LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 16: 16. moon
They chatted for a long time reminiscing their childhood days. They were all together for almost 16 years. Siva and Karunakar have known each other for 20 years. After that Aparna and Oormila used to play together as they were neighbours, gradually Aparna dragged her brother to play with her along with Siva. Krishna's mother Seethamma and Aparna's mother were distant relatives but best friends. Aparna and karunakar knew Krishna when she was still in her mother's womb. Unfortunately, Seethamma died. Aunt Subadhra often visited krishna too look after her along with her children who tagged along, sometimes Aparna brought Oormila and Siva to her house. Aunt subadhra and aunt kamala nurtured krishna and doted her a lot, more than their children. Chidren too, they always used to put krishna in the first place., not because of her mother but because of krishna who is so small and cute , to whom you will not hesitate to give anything.
Krishna turned seventeen this year. As they were chatting Siva saw the reflection of moon in one of the buttermilk pots. ''Hey everyone , look here its full moon in the buttermilk'' pointing to the pot in which he saw moon. Aparna ''woooaaahhh.... moon is so beautiful and pleasant no matter how many times you look at, right?'' Oormila nodded to her '' it is looking even more beautiful as we all are looking at it together''. Siva '' hmmm, you are right. It's nice to just sit and talk with you'' said as he looked at the moon with a gentle smile. Aparna looked at Siva '' how rare! You are actually talking honestly.'' exclaimed.Oormila '' honestly. I'm very much shocked by his words'', after a short pause she continued ''Krishna , you actually got a present from Siva.''looked at Siva teasing with her brows, aparna joined her '' it will be the gift of highest quality.'' Krishna added ''thank you for the gift Siva, i mean it.'' Siva nodded with a subtle smile and looked at Aparna and Oormila ''thank you for the praise. Where are yours?''asked with lifting the left corner of his lip. Oormila took out the small bag she prepared '' here ,Krishna I wish you happy seventeenth birthday. Hope we can celebrate your seventieth birthday with five of us like this again.'' handing over the bag to Krishna.'' Thank you, Oormila. Did you make this bag ? And this rose too?'' Krishna asked her with wide opened eyes at the rose and bag. Oormila nodded. ''Thank you , I really really like it.'' expressed her gratitude loudly with a bright smile on her. Aparna '' Now it's my turn. Krishna here'' giving a pearl necklace to her. Krishna's eyes glowed in awe. She really liked pearls. She hugged Aparna who is just beside her tightly and smiled brightly swaying her left and right. Aparna patted her gently while swaying along with her. As they all of them gave their gifts, all eyes turned to karunakar who was just enjoying the show infront him. He just stiffened as if a stone with the pot at his slightly parted lips. He then,slowly and gently placed the pot on the table and looked at them with a guilliable smile. He ruffled the back of his head and looked at Siva, Aparna and Oormila. He didn't look at Krishna. He slowly got out of the cot and walked towards krishna... they all looked at him curiously as of what he brought. He gave her bangles, and'' and there is one more thing but I didn't bring it now.'' looking at the moon with the hand at the back of head. Krishna took those bangles and looked at them. They are bright red in color. She really liked them. ''Thank you'' Krishna.
Siva looked at her '' how come you don't express your feelings properly when it comes to him?''with a question mark on his face. Krishna as she heard those words, got up from the chair and went to the other side of the yard placing the bangles on the table infront of her along with bag and necklace. They all knew that but only Siva spoken up. Krishna knew it better than anyone that she bottled her feelings towards him. Krishna leaned on to the neem tree. Karunakar followed her, ''Krishna priya, sorry that he said all those'' as he walked towards her and stood infront of her. ''No,no. We all know how he is. You don't need to say sorry on behalf of him. And what Siva told is absolutely correct, because he told the truth i couldn't bear to look at you or nor show my face to you''krishna replied as if she would break into tears anytime soon. ''You don't need to.'' Karunakar replied as he reached his hand to her cheek. Krishna looked at him finally. ''You don't need to express or even tell them to me because I know you show those with your actions. You know, me too, I couldn't talk about us properly. But you know me, right?'' Krishna just looked at as he spoke and nodded slightly and nudging more on to his palm on her cheek. ''Look . I am talking about this.'' refering to her small action. Krishna shyly smiled. She slowly walked even closer to him with just less than a foot distance between them and reached to his face, cupping his face with both her palms tip-toed herself simultaneously bending his head with her hands she planted a kiss on his forehead closing her eyes slowly with the moon as their witness. She gently pulled her lips off from his forehead and looked at Karunakar who's not yet come to earth from heaven. As she was about to pull off her hands from his face ,suddenly karunakar held her hands in the same position refusing to let go. Then he took her right hand with his left hand,brought closer to his lips ,placed a subtle kiss under her thumb with his eyes looking at every minute change occuring in the person infront of him. He suddenly remembered Aparna's words about him looking towards her like i wanna swallow her. He thought ''Aparna , you are right. I really wanna swallow her up whole''. Chuckled lightly.