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