When Krishna came to her house, she saw aunt kasthuri waiting for her return. When aunt kasthuri caught the glimpse of Krishna , aunt kasthuri rushed to her in a worried countenance, '' why did you come so late? You know how worried i was? What happened? '' with her voice slightly shaking from worry , holding both of Krishna's forearms tightly....
Krishna couldn't comprehend what she was listening to .. slowly she realized and took aunt kasthuri's hands into her both hands pressing from each side in confirmation that she was fine. Krishna continued '' aunt , as it has been a long time since I went to field , I took my time to talk with them along with Aparna . After completing our lunch father asked us to get some rest before we depart.. so , I came a little later than expected. But don't worry , I had a great time spending with those after a long time.''
Hearing these words from Krishna aunt Kasthuri felt relived and was happy as got to spend her time with everyone. And aunt continued looking around'' where is Aparna? '', '' Uncle Venkatesham is teaching her something ''.krishna replied with a small smile....
As time passed by, its almost sunset time..... every one started going to their respective houses.... birds went to their nests, chicken went into their coups , cattle went into their shed, sheeps went into their gallery ....and people to their respective houses.
Muthyalaiah returned their house just past sunset after making sure all the workers went home...as soon as he arrived, Krishna went to him with an ewer filled with water and gave it to her father with an inconspicous smile. Muthyalaiah took the ewer and washed his hands, feet and face before entering into the house. After her father washed his face ,Krishna took ewer into her hand and handed him over a dry towel. Muthyalaiah took the towel and entered the house while drying his face with towel.
As muthyalaiah came home, aunt Kasthuri took the leave for the day and went her home. Krishna went into the kitchen and came back with a pair of banana in her hand of which one is given to her father and she ate the other one sitting beside her father who is lying on a sleeping chair. After eating that krishna '' what would you like to have for supper tonight,father?'' taking the banana peel from her father. ''Whatever you like? I am okay with anything'' krishna thought for a while and ''is ragi mudda¹ with peanut chutney okay, father?'' Father nodded okay.
After that ,muthyalaiah went into the center of village where there is a big tree which covers 20 ft×17 ft around with its branches and under which benches with slabs are made .people from the village meet there daily despite their other schedules. Every one meet there and talk about various things including their children, seek financial advises from experienced ones, learn from older people regarding history and their life experinces, seek agricultural advises. That meeting place is not just a meeting of few people..... it is the place where one learns, teaches, experiences things that are not available anywhere but there.
Children who were still awake play around with older people, youth takes advises from older people..and if anyone finds that a person is going on a wrong path, village head make sure to condemn them before making it into panchayat. As the females of household call for their children indicating that its time to sleep... slowly everyone leave to their homes respectively with another form of energy in them...as they talk about their daily avtivities they seem to have lost their tiredness from all over the work and laugh till contended.
Meetings regarding any important events are made here.
At home...krishna gets the ingredients ready then adjusts her half saree accordingly.. and starts by lighting the fire and an aluminum vessel is placed over the fire filled with water four times the rice taken and water is brought to boil to which slowly washed rice is added lid is placed in a half closed way..
As rice begins to cook take the ladle and remove the foam formed over water and stir it two or three times. Add a little salt to taste , and add ¾ cup of finger millet powder and close 90% of the lid and reduce the fire after two minutes take the vessel down and with the help of a wooden stick of around 3 cm diameter, millet flour is made sure to mix with each of the rice grain. Continue the process till you are sure that no grain is left white. After mixing that reduce the fire to minimum and let it sit for one minute. And take the vessel down and have a plate,spatula, and a bowl of water to make the rice balls of desired size. After completing rice balls, peanut chutney is next on the queue..... take a flat iron pan and place it over the medium fire. Slightly roast peanuts and take them into plate.. add green chilli, onion slices and tomato pieces , garlic cloves, fresh coriander leaves and roast them. As the roasting completed, a voice came from outside indicating her father arrival... she took all the roasted ingredients to mortar and pestle. She ground chutney thoroughly, by adding a little salt and a piece of tamarind, till it became soft. And is taken into a bowl to serve.
Krishna '' father, food preparation is completed. Should i serve it now or would you like me to wait for sometime ?'' . '' Let us eat and hit the sack early'' replied muthyalaiah. Krishna served ragi mudda making a dent at the centre and poured ghee into the dent and served peanut chutney.
They both had a fulfilling supper. After finishing cleaning ,they both went to bed.
1. ragi mudda: staple dish made from rice and finger millet flour as main ingredients