Bi - Bijjaladeva
Kv - Kumara Varman

****

In the cell of Bijjaladeva,

Bijjaladeva is pacing back and forth pondering over Ammu's return.

Bi: Huh... how did that low life survive ?? It was difficult to manage the son now the father also...Oh I wonder how my Bhalla is....

The priest fella, his crony is also in the same cell as him.

"Prabhu, we should have caused more obstacles on Devasena's path. We shouldn't have let her complete the Agni prasthan. She succeeded, they won and Bahubali returned!!"

Bi: You are right...I should have sacrificed a slave to the goddess before Bhalla entered the battlefield...anyway it is of no use just lying here eating our remains and supporting our enemies...

"Kattappa you mean Prabhu ??"

Bi: No.. not that dog.. another one...

"Huh, who Prabhu?"

Bi: Who else ?? You !

"Prabhu !!!"😲

Bi: Here I am plotting to oust that mother-killer, his family and get my to son to rule Mahishmati but you, staying with us and praising them ???

"No Prabhu... no I didn't mean like that... I meant we should have been more cautious. We were so many of them but couldn't do anything to Devasena or her son..maybe we should have brought in more soldiers."

Bi: I don't need anyone ! I will only think of a way to destroy that Baahu and his family forever !! Bhalla, if you don't get to ascend the throne again no one else will !! You will definitely see the ruins of Baahu and his family Bhalla ! I promise you!

****

Devuu has fever. Mahendra massages his mother's sore feet while hubby Amarendra sponges her. Father-son duo refuse help from Sanga and Avanthika and decide to take turns to look after Devu. She dozes off after her meal and medications. Mahe and Ammu who are beside Devu, engage in casual banter to stay vigil.

M: Nanna !

A: What ra ?

M: Do you drink ??

A: What ??

M: I mean do you booze ??

Ammu shakes his head in denial.

M: Huh.. really ??

Ammu slowly peeps over to see if Devuu is asleep.

M: I already checked. She is in deep sleep you need not worry. Why you so scared of her ?

A: Eerr... that....Devasena hates it when I do so. Once I came drunk and... oh no after that incident I shudder to think of booze.

M: Lol... why what happened?

A: It's a long story. That day was Kattappa mama's birthday. To celebrate that he took me to a tavern and.....

A: Mama, where have you brought me ? What is this place ?

Ka: A place to relax and enjoy ! Come sit.

They sit down at a table and Kattappa orders the drinks. Ammu looks around and see men in inebriated states some lying on the floor some dancing while others fighting and making noise. The drinks arrive. Kattappa serves him.

Ka: Here, drink this.

A: No no don't want. Devu doesn't like drinking.

Ka: Baahu ! Not fair ! You promised to give me company now if you back off how ? Don't disappoint your mama on his birthday.

A: Huh... not that mama if Devasena comes to know she will beat me. It will pain.

Ka: Ha ! Pulled an arrow out of your chest and continued fighting the Kalakeyas bravely look at you fearing your wife like a kid getting scared of his mother.

A: Mmm... Weapons don't hurt me but Devasena's eyes when she is upset or angry does.

Ka: Hmm. Am I asking you to finish all the barrels kept here ?? Just one or two mugs won't do any harm she won't even know you drank.

A: Are you sure ??

Ka: Yes ra. Trust me. Have it.

Ammu gulps a mug and likes the taste. He goes for another one. One leads to another until he is completely drunk.

A: Mama... mama...

Ka: What ra ?

A: After this where do men go ?

Ka: Mmm... some stay here till dawn, some return home whereas the rest go to... (giggles) they go to 'Sarojas'..

A: Huh Sarojas ?? Who are they ??

Ka: Aiyoo moddhu why are you so innocent ra...give me your ears.

Kattappa whispers in his ears and Amarendra giggles to himself.

A: Oh you mean manoharis .... I recall the time Bhalla and I went in search of Sakethudu .... I danced with 3 of them oh what a curve, what a figure... that Bhalla idiot whistled and disrupted the moment if not I would have danced with them for some time more. There was one short fella I broke all his jars he took my money in return for these drinks...hee hee hee funny guy... Mama, have you been to sarojas ?

Ka: Chi no ra your mama is a brahmachari I treat all women as my mother or sisters. I don't know why never had an inclination towards women.

A: I knew it the moment you wanted to eat the love birds... Mama, order one more jar !

Ka: Don't want Baahu. You already had too much. Enough let us go.

A: Mama one more last, it is your birthday, pls... pls mama.

Kattappa relents and they indulge in few more mugs. Finally Ammu is too drunk to even stand steadily on his feet. Since Kattappa is used to these, he is stable. He supports Ammu and they leave the place.

Meanwhile in the palace, while all have gone to sleep the light in Amarendra's chamber is still on as a worried Devasena paces back and forth looking out at the entrance for her Ammu.

D: Oh... it is so late. Where is he ??
I hope he is fine.

Kumara varman is outside guarding their chamber to protect Devasena as he always does is the absence of Amarendra. She goes out to him.

D: Mama, did you hear the sound of his chariot ?

Kv: No Devasena.

D: Oh no where would he have gone ? He told me he was going with Kattappa but still hasn't returned I feel something very wrong...

Kv: Don't worry Devasena. I will go in search of them and bring your husband here.

D: Wait mama, I'll also come.

Kv: It is already very late Devasena. At this time you roaming out of your room isn't safe. You go in. I'll handle this.

D: Mama, you forgot that I am a Kshatriya. I can safeguard myself. As of now Ammu is important I can't stay inside four walls when he could probably be in danger allow me to come with you. Wait a minute.

Devasena goes in and takes her sword with her.

D: Come mama let us go.

They didn't have to go far. As they walk along the corridors they hear a weird sound.

"Manoooooooharrrriiiiiiiii..... manooooooohaariiiiiiiii....."

Devasena and Kumara Varman exchange looks.

Kv: Chey ! Where did the donkey caretaker go ?? He wouldn't have fed the donkeys properly that is why they are braying at this odd time. Tomorrow I will give him a piece of my mind!

As the sound gets louder they turn and see Ammu staggering his way along the corridors supported by Kattappa. Devasena notices her husband is in a drunken stupor. She requests Kumara varman to get him to her chamber and goes off in a huff.

Kv: Aiyooo what happened Baahu?

A: Hee hee hee... Bhalla ! My brother bhalla ! How are you ? Long time no see.... ummah...

He kisses Kumara Varman on his cheek who scrunches his face in disgust.

Kv: What is this kattappa ? Doesn't he know Devasena hates all these?

Ka: Sorry varma, I only took him I thought 1-2 glasses won't do any harm but it went over.

Kv: Oh no ! Both of you will have to face Devasena's wrath.

Ammu loops his arms around Kumara varman's neck and with the help of Kattappa they walk him to his chamber. Ammu blabbers on the way,

A: Bhalla, bhalla.... why aren't you friending me Bhalla ? You know I love you so much... We can be the best brothers and Amma will be so happy. Devasena and I will search for a good bride and get you married. Kattappa mama will teach swords to our kids, kumara varman will carry them on his back around the palace how fun it will be no...we can all live together peacefully you only be the king I don't want but pls Bhalla friend me ra...I will give you my favourite toy cart... you, me and Devasena can play with that. Come Bhalla...

Kv: See Kattappa how naive he is inspite all the evil doings of that tyrant, Baahu still considers him his own. It is his feelings deep down that he is expressing now.

Ka: True varma, he wishes good to all and wants to be happy with everyone but neither Rajamatha nor Bhalla has understood him.

They reach his chamber and Devasena is standing at the doorway with her arms crossed at her front. Ammu lifts his head and sees her. His eyeballs pop out in the shape of hearts.

A: Aaaaaaa Sarrrooooojaaaaaa!!!! 😍Kattappa mama, you brought me to Sarojaaa..... ooohhh thank you mama !! Ummahh... you are the best mama !! Leave me, I want to go to her!!

Ka mv: (Shocked face) Oh no what "mama" have you turned me into ra ??

D: Saroja ? Who is she ?

Kv: Yeah who is she ??

Ka: Uhh.. mm... nothing talli he is drunk so... don't mind him... (Whispering in A's ears) Ssshhhh Baahu... Baahu pls ra keep quiet. This is not that place. This is your chamber.

But Ammu doesn't listen. He waddles to her and loses his balance to fall but she catches him just in time supporting him by holding his waist and he circles his arms around her.

A: Saroja jujujujujuju.....sarojaa ummah...ummahhh.....sarojaa 😘

He blows kisses in the air near her head.

Kv: Devasena, I suggest he stays with me tonight in my room. He is heavily drunk what if he misbehaves...

D: It is ok mama I will manage him. Thank you.

Ka: Talli, I am sorry it is not his...

She glares at Kattappa and he bows his head in shame.

D: I will talk to you in the morning. You may leave.

Ka mv: Oh no I am in deep trouble!! 😲😲