7 months

Sweetammakku seemanthame nandhalala...Pabsayya aanandhame nandhala...🎵

Sweetamma's baby shower was held at her 7th month in a grand manner and D invited all his close friends from the fraternity.D's sister gifted the seemantham saree to S.It was a dark green silk saree representing nature,growth and fertility. D's mom welcomed guests while his peddammaa,S's mom,Rama garu and Prashanti dolled up S.

S: Amma...enough Amma so much jewellery...uff...it is so heavy...already I'm feeling suffocated don't add on more pls...😖

S's mom: Shh!!Don't say like that you have to be decked up like a bride for this on normal days you don't put jewellery atleast for this you wear.

S: Taking revenge on me now for removing and putting aside all the jewels you adorned me when I was a kid.

S's mom: You can keep it that way too.Now sit quietly.

R: Excuse me ladies,pls make way for the dad-to-be....🤩

Holding a camcorder taking video,R walked into the room with D behind.

Ra: Kings have come.What's the hurry?We would get her there soon.

R: Rama garu,not me it is bava who dragged me here.Bro,smile bro!

SDG: What is it now ??We won't eat your wife up...

D: Not that peddamma I have a gift for Sweetu...Can I give it to her ?😍

All: Gift ah?🙈

They all closed their eyes.S felt shy.

D: Huh...uh....not that....

R: Lol your reputation is that bad bava...Ladies,pls open your eyes it's not what you think bava is here with decent intentions only.

D stood behind S.

D: Puppy ma,close your eyes!

She did and he took out a diamond necklace putting it on for her.It was an exquisite lotus-themed piece.S snapped her eyes open and saw the jewel dazzling on her neck.

S: Wow!! This is so beautiful Pupsoo!!😍

D: Lotus necklace specially made to order for my Kunthala Queen!🥰

S: Aaawww thank you so much my darling!😘

He kissed the top of her head.R recorded the beautiful moments.All the ladies around chuckled and teased the couple.

Ra: Is it over or should we all leave the room?

D felt shy standing amongst ladies.

D: Huh..uh..mmm..I'll leave now see you later puppy ma come soon.

SDG: Where are you running off to ??She is ready.You only walk her to the dais.

D: No no I'll not let her feet on the ground.

He scooped her in his arms as all ladies stood with mouths wide open.Walking to the dais he made her sit carefully on the decorated swing.The rituals began.

Old aunties were singing seemantham songs.D was admiring his wife's beauty standing at one corner.Her eyes caught his and she wiggled her brows in question.He winked and twirled his moustache in pride teasing her.She blushed.

D was called to partake in the rituals.He applied cool sandal paste on her cheeks and hands.He anointed her forehead and hairline with kumkum.Looking at the glass bangles arranged on the plate he could not decide which colour bangle to put for his sweetheart.

D: Sweetu which colour shall I put for you?

S: Any colour is fine pupsooo...

He picked different colours,mixed them and slid into her hands.

D: My Sweetu's life should be colourful always so I'm putting all colours for you....

S: ☺️☺️

She tried to bend to touch his feet but he held her stopping her from doing so.

D: You have my blessings always bangaram.

He kissed her forehead.Breaking a piece of peda sweet,he fed her.He couldn't take his eyes off her and kept on looking at her.

Ra: Enough ra!!We also have to take part in the rituals you can romance your wife later.

SSR: Take your 'pee pee' and blow if you want.

D: No 'pee pee' I will dance to celebrate this day!Pramodu,play the music!!

D started to dance and others like R,Tammy,Prashanthi joined in.S felt contented as everyone showered her and baby with their blessings.Seeing her smiling face filled D's heart.The event went on with fun and laughter.

After rituals,D and S changed into modern clothes for photoshoot.She wore a light blue floral dress and he wore a t-shirt and pant.His t-shirt read "The man behind the bump."😉

The best pic they chose to share on their social media was one with D on his knees,his arms wrapped around her bump and she leaning her head on his both facing the camera flashing their to-die-for smiles.😉♥️

***

The following day S was getting ready to leave for Bangalore.As per customs,after baby shower the mother-to-be had to be taken to her maternal home until her delivery and confinement.Expectant mothers would usually look forward to that however S was neither happy to leave her home nor her husband.Her mother was packing her luggage.

S: I don't want to go to Bangalore I'll stay here.Pls Amma.🥺

S's mom: No sweetu...baby shower is over you have to come with us.

S: But I want to be here.I...mmm...how to tell...

S: I know.You don't want to leave your husband right ?

She nodded.Her mother made her sit on the bed and sat next to her.

S's mom: I was also like you when I was pregnant I didn't want to leave your father and go but what to do we had to obey elders I went with my mother everyday I used to talk to your daddy over the phone. That's how we stayed connected.

S: Amma your time was different back then if a girl went with her parents she would be taken extra good care of at the comfort of her people and home which would be good for her and her child so they used to but here pupsooo and my in-laws look after me well not even once I felt you guys weren't with me so why can't I have my baby here?I want to be with him I am not going anywhere.😫

She threw a fuss like a little kid pulling all the clothes out of the suitcase which her mother neatly arranged.

S's mom: Sweetu stop it!You are going to be a mother if you yourself behave like a kid how??My sweety is a sweet girl no ??

S: No I am a sour girl!!!I am not Sweety without my Pupsoooo I am not coming no no no!!!😭

Her mother has a tough time convincing her.Meanwhile D was pacing up and down pondering seriously in the hall,

D: In a while these people will take my bangaram away from me. I have to stop this somehow.I can tear the flight tickets but my father-in-law is guarding it like a vulture.If I act funny he might shoot me...Guna bava...I can have a word with him but he too is helpless as they will say it is custom and shut his mouth...I can pour oil on the floor when my mother-in-law comes so she will slip and fall.Using that as a reason I can postpone the travel but she is a nice lady I don't want to hurt her.Should I call up Hyderabad airport and say terrorists have kept bomb??🤔Then they will cancel all flights and it will cause inconvenience to public.Actually why should I fear so much??Who am I ??Bahubali the great !!The daring young don of Waaji!!I won't send my wife they can't do anything against me.I am the husband.I have every right to take the decision.I will directly have a word them.Yes Pupsoooo you can do it!Mission 'Don't let Sweety go' is on !!😎

D strode boldly to his father-in-law's room.He knocked on the door.

S's dad: What is it Prabhas ??

He twirled his veerappan moustache seeing that D freaked out and forgot his purpose.

D: Huh...hihihi...nothing mama have you packed everything do you need any help ??🤓

S's dad: All done my boy...thanks.

D: Ok mama if you need anything just call me I'll come runn...

Just then Sweety's mother came running to the room looking panicky.

S's mom: Sweety is not listening to me she is throwing things down making a mess!!

S's dad: Why is she doing all this ?

S's mom: She doesn't want to come with us she wants to stay here she will have her baby here it seems.

Hearing that D did a little potty dance with Jacky in his mind.

D: Huh...mmm...mama,athaa... even I was thinking the same can she stay here with me pls?

His in-laws exchanged looks and smiled at him.

S's mom: We can see how much you love each other but this is her first delivery she doesn't know the seriousness and is still like a kid at times it is not that we feel you won't take care of her but at this point she needs a mother's care.It is the best she comes with us it is for her and baby's good we are saying.

With that D melted and changed his decision.

D: Ok then...😢

S's mom: She won't listen to us you come and tell her.She will only listen to you.

D: Me asking her to leave??No...I can't do that athaa...😞

They managed to convince him and all went to the room where she was sitting and sobbing.Seeing tears in her eyes D felt darts piercing through his heart.He lifted her face and wiped her tears with his tshirt.

D: Bangaram,why are you crying you know I don't like tears in your eyes especially now you should be happy...

He hugged her and she clinged on to his tshirt burying her face on his chest.

S: Pupsooooo...sniff..sniff...you tell them no...they are not letting me stay with you they want to take me...I don't want to leave you and go...tell them.😭😭

She whined and complained like a child to him.D wanted the best for her so controlling his tears he spoke,

D: Sweetu ma...you will listen to me right ??

She looked up to meet his eyes.

D: See,this is for your own good puppy ma I won't be able to look after you like your Amma does ...

S: Says who??She told you??

D: No she didn't tell anything that is what I feel.

S: No you are lying!She must have brainwashed you so you are talking to me like this I know you also don't want me to go...

D: Listen to me ma...next few weeks I have a tight schedule I might not be at home most of the time so you will be alone which is not safe.You go with them it's just 2-3 months after that I will come and bring you and baby back.

S: Can you stay away from me for that long??🥺

D: Huh...uh...yes I can manage you don't worry about me you and baby need more attention now.I will stay in touch with you we can talk everyday I will call you without fail.Ok?

S: No...not ok!😤

He tried in all possible ways to convince her but she didn't yield finally he raised his voice,

D: Why can't you just go with them??Stubborn...stubborn...this is giving me a headache!!😡

S: I am giving you a headache?So if I go it will give you relief?Fine I will go if that gives you happiness but henceforth I won't talk to you!😡

D: Sweetu ma pls don't say like that!See it's not like...☹️

S: Amma!Pack my clothes!😡

***

It was time to leave.He waited in the hall for her.

D: Bangaram,don't leave with a sad face ma be happy.I want to see you smiling.

She feigned a smile.

S: Saw that??Happy??

D: Hmm...one hug??

S: No hug.That is your punishment!!

D: Fine.Come,I will walk you to the car.

He offered his hand for her to hold.

S: I don't need your support!😤

S's mom: Sweety,don't be rude to your husband.

S: My husband wouldn't have sent me with you he is someone else I don't know who he is!Come let's go!

D stood with a smile on his face taking all her taunts.Holding her mother's hand she stepped out of their house.

S's dad: Prabhas,I apologise for her behaviour.

D: No mamaa pls don't I know her well this is not her anger but her love for me.She will be fine.Pls take care of her,you will I know but still.

They hugged and he bid them farewell.S was seated in the car.D looked at her hoping she would speak to him.

D: Bangaram....😕

S: 😒😒

She turned her face away.

S's mom: Sweety don't be like this ma it is not good for you or baby talk to your husband after this you'll be meeting him only after 3 months.

S: I don't care!I won't talk to him forever!I hate him!Sniff...sniff...

She wiped her tears with her dupatta.

D: It's ok athaa let her be...take care bangaram...

The car left his home and S popped her head out of the window turning to look at him.Smiling,he waved at her and gestured her not to cry but she frowned at him.Once the car was out of sight,D broke down.He controlled his tears as he didn't want to upset her.

In the car,

S: Sniff...sniff...

S's mom: Don't cry ma...

S: You wanted to take your daughter and keep her with you achieved that right ?? You be happy don't worry about me.My poor teddy is left alone he will be wailing in his room now unable to bear my separation!😭

True enough D was wailing in his room hugging her saree.

D: Sweetu ma...puppy ma... bangaram....😭😭😭

***

Throughout the flight S didn't talk to anyone and just stared at D's photo on her phone.

Upon reaching home,she even ignored Mac Shetty who was eagerly waiting for her at the doorstep.He barked and wagged his tail trying to get her attention but she went past him to her room. Mac rested on the foot mat outside her room door waiting for her to speak to him.

After a long while when she opened the door she saw Mac who hadn't budged from the spot.S felt bad.

S: Mac Shetty...😢

Hearing her voice he became excited.He looked up at her wagging his tail.

She slowly kneeled down and hugged him.He placed his paw on her belly asking about baby.

S: He is fine.How are you?I'm so sorry da.I forgot you.I am just not myself without my pupsoo.😭

She poured her heart out to Mac who listened patiently.Later when her mother brought dinner,Mac growled at her.

"Gggrrrr"

S's mom:What's wrong with you today?Move aside,I have to pass her the food.

However Mac Shetty was in heysaaa rudrasaa mode and chased everyone who tried to go past him to S.Finally she only came out for dinner.Having something for namesake,she returned to her room.Her cold behaviour made her family members worried.S called up Rama garu.

Ra: Sweety,how are you ma?Have you reached Bangalore ??

S: Yes Rama garu...how is pupsooo??

Ra: We are going over to your place now.Raj spoke to him he is fine.

S: Rama garu pls take good care of him.That moddhu doesn't even know which medicine to take for headache...for everything he needs me...from wiping his hair after bath till singing him lullaby to bed...even if Shraddha doesn't reply to his texts he falls on my lap and cries lamenting to me...how he is going to manage without me I don't know.

Ra: Don't worry Sweety.Ever since you called and informed us of his state we have been keeping a check on him earlier we sent Karthikeya now we are going.We'll not leave your hubby alone don't worry.

S: Thank you so much Rama garu I am ever indebted to you.

Ra: Don't say that Sweety you and D are like our own children.You take care.

Meanwhile D was also on a call with Guna,

D: Did she have her meal??Did she take her medicines??Is she still crying??That crazy girl forgets that she is pregnant and climbs stairs,walks fast,jumps and runs around you have to keep reminding her she has a baby.She is very stubborn...If she doesn't eat well don't leave her make her sit on your lap and force the food into her mouth that is what I do then she will eat...show her aeroplane...she will eat...blah blah blah...

Guna anna fell asleep keeping the phone in his ears,

D: Guna!!Guna!!Can you hear me??Hello??

G: Haan..yes tell me bava...yes yes I am writing down all that you say I'll do as per your instructions ok the signal is weak here I will talk to you tomorrow...goodnight!

He ended the call.

D: Hello..hel..he kept the phone it's ok I'll call him at 3am to enquire about Sweety.

S was sleeping and her mother came to check on her.She caressed her hair and covered her with a blanket when she heard S mumbling in her sleep,

S: Pupsooo...Pupsooo...I love you....pupsooo...pupsoo...😴

S's mom: What's wrong with this girl ???😟

To be continued...