D and his P20 team who left to Georgia for shoot returned to Hyderabad within a week due to the widespread of Wuhan virus.

Upon arrival into Hyderabad,
Darling,the dearest son of Bharata matha,cooperated well with the authorities like a true-blue citizen.

He maintained a one metre distance from his mates.Wearing a mask and rubbing sanitizer on his hands each time he came into contact with people or surfaces,D waited patiently in line with his mates to go through thermal screening.When it was his turn,

D: Hi ! It's me...Prabhas! Bahubali n Sahoo ! 👋🏼😃

He waved at the screen but was immediately silenced by the strict police officer.

"Shh...no noise."

He quietly moved away.Collecting their baggage,D and his team exited the airport.Addressing his team,

D: Maranam...maranam...maha sena yedhi maranam ??

"Annayya,you going to repeat Kalakeya war dialogues? Don't want every second we are together means we are inviting danger.Pls keep your speech short and sharp today."opined director Radhakrishnan.

D:Huh...uh...mm...Mithron,the time has come for us to part and discharge our duties as the sons of Bharata matha.14 days from today,we shall be self-quarantined in our homes.On the 15th day,pls gather at my farmhouse for a Corona-free celebration party with Corona beer!😎

All: Yaaayyy!!

They clapped.Giving a parting air kiss and air hug to his brothers,D got into his Range Rover.The rest left for their respective homes.

In the car,D entered his whatsaap.

D: 115 messages ?? 😧Bava has sent something must be latest video of SL😍

Excited,he went to R's chat indeed it was a latest video but not what he anticipated,it was a video on how to practice good hand hygiene.

D: Grr...

He moved on to SSR's chat.He had forwarded a 15 paragraph text by a spiritual guru preaching how vegetarianism could protect one against virus.Glancing at the first line D deleted it straightaway.

KRG had sent him a forwarded photo and text of Shirdi Sai Baba.

D:...Send this to 200 people by his grace you will be free from Corona...Huh?But I only have 150 people in my contacts where do I go for another 50 ?Oh this Peddabauji!

He deleted that.

SDG sent a video on natural home drink with water and a few ingredients which could boost one's immunity.

D: I need someone to wash my plate after meal where will I make this and drink?Bah...

Some of his friends sent memes on the virus while some sent annoying tic-tok videos.He deleted everything.He saw S's chat.

S: Pls stay safe pupsooo...

His lips curved to a smile.

D: No dumb forwards or idiotic memes but genuine words of concern for me that is Sweety! Any texts from my sweetest Amrita? Let me check...

Shraddhoo had not sent him any private texts so he went to his 'Baahu n bae'group chat.He was the only guy and the rest were his favourite co-stars Poo,Shraddhooo,Kaju,Jacquoo and the likes.S was not added for obvious reasons.

They had sent photoshoot stills taken with D fighting who looked the best with him.

D: The world is going to end yet they are fighting over me.Gals will be gals.

With a heavy heart he typed,

D: Following our government's order to avoid gathering in groups,I am removing myself from this chat group.Will be back once situation returns to normal.Pls don't fight because you all are my darlings.Love you.

He made Kaju the admin and exited the group.

Covering his face with his palms he began sobbing thinking of his fate.

"Annayya,home straight?"asked his driver.

D: Sniff...sniff...yes...

***

S's residence:

S suspended her helpers from work temporarily.Getting up early,she mopped her house with dettol and kept everything spick and span.She had just finished wiping the bell switch and knob of her main door with a disinfectant.

S: Phew! Hope no one rings the bell..hey no!Naughty kids...hmm...

She thought.Immediately she went in and took some candies.She put those in a container and placed it outside her door.

S: If kids see these,they will take it and go,they won't ring the bell.Sweety you are so intelligent! 😎

She stuck a 'DO NOT TOUCH' note above the knob and bell then went in and closed the door.Barely a minute,

"Ting tong...ting tong..."

S:😖🙄I don't care who it is,I am not going to open...

She went to her kitchen to make herself a beverage.

"Ting tong ting tong ting tong ting tong"

S: Naughty kids ! Inspite keeping a bowl of candies they are still playing with the bell.Grr...

The bell rang incessantly.S controlled her urge to open the door.Soon,the ringing stopped.She was relieved that the kids went away.She wanted to check to confirm so she opened the door but to her horror,

S: You!!!! 😳

He stood munching the candies from the bowl.

D: Sweetuuu! I am back from Georgia! 😃

S: Aaaahhhhh!!!! 😱😱

She slammed the door on his face.

D: Sweety...open the door...

S: I don't want to be infected by you!Sorry pabsu pa...pls leave!

D: Sweety.....am I not your besht frand anymore ? 😕

S: No you are not!

Sweety was not ready to welcome him.A lone tear dropped from his eyes.He has a crush on Alia,Shraddhooo is his sweetest 'Amrita',he was dying to work with Katrina but it did prick his magnanimous heart when he was ignored by Sweety.

S too felt bad for chasing him away but she had to for the larger good.

S: Paapam pupsooo...

She went to her kitchen thinking about him.At that time,she heard the click of her door and checked to see what it was when D entered using the key.S was shocked.

S: How you came in when I locked the door?

D: Sweety,I had stolen the spare key to your apartment from your bag and kept it safely in my travel pouch thank god I remembered.Tu haan kar ya naa kar tuhi meri Kiran...tuhi meri Kiran...

Humming the famous 'darr' song he dragged his suitcase inside to her room.

S: This psycho 'Rahul' won't let me live...🤦🏻‍♀️

He went to shower.

S came to her room and saw his clothes including his dirty brief strewn on the floor.His used mask and Burberry pouch was lying on her bed.

Scrunching her face in disgust,she used the end of her mop and picked his mask discarding it into the bin.She dumped his clothes into a cloth bag.

D stuck his head out of the bathroom,

D: Bangaram...I need a towel...

Using the same mop,she passed him the towel standing at a distance.He came out wrapping it around his waist.Standing infront of her mirror,he combed his hair while crooning
'Idedo bagunde chali'.

S mv: What is he up to ? 🤔

Then he picked his body spray and spritzed it all over his neck and torso.While doing so there was cheeky smirk on his face,

S mv: That dangerous smirk.😳I got his game plan now...Sweetuuu...better escape...

She slowly tried to sneak away when he called her.

D: Bangaram,I need to talk to you.Sit...

S mv: Err..we can talk later Pupsooo you must be tired after travel.Take rest.

D: I am not tired Sweetu...I slept well in the flight.

He shut the room door and latched it.

S: Why you did that ? There is no one else in the house apart from us we can talk with doors open.

D: Remember we should be in self-quarantine.We should not leave this room of isolation.

S: Huh...why should I ? I have not travelled out of India ! It is you!

D: What are you saying bangaram?You are a part of me! That is why when I decided to self-quarantine I chose to come here instead of going to my house.

S: Pupsooo pls pupsooo this is serious it is not the time for your drunken philosophy pls return to your house.We can meet once situation is better.Go now!

However he did not listen.He crawled on to his side of the bed and pulled the blanket over him.

D: Sweety,your side is free...come..sit let's catch up...

He threw her a sexy look.She crossed her arms at her front.

S: I am in no mood for talks...

D: Even I...Georgia was such a beautiful country,the weather was chilly and best to cuddle in bed but unfortunately you weren't by my side so when I missed you I downed some rum and slept...

S: Yeah right...My sister was there with you na she didn't give you company ?

D: She would not be able to satiate the hunger of this voracious wolf,only you can.

He winked making her insides flip.

S: I...no...not during this time I don't want to...mmm...

D: I can understand.It is alright.Bring my suitcase,I got you some chocolates.Before it melts,keep it in the fridge.

She took his suitcase and placed it on him as if he were a table.

D: Ouch!Careful ma...I'm not wearing my underwear...

S: Karma...🤦🏻‍♀️

She unzipped the luggage while he admired her side view.

D: It's in that bag...all that is for you...

S: Thank you.😊

She kept the suitcase back at its place.

D: Eat and tell me how it is.

She popped one in her mouth.

S: Very nice creamy and rich...nyom nyom nyom...do you want ?

He nodded and she passed it to him.

D: I had bath don't want to dirty my hands you only put one in my mouth.

She was hesitant.

D: You are munching chocolates and I have to look at you...I am so paapam...😞

She took one and carefully placed it on his mouth trying not to touch.Notorious pupsooo licked her fingers which caught her by shock.

D: Corona positive ! Corona positive !

He squealed and pulled her making her land on his chest.She fought to release herself from his hold but he was too strong for her.

S: Uff!Pupsooo!...Leave me...!

D: Haha...now you have come into contact with me so no choice you have to be isolated with me!

S: Pupsoo,this is a joke for you ?Many people are dying...be serious!

D: Sweety...I am alright ma I went through thermal screening I don't have fever or any symptoms.Do you think I would come to you if I was infected?

S: How do you know ?Virus will be inside the body you won't even know.That is why this 14 days.If you pass this,then we can be assured you are truly safe.

He left his hold on her.She got up and went to the bathroom to wash her hands.When she returned,he was getting dressed.

D: I am so sorry bangaram.You were right.The purpose of isolation is to break the chain.I shall go home.

A thought occured to her and she stopped him.

S: No don't go...

D: What ?

S: You stay here for 14 days...

D: Why this sudden change of heart?

S: Because there are elders in your home.Aunty's immune system might be weak.What if you are positive,she could also contract the virus.

D: But what if you get it ?

S: You should have thought about that before coming here.Now too late.Its ok I will die with you.

She hugged him.They decided not to leave her house or come into contact with others.D called up his mother and lied he was staying with his male friend.He logged on to his FB and sent a post,

DS were mentally preparing themselves to welcome death together.She prepared and fed him his favourite dishes.He watched patiently as she did a wardrobe tour on her saree collection.14 days passed like that.

On the 14th night,

D: Cough...cough...

S: Cough...cough...

D: You were right bangaram...we are coughing...the virus has spread completely in our bodies.

They hugged each other.

D: I don't deserve your love and devotion Sweety...I am a rogue!I want to confess to you before we die...I kissed Kaju...😭

S: It's ok pupsooo pa...don't think about all that now.I want us to have a peaceful death.

They shared a kiss.

The next morning,

Both were snuggled together.

S: Pupsooo pa!😃

D: Sweetu ma!😃

They opened their eyes looking at each other and smiled.

S: It's the 15th day...

D:...and we are in heaven!

He kissed her forehead.

They heard the bell of newspaper guy's cycle.

D: Bangaram,in heaven also they have paper services? 🤔

S: I think so pupsooo gods also need to know current affairs no...

D: You are right.You have bath and come.Wear a nice silk saree,we can go and meet my bauji(naanna).

She got up and he looked around they realized they were still in her room.

D: Sweetu...pinch me!

She pinched him.

D: Aah...I'm alive!

He did the same to her.

S: Ow! I'm also alive!

Both of them had feet.They were overjoyed and hugged each other.

S: 14 days have passed and we are alive means we don't have virus !

She checked both their temperatures which were normal.They did not have any breathlessness or other symptoms.

D: Yes yes we are safe bangaram!

He hugged her.

S: What did you confess to me last night ?

He broke the hug and saw her face,

D: Huh...uh...mmm...

Before she could attack him he only pretended to lay dead on the bed.

...to be continued