"The Homam is done. Pray to the Agni Devatha."

Both folded their hands in prayer.

"Now we are going to see Arundhati Nakshatram."

Narasimha Shastry said as he asked them to follow him. He took them to the balcony and stood with the bride and groom near the Parapet.

He turned to them.

"Arundhati was the wife of Sage Vasishta. They were such an ideal couple that even the lord praised them and said to Vasistula varu about her austerity for his well being and that Arundhati was the ideal wife one can get. She thought the world of her husband and never disobeyed him. Even when he went for penance, she made sure that the Ashram and his disciples were taken care of."

Raghunandhu smiled, taking in every word Shastry was saying. Parthavi was listening to his words with rapt attention.

"For all her good Karma, she was blessed to become a star. In Akasha Sapta rishi Mandalam, she is given a place. But in reality, Arundhati Nakshatram is a twin star, because along with her, her husband Vasistha is also present. Even after becoming a star, they revolve and rotate together along their axes. That is why they are shown to the newly wed couple as an example of devotion, love and mutual respect between the spouses for one and other."

Raghuandhu looked at the hand that he was holding in a very tight grip. Then he looked up at the owner of the hand, his wife. She gave him a beautiful smile. He wanted this moment to freeze and capture the picture of his smiling wife in his heart forever.

Parthavi looked at her husband who had that so cute, so innocent smile on his face. He looked so pure, like a kid who hasn't seen this scheming world yet.

She felt the hold on her hand tighten more and raised her brow at her husband, Raghunandhu who just grinned.

Roses beautifully bloomed on her cheeks which she tried very hard to contain but failed miserably. Usually she was the one to tease while his ears turned red in embarrassment. But when did the tables turn on her, she did not know.

"Ahem, Pelli Kumara, without letting go off of your wife's right hand, put your right hand around her and hold her chin. Make her look at the sky."

Raghunandhu put his arm around her and held her chin without letting go of her hand. He tilted her head to look up at the sky. He was so close to her that her breath hitched. Her eyes closed for a moment and slowly opened to look at the clear sky.

"With your other hand point to the sky and ask your wife if she can see Arundhati Nakshatram"

Shastry directed Raghunandhu.

"Shastry garu, are you sure that we can see a star in the broad daylight?"

Raghunandhu asked with his oh so innocent face. Parthavi chuckled.

"Pelli Kumara, you are not supposed to make fun here about such things. Do as said. Ask your bride if she can see Mata Arundhati."

Raghunandhu sighed and looked at his wife and asked in a whisper.

"Parthavi, Can you see Mata Arundhati?"

"Rei Pandu, you can ask a little more louder. She is not going to break and fall you know?"

Shantha said, clearing her throat.

"Akka, I am already confused about this. You see I don't want to make a fool of myself."

"Ayyo Sri Raghuvara!"

Maanas and Sreenu facepalmed together. Jagadamba and Pranati giggled.

"Ahem, Mr. Moddhu. This is a formality. And yes, I can see Mata Arundhati and also look there, along with her there is Swami Vasisthalu varu too."

Parthavi said, smiling at her husband.

"You can?"

He asked and looked at her and then at the sky and then again at her.

"Yes"

She said chuckling in his hold. Raghunandhu sighed in relief.

"Good good. Now get back to the altar."

Saying Shastry moved to the Altar and everyone followed him except for two, none other than the bride and the groom.

As Raghunandhu was about to move, Parthavi tightened her hold on him and made him stay behind. He raised his brow in question.

"Thank you."

Parthavi said looking into his eyes. Raghunandhu frowned.

"For?"

"For what you did sometime back. Understanding my discomfort about your holding me.. Like this.. When everyone.. And trying to lighten the situation and diverting the attention."

Raghunandhu smiled.

"Remember we are husband and wife Parthavi?"

Parthavi frowned and nodded.

"Ante, we are not two strangers. We are one. So if you are uncomfortable, then it's upon me to make you feel comfortable. Won't you do the same?"

"I would. But not before I have my share of fun."

Parthavi said and Raghunandhu chuckled, shaking his head. Parthavi too chuckled.

"Shall we?"

He asked and she nodded her head as they moved to the Altar.

There everyone looked at them with their raised eyebrows and teasing grins.

Trying to control their rising heat on their faces and ears, Raghunandhu and Parthavi cleared their throats as they sat on opposite sides. In the middle few clay pots were arranged and there were two bowls with Toor Dal in one and Salt in another.

Shankaram Shastry had his fists closed and asked Parthavi to forward her hands.

"I have pappu in my one hand and Uppu in the other. I am giving one to you and another to your groom Ammayi. Now you should either give yours to him or make him give his to you. Come on now, get into the business. Family can support them in the bargain."

Everyone took teams. Anbu, Ishu, Harshu, Bhoomi, their husbands and Sreenu and Vedmohan joined Team Parthavi. Others joined Team Raghunandhu.

"Rei Sreenu! You are my friend! And Mohan?"

"Right now, she is my sister. So down to the business"

"Sorry Bava, Partha is my best friend. Now coming to the business. Partha. Come on"

"Pandu.. We are not going to be left behind. Business. Come on!"

Shantha supported her brother.

"Ahem.. ladies first"

Raghunandhu said and everyone facepalmed on his team.

"From now itself?"

Maanas asked. Raghunandhu just shrugged.

"I have what you want, what will you give to get it?"

Parthavi asked.

"Money money.."

"Gold?"

Everyone gave him ideas. Raghunandhu looked at Parthavi and smiled. Parthavi grinned. He knew that his HR had a strategy.

"You think our Parthavi gives worth to such things?"

Raghunandhu just shook his head smiling.

"Ahem.. HR Madam.. Just like you have what I want, I also have what you want. So I request a fair bargain."

"Ala cheppu Pandu!"

Shantha clapped.

"Parthu.. Vadaloddu"

Harshita cheered.

"Fair? What more? I am marrying you. What more do you expect from me? For this, what you have in your hand is a very small exchange in return. So.."

"Super Enugu."

Vedmohan clapped.

"Shut up Mohan. If you are marrying me, I am marrying YOU too. So you can give yours in exchange right?"

Raghunandhu gave back. He raised his brow to Parthavi. Others started shouting taking sides. Parthavi raised her brow to him in response.

Parthavi signalled to him and forwarded her hand. So did he. They both shared the dal and salt and when Rathnitha and Rajvitha saw this, they yelled on top of their voice.

"Cheating cheating. Here we are trying for a good deal and you both?"

"This is the best deal girls"

Parthavi said as she put the dal and salt back in the bowl. Raghunandhu followed the suit.

"They are right ammailu. This is all about being together and sharing everything. Normally in cooking process, Dal alone without salt is tasteless. And Salt alone without Dal is baseless. The dish comes out only when they are together. Similarly, only when husband and wife share their responsibilities, sukha dhukkhalu, their life will be like the tasty dish."

Shankaram explained. Raghunandhu and Parthavi smiled at each other. Taking her chance, Parthavi winked slowly at him and chuckled seeing his ears turning red.

Everyone laughed at this very different, unique couple.

Narasimha Shastry brought a pitcher of scented and flowered water and kept it between Raghunandhu and Parthavi after clearing the Salt and Dal bowls.

"Now, this is the Pradhana ungaram, the ring that was presented to the bride for the wedding. Now I am going to put this ring in this pitcher and you both have to try to find it. The one who wins, will have the upper hand in the Samsara Sagara prayanam."

Narasimha Shastry said and everyone laughed.

"The steering is always with Ladies Shastry garu. Parthavi will win."

Shantha said.

"She is right!"

Rishi supported her earning teasing chuckles.

"We will see"

Shastry said and dropped the ring in the pitcher and gave Raghunandhu and PArthavi a go. They both fell on the pitcher. They were playing to win.

Though their hands were in the pot searching for the ring, their eyes were on each other. Raghunandhu almost got the ring and seeing her chance, Parthavi gave a wink and when Raghunandhu widened his eyes in shock, Parthavi emerged victorious with the ring in her hand.

"Whaaa??!!!"

Raghunandhu growled while Parthavi just gave him a cute innocent smile.

"Pelli Kumara, don't worry. You get two more chances. This time, careful."

Saying Shastry dropped the ring again and they both started fighting again. But this time when Parthavi had the ring in her hand, Raghunandhu caught her hand making her drop the ring which he caught and won.

"Mr. Cheater!"

Parthavi glared at him.

"What did you do sometime back? Tit for tat HR. Everything is fair in.. ahem.. In this game."

He said trying to control the redness spreading on his ears.

"Yeah.. yeah.. Everything is fair in this game"

Bhoomi said in a sing-song voice.

Raghunandhu cleared his throat. Parthavi's glaring eyes gave him a warning of retribution.

"Now now.. Last chance. Final one! Test your luck both of you."

Saying Shastry dropped the ring in the pitcher and again Raghunandhu and Parthavi fell on the pitcher. They wanted to win.

They sat with their hands searching inside the pitcher.

Parthavi frowned and looked up to see Raghunandhu trying to contain his smirk. She raised her brow at him. He gave her a smile shaking his head. Parthavi glared, because inside the pitcher, his hand was slowly caressing her hand that was busy in searching the ring. Seeing his hand crossing the limits, she whispered "ring" to him and showed the pitcher. But he shook his head and showed his eyes to Narasimha Shastry. Frowning Parthavi looked in the direction and found Shastry grinning with the ring in his hand.

Parthavi's eyes widened in shock. She looked at Raghunandhu and then at Shastry. But Raghunandhu was very busy with her hand.

"Thammudu, don't you think that it's been too much time to search for such a small ring?"

Bhoomi asked who also saw Narasimha shastry's naughty glint.

"Haan haan.. Kada? Parthavi what are you doing?"

Sathya, who understood Bhoomi's cue asked.

"Ah.. Athi.. Sathya.."

Parthavi squirmed trying to release herself from Raghunandhu's fingers that were sending tingles down her spine and waking up unknown unnamed feelings in her.

His eyes held a challenge for her.

"Pandu?"

Bhargav, who saw his very silent brother's naughty glint in his eyes, called frowning.

"What Annaiyya?"

"Are you preparing Chappathi pindi there inside?"

"Chappathi what?"

"Because, I see that you are not searching and you are not letting her search too. Know why? Because there is nothing to search in there. Shastry garu?"

Bhargava asked Shastry who with a grin showed the ring in his hand. Raghunandhu and Parthavi took out their hands as if they were electrocuted. Everyone laughed and laughed so much that their faces were also as red as the bride and the groom. 

Later Raghunandhu made Parthavi wear the ring as per Shashtry's instructions.