Deva and Adi stood there helpless as Jai kept walking to and back from the kitchen. They wanted to laugh, but could not as they understood the plight well. But there was one fellow who kept laughing openly.

"Rei Bava.. Aava noona. Don't forget."

"No way Arjun. It is already spicy enough!"

"It is specifically written by Vennu. Do you dare deny?"

Jai sighed defeatedly. And went to the store room to get a tin of Mustard oil.

"Now Here!"

Arjun gave the knife.

"You could at least take that job!"

"Well.. Vennu asked you to do it. I don't want any credits you see!"

"Credits ah beerakaya! You don't want to become sacrificed."

"But I can let you. AS you see.. You are the father!"

"My turn will come. Appudu chepta nee sangathi!"

"We will see Bava! We.. will.. See.."

He said juggling three onions.

"Yeah right! Now give me them. I've got to chop them.. Then.."

"Chop the gonkura. A little bit of ginger. You have got to grind the chillies."

"I know! Now Shut up and let me work!"

He said as he got to work. Cooking for his wife, her favourite dish.

"Bava.. Get the pan ready"

Jai growled at Arjun who was sitting on the kitchen counter.

"One more word and I will throw the hot pan at you"

"That might not get you on the good books of Vennela!"

Entered Deva shaking his head and chuckling.

"Jai.. Wait I will chop them."

"Vaddu Nana. I will do."

"Then why waste your energy on me for not helping you!"

Arjun sulked.

"Nana is not gloating there and goading at me!"

"The perks of having a cousin."

"How does Manasa even manage this monkey fellow!"

"I don't manage Jai. I go with the flow. That is the only way"

Said Manasa leaning on the kitchen door. JAi shook his head.

"You have had your experience with Vennela."

"Yeah I understand you Manasa. My pities!"

" Appreciate that"

She said enjoying the site of a husband trying to fulfill the wishes, or should she say mood swings, tantrums. But it was cute.

Jai was chopping everything needed for the dish and poured mustard oil in the hot pan.

"Avaalu.."

Said Arjun. Jai grunted but put mustard in the oil and waited for it to sputter.

"Minapappu"

Broken urad dal followed by Curry leaves and chopped ginger.

"Fry the onion. And once its fried well, add the gonkura.."

Jai followed the instructions given by Vennela and repeated by Arjun and soon the smell of gonkura pachadi sifted around.

"Jai.. add a very small piece of jaggery along with hot sesame oil. It will not change the taste but it will balance the heat."

" Wow. Looks like Latha drilled you well."

Lakshmi said who was the onlooker here. Deva shrugged smiling.

"Mood swings and taste buds go hand in hand and the result is.. husband in kitchen trying to magic his way around to satisfy his wife and keep her happy."

Jai smiled. His father had done everything to keep his mother happy, including leaving her. But this was not the time.

"Done!"

Jai said taking the pachadi in a serving bowl.

" Here.. rice and vadiyalu"

Said Lakshmi handing him two more casseroles. Jai stood there juggling the bowls making Arjun laugh.

"Wait Ra bava. Something is missing."

Then he took a paper and rolled it, stapling he placed it on Jai's head and moved away looking at his handicraft.

"Perfect!"

He said making everyone laugh.

"Orei.. Ninnu..."

And Jai was about to go after Arjun as he ran away while a call from Vennela made him run towards her instead making everyone double over with mirth.

"Vastunna!"

He said as he went to their room and placed the dishes laden tray on the night stand beside their bed. There he saw a beautiful sight that filled his heart.

Vennela was standing there near the parapet, bathed in the early sun rays. With the orange rays gazing her outline, she looked like.. Well.. He could not describe.

"Your delicacy is ready madam!"

He said and gave a bow making her chuckle as his makeshift chef cap fell off his head.

"This Arjun is having fun"

"Tell me about it."

He said as he stood behind her and hugged her from behind. His arms went around her now slightly showing bump.

"What bava? In mood for something?"

"Well.. If you allow it!"

He said cheekily making her swat his arms away sniffing.

"Hey Gonkura pachadi!"

She exclaimed and walked towards the dishes. Sniffing hungrily she started serving herself in a plate and took a morsel. Jai was waiting nervously when he heard her moan.

"Bava.. Super pachadi bava."

"It tastes fine?"

"Fine ah? Its Amazing! Here eat and see."

And she made him sit near her on the bed and fed a morsel. Jai smiled. He had done good for a first time.

"Yeah. Its good."

"Of course. Its my recipe!"

"I made it!"

"I taught you."

"But I was the one stood in the kitchen."

"You wouldn't let me."

"I can't have you over exerting yourself."

"Come on! I could have done it myself."

"Not at this early hour."

"Then don't try to take the credit."

"Whaaa.."

He rolled his eyes trying to follow where this conversation was leading to. Which was nowhere.

"Eat!"

Was all he could say.

"And now you will not talk to me?"

"Vennela? What?"

"Keep telling What what! I am hungry.."

And she kept eating as he kept looking. He was not angry or upset. He was happy as he saw his wife eating happily. Yeah.. she was going through a lot and she made him go through a lot. But he was not complaining.

"Lost in which land?"

That's when he came out of his train of thoughts to see that she had another morsel of food near his mouth.

"Just thinking!"

"Eat this!"

She said stuffing food in his mouth and then frowned at him.

"Thinking about what?"

"Us.. our little one!"

"What about her?"

"HER?"

"Yeah.. I have a feeling that its going to be a girl."

"Vennela.. That's too far in the future."

"Just around 17 weeks."

"And you have already decided that it is going to be a girl?"

"Yes"

"Ho.."

"Dont ask how. I just know. Now let me eat in peace."

Saying she finished her food and went about cleaning the plates.

"Give them here. I will keep them in the kitchen."

"Leave them. Sammakka will be here in sometime. She can take them. You will sleep till then."

"Aren't you ordering me around a little too much these days?"

"What?"

"Nothing!"

He said as he removed his kurta and leaned on the headboard of the bed. Next moment he felt weight of Vennela's head on his heart. Chuckling he kept caressing her hair.

"Are you happy Vennela?"

"How many times will you ask the question Bava. I am happy. Why will I not be?"

She naughtily smirked to herself.

"After all, I am being pampered by Mavaiyya, Amma, Arjun, Manasa.. Even Nana these days."

Jai frowned.

"Hmm.."

"What? Looks like you are not happy now."

"No.. I am really happy."

"But then why that sad Hmm?"

"Nothing."

And then he yelped in pain.

"Hey?"

"The truth!"

"You said you are pampered by everyone.. But you forgot me?"

"Drama queen!"

"Oye!"

"Loosu Bava.. You have pampered me right from the beginning. These people have just added to it. So why will I mention your name?"

"Oh!"

"Moddhu Bava!"

He grunted making her laugh. But then he smiled too as he kissed her forehead affectionately.

As the sun rose and spread its rays, these two to be parents slept happily awaiting the little bundle of joy.