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 **************​