no Oormila, are you taking him along with you somewhere?" he asked to while being surprised to see them together while Siva should be working at coconut farm. "Yes. I asked him to come with me for a while." Oormila replied and Siva nodded. Karunakar let out an awkward chuckle and moved forward. Oormila and Siva followed him to his house, Karunakar's face shown a big question mark asking "why are you following me? Don't you have work together?" and called for his mother. His mother came outside and "oohhj! Oormila and Siva! You came along with him?" she asked as she saw three of them. Karunakar looked at his mother "mother did you call for them?" asked his mother curiously. His mother nodded and gave them water to wash their hands and feet. They entered the house and saw Krishna and Aparna doing something in the kitchen. Oormila joined them "Aparna, Krishna, I brought Siva and Karunkar came too. We met near the house and came in together..." she talked as soon as she stepped into the kitchen. Aparna "good job bringing brother Siva along. Didn't he ask why or where?" asked her. Oormila "no, I just told him to come with me for a while and he came after telling his assistant his works." she replied casually. Karunakar looked at Siva as if he's asking what's happening there. Siva shook his head sideways... Karunakar looked even more anxious "can anyone tell.me what's happening here?" he asked as if begging them to answer him. Aparna laughed "brother, don't you really remember?" Karunakar looked perplexed.