I'm alive guys! Here is a new update! Happy reading!

"How was your day?",Abhi asked.

"Great actually",Ekantha said as a small smile plastered her face.

"When people used to say you glow different when you are genuinely happy, it was difficult for me to believe it but photography of couples, parents on their child's first birthday, pre weddings and all of this made me believe in it for about fifty percent but looking at you I can say I am sure they said this right! Maa Ammu, santoshaniki evari dishti tagalakudadhu[May nobody cast an evil eye to my Ammu's happiness]

"Your words always catch me off-guard, Abhi",she said and chuckled.

"Truly, you glow differently today",he said and she just smiled at him.

"Did you pack for going to the village yet?",he asked her.

"Not yet, I'll do it tomorrow morning or tonight after the party. What about you? You have back to back traveling lined up",she said.

"I did start, but there are some things I need to settle here as well, because we have some events to cover in my absence as well. So once it is done, I will be done packing for this two day trip, and I'll keep my bag ready for the next trip because I might not have much time for coming home and packing again. So if everything is ready, I can come take some rest and then fly again",he said.

"Let me know, If I can be of any help",she said.

"Sure ma'am. Will do definitely!",he said and the rest of the time throughout the journey passed in a blink with comfortable silence.

"We're here",he announced and she got out from her dream land.

"What were you thinking about, Ammu? All okay?",he asked.

"Yeah, just something silly",she said and shrugged.

"Sure about it?",he asked and she nodded.

Both of them got down from the car and Ekantha took her gifts to Tara and closed the car door.

"May I help?",he asked her and she handed him the bouquet while she held the crown and her bag from work.

"Thank you, Abhi",she said and both of them stood outside the door knocking. They could hear Tara from inside which brought a smile on Ekantha's face.

"Coming!",they heard Mayuri's voice from the other side.

"Are we late?",they heard Anika and Dixit's voice followed by Vennela who peeked from behind.

"Maybe or maybe not! What is taking you so long to open the door, Mayu?",Abhi asked, getting impatient.

"Sorry, sorry!",Mayuri opened the door and as soon as Tara saw Ekantha, she jumped into Ekantha's arms.

"Aww, I missed you too, Tara!",Ekantha said while handling everything that was in her hand to Mayuri which she took and placed on the couch.

The place looked like a complete party spot. It wasn't too loud nor too dull, just the way she liked.

The others were busy exchanging pleasantries and helping with the last minute preparations.

"I'll freshen up and come",Abhimanyu said and just when he was going to excuse himself from there he stopped for a minute.

"Do you want to freshen up? You might be feeling tired from work and this back to back",he asked.

"Yes actually, I just need to use the restroom. I was going to ask! ",she said and Mayuri helped her in directing her to the washroom in Mayuri's room. Meanwhile, Abhi also freshened up and both of them were ready for the party.

Tara was dressed in her party wear by now and the background was ready, so were the snacks and drinks along with some party music in the background.

Yet again, Tara jumped into Ekantha's arms and Ekantha patted her lovingly.

"Let's cut the cake, celebrating the arrival of Tara!",Mayuri announced and all of them agreed. Abhi was clicking some pictures and Ekantha was playing with Tara.

"Ekantha and Abhi will cut the cake",Anika said to which both of them looked at each other.

Abhi asked her with his eyes if she was fine doing this, to which she blinked with a small smile on her face.

"Mr. Photographer, please handover the camera to me. Let us also showcase our talent, not just you every time being the center of attraction",Vennela said and Abhi narrowed her eyes at her initially but his lips turned into a beautiful smile and he handed Vennela his camera after telling her what to do with it.

He went and stood beside Ekantha who was already near the cake with Tara in her arms. She gave Tara into his arms,but he nodded his head in no and asked her to hold her. Just like that, they held Tara's paw and cut the cake. Since Tara should not be eating cake at such an age, Abhi fed Ekantha first and vice versa followed by others feeding the cake to one another.

"Well, I don't know when her birthday is. But since we found her that day, that day she came into our lives would be the day of her birth. Happy birthday Tara! Thank you for coming into our lives and making them more colorful. We love you",saying that Ekantha kissed Tara on her head and she handed Tara to Abhi and got her crown from the couch.

Slowly, she put it on Tara's head to which it barked.

"Wuv wuv"

"We wuv you too",Abhi said and took out a chain from his pocket. It was a name band for Tara, he put it round her neck while Ekantha held her and Tara was trying to figure out how the chain works. It jumped out of Ekantha's arms and ran around in the house. As the chain was moving everytime Tara moved, she started wiggling her tail and playing around.

"Oh no Tara! Come back, we have something for you too!",Anika said and Mayu caught her in her arms and came back to the couple.

"Well, we got some toys for you, Tara!",Anika and Dixit got some toys for Tara while Vennela got her some daily necessities.

"Thank you",Abhi said and one by one all of them were busy posing for pictures and getting into the mood of dancing. They danced to their hearts content and all this while, Abhi's parents had to leave as they had to attend some dinner party.

Abhi was showing Ekantha their pictures as Tara was also quite comfortable around now as she was playing with her new toys.

"This one is so pretty",Ekantha exclaimed as her eyes lit up. It was their picture when Abhi was putting the chain around Tara's neck and it was a literal candid picture. Both of them had their beautiful smiles adorning their faces and the glow, the moment and all of it just made the picture look perfect.

"I know right. Never knew, Vennela can take pictures like this",he said while Vennela who heard her name raised her eyebrows asking what is the matter to which he nodded a no.

"My best friend is surely multi talented",Ekantha said and raised her non-existent collar.

They had their dinner together amidst some jokes and pulling each other's leg while they were joined by Vishalakshi and Virender.

"So you guys are leaving tomorrow morning then?",Vishalakshi asked to which Ekantha and Abhi nodded.

"Please make sure this sleepyhead son of mine is awake, if you are leaving early. Once we had to leave for the Coorg trip and we had an early morning train, all of us were ready. He was the most excited person and the next morning, I woke him up just like I did with everyone. He woke up and I thought since he woke up he wouldn't go back to sleep so I continued to do my work. All of us were ready, and we had to catch the train in less than fifteen minutes and he hadn't come out of his room yet. Trust me, this is truth",Vishalakshi was narrating the tale as he hid his face with his palms.

"Maa, please no",he said, still hiding his face.

"Everyone of us was worried, we'd miss the train and we had to drag him just like that from his bed. Such a mood spoiler, and guess what reason he had for sleeping so long",as Vishlakshi was going to continue she was cut off by Abhi.

"Let me say the reason, you already did my bezathi(embarrassment). I was working on this idea and I was out with friends since we finally got some investors to invest into this start up. We partied late at night and my body couldn't function, so I dozed off. Not my fault okay?",Abhi tried to cover up for himself.

"No other day he got to celebrate",Vishalakshi narrowed her eyes on him and gave him a small smile followed by.

"This time, Tara will wake him up. Right Tara?",Ekantha asked to which Tara barked.

"You are going by car right? Keep yourself hydrated and keep talking to him. Even if songs are playing in the background he will feel sleepy if nobody speaks with him. Kanyaka garu is also coming with you?",Virendra asked.

"No uncle, actually Amma left yesterday itself. We'll leave tomorrow",Ekantha said to which he nodded.

As they completed their dinner with many more tales and jokes, it was time for Ekantha and her cousins and friends to leave. Vishalakshi stopped her, and put kumkum near her bindi. It is a tradition that whenever any girl or woman who is a family comes home they put kumkum by pressing the finger twice on the bindi part signifying that they should go safe and return back.

She also put kumkum to Anika, Vennela and Mayuri as they continued to do it for each other.

"Kshemanga velli labhanga ravali, happy journey nanna",Vishalakshi said and Ekantha bent to take her blessings and she put her hand and Ekantha's head and blessed her wholeheartedly.

"We'll take our leave now,aunty",Ekantha said and bid bye to all of them, not before giving a soft pepper to Tara and waving at Abhi.

Vennela and Ekantha were on one scooty and Dixit along with Anika on another. They went to their respective homes and it was almost 11 in the night as they reached home.

Me
Reached home, Abhi!

She texted him and went to pack her stuff for the two days. She would be lying if she said she wasn't excited to go to her grandparents place. It had been a very very long time since she visited their place. Sometimes because relatives would be there and sometimes because she felt safe in between her four walls. Now, finally she is going back to the place she loved to be in childhood, healing her inner child who was left out from all these years.

After an hour of packing all her essentials she sat on the bed to see Vennela was there on the phone with a huge smile on her face. Ekantha chuckled and opened her phone as she settled down beside her on the bed.

Abhi
Safely reached?
Pack tomorrow, Ammu! Sleep now!
Slept already?
Good night!

And just like her best friend, a huge grin adorned her face. She opened his messages to find him active, her brows snapped together.

Me
Didn't sleep yet?

Abhi
Oh, hey! I thought you were asleep.

Me
I was packing!

Abhi
Got it, Ammu! And don't worry I was going to go to sleep. I will in a few minutes. I promise I won't be late

Me
Ayyo, Abhi! Are you still stuck on that topic?

Abhi
What to do when your own mother becomes your enemy by embarrassing you like this? Just kidding, I was just making sure you weren't doubting me after that incident narration.

Me
Late or not. What matters is we are going together to my happy place where I used to feel safe when I was small

Abhi
Can't wait to see that place, how many hours does it take from here? What was the place name again?

Me
Warangal, near to Bhadrakali temple! Maybe 3 hours from here!

Abhi
Just 3 hours! I see, we won't be bored as well. We'll start at 6 then? We can reach there by 9 or something. Not too late, not too early!

Me
Works for me! Well see you at 6 then Abhi! good night now also did you pack for the Vishakapatnam trip or not?

Abhi
Almost done, just some last minute things that I can manage after coming back. Just wanted to ask, do you have an Instagram account, Ammu?

Me
Yes, I do!

Abhi
I was going to post today's party pictures. Mind if I tag you?

Me
I wouldn't mind. Go ahead! My Id is @ ekantha.acharya

Abhi
Alright, I'll see you tomorrow morning Ammu! Good night!

Me
Good night, Anyu! Sleep tight!

Abhi
What did you just do? Anyu? Oh my- Is that name for me?

She didn't reply to him and put her phone aside on the table, only to realize her bestie was smirking at her.

"Done?",Vennela asked and she nodded as her cheeks turned red.

"Sleep now! Good night! If you need anything, wake me up",Vennela said and both of them laid down on their respective sides.

Ekantha dozed off with a big smile on her face. On the other hand, there was Abhi who was going crazy over his new nickname.

dude, she gave me a new nickname! Should I scream? Idk ughh! How am I supposed to sleep! Abhii, calm down ra.

He couldn't sleep properly, thinking about this and just when it was 4 in the morning he woke up and cross checked his packing and freshened up completing his morning chores. He got ready in a white t-shirt and light blue jeans paired with a light blue checks shirt as a blazer on it. He set his hair and put on his watch and applied his perfume. Glancing one last time in the mirror and leaving a flying kiss for himself, he ran out of his room along with bag.

"Wuv, wuv",Tara jumped into his arms.

"I'll miss you so much, Tara! Be a good girl. I love you so much. I don't feel like leaving you here and going but I'll be back soon and if not for me Ekantha will be here",he said to her as though Tara understood everything it barked again licking his hand.

Mayuri was up by that time, since it was her boards the next week and so was Vishalakshi.

"Abhi, take these snacks with you",she yelled from the kitchen and he went there with Tara.

"Don't worry about ,Tara! You two spend time with each other and keep calling us whenever you get time. Take care and drive safely. Take care of my daughter in law to be as well, she is my precious",Vishlakshi said.

"Indeed she is",he said absent minded.

"Go now, you don't want to be late, do you?",she asked and he nodded his head in no, collected the snack boxes and kissed his mother on her forehead though she pushed him away with a small smile on his face, she took Tara into her arms after that.

"Bye ra annaya! Get me something from Warangal and also Visakhapatnam",Mayuri said.

"Definitely, I'll get you cotton candy such a baby you are",he said, teasing her.

"I asked you something, right? Mistake is mine, go do your work, happy journey or whatever",she said and pouted.

Chuckling at her antics, he started off from his car after bidding bye to his family and Tara and drove to her home. It took him less than half an hour to reach there since it was early in the morning and he was proud that he was here before time.

On the other hand, Ekantha woke up at five thirty, quickly freshened up and completed her morning chores. She got ready in a black coloured floral printed kurti paired with red dupatta and her favorite metal bangles and jhumkas. She combed her hair and left it open, also adorned her bracelet which her Anyu gifted her. After applying her kajal and black color bindi and kumkum below it, she was ready to go.

Just as the clock ticked six in the morning, her phone started ringing disturbing Vennela's sleep. She grabbed her phone quickly apologizing to Vennela.

"Hello, Anyu! I am coming, just two minutes",she said and hung up the call before he could even speak.

Hearing Anyu from her was making it difficult for him to not blush and he was tapping his cheeks so that they wouldn't turn red.

"Vennu, I am leaving! Please inform aunty",Ekantha said as she woke up Vennela.

"Sure, Ekantha! Take care of yourself and happy journey! Call me when you reach. I'll miss you",she said.

"I'll miss you too! Bye bye",Ekantha said and grabbed her bag, just as she was going to close the door she heard from Vennela.

"Ask your Anyu to drop my bestie back here safely",she said and Ekantha chuckled at her words.

She took the stairs and reached downstairs to see him tapping his cheeks while he shut his eyes tight. She walked up to him as quietly as a cat does but her payal didn't let her be the silent thief.

"Good morning, Anyu!",she wished him and..

Hello dear readers,

I'm back with an update! I know no amount of excuses can make up my almost three months of absence. But life happens and I was literally having a very hectic schedule which left me with no time to spend on writing. Sincere apologies for it!

You'd have to read the previous chapter maybe to understand this chapter (because I had to too while I was writing)

Thank you for always supporting me and being here for me! You guys are precious and I'll try my best to give you guys updates this week since it's a long weekend to make up my absence.

I don't think it will be fair enough to keep voting targets when I am very irregular in updating the chapters, so I'll stick to updating whenever I finish the chapter.

I also wanted to show you all something I generated with AI for #Ekanya

Doesn't it look so pretty? I personally felt it connects with the story so much.

How was the chapter? I am writing after a really long break and it took a lot for me to come back again! I promise I'll do my best here from now!

Thank you so much for reading, do drop your votes and comments they mean the world to me.

Remember to take care of yourself and see you in the next update!

Till then, Adios!

Your Author
Sakshi Devi