After the "satyagraha for love" fiasco of D, KRG didn't want to delay the auspicious event any further and had a word with S's dad immediately to inform their acceptance of this alliance and that they would be coming to Bangalore.Accordingly, D arrived with his family in Bangalore to match horoscopes and decide on the engagement date.D sat in the middle of his amma and akka like a shy girl grinning from ear to ear inspite having a cross plaster across the his nose, the aftermath of Bhagamathi's attack on him few days ago. He caressed Blackendra who was resting majestically on his lap as if it were his throne.Yes, as told by D the last time,he had brought along his pet.

S's sister-in-law and mother brought a tray lined with plates filled with sweets and savouries. D's eyes widened in glee as he saw the variety of items kept before him. Before they could offer,D greedily reached out to take a big samosa but got smacked on his hand by his akka.

D: Ow ! Why did you do that ?

Ak: Behave decently. We're at the girl's house. What will they think about you ?

D: What is there to think ? They know me well and love me so much.I can roam around freely eat whatever I like they don't stop me. It is girl's house for you, it is second home for me!

Ak: Uff! Atleast wash your hands and eat ra,what is this rubbing the fella's head and touching food. Shoo... blackie... go and sit in the corner...

D: Akka ! Don't shoo blackie away he is also here to see his bride. Blackendra, be calm and have this samosa as you wait for your girl...

But Blackendra was is no mood for food. He lifted his head and sniffed as he could sense a female fragrance. His eyes wandered around and fell on the silhouette behind the white curtains. He had spotted something white and fluffy. and continued to stare at the direction. Out leaped Snowsena in all her glory. Blackendra was besotted by her beauty and immediately jumped out of D's lap following her.

D: Gggrrr !! Blackie !! Come back!!

D almost got up to bring him when S came and greeted everyone. He remained in his seat and started drooling at her.

D: Sweetu... sweetu... 😍

His mother took the plate of sweet and gave him.

D's mom: Here have it...

D: No not that sweet, I want that Sweet... tasty, delicious, yummy sweet...

He smacked his lips pointing at S who stood there blushing. Elders looked away pretending they didn't see anything, youngsters giggled and D's mother felt embarrassed.

D's mom: (mv:Ooohhh this son of mine! I never felt this ashamed even when I went to collect his report book from teachers.He will make me suicide out of embarrassment.) Err...I liked this dish, how do you make them ?

She asked S's mom trying to divert from the embarrassment and her mother began to explain. Shortly, the astrologer came in and was welcomed by all. He studied both their charts. The look on his face didn't seem right. S was tensed but D wasn't bothered. All mattered to him was S.

S's dad: Why ayya, is there anything wrong ??

"Huh...uh...that..erm..."

KRG: Whatever it is please don't hesitate...

"Both have wonderful horoscopes. At such young age they are blessed with everything one could ask for however...mmm...their marriage has to be delayed..."

D turned and made a face as if Bhalla's golden statue fell on his head.

D: What ?? Why ?? It's already late... very very late...see...

He showed his watch to the astrologer.

D: Chala late aipoyindi...10 years I am waiting... like a person outside public toilet now when I am getting the chance to go in you're hanging the board 'not in service'.. where will I go ?? I cannot wait anymore it will burst!

SDG: Eh? What will burst ??

D: Huh..uh...mmm...you won't understand...all this is fake I don't believe this... just get us married soon...it is very urgent..

"Sir, pls understand... currently the planets in your charts are not in favorable positions for marriage. You can choose to brush this off as superstition and proceed but should anything untoward happen then you'll only have to face it."

D's mom: Untoward means ?? Death ??

"No no not that. Probably the marriage might break or they might not have progeny at all."

All were shocked.

S's mom: Oh no why must this happen to us ? We have not harmed anyone.

"Amma, these are not yours or their mistake. It is karma. Deeds from the past that is carried forward which we all have to go through. Be thankful that their horoscopes have matched well but only marriage has to be delayed."

KRG: Delayed for how long ?

"For another year."

D: What ?? Another year ?? This is not happening !! I hate this Indian system !! Come puppy ma let's migrate to USA. They don't have all this nonsense there. We'll change our names and identity, get married and make babies. Hereafter you are Angelina Jolie and I am Brad Pitt. We'll not turn if anyone calls us in petty village names like Prabhas Uppalapati or Sweety Shetty ok ??

He got up and held her hand to leave.

S: Pupsooo pls pupsoo... don't want...be patient...

D: No ! You're coming with me ! Remove this saree! Wear your tshirt and jeans. We are English people now. Hereafter you're only wearing modern clothes! And I am going for English tuitions to improve my language.

S's parents looked helplessly at D's mom who eyed them assuring she would handle him.

D's mom: Shyamala, what food do they eat in USA?? One round uncooked leavened chapathi dough they spread some tomato sauce and add vegetables...

SDG: ....akka that is pizza !

D's mom: Haan pizza vizza, burger murger... all stale food.. no spice no salt no sour no nothing. He'll have to eat that 365 days. He used to fish for tender leg piece in biryani pot but now he has to be content with skimpy chicken wings. Thokku pachadi... ahaa...the taste is so yummy... when we mix with hot rice and have, it is heaven...

And D lost the battle. Without a word said he went and sat on his place, his head bent.

KRG: What time is your flight ?

He teased D.

D: I..I'm not..not going...😔

He replied meekly.

KRG: Why? What happened Mr.Brad Pitt ??

D: Who is Brad Pitt? I am Veera Venkata Sathyanarayana Prabhas Raju Uppalapati.

D's mom: But that is a petty village name no ?

D felt like he was going to cry seeing his family jeer at him.

SDG: Akka, leave him paapam... he'll cry any moment. What ra ? You'll listen to us or no ?

He nodded sadly. The astrologer told some 'pariharam' or remedy to be carried out which if done could reduce the ill effects.

"You'll have to visit some holy shrines and do poojas."

D: I cannot! I have projects! So many people are dependent on me!

KRG: Abbo! 10-15 directors and producers are waiting in line outside our house for his callsheets...has projects it seems. Only Sahoo and P20 that too our own production look at him talking as if he is carrying entire TFI on his shoulder.

Ak: That Sahoo ?? You're going to sets daily to sleep while Sujith, Pramod and Vamsi are shooting with your shadow and body double for this you want to skip the pilgrimage?

D: Ggggrrrr !!! How do you know all this ??

Ak: Whole world knows about your dedication for Sahoo won't I ? Besides Pramod told me you were simply posing on the bike and switching on/off playing with the lights until Sujith had it removed.

D's mind drifted to that scene on the sets of Sahoo shoot.

Su: Annaya listen, you will have to chase the car in high speed...

D: Zooommmm....vrooom vrooom vroom... pee pee... pee pee...

He ignored Sujith's instructions and made sounds as he shifted left and right on the immobile bike.

D: Wow ! This is so cool !! I love the lights ra ! After shoot I want to take this bike home to play so fun it will be ! Zoom...vroom...vroom...

He continued switching on and off the lights and a pissed Sujith hit his forehead and turned cursing his fate. D felt a pat on his shoulder and came out of his thoughts.

Ak: Nothing will happen if you don't go for a month. It is for your good. Go with Sweety and get this done.

D: (mv: If it was Ooty or Goa I would have packed my bags but Kashi and Rameshwaram gggrrrr, bangaram will be in full sanyasi mode and won't let me hold her finger rather than going there and sleeping in temple platform I'd sleep on sets) No! Nandhu won't go!

KRG: Uff this boy !

He shook his head in despair. Everyone exchanged looks.

S: Erm... is it mandatory that we both do it ??

"Not necessarily. Both offering prayers is the best but if it's not possible one person can do it. The fruit is the same."

S: If so then I'll do it for both of us anyway I haven't taken up any projects so I am free. Let Pupsoo look into completing Sahoo.

All were full of praises for S.

D's mom: See ra, she's not yet your wife but still she's doing so much for you. She's so responsible. Look at you! Bad boy!

D: Mmm... that's why I chose her. She's a good girl.You only made fuss you didn't want her for me see now you yourself appreciating her that's Sweetu ma magic. Everyone will like her.

All agreed.

S's dad: In that case, we'll have to postpone the engagement as well.

"Not required. You can conduct the engagement now as it is only an agreement between both sides for this alliance. Marriage can be done during the sub-period when planets are favorable."

They agreed and fixed a simple engagement ceremony to be held at S's native in Puttur on the next auspicious date.

S's dad: We have only one daughter  and we are ready to give everything for her. Pls don't hesitate to ask.

KRG: In our family we are against the practice of taking or giving dowry. What you wish to do for your girl is up to you we won't stop you but we have no demands. We know Sweety since long and she is no less than our own daughter. She will be so always.

S's parents were happy because they too were anti to dowry practice and felt their daughter was blessed to be married off to a family who shared the same beliefs.

D's mom: Our only wish is that the wedding be held at our native bhimvaram, according to our customs.

S's mom: That is absolutely fine with us.

D's mom noticed S's parents exchange looks and sensed that there were hesitating for something.

D's mom: Pls don't hesitate whatever it is do say it.

S's mom: That... mm... though we have no issues at all it won't go well with our relatives if marriage is conducted according to telugu customs and they would speak ill of our family. That's what we were wondering how to convince them.

D's mom: In that case we could have two weddings, one as per our customs in bhimvaram and then another one according to tuluva traditions at your native. Will that be fine ?

S's mom: That would be great!

The rest nodded in agreement. D interrupted.

D: But what about our film fraternity friends and colleagues ?? Not everyone can travel to bhimvaram or puttur. So pls make it three weddings, one at Hyderabad for our friends.

SDG: Sweety's friends are in Bangalore. How about another marriage here then ??

D was so excited about marriage that he didn't realise his aunt was mocking him.

D: Mmm... that's fine with me. So it will be four weddings in total.

Ak: Oh then how about your fans in Japan ?? They would also want to witness your real
wedding you shouldn't disappoint them na...

D: No problem Sweety and I will travel to Japan and get married according to Japanese traditions for them. Sweetu, we'll stitch big,big kimonos for ourselves. Nice no ?

She giggled at his innocence, everyone laughed and D looked clueless.

D: What ? Did I say anything funny ???

KRG: Reyy, if you have to get married for your fans to see then you would have to travel to every nook and corner of the world and get married. There won't be an end to it. For your film friends we could host a reception at Hyderabad and one in Bangalore for Sweetu's side who couldn't make it for the wedding. One meet and greet event for your fans and press people at Hyderabad. That would do.

D: Double ok !!

D wiggled his eyebrows at her which she reciprocated with a radiant smile.

After talks, everyone headed to the dining hall for lunch. D waited for everyone to go and pulled S to a corner locking her in his arms.

D: Sweetuuu ma...jujujujujuju....

She looped her arms around his neck.

S: Pupsu pa.... jujujujuju.....

"Boww...wow...wow..."

D: Whoa... whose that ??

They saw Blackendra barking and going after Snowsena in an attempt to make her look at him but she was throwing her weight around avoiding the handsome fella. D's face fell in disappointment seeing that.

D: She doesn't like him Sweetu....

S: No she does!

D: Huh ? She does ? Then why is she avoiding him ?

S: She wants him to follow her, she's enjoying it that's why. If she hated him she would have barked or bit him but no she is going silently so she is smitten. Blackendra is slowly making his way into her heart.

D: Aaawwww like how I made my way into your heart! Our pets are also like us. Come let's continue our jujujuju....

S: ☺️☺️jujujujuju....