Please don't get me wrong, I really like you!

"See you at 6pm :)" was the message that flashed on his mobile. He smiled and looked at the watch; it was time for him to leave to meet her.


**********************

Time: 6.15pm

She was sitting quietly in the cafe and he was looking at her expecting her to look at him and speak. They were in the same position for the past 15 minutes. They had ordered whatever they wanted and from then on there was silence. This was the third time they were meeting personally. He was thinking whether he said something that upset her in their last meeting or when they spoke last night, but he could not think of anything that would upset her.

He had known her for the past 8 months now and never was she upset. They met online and exchanged their interests and communicated with each other for hundreds of times through email and chat before they took their relationship to the next level i.e. exchanged their phone numbers. They had not seen each other yet, but were very good at communicating with each other. On phone, they gave space to each other and had fixed timings to talk with each other, but messages could be sent anytime as per their protocol. They were both having fun, in this friendship or relationship; at least that's what he thought. She was thinking hard and he was worried seeing this. In this acquaintance of 8 months, they never had a quarrel. He thought there must be something that he had done that was not right or maybe something that he had said that was not of her liking, but he also was thinking that she was alright just before they met as she sent messages throughout the day. They spoke the previous night and everything seemed normal. What is it that could have gone wrong in this short time?

He patiently waited for her to say something. The waiter brought their order and placed it on the table. She thanked the waiter and slowly picked up the snacks to eat. After some time, she left some money on the table and left without saying goodbye.

As he saw her leaving the cafe, a message flashed on his mobile - "How was your day?”

It was from her. He wanted to ignore the message, but he responded as he would normally respond giving some details on how his day went. At 10pm his phone rang and he answered it. This was the usual time they talk in the evening. This has been the case for the past few months; the day they exchanged their phone numbers. She spoke as if nothing was wrong. He was surprised at first and wondered what could have gone wrong in the evening, but stopped himself from asking the question. They went to bed after speaking for about an hour. He forwarded a "Good Night" message and she replied with a smiley and messaged "Good Night". He immediately replied, "See you tomorrow" to which he did not get any response. He waited for about 15-20 minutes, but she did not reply. He sent another message "Awake?” waited for few more minutes and thought she was asleep already and he went to sleep.

In the middle of the night, he woke up to drink some water and checked the message and he had a message from her and the message read...

"Good Morning. I hope you had a good night's sleep. I did not want to message you before because that would disturb your sleep. I cannot meet you again. I don't know what to say; I like you very much. I like the way you speak and I like the way you maintained dignity all through these months that we have known each other. You have respected me and I respect you totally, but there is something that is not right between you and me being together. I like the way our friendship has blossomed and would love to continue it the way it has been as long as possible. Maybe we have taken a wrong decision by meeting each other. Please don't misunderstand - you have become a part of my daily routine and I will continue to talk to you and write to you - but, it was very awkward to meet you. I don’t know maybe it was something wrong on my part that I am not able to communicate with you as freely as I could when on phone. I tried for 2 days to be comfortable talking to you in person, but it seems that it is better to have a virtual friend to whom I can speak my mind than to have to relate a face to the voice I hear. I will try to forget your face and try to be virtual friends forever. Please don't get me wrong, I really like you!"

**********************

A moment to cherish...

She slowed down and started walking slowly while her husband continued jogging and was a little ahead of her in the neighborhood park. She suddenly felt giddy and thought that she would fall down. She held a tree nearby and waited to become stable. She tried to remember what she ate the previous night or early in the morning. She just had her breakfast, but the previous night she and her husband had food on a road-side stall and a myriad thoughts crossed over her mind.


Her husband had warned her of having food from that road side stall, but she turned a deaf ear to whatever he said. She loved roadside food! She believed that to enjoy life, one should have the roadside food. It shows the culture of the city you live in and on top of that she hated the social clubs and the so-called elite restaurants that neither offer tasty food nor let you enjoy the food thinking about the price of each item on the menu. Not that they could not afford! They both certainly could afford these elite restaurants and they go out and visit these restaurants may be once or twice a month, but these road-side stalls have their own charm. You could have tasty dishes before or after your dinner without thinking twice - if only, you were not very particular about hygiene.

She was still struggling to control herself. She tried to look up and relax and now was looking at the morning sun that just came up and was piercing her eyes. She shut her eyes in disdain and looked down immediately. She turned around taking support of the tree for her back; laid her head to rest on the tree and slid down to sit on the ground in the mud. She did not care about how dirty the surroundings were as all she wanted to do was to take rest. If possible, she wanted to lie down and sleep there. She was not able to understand what was happening to her. She was, otherwise, very healthy woman and did not have any major ailments, but today she was not in her control. She sat down and closed her eyes trying to breathe deep & slow and trying to regain control over herself.

Noticing that his wife was not with him, he stopped and turned around to see that his wife was sitting under a tree. He ran back with a water bottle in his hand and checked with her about how she was feeling just when she was regaining control. He, being a doctor, asked her to take some water and relax while he checked her pulse. He observed that she was tense about having such an uncontrollable giddiness though it was for a short time.

He said in a very low tone, "You may have to go through some tests to get it confirmed, but I think you are about to become a MOM! Congratulations to both of us!!"

Relieved of the tension, she blushed, smiled & hugged her husband and made a mental note to take care of her health for the next few months.

P.S. Post dedicated to all Mothers. Happy Mothers' Day!


********************

Vision 2020 - AHB's experience

Disclaimer: All the incidents and characters are purely fictional and any resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental. In case, any of the events described here happen to anyone in 2020 (or before or after 2020) then the readers are expected to forget that they read this narration.



**** START *****



This story is about an average human being (AHB) who works in a software company.



Year: 2020

Date: Some Random Date in the year

Time: 6.45am in the morning.

Place: MLPL (Multi-Level Parking Lot) in a software company



AHB: Ooh, I am getting late. The call is at 8am and I am still entering the MLPL. I wonder whether I will get to park the carbot or not.



He swipes in and gets into the MLPL. He goes around to all the parking levels and is disappointed that all the slots are taken up. He curses himself.



AHB: I should not have watched the IPL13 matches. I dozed off late and could not come in by 6am and now, I will be missing this important call that is at 8am. Maybe, I will have to go out of the entrance and park my carbot outside the campus.



He travels down in his carbot and just before exiting, he sees that a parking slot has just become empty. He gets down from his carbot and orders to his carbot "D14".



The carbot doesn't move. He notices that he did not pick his ID card from the carbot and so it did not move. He thinks that he should remember to keep the carbot's carpod in the sun so that it gets charged and it announces why it is not moving. It is only giving out important messages and not announcing everything.



He again orders "D14". Carbot responds:



Carbot: 'NOT EMPTY. NOT EMPTY.



AHB: What do you mean, not empty? It is empty. The other carbot just left.



AHB then notices that the carbot just left the MLPL after the owner sat in the carbot. He realizes that the system does not know that the parking location is empty unless it leaves the MLPL.



AHB: The system should be intelligent enough to notice that the carbot has left the parking space, why should the carbot leave the lot to recognize the empty space! The person who developed this must be a fool.



He now orders his carbot "D14" and the carbot promptly drives itself to D14 and parks itself. He goes to the elevators although he was on the first floor and swipes his card and while the elevator comes to the first floor, he thinks -



AHB: I have unnecessarily used the elevator. I am on the 1st floor, I could have easily walked - now Rs.1000 will be deducted from my salary for using the elevator.



He pacified himself almost immediately as using the stairs also would have cost him Rs.500. He takes the elevator and comes down to the entrance of the building. He puts the bag into the scanner with his laptop inside the bag and swipes on the machine with his id card and the scanner starts. The security person wearing 'Ray-Ban' glasses sits in the shade and wishes him 'Good Morning' while the bag is scanned through and shows the items in the bag onto the screen for the security personnel to view these. The barcode on the laptop is matched with the swipe-in entry and after the scan; AHB takes his bag and leaves to his building.



While walking by he sees the e-smoking zone that is built on the way to his building. He notices that men and women go into the e-smoking zone and just stand there. The smoke is filtered and reused to remove any bacteria so that the users can enjoy the smoke without any adverse effects. He hears two people walking ahead of him discussing about the e-smoke zone:



Person 1: It was better in earlier days; we used to take our own cigarettes and used match sticks or lighter to light our cigarettes. Nowadays, it is all reused smoke; I am not getting the same satisfaction as before.



Person 2: Dude, think about the environment; this facility boasts of reusing the smoke and the recent advancements in technology have made it to reuse the same smoke for about a week and these facilities are maintained over the weekend to fill in new smoke for the next whole week. Previously this campus used to burn 5,000 cigarettes per day and now it is only burning 1,000 cigarettes per week!



He, not being a smoker, just walks past them and reaches his building. He opens the palm and keeps it in the sun and the time displays 7.30am. He tries to enter the building by swiping in, but then seeing others he remembers that he has to scan his finger too. His finger is scanned in the biometric device and he swipes his id card at the same time and walks past the turnstile to the elevator. He thinks twice before using the elevator and finally decides to use the stairs in order to save money. He takes the stairs to reach the 4th floor where his actual work is. Here again, he has to use the retina scanner and swipe in. The retina scanner does not recognize him and he goes to the restroom to wash his eyes so that the retina scanner can recognize him. He swipes the card on the tap and makes a bowl out of his palms. The water from the tap fills his hands and stops and without wasting a drop of water he keeps his eyes in his palms so that his eyes are cleared of all the dust and goes back to his wing entrance thinking, another Rs.200 deducted for this water.



He finally reaches his desk at about 8am and logs on to his system to see that the call is postponed to the next day. He checks other emails and replies to the ones that expect his reply and forwards with instructions that require delegation. After getting some work done and postponing some tasks for post lunch session he dreadfully walks towards the cafeteria for lunch.



***** INTERVAL ****



Menu reads:



Pan Pizza - Rs.2500

Sub of the day - Rs.2000

North Indian Meals (Full) - Rs.1800

South Indian Meals (Full) - Rs.1750

(Limited) Plate Meals (North Indian) - Rs.1400

(Limited) Plate Meals (South Indian) - Rs.1350

Any 1 item of your choice (Dosa, Idly, etc.) - Veg. - Rs.1000

Any 1 item of your choice (Non-veg) - Rs.1250.

Soft Drinks, Juices, Icecreams - Flat Rate - Rs.999



He feels sorry for himself to not have brought his own box from home that day and goes on to the counters. He orders one North Indian Full meals, but checks his wallet and sees that he has only Rs.1600 in his pocket. He immediately says that he wants the North Indian Plate meals (Limited). The person at the counter (vendor) asks him:



Vendor: Do you need a plate?

AHB: Of course, I need a plate. How else would I have food?

Vendor: It will cost you Rs.200 extra sir.

AHB: What!? But, how are others having it?

Vendor: Sir, most of the customers take plates for rent and when they return the plate, they get Rs.100 back. The same is applicable for spoons also; we charge Rs.100 for spoon and when they return the spoon we give them Rs.50 back.

AHB: (Surprised): But why do you need to charge for plate and spoon!?

Vendor: Sir, there were times when we had problems with spoons in our food courts. In order to curb the issue with spoons, we introduced this offer. It was successful - so, we extended it to plates and glasses.

AHB: (Calculating) Please change my order to 1 Masala Dosa and a plate for rent. Will I get the sambar and chutney or do I have to buy those separately?

Vendor: (Smiling) Sir, Sambar and Chutney are included in the price for Dosa. They will be served in the plate itself. Since you took the plate for rent - you will have a comfortable meal sir.

AHB: Where should I return this plate to get the money back?

Vendor: Sir, you have to give it near the 'Soiled Plates' counter to the right.

AHB: Thank You.



AHB goes to the Dosa counter, stands in the queue for 45 minutes to give the token. He is asked to stand in another queue to take the plate. He stands there for about 30 minutes and finally stands in the Dosa queue for 25 minutes to be served with a Dosa. He takes it and after searching for 20-25 minutes, he gets a corner seat on a table that still has flies all around and that is yet to be cleaned. Unable to bear the hunger, he sits there and immediately a person comes with a machine in his hand. Before he even asks the question, he says - 'Sir, please swipe your id in this machine. It costs Rs.100 to sit and eat here."



Without asking further questions, AHB swipes his ID card and finishes his lunch and waits in the queue to return the plate. When he reaches the start of the queue - The person says "Sorry sir, no change - we do not have Rs.100. Please take a fresh spoon instead - it costs Rs.100 anyway". Unable to say no and thinking he would exchange it at the original cash counter; he takes the spoon and comes out of the queue. He stands in queue to wash his hands and repents that he should have paid Rs.100 for the spoon - he would not have spent the Rs.200 here for water and he would at least have saved this time of standing in the queue, but satisfies himself by saying that Dosa could not be eaten with a spoon.



He goes to the cash counter and gives the spoon to the person and expects Rs.100 in return. The vendor returns Rs.50. AHB is confused now and asks why he was paid only Rs.50 and the vendor responds:



Vendor: "Sir, I had told you that when you return the spoon you would get only Rs.50"

AHB: "But I returned the plate and got a fresh spoon because he did not have change."

Vendor: "Sorry sir, we do not know whether this spoon is fresh or not and cannot give you Rs.100. We have to wash it again. The rates of water, detergent and everything else have gone up. You are in software field and earn a lot sir. What is this petty Rs.50 for you!? Please understand sir, please"



AHB doesn't understand what to say and just leaves the place and is now back at his desk to complete the remaining work carefully taking stairs (because they are charged only once per day) and is happy that the retina scanner worked fine for the first time. He finishes his work at around 5.30pm and is ready to leave when the security guard asks him to swipe a machine that is for leaving the campus late. He says that he just finished his work and that it was only 5.30pm, but the guard says that since the company working hours were only for 8.5 hours including 0.5 hours of lunch and that he overstayed for about an hour, the overstay charges will be deducted from his salary. Having no other option, he swipes and goes to the MLPL and takes the stairs forgetting that he took the elevator in the morning. He realizes that with this swipe he would lose another Rs.500 now. Not caring much, he just goes home slowly letting his carbot take him home.



The next day he comes in to the entrance of the MLPL at 6am and realizes that he did not bring his ID Card. He goes to the security guard and informs the same and the security guard says -



"Sir, if you want to take a temporary pass; we will charge you only half salary - and if you want to take a permanent pass, then we need a complaint in the local police station and we will charge you 1 month complete salary. Please tell me which one you want to go with."



AHB has a weary face and decides to go back home and take off for that day instead of losing his salary and knowing that he cannot go around in the campus without his ID card. He turns around to leave for home and he receives 2 messages on his mobile:



Message 1: "Dear Employee, Based on the attendance records, you did not spend more than 8 hours in the working area. So, your leave was deducted. Your current leave balance is 5"

Message 2: "Dear Employee, Based on the attendance records, you have spent more time in the building than the actual working hours i.e. beyond 8.5 hours (considering your first swipe in and last swipe out). An amount of Rs.10000 will be deducted from your salary for this 1 hour. Please note that these charges cover your overstay in any building including the Food courts. Please get in touch with HR in case of any questions."



AHB just exclaims "What a day!"



**** THE END *****​

Simple things in life...

She was looking out of the window of the office bus that she was travelling in on a Friday morning when she saw a two wheeler being driven by a person with, maybe, his daughter in the back seat who was trying to read for an exam. She suddenly remembered her school/ college days when her dad used to drop her at the examination center. He would take leave on that day to make sure his daughter reaches the examination hall on time and used to wait till the exam was over to bring her back.




She missed him; she wondered what he was doing at that time and immediately called him. He spoke to her with usual questions about his son-in-law and his granddaughter. He asked whether she wanted to speak to her mom, but she politely refused saying that she was on the way to office. She cut the call and looked out the window again. The girl and her dad on the two-wheeler were gone.



She decided that she would go and meet her parents this weekend. It has been a long time since she visited them; maybe more than 15 days though they were in the same city. She wanted to go there and get pampered. She could be free; not that she did not have freedom in her house now, but to be at your parents' house has a different feeling than to be in your own house. You feel you are relieved of all the tensions. She wanted to have no control anymore. She thought it would be better to let someone else handle her life.



She had to get up early in the morning, get herself ready and get her daughter ready for school. Also, prepare breakfast, lunch for all 3 members in the family and as soon as she reached home, prepare dinner and make sure her daughter's homework is complete. If there was a party or a function on a weekday then it requires a little more planning and running around. After all this, she was thinking that she was not having enough time to spend with her parents ever. On top of this, she would have pressure at work and travel takes most of the time. With this busy life it was getting difficult for her to continue, but she was just trying to make sure that their future is safe.



You cannot always live in the present, she thought. There are so many things to take care of; daughter's studies and wedding, home loan, their retirement and many more things that worry her and thinking of this, she again pacified herself that whatever she was doing was right. She continued to look around looking specifically at no one and thinking nothing in particular.



Once she reached office, she kept aside all her thoughts and concentrated on finishing her work for the day. With required breaks, and spending quality time with friends at work during lunch, she finished her work and promptly went back to take the bus back to her house. As soon as she reached, she got fresh and prepared dinner; helped her daughter with her studies and went to bed after having their family dinner.



Next morning, she woke her daughter up for her final exam for that year. After sometime she wished her daughter 'All the best' for her exam and saw her off when her daughter got on to the two-wheeler with her Dad and opened the book and held it against his back to start revising.



She smiled, went back into the house, closed the door contented that her daughter was also growing up the way she did and was not missing the simple things in life.



******************** THE END *************************

~ R-Square

I know everything about you...

"I know everything about you. You were a very good student, in fact, a brilliant student who went on to top your school. You got selected in this premier institute without any external coaching and have been performing well for the past 2 years..."




The girl continued speaking and the boy was just looking at her.

"I have admired you for the past 2 years, wanted to talk to you and get in touch with you. I got the chance recently when we were part of the same group for submitting the project report. I was very happy that I was in the same group as you were. There were times when I came to your room, wanted to knock on the door, but hesitated and left. I don't know why this is happening to me, but I never felt this way. I was never like this. I had people following me, there are still people messaging me, asking for a date or at least for a coffee and here I am trying to ask you these same questions. I believe that I have fallen for you and want to meet you daily. Will you come out with me for one date? I know, you must be thinking, being a girl, how shameless I am..."

He just said, "Not that…"

She cut in... "Then? What are you thinking? Is it because of the rumors in college that I already have many affairs? Believe me, none of them is true. It is true that I am frank and open and it is true that I laugh out loud. Not every girl who laughs out loud has a bad character. There are people who are here just for fun; I am here because it was my ambition. I got into this institute after spending one whole year preparing for the entrance exam. I have struggled and got through. I agree my parents have been supportive, but it was my perseverance that got me here. I know it does not mean anything to you, but I am just saying this to say that I am not going to stop bothering you until I get a response, but wait... you cannot just say 'No' and escape; you have to justify your 'No'; if you are going to say 'No'."

She paused after a long time; waited for him to speak. He was just looking at her and did not answer. She was feeling thirsty now and so asked...

"Can I get some water? I am thirsty"

He did not answer and was still looking at her. She looked around, saw a bottle of water, took it and drank some water; put the bottle back and looked at him expecting an answer...

He finally said with a straight face, "Do you know... you just spoke 375 words and there are 750 vowels in it?"



She stared at him with mouth wide open, wanted to ask him if he even listened to what she said, but stopped herself thinking it would be a waste of time. Turned around and left thanking God that he did not fall for her!!!

************************ NOT THE END************************

.

.

.

.



(For those people who started counting the words and vowels, the story did not end....highlight 'THE END' statement above)



His room-mate, who was sleeping on the bed, woke up and asked, "You are a genious. How did you count the words and the vowels in whatever she spoke and so quickly?"



He replied...

"Sorry buddy, I did not count anything. She wanted a reason for a 'No' and I could not give her one. I just answered in a way so that she and I both would be happy!! In the process I realized that she does not know everything about me and that I already have girlfriend back in my hometown..."

********************************** THE END*****************************

The Destination - Part 12 ***FINAL PART****

********* Part 12 **** FINAL PART **********


Kumar, Kishore and Navya get down at Hyderabad. Kishore and Kumar go to Kumar's house. Kumar's parents know Kishore well; ask about his well-being and how his brother's wedding was performed. Both Kishore and Kumar avoid giving details about Kumar missing the wedding, but inform that Kumar had been to Vizag to Kishore's house. Kumar gets ready and goes to office and Kishore is all set to go to Navya's house.

Navya goes to her house. Navya's parents are surprised to see Navya at home on a Monday morning. They inquire about her health and whether she was facing any problems. Navya says that everything's fine and just says that she has something to tell them and would let them know about it after taking bath. While having breakfast, she informs about her love for Kishore and Navya's father asks Navya to invite him for lunch. She informs that he is in town and would ask him to come home that day. Navya is happy to hear this and his father takes off for the day to be at home to meet Kishore.

Kishore checks with Navya whether her parents are home and goes to Navya's house after having breakfast. Navya's parents are fair and they inquire about Kishore's education and family background. Knowing the details and more importantly that their daughter liked Kishore, they agree to get Navya married to Kishore if Kishore's parents agree. Kishore promises that he would take the same approach to take Navya to his house and check with his parents, but Navya's parents ask him to bring their parents to Hyderabad to meet them. Kishore agrees and tells them that he would plan for their visit the following weekend. He takes permission to take Navya out, promising to bring her back before it is too late.

Kishore calls Kumar and asks him to come home early that day. By the time Kumar reaches home, Navya and Kishore are at Kumar's house and Kumar realizes that Kishore has told all the details to his mother about Kishore and Navya's love.

Kishore: "Your Vizag trip worked out very well for us. We were thinking how to inform Navya's parents, but with your trip we could gather the courage to travel to Hyderabad and inform Navya's parents. It is good for us that you overslept :)"

"Nuvvu Vizag raavadam maaku chaala manchidi ayyindi. Appati daaka ela ela anukunnamu kaani, nuvvu vachaka - neetho Hyd vachesi vishayam Navya parents ki cheppeddam ane dhairyam vachesindi. Nuvvu ekkuva niddara povadam maaku manchidi ra :)"

Kumar and Navya smile at this statement. Navya wants to call Preeti and Kalyani to inform about this. Mr.Rao answers the call.

Navya: Uncle, this is Navya, Preeti's room mate. My wedding is fixed, just wanted to inform this to Preeti."

"Uncle nenu Navya maatladutunnanu; Preeti room mate ni. Naaku pelli fix ayyindi ade chepdaamu ani."

Mr.Rao: "I will give the phone to Preeti. By the way, who is the groom?"

"Preeti ki istaanu.. intaki abbayi evaru?"

Navya: "He is my Inter class mate uncle. He stays in Vizag too."

"Naa Inter class mate uncle, Vizag lone untaadu."

Mr.Rao: "Is it Love Marriage?"

"Love marriage aa?"

Navya: "Yes uncle, but our parents accepted. I wanted to inform Preeti about it"

"Aunu uncle, kaani parents oppukunnaru, adi Preeti ki chepadaamu ani."

Mr.Rao: "Do they have an option? These days love marriages have become too common"

"Oppukoka emi chestaaru.. ee madhya love marriages ekkuva ayipoyayi."

Before Navya says anything, Mr.Rao hands the phone over to Preeti. Navya informs Preeti about this; Preeti is surprised to hear that Kishore is Navya's college mate and congratulates Navya. She does not get any more details and hangs up soon. Navya calls Kalyani immediately after this call.

Navya: "Hey Kalyani, Good news."

Kalyani: "What's the good news? Did you go all the way and meet your parents this time?"

"Emiti good news? Ee sari Hyd daaka velli me parents ni kalisava?"

Navya: "Yes, I met them and Kishore met them too"

"Yes, nenu kalisenu and Kishore kooda kalisedu"

Kalyani: "Who is Kishore?"

Navya: "Your Kishore Anna"

"Mee Kishore Anna"

Kalyani: "Why did Kishore Anna meet your parents and how is that good news?"

"Kishore Anna mee parents ni enduku kalisadu and adi good news enduku avutundi?"

Navya: "My parents agreed for our marriage"

"Maa parents pelliki oppukunnaru"

Kalyani: "Whose wedding?"

"Evariki pelli?"

Navya: "Kishore and I are getting married"

"Kishore ki naaku pelli"

Kalyani is totally shocked to hear this. Kumar and Kishore are all smiles. Kalyani talks for a while and gets all the details she requires and then says..

Kalyani: "You have got your setup done. Poor Preeti is stuck now"

"Mee pani baane undi. Paapam Preeti ye ala ayipoyindi"

Navya: "Why? What happened?"

Kalyani explains that after they left for Hyderabad, Preeti went to her Uncle's place to explain in detail on what happened, but her uncle was not ready to listen to anything. He even started screening the calls that she was getting. It looks like Kumar called in the night and her uncle was upset about Preeti not being able to speak up and tell the truth about her love. Her uncle had a lot of trust and was thinking that he had given all the freedom that Preeti should get, but now he thinks that Preeti is cheating him by not telling about her love. Navya tells Kalyani that Kumar is a nice guy and he never had intentions to meet or love Preeti. It was just a coincidence that Kumar met Preeti & Kalyani; the theatre trip they had and the movie they watched were all coincidental. She also adds that Kumar never followed Preeti. Navya asks Kalyani to go to Preeti and talk to her personally.

Kalyani goes to Preeti's uncle's house and wants to talk to her, but she waits outside the room as Preeti and her uncle discuss about Navya's wedding. After that, Mr.Rao tells Preeti that Kumar had called the previous night and wanted to talk to her.

Mr.Rao: "Preeti, that guy called last night after you slept"

"Preeti, ninna raatri nuvvu padukunnaka aa abbayi call chesaadu"

Preeti: "Who was that uncle?"

"Evaru uncle?"

Mr.Rao: "Your Boyfriend, Kumar"

"Ade, nee boyfriend, Kumar"

Preeti is almost in tears and does not speak anything and Kalyani enters the room.

Kalyani: "Uncle, Preeti does not have a boyfriend"

"Uncle, Preeti ki boyfriend ledu"

Preeti tries to stop Kalyani from speaking, but Kalyani does not listen to her. Kalyani continues...

Kalyani: Uncle, she respects you and aunt so much that though Mahesh proposed to her when she was in college, she rejected the proposal only because she thought she was already a burden to you and she wanted to finish her studies without any issues so that you would be happy. Mahesh is a nice guy and she still likes him.

"Uncle, meeru anna Aunty anna tanaki chaala gauravam undi kabatte Mahesh college lo unnappudu propose chesina reject chesindi. Aame mee gurinchi aalochinchi first studies complete cheddamu anukundi. Mahesh manchi atanu and Preeti ki kooda atanu ante inka ishtam."

Mr.Rao: "Then why did that boy Kumar tell me that he was coming to Vizag to meet his girlfriend?"

"Mari aa abbayi Kumar naaku Vizag lo atani girlfriend ni kalavadaaniki vastunnanu ani enduku cheppadu?"

Kalyani: "He must have just lied to get away from your questions."

" Meeru adige prasnalaku samadhanam cheppaleka ala abaddham cheppi untaadu"

Mr.Rao: "Okay, why did Preeti introduce Kumar as his boyfriend to Mahesh?"

"Sare mari, Preeti Kumar tana boyfriend ani Mahesh ki enduku parichayam chesindi?"

Preeti & Kalyani are both surprised to hear this. They now think how Mr.Rao knew about this in detail and whether he was at the bakery following Preeti.

Kalyani: "How did you...?"

"Adi meeku ela...?"

Mr.Rao: I will tell you how I knew about that, but first tell me why Preeti introduced Kumar as her boyfriend to Mahesh?

Kalyani explains every detail to Mr.Rao on how Mahesh proposed and Preeti rejected. When Preeti saw Mahesh in the bakery unexpectedly, she wanted to tell him that she was committed and that was not something she had planned for; it just came out and that matched with what Kumar had told Mr.Rao in the train and asks Mr.Rao to tell the details about how he knew about Mahesh and Kumar meeting at the bakery.

Mr.Rao: "Mahesh had come to our house few days back with his parents and put a proposal for wedding with Preeti. He had convinced his parents and wanted to take our permission for the wedding as he said he knew that Preeti likes him, but does not want to go against my wish. I was very happy to hear that. I liked the boy and his family background and was okay. He said he would go and meet Preeti and inform her about the same. By the time he went to your house, your parents told that you went to the bakery. He went to the bakery and met Preeti who introduced Kumar as his boyfriend. Mahesh called me and informed that Preeti loves someone named Kumar and wished that they both get married. I immediately came to your house and saw Preeti and Kumar coming together. I met Preeti and asked about it, but Preeti denied any relationship with Kumar. I had never doubted Preeti until then, but after this incident I started doubting her. It is good that you came and clarified everything. I am happy to hear this.

Preeti and Kalyani have smiles all over. Mr.Rao smiles and informs that he would talk to Mahesh and his parents for the Preeti & Mahesh's wedding. After a month or so, Kumar receives 2 invitations, Kishore and Navya's wedding and Preeti & Mahesh's wedding. He packs and gets to the railway station.

A co-passenger comes to his place and asks:

Co-Passenger: "Boy, please move a little"

"Babu, koncham jarugu."



Kumar assumes him to be a daily commuter.



Kumar (arrogantly, pointing to the vacant seat opposite to him): "Sit there"

"Akkada koorchondi"

The co-passenger sits down and asks.

Co-Passenger: "Boy, till where are you going?"

"Ekkada daaka veltunnavu babu?"

Kumar realizes that the sequence of events is similar to what happened before and patiently answers:



Kumar: "VISAKHAPTNAM to attend 2 weddings. One is of an old friend and the other of a new friend...”

Just about the time, the ticket examiner comes to check the tickets and he gets it verified and goes to his berth, but this time he thinks ... "Sleeping so much can cause trouble, if not for me - for others!!" and sets alarm on his clock to get down at his destination.

Conclusion:

Kumar never loved Preeti and Preeti never loved Kumar. They stay in touch after Preeti's wedding with Mahesh. Kumar and Preeti become good friends. Kishore and Navya leave for the US after their wedding. It is only a matter of time when Kumar & Kalyani each find their love and get married, but that would probably be another story.

************** THE END ************​

The Destination - Part 11

**********PART 11 *************


Kumar notices that Preeti is with Kalyani and is avoiding him, he tries to find an opportunity to talk to Preeti to ask about why she introduced him to Mahesh as his boyfriend. Kishore and Navya are busy talking about reaching Hyderabad and the place Navya stays and when Navya would return so that they can book the ticket together. Kishore thinks that he could talk to Navya on the way about how she knew the name 'Kumbhakarna', so decides to talk to Preeti.

Kumar: Preeti, I need to talk to you.

Preeti: I don't want to talk anything to you now except the fact that I want to know from how long you are following us.

Kumar: I have told you before that I saw you for the first time near the bus stop when you were trying to bargain for an auto; I had to wait for Kishore to come to Vizag and I thought the best way to pass the time was to watch a movie; I realized that only after you spoke to the auto driver that you wanted to go to the theatre. I knew your name and Kalyani's name based on your conversation and that too, I have told you before that it was because you were talking loud and not because I was following you.

Preeti doesn't answer and goes to Navya and Kishore and Kumar continues the conversation with Kalyani.

Kumar: "Kalyani, what is your friend's problem?"

"Kalyani, asalu mee friend problem emiti?"

Kayani: She does not have any problem.

"Aameki emi problem ledu"

Kumar: Then, why does she leave while I am talking to her?"

"Mari ala maatladutunte vellipotundi emiti?"

Kalyani: That's because you have lied to us and you are still not telling the truth on why you are following us.

Kumar: Why do you think I am following you?

Kalyani: You are not following me, but you are following Preeti.

Kumar: I am neither following you, nor Preeti. All I wanted to do this weekend was to attend Kishore's brother's wedding, but missed it. So, I thought I would meet him and then leave to Hyd today so that I will be in office on Monday.

Kalyani: If that is really true, how come you told Preeti's uncle that you were going to Vizag to meet your girlfriend?

Kumar: I do not have a girlfriend and I never told anyone that I was going to meet my girlfriend that too in Vizag when I was not planning on coming to Vizag.

It was then that he realized that he told Mr.Rao about his Vizag plan and out of frustration he had also told that he was going to Vizag to meet his girlfriend. He explains that in detail to Kalyani and also informs that he did not know that Mr.Rao was Preeti's uncle. Kalyani explains that after Preeti's parents passed away, Preeti was staying with her Aunt & Uncle. Once she got a job, she moved to Kalyani's house and has stayed there with Navya for quite some time. She also tells that Mahesh proposed to Preeti and Preeti had rejected because of respect to her uncle and aunt though she knows that Mahesh is a nice guy.

Kalyani: If all you said was true, why did you tell Preeti's uncle that you were going to Vizag and were coming here to meet your girlfriend.

Kumar: I guess that is the only mistake I did.

Kalyani: No, there are many other mistakes that you did, but I take it that was another mistake you did.

Preeti, Navya & Kishore keep discussing about things in Hyderabad. Preeti asks Kishore to take care of Navya and Kishore asks her not to worry about Navya as he and Kumar both would be travelling together. By the time the bus starts, Preeti and Kumar do not get time to talk to each other, bus starts and Kumar, Kishore and Navya bid farewell to Preeti & Kalyani.

Kumar walks into the bus, gets into the seat and closes his eyes to rest. Kishore sees that the seat that beside Navya's is occupied by a male passenger and sees that Kumar is already sleeping or at least trying to sleep; he asks Navya to sit beside Kumar and Kishore takes Navya's seat. As soon as the bus starts, Navya sits in Kishore's place. Kumar does not open the eyes, thinks that Kishore is at his place and asks:

Kumar: "Why is it that you are talking too much to that girl?"

"Emiti ra, aa ammayi toh antha gusa gusalu aadutunnavu?"

Navya does not answer and smiles within herself. Kumar repeats the question without opening his eyes and Navya still doesn't say anything.

Kumar: "Why are you not answering?"

"Enduku samadhanam cheppatledu?"

Navya: "If you open your eyes, you will know Kumbhakarna"

"Kallu teriste neeke telustundi Kumbhakarna"

Kumar opens his eyes and is shocked to see Navya sitting beside him. He searches for Kishore and sees that he is sitting in Navya's place. He doesn't understand what to say and feels bad for his behavior.

Kumar: Sorry, I thought it was Kishore who was sitting here.

Navya: That's okay.

Kumar: Why are you sitting here?

Navya: There was another male passenger near my seat so Kishore thought it would be better that I sit here.

Kumar: From when do you know Kishore?

Navya was surprised to hear this question. She was not expecting this question from Kumar.

Navya: Why do you ask?

Kumar: It should have been Kishore who told you the name 'Kumbhakarna'. Preeti has already told me that she had not told you the name; Kalyani is straight forward, I could tell by the way she talked and after Preeti's confirmation that Kalyani did not tell you the name; the only person who could tell you the name is Kishore. However, I am still not clear on how Kishore knew the name.

Navya: Kalyani told him.

Kumar: That means you agree that Kishore told you my name.

Navya is silent and just nods her consent.

Kumar: When did Kalyani tell Kishore that name?

Navya: When Kalyani and Kishore went into Kishore's house to meet Kishore's sister-in-law.

Kumar: Oh, Now I get it. But tell me this: You were not in any of the situations before, how is it that you know all these details.

Navya: Kishore tells me everything. I know about what you did in college; what movies you watched when you skipped classes in college and many other details.

It was now Kumar's turn to be surprised, but he realized few things and at least 2 major questions he had were answered. Navya knew the name from Kishore and not from Preeti or Kalyani like he thought. The second question was on why Preeti introduced him as her boyfriend to Mahesh to which Kalyani answered that Preeti wanted Mahesh to know that she was committed, but he still wanted to talk to Preeti.

Kumar: That is fine, but how do you know Kishore? Kalyani was the one who introduced Preeti to Kishore and was telling that you stay with Preeti and both were staying there for only a year and by that time Kishore had left for US.

Navya: Kishore is my class mate.

Navya was being cryptic. Kumar asks more questions about it and Navya starts giving more details.

Navya: In Intermediate, Kishore and I were classmates. My family moved to Hyderabad after I finished my Inter. Kishore and I liked each other and stayed in touch. It was only when Kishore was leaving for the US that we realized our love for each other and wanted to get committed. Kishore did not want to cause any trouble until he was settled with his job in the US. So, I took a job transfer and took the house right in front of Kishore's house so that I could keep in touch with Kishore's parents.

Kumar is surprised that it was a well-planned arrangement and that he did not know anything about it until now. After a little while, he asks Navya for Preeti's number as he wants to apologize to her for being rude. Navya teasingly asks whether he is impressed by Preeti. Kumar shakes his head and mentions that he likes Preeti, but does not love her.

The bus stops after 2-3 hours journey for dinner. Kumar, Kishore and Navya get down for dinner. Kumar tries to give them privacy by finishing his dinner early and takes his phone to call Preeti. After a couple of rings, he hears a male voice on the other side:

Kumar: Hello, this is Kumar speaking - can I talk to Preeti please?

Mr.Rao is on the other side and speaks back.

Mr.Rao: Preeti is sleeping now, please call back in the morning.

Mr.Rao cuts the call abruptly and Kumar does not understand whether he was causing any trouble to Preeti by calling her.

Kumar leaves Kishore and Navya to have their dinner in peace and gets into the bus, and occupies the seat that Kishore sat in before. Kishore and Navya get into the bus, before the bus starts, and Kishore sees that Kumar is already in the place that he was sitting in.

Kishore: Why are you sitting here?

"Ikkada enduku koorchunnavu?"

Kumar: So that I do not become a spoil-sport for you both

"Paanakam lo pudaka la nenu enduku ani"

Hearing this, Kishore turns to Navya and in return, Navya just smiles. Kishore understands that Navya told their story to Kumar and Kishore blushes.

Kumar: Now I understand that you are coming to Hyderabad to talk to her parents and I got many things clarified.

" Ippudu ardham ayyindi, valla parents ni kalavadaaniki Hyd ki vastunnavu ani and chaala vishayalu clarify ayyayi."

He still wanted to talk to Preeti and clarify that he was not following her.

********* To be continued ********​

The Destination - Part 10

**********PART 10 *************


Navya and Kalyani enter the room with a bottle of chilled water and Mr.Rao gets up to leave.

Mr.Rao: Preeti, I will leave now, but remember what I said and if you think you cannot talk to me openly, talk to your Aunt and we will take care of everything.

Preeti had tears in her eyes. She did not cry though. She quietly saw Mr.Rao leave. Kalyani & Navya were trying to pacify her.

Kalyani: You know that your uncle is harsh, it is not worth crying for what he said.

Preeti: Hey, I understand my uncle better than anyone else. He is a nice guy and listening to what he said, it makes complete sense to me, but what I do not understand is how did my Uncle meet him in the train.

Kalyani: What is there to understand? Your uncle came from Hyd to Vizag and we all know that he (thinking about Kumar) too came from Hyd to Vizag - maybe both of them were in the same train and he told about meeting you. The only thing to know is from when he is following us; I will go and talk to Kishore Anna about this.

Preeti continued while Navya was still listening.

Preeti: He is following from my college days. He proposed to me and I rejected. I thought he stopped following me, but after today I am sure he did not stop following me.

Kalyani: Why did you not tell this to me yesterday itself?

Preeti: How will I tell you yesterday when I saw him only today?

Kalyani & Navya were both trying to understand what Preeti meant.

Navya: I thought you all watched a movie together!

Preeti: No, that was with that guy Kumbhakarna, sorry Kumar - right?

Kalyani: So, who are you talking about now?

Preeti: I am talking about Mahesh, who proposed to me in college.

Kalyani and Navya understand that Preeti was not lying to her uncle and had been speaking the truth all this while. At this time, Kalyani also thought that Mr.Rao did not see Preeti & Kumar, but saw Preeti & Mahesh together and then she had questions that did not have any answers.

Kalyani: When did you meet Mahesh?

Preeti: I told you, that he is my college mate.

Kalyani: No, I mean, when did your uncle see you and Mahesh together?

Preeti: I do not know, may be today because he said he saw us in the 'bakery'.

Navya interferes

Navya: But it was Kumar at the bakery and not Mahesh, right?

Preeti: No, Mahesh had also come to the bakery today and I met him. I introduced Kumar to Mahesh too.

Kalyani: When did this happen?

Preeti: When you came home to collect the keys.

Navya: But we were there with you.

Preeti: Kishore and you had left for the tickets and that's when Mahesh had come.

Kalyani: Why did Mahesh come to your table even though he saw Kumar with you and that you had rejected his proposal in college itself?

Preeti: How should I know?

She thought for a while and replied...

Preeti: When Mahesh came to meet me, Kumar was not at the table, he went to pick our order up.

Kalyani: But you just said that you introduced them to each other.

Preeti: Yes, Kumar came back with the order and then I had introduced them.

Navya: I would have been confused what to introduce them to each other as...

Preeti: I told Kumar that Mahesh was my class mate.

Kalyani: That was easy.

Preeti: ... and I told Mahesh that Kumar was my boyfriend.

Navya & Kalyani both ask her why she had to tell that to Mahesh.

Preeti: For one, Mahesh had proposed to me and he should know that I am not single anymore so that he does not follow me again. Secondly, who better than Kumar; as he does not stay in Vizag and does not know anything about me!

Kalyani: I am clear from your side, but I am still unclear about whom your uncle saw.

Preeti: That's exactly my confusion, but I need to clarify things to my uncle and aunt as I do not want them to think that I am in love with someone.

Navya: What is wrong in loving someone? If you like Kumar tell your uncle.

Preeti: Kumar!? Hey, I do not know him at all forget about loving him. I know him only for 2 days and half the time he was sleeping.

Navya: Then, who do you like, Mahesh?

Preeti was silent now. Kalyani started probing.

Kalyani: Preeti, do you like Mahesh?

Preeti did not answer and both Kalyani and Navya started pushing for more details.

Preeti: Mahesh proposed to me when I was in college and I was not interested in love when I was in college. Also, at that time I was a complete burden on my aunt and uncle as my parents had passed away. I did not want to bother them with these issues. So, I rejected his proposal immediately although I knew his love for me was sincere and he was a very nice guy. Later I heard from someone that he is well settled now, but have not been in touch with him at all. I don't know how he came to the bakery today and suddenly showed up and caused all this confusion.

Navya: We should talk to your uncle and clarify all these details, but I think we should talk to Kumar too.

They have lunch and in the evening Kalyani & Preeti decide to go to the bus stop to drop Navya. Meanwhile Kumar and Kishore pack their luggage, Kishore informs at home that he would be going to Hyderabad with his friend and that he would be back in a couple of days. All of them go together to the bus stop and reach by 6.30pm for the bus at 7pm.

********* To be continued ********​

The Destination - Part 9

**********PART 9 *************


Seeing Kumar's surprised face, Navya feels sorry and just when she is about to say something - Kalyani's phone rings; She answers it and says that she needs to leave immediately as her parents were going out and wanted her to take the house key.

Navya says that she has to go out for 15 minutes and asks Preeti to accompany, but Kishore volunteers to take her and bring her back within 15 minutes so that they can all be together by the time Kalyani comes back. They leave together. Again, Preeti & Kumar are left alone.

Kumar: You think this is funny?

Preeti: What are you talking about?

Kumar: Why did you have to take that name and go around telling everyone you meet?

Preeti: It was not I who told her your name; I mean the name that Navya called you.

Kumar: Was it Kalyani then?

Preeti: I wouldn't know; although I do not think Kalyani told her too because I was with Navya all the time and Kalyani never told her anything about you.

Kumar believes her and keeps thinking about who would have revealed the name. He excuses himself to bring something to eat or drink for both of them and after he places the order, while waiting to be served he sees that a person comes around and greets Preeti. Kumar sees that Preeti felt a little awkward seeing him there. Kumar picks up the order, comes around to the table and Preeti introduces Kumar to the new guy as soon as he takes a seat...

Preeti: Kumar, meet Mahesh, he is my college mate. Mahesh, this is Kumar, my Boyfriend.

Kumar gapes at Preeti with open mouth, but looks at Mahesh before saying anything. He notices that Mahesh's face is blank. Mahesh & Kumar both try to act normal and Kumar wants to leave from that place. He does not understand why Preeti had to lie to a person about Kumar and Preeti's relationship (if at all there exists one). He completely forgets about Navya calling him "Kumbhakarna". He was also not sure how Preeti would manage to cover up the story. He was trying to think of a believable story to tell Mahesh how he and Preeti met, but before he could say anything; Mahesh said:

Mahesh: Okay, I got to go. I have some work to do and will leave you guys alone. I don't want to disturb you both.

Preeti has a fake smile on her face while Kumar tries to persuade him to sit with them. Finally Mahesh bids goodbye leaving Preeti & Kumar alone again for the third time. This time it was different for both of them. Kumar was uncomfortable sitting around with Preeti. Kumar and Preeti both try to talk about something else, but do not find a topic to converse. Kumar & Preeti quietly eat the snacks Kumar brought to the table and do not talk much.

Kalyani calls Preeti and asks her to come back as Kishore and Navya called her and asked her to come back to the house. Preeti and Kumar walk together without talking and reach home with Kalyani waiting outside.

Kalyani: Why are you guys so quiet?

"Endukila calm ga unnaru"?

Kumar and Preeti don't answer. They just look at Kalyani and say nothing. She asks again:

Kalyani: "Okay, where did Navya & Kishore Anna go?"

"Sare, Navya inka Kishore Anna ekkadaki vellaru?"

Kumar & Preeti still don't answer. Kalyani waits for a while and looks at Preeti, who ignores her. Kalyani looks at Kumar now and he tries to ignore her too, but she urges for an answer to which Kumar replies:

Kumar: "I don't know. Navya wanted to go somewhere and Kishore took her"

Kalyani: "Where did she have to go?"

Kumar: "I don't know, she is your friend. You should know. She had called you, you should have asked her"

Kalyani: "So what, Kishore Anna is your friend, did he not tell you where he was going?"

Silence followed for a little more time and Kalyani still looked at both of them and not talking to anyone. Kishore and Navya return and Kalyani asks them:

Kalyani: "Where did you both go?"

Kishore: "To buy tickets to Hyderabad."

Kalyani: "Why?"

Kishore: "Kumar wants to leave today as he has to be in office tomorrow. I have some work at Hyderabad so I thought I would accompany him."

Kalyani: "Why did you take Navya?"

Kishore: "I did not take her, she took me. I was there so I thought I will also buy tickets and we bought in the same bus for tonight."

Kalyani: (to Navya): "Where are you going?"

Navya: "I went to buy tickets to Hyderabad"

Kalyani: "Why are you going to Hyderabad?"

Navya: "I wanted to meet my parents - so, I am also going in the same bus tonight so that I have company."

Kalyani: "Why did you come back to Vizag if you wanted to go to Hyderabad; I am really confused."

By this time, Kumar almost forgot the questions he had in mind (how Navya knew the name Kumbhakarna and why Preeti introduced him as her boyfriend) to her college mate and just sat there listening to Kalyani & Navya's conversation. Kishore was listening intently too, but Preeti was a little off. She was thinking about something. The conversation continued:

Navya: "I wanted to meet my parents, but could not so I am going now, what's the confusion?"

Kalyani: (Sarcastically) "There is no confusion. All I understand is that you are going to Hyderabad to meet your parents whom you 'almost' met over the weekend and want to see them again, by taking off from work on weekdays and that you cannot wait for next weekend. Yes, it is all pretty clear."

Kumar & Kishore start smiling on hearing Kalyani's sarcasm. Kumar observes that Preeti was still lost in thoughts. Kishore interrupts:

Kishore: "Enough of this fight - let us all go. It is past 2pm. We need to have lunch now and pack for the evening. The bus leaves at 7pm."

They all agree. Kishore and Kumar go to their house. Kalyani goes to her house. Preeti & Navya take the stairs, but see that Mr.Rao (the same person who was in the train in Part 1 with Kumar) is sitting on the stairs waiting for them as the house is locked.

Navya greets him, opens the door and says that she would bring 'chilled water' from Kalyani's house and comes down. She goes into Kalyani's house who is all alone at home.

Kalyani: (angrily) "Yes, What do you want?"

"Emi kaavali?"

Navya: (smiling) "Why are you so angry?"

"Enduku antha kopam?"

Kalyani: "Why would I not be angry? You are not telling me the details. One day you say that you are going to Hyderabad and return the next day saying you went only half-way and now you say that you are going there again"

"Raada mari? Vishayam cheppakunda, Hyderabad veltunnanu antaavu, sagam dooramu nunchi vachesaanu antaavu, malli veltunnanu antaavu.."

Navya: "I will tell you all those details later, first give me chilled water. Preeti's uncle is here"

"Avanni taravata cheptaanu kaani, naaku oka bottle challa neellu ivvu. Preeti valla uncle vacharu"

Kalyani: "When did he come?"

"Aayana eppudu vacharu?"

Navya: "Don't know. He was waiting for us by the time we came. Give this to me soon"

"Emo. Memu vache time ki metlu meeda koorchunnaru. Tondaraga bottle ivvu."

Kalyani: "Wait, I will also come"

"Aagu, nenu vastanu."

Kalyani brings a bottle of chilled water and comes along with Navya. They both take the stairs quietly and hear the following conversation between Preeti and her uncle, Mr.Rao.

Mr.Rao: "Who is that guy?"

"Evaramma atanu?"

Preeti: "Who is it that you are asking about, uncle?

"Evaru Uncle?"

Mr.Rao: "The one who was at the Bakery."

"Bakery lo kalisade aa abbayi."

Preeti: "Kalyani, Navya & I went to the bakery. Kalyani's friends also came there"

"Kalyani, Navya, nenu vellamu uncle bakery ki. Kalyani friends kooda vacharu."

Mr.Rao: (soothingly) "Preeti, I saw you coming alone with a guy from the bakery. If you like someone, inform us now. We are searching for a suitable alliance for you, it is better that we do not create any problems.

"Choodamma, nenu ninnu maatrame oka abbayitho choosanu, Neeku evaranna ishtam unte cheppu. Neeku ippudu pelli sambandhalu choostunnamu; maaku ibbandulu teesukuravaddu."

Preeti: "Uncle, there is nothing of that sort. He was my classmate and had proposed to me when we were in college and then I had rejected. I was in the bakery with friends in the morning and he saw me and came up to meet me, that's it."

"Uncle, alaantidi emi ledu. Aa abbayi maa classmate, naaku memu college lo unnappdu propose chesadu. Nenu appudu 'No' cheppanu. Indaaka bakery lo nenu maa friends toh vellanu and tanu naaku by chance kalisadu anthe."

Mr.Rao: "But, I met him in the train and he told me that he was going to meet his girlfriend."

"Mari naaku train lo kalisinappudu girlfriend ni kalavadaaniki veltunnanu ani cheppadu!?"


Kalyani and Navya who were listening to all this from outside were not really sure why Preeti was saying that Kumar was her classmate.


Preeti was confused as she had told the truth. Preeti thought her uncle saw her with Mahesh as she did not realize the time she spent with Kumar alone. She thought she was always in a group when with Kumar. She was thinking how Mr.Rao met Mahesh in the train. Going to bakery was not something they had planned for; it was on-the-fly as Navya wanted to have some soft drinks and they left without even thinking about it. She was wondering how Mahesh would have known about them going to the bakery and how he could follow them there.

********* To be continued **************​

The Destination - Part 8

**********PART 8 *************


Navya did not bother to answer although she knew that both Preeti & Kalyani would ask this question. They had always wanted to taste the food that Navya prepared, but Navya always postponed or gave easier options to prepare a meal like frozen food, Maggi or get something to eat from parcel service or may be go out to eat.



Preeti & Kalyani jumped onto their next set of questions -

Kalyani: "When did you come?"

Preeti: "If we knew you were coming today, we could have planned to go to the movie in the evening"

Kalyani: "How did you come?"

Navya: Hold on. We will talk about all that in the evening. Now, let's have lunch. I prepared this with great difficulty - so let us have it while it is still hot. Kalyani, I already told your mom that you would have lunch with us today.

All of them have lunch together, laze around for some time while Kalyani goes home and is back to their room in the evening. All three strike a conversation while preparing dinner.

Kalyani: Navya, I thought you would come tomorrow or on Monday. How come you came so early - it is overnight journey for you to go to Hyderabad?

Navya: I went only half way - so could come back early.

Preeti: What do you mean, half way? Did your parents come half way?

Navya: Who told you that I went to meet my parents?

Kalyani interrupts.

Kalyani: You.

Navya: (smiling). Yeah, okay.



Kalyani is now very mad at Navya.

Kalyani: If you did not want to come to the movie with us, you should have told. Why all this drama?



Preeti gestures Kalyani to hold on.

Navya: Hey Preeti, it is not her fault - I told her that I was going to meet my parents and when I told her, I did not lie.

Preeti: So, did you meet your parents?

Navya: Almost.

Preeti: Does that mean they came half way, but did not meet you?

Navya: No.

Kalyani is furious. She gets down the stairs and goes straight to her house. Preeti and Navya finish cooking, have dinner and sleep.

Meanwhile Kumar meets everyone in the family, helps Kishore in some petty works in the house and in the evening both Kishore and Kumar have early dinner and go to the terrace to sleep as Kumar feels sleepy.

Kishore: How come you are feeling sleepy so early?

Kumar: I did not sleep properly on Thursday so I am a bit sleepy.

After he said that, he realizes that though he did not sleep properly on Thursday, he had (more than) made up for it as he slept for more than 12 hours in the train, slept for 2-3 hours in the theatre (though it was disturbed sleep). He smiles and thinks about Kalyani & Preeti who named him KUMbhakarna.

Kishore: Tell me now, how come you are in Visakhapatnam? I thought you said you wanted to come to the wedding.

Kumar: (Sheepishly and in a low tone): I overslept.

Kishore: What?

Kumar: Ya, I started for the wedding, but overslept in the train. I wonder why no one woke me up in Vijayawada. Someone should have booked the same berth from Vijayawada to Visakhapatnam.

Kishore: Funny, but that's okay. It is good that you are here. We are able to spend some time together.

Kumar: I will leave tomorrow.

Kishore: No way, stay for few more days.

Kumar: Nope, I will have to head back to work on Monday. Do you have plans to come to Hyderabad?

Kishore: Hey, you better sleep. We will talk about it tomorrow. I need to tell you something.

Kishore was now lost in thoughts... It is 10 in the morning on Sunday when Kishore wakes Kumar up.

Kishore: Kumar, get up. We have to go out.

Kumar: Good Morning Kishore. What time is it?

Kishore: 10am.

Kumar: Oops, looks like I overslept again.

Kishore: No that's fine. We do not have much work, get ready and we will have to go out.

Kumar: Okay.

Kumar gets up; gets ready and they go to a bakery cum eating joint nearby at around 11.30 in the morning. Kumar sees that Preeti, Kalyani & Navya were in the bakery too. Kumar sees Preeti there and smiles; Preeti smiles back. Kalyani sees Preeti smiling and notices that Kumar & Kishore walked in. Kalyani smiles at Kishore. Kishore and Kumar reach the table and Kishore asks:

Kishore: Can we join?

Kalyani: (thinking - she is the only one who knows both): Sure. Please join...

Kalyani starts introducing everyone.

Kalyani: Kishore Anna & Kumar you know Preeti. This is Navya. Preeti, you met Kishore and Kumar. Navya, this is Kishore Anna, our neighbour and this is his friend from Hyderabad - Ku....

Navya completes the name for her...

Navya: Kumbhakarna.

Kumar is surprised to hear this. Preeti & Kalyani think about when they had shared the name they gave to Kumar with Navya.

********* To be continued **************​

The Destination - Part 7

**********PART 7 ************************


Kumar: This is unfair. In my defense, I did not sleep the whole of Thursday night and so fell asleep.

Preeti: In our defense, all we know about you is you sleep a lot and you wake up to eat and drink.

Kumar: That's not true.

Preeti: Do you know that you slept in the second half too?

Kumar: (dejectedly): No, I did not.

Preeti: I thought so. Let Kalyani come out and you can ask her.

Kumar: She would say whatever you want her to say, but then why should I care. Okay, so I slept in the second half too. How does it matter?

Preeti: It doesn't matter to us; I should not have told you what we named you after all.

Then there was silence. Preeti looked away and Kumar was feeling awkward. He thought he would attend a wedding over the weekend and have some fun, but here he was fighting with a stranger. Kishore came back and Kalyani was still inside.

Kishore: (to both Preeti & Kumar): Come on in.

Preeti: No, thank you. I will go to my house now. I am tired and need to take some rest.



Kumar did not say anything and Kishore did not force Preeti to come in. Preeti left and Kishore and Kumar get into the house. Kumar notices that Kalyani is speaking to the new bride (Kishore's sister-in-law) as if she knew her for ages. Kumar & Kishore look at each other and smile. They join the conversation with Kalyani who does not seem tired of speaking at all. Kalyani notices that Preeti is not with them and asks about her and Kishore answers that she left. Hearing this she leaves hurriedly and tries to catch up with Preeti. Preeti is about to get onto the stairs to go upstairs to her portion above Kalyani's home when Kalyani stops her with her conversation:

Kalyani: Hey Preeti, Why did you not come inside?

"Hey Preeti, lopaliki enduku raaledu?"

Preeti: " What should I do there? I do not know anyone"

"Nenu vachi emi cheyyali? Naaku akkada evaru teleedu."

Kalyani: "You will know people if you come and meet them"

"Vaste valle telustaaru"

Kalyani sees that Preeti is not interested. So, she changes the subject.

Kalyani: What will you do in your room alone? Come to our house and you can have lunch.

"Paiki velli emi chestavu? Maa intiki vachi lunch cheyyochu kada."

Preeti: No, I am tired. I will make Maggi or something simple.

"Ledu nenu alisipoyanu. Maggi edanna chesukuni tinestaanu"

Kalyani: Okay, let me come with you.

Preeti and Kalyani both go together to Preeti's room and see that Navya is all in a very good mood. Singing and has almost finished cooking. Preeti & Kalyani are both surprised to see Navya in the room given that she had left for her hometown. Among all the questions they had on her travel and how she ended up in the town, both Preeti and Kalyani ask Navya one question:

"How is it that you cooked today!?"

******************** To be continued ***************​

The Destination - Part 6

**********PART 6 ************************




Kalyani: (talking to Kishore): "Kishore Anna, this is Preeti. She was my classmate, but you would not know her because she joined our school after you finished yours. She now stays in the first floor of our house with another room-mate of hers, Navya. You don't know her too as they both started staying here only for a year now after you left for US"

"Kishore Anna, Ee ammayi - Preeti. School lo naa classmate kaani neeku teleedu endukante nuvvu school vadilesaka eeme school join ayyindi. Ippudu maa inti paina inko ammayi, Navya, toh kalisi untondi. Navya kooda neeku teleedu le, last 1 year nunchi iddaru ikkada untunnaru - nuvvu antaku mundare US velli poyavu kada"



Kishore and Preeti exchanged pleasantries. Kishore asked Kalyani to come in and meet his sister-in-law and make her comfortable as she was new to the city and the house. Kishore & Kalyani go into the house leaving Kumar and Preeti outside with both of them avoiding eye contact with each other. Kumar, yet again, wanted to start the conversation, but did not know where to start. He thought of asking about how she liked the movie, but did not want to start the topic of him sleeping in the theatre; he did not even want to talk about the auto fares and so said...



Kumar: (Not realizing that this was a conversation that he had overheard)

"Does your uncle stay near the Railway Station?"

"Railway Station deggara mee Uncle vallu untaara?"



Preeti: From when are you following us?

"Mammalni eppati nunchi follow chestunnaru"



Kumar: What?



Preeti: Ok, how did you know our names?

"Sare, maa perlu ela telusu meeku"



Kumar: Oh that, it was very easy. When you were waiting at the bus stop and Kalyani called you, you had answered the phone with your name and you took her name multiple times on the call.

"Oh ada, chaala easy. Meeru bus stop lo wait chestunappudu Kalyani call chesindi - meeru phone answer chesi nappudu mee peru chepparu and Kalyani toh maatladinappudu chaala sarlu tana peru teesukunnaru"



Preeti: So what? Why were you eavesdropping?

"ayite maatram, ala chevulu vesukuni vinestaara, andaru emi maatladutunnaro"



Kumar: (almost shouting at Preeti) I was not, you were speaking so loud that anybody standing 5 miles away could listen to what you said. I could not avoid. Even now, when we were walking you were shouting and I could hear"

"nenu emi mee maatalu vinadaaniki try cheyyaledu. meere try cheyyakarlekunda, 5 maillu dooramu unna vallaki kooda vinapadettu gattiga chepparu. Indaaka kooda manam nadustunnapudu meeru gattiga maatladaaru and naaku vinipinchindi"



Preeti fell silent.



Kumar: (soothingly) Sorry for shouting. I did not mean to hurt you. Okay, topic change.. I will tell you something about I thought about you and you tell me something that you thought about me.

"Sorry, arichinanduku. Mimmalni hurt cheyyali ani kaadu. Okay, nenu mee gurinchi anukunnadi okati cheptaanu and meeru naa gurinchi anukunnadi cheppandi"



Preeti did not respond.



Kumar: "Looking at you I thought you were soft so I offered you Maaza, but since you snatched Coke from my hand, I understood that you were not what I thought"

"Meeru chaala soft ga kanipiste meeru Maaza ne taagutaaru anukunnanu, but Coke laakkunte meeru nenu anukunnatu kaadu ani telisindi"



Preeti: "What do you mean?"

"ante?"



Kumar: I mean.. No.. No, I don't mean it in a derogatory way.. actually, I like aerated drinks.. that's good.

" ante.. aha.. adi kaadu.. adi tappu ga ana ledu.. actually, naaku kooda coke istham.. adi manchide"



Preeti did not respond again. Kumar was desperately trying to correct the impression that Preeti had on him. Kumar started again..



Kumar: "Okay, now it is your turn. What did You and Kalyani name me, of which the first 3 letters matched with my actual name?"

"Sare, ippudu mee turn; Kalyani inka meeru kalisi naaku emi peru pettaru? andulo naa nijam peru lo first 3 letters kooda kalisayi annaru?"



Preeti started smiling now and seeing this Kumar started pleading her more to reveal the name and she said...



Preeti: "KUMbhakarna"



******* To be continued *****************​

The Destination - Part 5

**********PART 5 ************

Kumar realized that Preeti and Kalyani were walking behind him. He did not want them to know that he did not know where he was supposed to go and embarrass himself again in front of them. So, he kept walking and he heard the following conversation:

Preeti: (trying to act as if she did not care about Kumar, but keeping the voice loud enough to be audible to Kumar) - By the way, why did Navya not come to the movie. I told you that I was booking the tickets for 3 people yesterday itself, right?

Kalyani: What should I do? You were staying at your Aunt's place and so, Navya called me late night yesterday after we spoke that she was going to see her parents and I did not want to call you because I thought your uncle will be mad at you for taking calls so late in the night. She will be back tomorrow or Monday morning.

Preeti: Why did she not tell me this?

Kalyani: She said that she forgot to tell you about this and wanted me to inform you, but it looks like it was planned for a long time as she had booked her tickets and she took off on Thursday itself.



Kumar wanted to lose these girls, but they just did not stop "following him"! He decided to call Kishore.

Kumar: Kishore, I am here.

Kishore: Where?

Kumar: I don't know; I got down the auto like you said and started walking straight into the lane nearby. I see a temple nearby and some grocery stores.

Kishore: Ok, wait.. I think you are right near our house. Let me come out.



Kishore came out and started waving to Kumar. Kalyani saw Kishore and waved to him and ran ahead of Kumar.

Kalyani: Hi Kishore Anna, how are you?

Kishore: Hey Kalyani, I am fine. How are you?

Kalyani: Fine, fine. How was the wedding?

"Bagunnanu, Pelli ela jarigindi?"

Kishore: "It was hectic, but we had fun"

Kalyani: "What fun would anyone have in a Wedding!? You should have friends to have fun"

Meanwhile Kumar had walked up to Kishore & Kalyani, but Preeti was hesitating to go to them as she did not know Kishore.

Kishore: "Enough.. Enough.. if you start talking now, I cannot speak to my friend"

(Speaking to Kumar): "How are you?"

"Ela unnavu ra!?"

Kumar: "I am fine. How was the wedding?"

"Nenu Baagunnanu. Pelli ela jarigindi?"

Kishore: "The ceremony was superb"

"Chaala baaga jarigindi"

He showed Kalyani and introduced her to Kumar.

Kishore: "This is Kalyani. My neighbor - stays in the house opposite to ours. We have been neighbors since our childhood. In fact, I escorted her when we were in school. She is 4 years junior to us". (Turning to Kalyani).. "This is Kumar - my degree classmate"

"Ee ammayi Kalyani. Maa edurintlo untundi. Maa chinnappati nunchi ikkade untunnaru. Iddaram oke school ki velle vallamu and nene tanani school ki teesukuni velle vaadini. tanu manaki 4 years junior" (Turning to Kalyani).. "Itanu Kumar - naa degree classmate"

Kumar realized that though he knew both their names, they did not know his name until Kishore introduced. Kalyani was smiling and the smile was a little exaggerated, he thought.

Kalyani: (Calling Preeti) "Hey, come here! His name is Kumar. The first 3 letters match the name that we gave him!"

"Hey, itu ra! Itanu peru Kumar ata. Manam pettina peru lo first 3 letters kalisayi!"

Kishore was surprised that Kalyani knew Kumar and was thinking how Kumar would know Kalyani since Kumar was always in Hyderabad and Kalyani was always in Vizag. Kumar was wondering what these girls would have named him.

******************** To be continued ****************​

The Destination - Part 4

**********PART 4*************************




Kalyani was the first one to react.



Kalyani: "Hey you have to give us Rs.20. Preeti had told you before"

"Hey, nuvve maaku Rs.20 ivvali. Indaaka Preeti cheppindi kada."



Preeti pinched Kalyani to show that she had unnecessarily revealed her name and Kumar had noticed this. Kalyani was in no mood to hear, she was seriously looking at Kumar for an answer.



Kumar: "Kalyani, I was to give Rs.20 after adjusting Auto fare with movie ticket, but for the pop-corn you had taken as soon as I offered and the soft drinks you had snatched even before I asked, if you adjust the amount, you owe me Rs.30."

"Choodu Kalyani! Indaaka nenu Rs.20 ivaali anedi ok. Auto rate, cinema ticket price adjust chesukunte saripotundi, but nenu ichina ventane pop-corn teesukunnaru kada and ivva kundaane soft drinks lakkunnaru kada vaatiki dabbulu adjust chesukunte meere naaku Rs.30 ivvali."



Preeti was surprised that Kumar knew Kalyani's name too and was doubting whether he knew Preeti's name even before they both met.



Kalyani: "So what, you bought those yourself, did we ask for them? Preeti only took soft drink, why should we pay for popcorn that you wasted"

"Ayite emaindi? Nuvve techavu memu adigama? Preeti only cool drink teesukundi, nuvvu kinda padesina pop-corn ki enduku ivvali"



Kumar: "I have not counted for the ones that fell down"

"Nenu kinda padinavi count cheyyaledu"



Preeti took out 100 rupee note and showed it to Kumar.



Kumar: "I do not have change. It is only Rs.30, that's fine, keep it with you"

"Naa deggara change ledu. 30 rupees ye kada. Unchukondi."



Almost immediately, Preeti held Kalyani's hand and almost dragged her away from Kumar. He was about to say something, but Kumar's phone rang. Kumar answered and it was Kishore who had called. He mentioned that they had reached Vizag and was at home now. Kumar inquired about how to reach Kishore's place and Kishore suggested him to take a 'Share Auto' from the theatre, gave him more details about where to get down with directions to his house and asked him to call once he reached there.



Outside the theatre an auto driver was shouting the name 'Gopalapatnam' and Kumar waved to him. The Auto driver started the auto and gestured Kumar to get in. Kumar came from behind the auto and got in and turned to see that Preeti and Kalyani were in the auto!



None of them said a word. They travelled in utter silence till they reached the spot. Preeti gave Rs.100 to the auto driver and Kumar got down and asked him what the fare was. The auto driver said Rs.30 and Kumar looked at Kalyani and Preeti, then took his bag and left the place saying



Kumar: "They'll pay for me"

"Vallu istaaru teesuko."



Auto Driver: "Sir!"



Kumar had already started walking.



Auto Driver: (To Preeti and Kalyani): "Madam!"

Preeti: "yes, yes, we will pay"

"yes, yes, istaamu le"



The Auto Driver was confused, but happy that he would get his money and he returned the change to Preeti. Preeti and Kalyani noticed that Kumar was ahead of them and was on phone. Preeti was angry and Kalyani was smiling. Preeti was still thinking whether Kumar was following them, but was in doubt because he was ahead of them.



******************** To be continued ****************​

The Destination - Part 3

**********PART 3***************************


Kumar went into the theatre and tried to find the place to sit. Preeti was sitting in the aisle seat with Kalyani beside her. So, he had to sit beside Kalyani. The movie started, but Kumar was not interested in it. As soon as the titles started he dozed off. Kalyani saw this and whispered something into Preeti's ears. Kumar woke up hearing some giggles, understood that the girls were laughing at him, but did not bother to get up. He closed his eyes and slept peacefully. Kalyani was about to hit him and wake him up, but Preeti stopped her from doing so.

Kumar woke up in the Interval and started looking around unable to understand where he was. Looking at his pale face and confused look Kalyani started laughing out loud. Preeti hushed her, but Kalyani was not to listen. Kumar was embarrassed, but got up with a wry smile on his face and went outside. He tried to call Kishore, but his cell was still unreachable. He went to the stall at the theatre and took 3 popcorns and 3 soft drinks (1 coke, 1 Maaza and 1 Thums Up). He preferred either Coke/ 'Thums Up' and thought that girls preferred 'Maaza' kind of stuff (which are not aerated), but Kalyani was tom-boyish and would prefer aerated drinks, he thought.

He went back to his seat and offered the snacks to the girls. Kalyani immediately took pop-corn and 'Thums Up'. Kumar smiled to himself and thought that he was right in deciding the drinks. He offered popcorn and the soft drink to Preeti and she looked at Kalyani, who had already started eating her pop-corn and gulped half the 'Thums Up'. Preeti, reluctantly, stretched her hand towards 'Coke' when Kumar handed her the 'Maaza' bottle.

Preeti stared angrily at him and almost snatched the 'Coke' bottle from him. Unable to revolt, Kumar handed the 'Coke' bottle and offered pop-corn to her and Preeti ignored him. Kalyani pointed that Preeti does not like popcorn. Kumar wanted to go back to his seat and asked Preeti for a little place to move to which Preeti obliged. Moving on looking at Preeti to say 'Thank You' he did not notice that Kalyani stuck her leg out hindering Kumar's path. He stumbled, almost fell, but balanced himself just in time; in the process, both the popcorn cones were on the floor with popcorn lying around wasted and the 'Maaza' bottle was half-empty with the remaining on the floor with a little on his Jeans and shirt too.



He sat in his chair and looked at Kalyani who was laughing and showing all her teeth. He glanced at Preeti and she was trying to hide her smile. Embarrassed in front of the girls, he sat in the movie trying to understand what was going on. He could not understand what was happening in the movie as he had slept in the first half and was sipping the drink he did not prefer. He was frustrated that he was watching a movie with 2 unknown girls who were making fun of him in a totally new city.

When credits rolled on the screen, Preeti and Kalyani got up and started to leave. He sat back relaxed for everyone to leave and by the time he reached outside Preeti and Kalyani were waiting for him. He walked straight to them. Kalyani had a cunning smile and pushed Preeti with her shoulder hinting something, which Kumar thought they might have discussed when he was not with them. Preeti held her hand out and in front of Kumar and said "Twenty Rupees". Kumar looked at Kalyani who was still smiling. Kumar put his right hand in the pocket and brought out closed fist and placed it beside Preeti's hand. Kalyani tried to open it, but Kumar slapped her hand with his left one. Seeing this Preeti withdrew her hand. Kumar slowly opened his fist and Preeti and Kalyani saw him with surprise when he laid the empty hand forward and demanded….

"Thirty Rupees!"

******************** To be continued ****************​

The Destination - Part 2

***** PART 2**************

Kumar was on the top berth and opened his eyes, he thought he had slept for a long time, but still was able to see the sunlight. He thought, being summer, it could be that the days are long. His watch was showing 7:30. Wow, he thought 7.30 and still it is not dark. He rolled over and looked down. He saw that his bay was empty. He noticed that almost everyone got down from the train. He immediately got down from his berth, grabbed his shoes and bag and came onto the platform. The time on the platform clock was 7:33 and he looked around for the name of the station and when he saw the board "VISAKHAPATNAM". He did not know how to react. He wanted to shout at somebody and argue about why he was not woken up at Vijayawada, but he had no company. He realized that he was very tired the previous day and overslept.

He had missed the wedding and now was in a place unknown to him. He took some time to think and then called Kishore.

Kishore: "Hey Kumar, vastannannavu? Office lo busy aa?" ("Hey Kumar, you said that you would come, are you busy in office")

Kumar : "Ledu babu, nenu station lo unnanu" ("No boss, I am at the station")

Kishore: "Oh, kaani memu inka ikkada undamu. Maa ooru ki ippude bayalderatamu. Nuvvu ippudu vachi waste" ("Oh, but we are not staying here, we are about to start back to our town. It would be a waste for you to come here now.")

Kumar: "Hmm.."

Kishore: "Oka pani cheddam. Nenu Vizag nunchi Hyderabad vachaka neeku call chestanu, appudu kaluddam. Ok na?'" ("Let's do one thing. I will call you when I come to Hyderabad from Vizag, we will meet then. Is that ok?")

He smiled and realized two facts – that he smiled after a long time and that Vizag was his friend Kishore’s hometown.

Kumar: "Adi emi kudaradu. Nenu ninnu kalisi teerataanu. Nuvvu oka pani cheyyi, nuvvu Vizag vachina ventane naaku call cheyyi" ("That won't do. I have to meet you. You do one thing, you call me as soon as you come to Vizag.")

Kishore: "'Vachina' Ventane na? Nuvvu Vizag lo unnava?" ("As soon as I 'come'? Are you in Vizag")

Kumar: (Smiling) "Yes, kaani details adagaku ippudu. Taravata cheptanu. Nuvvu Vizag vachaka naaku call cheyyi, ok?" ("Yes, but don't ask me details now. I will tell you later. Call me as soon as you come to Vizag, ok?")

Kishore: "ok, take care. bye"

Kumar: "Bye"

Now, Kumar was relieved. He was ok to spend time for some 6 hours and then meet Kishore. He could spend the weekend here and get back to office by Monday. His purpose would be served. He was now thinking how to spend time; he went to the retiring rooms, brushed his teeth, bathed and got fresh. He had his breakfast and was coming out of the railway station when it struck him that he did not know where to go. He tried calling Kishore, but his cell was out-of-coverage-area. He cursed his luck and came out of the station without getting caught by the ticket collectors when the autowallahs came to him.

"Ekkadiki vellali sir?" ("Where do you have to go sir?")

He smiled to himself and thought "Ade teliste..." ("Had I known that..") and shook his head and left the place. He walked towards the bus stop and waited there not knowing which bus to take. He still had not decided what to do. He saw a girl talking on phone at the bus stop. The girl was talking on phone about meeting at the theatre to watch a new movie for which they had taken 3 tickets, but one of their friends could not come. He came to know that her name was 'Preeti' and was meeting 'Kalyani'. She said that she would sell the ticket to someone at the theatre and that she would reach in sharp 30 minutes. Hearing this, Kumar thought this is better thing to do, he would go to the theatre and watch the movie to spend some time.

Preeti called an auto and was bargaining. Kumar went to her:



Kumar: "Excuse Me"

Preeti: (looking suspiciously) "Yes"

Kumar: "Nenu kooda aa theatre ke vellali. So, iddaramu share chesukundaama?" ("I have to go to the same theatre. So, shall we share?")

Preeti: (hurriedly) "Okay. Get in"

Kumar: "Thank you". (Turning to the auto driver) "Pada babu" "Let's go)

For about 5 minutes they did not speak to each other and Kumar again started:

Kumar: "Excuse Me. Mee deggara extra ticket undi annaru kada. Adi naaku istaara?" ("Excuse Me. You said you had an extra ticket. Will you give that to me?")

Preeti: (still suspicious) "Meeku ela telusu naa deggara extra ticket undi ani" ("How do you know I have an extra ticket?")

Kumar: "Meeru indaaka phone lo maatladutunte vinnanu" ("I heard when you were talking over phone")

Preeti: "Asalu meeru ye cinema ki vellali?" ("What movie do you want to watch?")

Kumar: (with a blank face) "Edaina paravaledu" ("Any movie is okay")

The auto driver was listening to this conversation and was not able to understand Kumar's stand point. The songs in the auto were playing loudly and Kumar asked the driver to reduce the volume.

Preeti: "Alaaga! Ippudu ye theatre ki veltunnamu manamu, adi ayina telusa?" ("I see! Do you even know what theatre we are going to?")

Kumar: (innocently) "Nenu ee ooriki kotha. Naaku teleedu andi" ("I am new to this town. I do not know")

Preeti: "Asalu ye cinemaki veltunnaro, ye theatre ki veltunnaro teleekunda ela ekkestaaru ila auto?" ("How did you get into the auto when you do not know where you have to go?")

Auto driver stopped the auto as they had reached the theatre and both of them got down. Preeti gave a hundred rupee note and the auto driver said that he did not have change. Preeti looked at Kumar and he immediately took change out from his wallet and gave Rs.65 to the auto driver. Kalyani saw both of them getting out of the auto and came to them.

Kalyani: "Hi Preeti! Evaru itanu? Ticket ammadam enduku ani evarinaina teesukochava?" ("Hi Preeti! Who is this? Did you bring him so as to avoid selling the ticket?")

Preeti: "Daadapu ante anuko, Kalyani." ("Yeah, almost like that, Kalyani")

Kumar took out a hundred rupee note and handed it over to Preeti who looked at him sternly as if to say that he knows that she did not have change and that was the reason he had paid for the auto. She did not take the money, instead handed him the movie ticket, held Kalyani's hand and turned around swiftly saying "You owe me Rs.20" and left.

Kumar stood there not understanding the calculations.

******************** To be continued ****************​