It is the annual Krishna pooja at Kunthala. The last time they celebrated it was 25 years ago hence they decide to host it at a grander scale than ever before. Devasena, goes to invite her mil. Ammu is also present there.

D: Rajamatha, we're celebrating our Krishna pooja this evening. It will be an honour if you grace this occasion.

Si: I was just discussing with Baahu but I am afraid I have to leave to Mahishmathi soon as there as some important issues that need my immediate attention. Let Baahu stay here.

Devasena looks hopefully at Ammu and who shows disinterest.

A: Amma, I can't send you alone I will also come with you.

Si: Mahendra is coming with us, you be here with Devasena we will go.

A: No Amma I can't. Not this time.

Devasena's face falls in disappointment. She pleads to him through eyes to stay back.

A: Sorry Devu, it's urgent I have to go besides it's a ladies function you all will be singing and dancing what would I do there ?? Me wearing langa oni ( half saree ) and prancing around with you won't look good.

D: Not that but...

A: It's ok. You celebrate it and pray for us.

Devuu just gives a half smile and exits the room to arrange for the send off of Ammu, Mahendra and Sivagami.

****

Ammu and Sivagami along with Mahendra take leave of them. Kattappa is left behind to be with Avanthika and Devasena. Ammu waves to her from the boat and she reciprocates half-heartedly. They carry on with the preparations for the pooja. In the evening, Devuu and Avanti are decked up in their finest wear and the pooja commences after which they sing and dance.

D: Muripala mukundha...

Av: Saradala sadandaa....

As she croons, she reminisces her mischievous Krishna and his antics to woo her and giggles to herself.

Av: Yaaadhaavaaaa.... Maadhavaaa....

D: Naa athi maali dooshamu jarige
ooo vanamaali yeddu ninnu podiche paapam antha naadenuraa....

She then gets solemn when she misses him.

Avanthika taps her shoulder asking what happened and she shakes her head implying nothing.

D: Kannaaa nidurinchara....

Av: Naa kannaa nidurincharaaa...

Towards the end, the ladies take the pooja platter and walk to the balcony to offer prayers to the moon with Devuu leading them. She looks out, her gaze falling on the very branch her Ammu once slept peacefully and she recalls the past.

After prayers, pooja platter in hand Devuu discreetly walks out to the garden. She sees her Ammu in deep sleep and contemplates whether to wake him or not.

D: I have brought the prasad, I want him to have it but he is sleeping.. should I wake him up or let him be ?? Hmm I think he must be in pain if I wake him up he might find it difficult to go back to sleep and I might have to lull him again. I am also tired so better not.

She tiptoes closer to him and without making a noise holding her breath as she didn't want it to fan him and disturb his slumber, she takes some sandalpaste on her ring finger and anoints his forehead with it. Ammu doesn't budge. She stands transfixed admiring the serene Ammu.

D: Aawww how adorable he looks he is innocence personified. Devasena you are lucky!!

She giggles to herself. She doesn't want to leave the place and feels like clinging on to him but brushes off her thoughts,

D: Control Devasena ! Control ! The pudding is yours.. be patient!

Glancing at him once she reluctantly leaves the place. Ammu's lips curve to a small smile as he opens his eyes and tilts his head looking at her direction.

A: She has fallen for you Amarendra.

And Devasena's prankster kanna shuts his eyes back to sleep with a smile of victory plastered across his face.

The next day Devasena is painting a portrait in her chamber when Ammu comes in with a plate of fruits. He begins his moddhu act.

A: Yuv..yuvarani.. I have got you fruits..

His voice sends tingles down her spine she smiles to herself and turns to see her moddhu standing gullibly.

D: Come in Sivu. You can leave that plate on the table.

He keeps it on the table and as he turns to go when Devasena calls him. He goes to her.

A: Yuv..uvv..a..yuvarani called me ?

D: See this..

A: (Surprised) Ammo !! Who is this ?? He looks like me ??

D:(Giggles) It's you only ! I painted it. Did you like it??

But before he could reply a maid intervenes,

"Excuse me yuvarani... Maharaja is calling you."

D: Ok I'll come this instant. Sivu, you be right here I will be back ok?

A: Ok yuvarani !

Devuu meets her brother and returns to her chamber when she sees a horrifying sight! Ammu was messing up her painting! Tears rolling down her cheeks she rushes to the spot.

D: Sivu ! Stop !

She pushes him and lifts the canvas out of the easel. The top part was ruined. She looks at Sivu who stands there scratching his head and then back at the canvas her heart bled to see the painting of her moddhu in that bad state. If it was someone else her sword would have pierced through his body but since it was Sivu she couldn't punish him. Holding the portrait, she drops on her knees and weeps. Seeing that Ammu crouches down before her.

A: So... sorry...yuvarani..

D: Sniff..sniff...

A: (Innocently) Mmm... I also want to paint..

D: (Irritated) You want to paint ?? You could have told me why did you mess up this one ?? You know with how much lov..uhm... just leave me alone Sivu.

A mv: Love..say it out loud Devasena! Your eyes, the pain in it is screaming love for me! You can't bear to see my ruin even in a painting.. how fortunate I am to have you in my life! Wait let me tease you some more...

A: Yuv... yuvarani...leave that it is dirty. Here, have this fruit. Mama gave me it is very sweet... I already had two this one is the biggest you must...

D: (furious) I said leave !!

She points to the door and Ammu pretending to be scared runs off. She looks at her damaged painting.

D: My Sivu...my sivu...

Crying for sometime she gets tired and dozes off on the sofa. Ammu enters her chamber and seeing her asleep hugging the messed up portrait of him he flashes a smile. Slowly taking the canvas from her hold, he places it back on the easel and begins to paint.

****

Devasena wakes up and sees her maids standing around the easel engaged in a serious discussion. She gets up and walks to them.

D: What's happening ? Why have you all gathered here ?

"Yuvarani, pls take a look at this!"

Devuu is pleasantly surprised.

D: This...Sivu and me...

"Yuvarani, how well you have painted..its amazing !"

Another one joins in,

"They look so good together.. the picture etched in Yuvarani's heart has been transferred into this canvas."

D: But... but... I didn't do this.. this is not my...

"Yuvarani, you were painting Sivu right ?? This is your work only !"

D: Yes I painted but he messed it up...

"Messed it up? Then how is it so perfect ??"

D: I don't know. Someone who has magic in his fingers has done this. Who is that ?

Ka: Talli, it is our great 'pig' hunter Kumara Varman who did this. Oh wow what a talent !

Devasena and her maids turn to see Kumara Varman standing proud with a paint brush in his hand and Kattappa and Ammu standing on his either side benignly.

D: (Suspicious) Mama, you painted this ??

Kv: Yes Devasena... who else but me can do something like this ?

The maids swap confused looks. Devasena refuses to buy his story. She looks at Ammu who has his eyes down.

D: Mama, if you painted this it should have been me and you right... why Sivu ?? You don't like him.

Kv: Huh..uh... mmm... that..that..

He fumbles and Kattappa comes to his rescue.

Ka: Err.. yuvarani, just like how you took pity on my moddhu nephew and gave him a place in your heart...

Ammu stamps his feet.

Ka: Aaahhh...I mean in this palace likewise our great 'pig' hunter has given him a place in his painting.

Kv: Reyy, why do you always stress on that word you know it disgusts me !

Ka: Which word my lord ?

Kv: That one.. that pi..chi chi...

Ka: Huh... but my lord isn't that your feat ?? I feel so blessed to address you that way. Long live 'pig' hunter Kumara varman!!

Kv: Huh..ok ok enough I don't like to be praised. Devasena, how did you like my painting? Have I covered the flaws perfectly ??

Devasena ignores him and walks to Ammu,

D: You did this didn't you ?

A: (Keeping his baby face) Mama, she's saying some...something...

Ka: Aiyooo aiyoo aiyoo what is this yuvarani? How can this moddhu paint so flawlessly when he can't even have his meal without dropping a grain ?? This is done by our great 'pig' hunter only ! Kumara varman jai ho!

Devasena raises her palm gesturing him to stop his chatter and calls her maid to her side.

D: (Looking at Ammu) Hang this painting on the wall of my bedroom. This should be the only work of art in my room. Take down everything else.

The maid bows her head and steps back. Devasena exits her chamber and turns her head to look at Ammu. Turning front, she grins.

Admiring the portrait in her room which still remained the way it was when it was painted, she smiles.

D: I know it is you who painted this Ammu.

Just then she hears the noise of an object rolling on the floor and immediately reaches for her sword. In a stern voice she calls out,

D: Who is it??

"Meow...meow..."