Thanking tashudd for the beautiful poster

"Ermm.. Bava.."

Raghu turned to Vedmohan.

"How do you both know each other?"

"You ask this now? Where were you all these years? Last I knew, you were doing Civil engineering."

"He was studying with me.. I did mechatronics and in first year we were in same class.. after that same block."

"How come I never knew that my cousin was in Hyderabad?"

Raghu growled. Ved looked very sorry while Parthu looked confused.

"Bava! You know how Amma and Appa were made to leave our home. And then Amma died and Appa wanted nothing to do with the family that.."

" Telusu Mohan. How is mavaiyya?"

Both Vedmohan and Parthavi hung their heads. Raghu looked at them narrowing his eyes.

"What are you not telling me?"

"Raghu mind ordering something? I am hungry. I did not have breakfast and we have to go for shopping too. Please?"

Raghu could only nod as he knew that she had problems in the morning. Vedmohan frowned as they ordered their starbucks breakfast.

"Osi na elephantu? Why did you skip breakfast? You never do that right?"

Raghu frowned at both.

"But wait.. Did your father.."

"Thaati Chettu.. Please. Let me have breakfast in peace."

Raghu was literally confused as to how come his cousin and his to be wife were so close.

"But.. Bava.. you are yet to tell me how you both know each other."

Raghu looked at him and then at Parthavi who was attacking her breakfast. He was about to say something when Parthavi interrupted swallowing her food.

"We are getting married Ved. Engagement is in two days. I sent you a Text. You did not receive?"

"I.. well.. Changed my number again."

"VEDMOHAN!"

This time the yell was in chorus. Ved looked up at both of them and then hung his head trying to eat his food. But again before Raghu could say anything, Parthavi interrupted.

"Where are you staying Ved?"

"I just landed in Vizag Partha. I was supposed to be in video conference with an architect with whom I was planning a joint venture."

"And who is that?"

"Your husband to be."

Parthavi dropped her tissue and looked up at the men.

"Are you both serious? How come you both never knew?"

"Sreenu and Bava were taking care of it."

Raghu shrugged.

"Bava?"

"Shanthi's akka's husband."

"Oh boy! I am dead meat."

"Totally!"

"Yeah right. Only if I leave anything of you for them to make meat of. I don't want to talk anything now. We are going to Kalamandir and Ved. You are joining us. After that you are either going to Shiva Mama's home or getting back to Raghu's home. Its your wish."

Raghu looked at Parthu trying to hide his smile. She knew what should be said when. But he looked at Ved frowning.

"Shall we move?"

"Yes. Partha, you came in your lover right?"

"Yes. We will walk to Kalamandir. You take the car and go."

Parthu said to Ved who obediently followed her words nodding his head.

Soon Raghu and Parthu were walking.

"Mohan.."

"I know about his family Raghu.. But never guessed that the bava and family he fondly spoke about was you and your family."

"It was painful to see him move away from our family just because our Pedanana was against Athaiyya's love marriage. Mohan was just a teenage kid when Athaiyya decided to move out of Vizag and after Athaiyya's death we lost contact with the family completely. But we kids were in touch for sometime but then Mohan disappeared. All I know about him was from Facebook profile."

Parthu could feel the pain in his voice as he spoke about his family. She held his hand slowly.

"He was going through a very tough phase Raghu when he joined college. It took a lot for him to open up. One misunderstanding brought us close and from there no turning back. Bhoomi was getting married then and to save ved from himself I introduced him to Shiva mama. He is like a son of our family Raghu. I have said my side of the story. His side, I can't take that liberty. You should ask him."

Raghu smiled as he gripped her hand in his turning the positions.

" I never asked you anything Parthavi. I was just upset that Mohan did not see fit to return to the family."

"That you should ask him Raghu. Why he refrained from coming back to the only family he had. But after college though we stayed in touch, he with Mama's help he moved to Europe for higher studies in structural engineering. And then I lost touch too as he changed his number."

They reached the Kalamandir shop. Raghu held her hand and stopped her.

"Parthavi.."

"Enti?"

"I just.. Wanted to say.."

"Yes?"

"Take a simple saree!"

He said and chuckled seeing Parthavi's expectant face. Parthavi growled stomped her foot and went in followed by laughing Raghu.

Inside they saw Vedmohan being surrounded by both the families and being pampered.

"What is happening here?"

Durga, Prabha and Shakthi turned along with Ved.

"Partha.. Save me!"

"Anubhavinchu ra Thaati chettu! you deserve it"

Parthavi said heatedly. Durga looked scrunching her eyebrows as Parthavi went to her mother and Durga. Durga held her hands.

"Do you know Mohan?"

"Telusu. We studied in same college."

"Oh that is good. You are not completely a stranger to this family Parthu ma. Your cousin Bhoomi is Shantha's friend. Our Mohan is your friend."

"Yeah!"

Parthavi smiled at her future Mother in Law while Raghu stood beside her and gave her a goofy grin.

"Shall we select you a saree?"

"You haven't selected yet?"

"Without you?"

"I am so sorry.. Er.. Usually Amma gets me anything as I don't shop much and I get confused most of the times. So to save time, Amma gets me anything as she knows what to get."

Prabha was trying to stop Parthavi from talking more as Shakthi and Bhoomi were laughing. Durga just smiled.

"Raghu and shantha are same ma. So I don't mind doing the same for you. But you should be here to see what we are selecting. Okay?"

Prabha sighed. Raghu smiled at Prabha who just smiled.

"So shall we?"

"Yeah!"

They were about to move to wedding sarees section when Parthu moved to Bhoomi.

"Where is Anna?"

"He will be back.."

At that moment, they heard a squeal and saw a flash which dashed to Vedmohan making him chuckle.

"Vedanna.."

Ved held Vasu smiling.

"Toofanu.. How are you?"

"Where did you go all of a sudden?"

"Went for higher studies and then job."

"You forgot us kada?"

"Kadu ra chinna. How can I? I was planning to surprise you all. But your sister surprised me by getting engaged to my Bava."

Vasu's eyes went wide. Ved nodded his head.

"Prasad Mama also did not tell me about the engagement!"

Shiva just smiled as Shakthi came forward.

"Why else do you think he called you back to India so urgently? For business?"

"Athaiyya! You too?"

"Me and Shiva only planned all. You are Parthu's best friend and how can we miss you?"

Parthu just growled as she saw Ved widening his eyes.

"Very good! Now shall we go?"

"Yeah yeah."

Chuckling Durga ushered everyone to the Silk saree section. Vasu was jumping in joy.

"I will help you select a nice saree"

Parthu growled.

"You?"

"Yes!"

"Look down once at what you are wearing."

Vasu frowned.

"Yen?"

"Wearing all dinchaks, you look like Kanuma roju Aavu. And you will select a saree for me?"

Vasu growled and went to stomp Parthu's foot, which Parthu cleverly missed and it landed on Ved's foot. He yelped in pain.

"Oye!"

"Take that for going all invisible on us."

"Super Vasu"

Sisters hi5ed making Ved shake his head at the siblings who were fighting sometime back. Raghu chuckled. They all gathered around the sarees and looked at everything. Parthu sat uninterested while Raghu stood there looking at Parthu. He heard a throat clearing and turned to see Shantha standing on his one side with her elbow on his shoulder.

"Enti Thammuda? Enjoying the sight?"

"Ask your husband what he was doing when we were selecting your wedding sarees!"

"Orei Bammardi.. Why are you bringing me here?"

"Where she is, you are there!"

Shantha and Rishi smiled.

"Ahem ahem.."

Raghu turned to the other side and saw Vedmohan standing there grinning.

"Enti?"

"Enti bava"

"Do you have throat problem?"

"No! But do you have starting trouble?"

"What?"

"Velli Maatladu ra.. talk to her!"

"You are teaching me?"

"What to do when you are standing this far while she is clearly disinterested in shopping. Make it interesting man!"

"You can't be serious!"

"Waste fellow!"

"Orei!"

"Po ra!"

Irked RAghu went and sat on the other side of Parthu who was sitting there with her face supported by her palms. As he sat beside her she just gave him one glare and turned to look at sarees.

"Parthu.. Look at this Lavender color saree"

Parthu looked at the saree that had so much thread work and stone work. Parthu was about to blast at her sister when Durga showed her a beautiful dark pink saree with dark green color broad border. It was simple and weightless but looked grand.

But Parthu had her eyes beyond the silk section on the Georgette section. Raghu frowned. He bent down to her ears without anyone noticing.

"What happened?"

Parthu shook her head. Suddenly Parthu saw a flash of white and Pink and looks up to see Prabha and Shakthi making a fuss over a now standing Raghu.

Parthavi's eyes widened as she saw how Durga and Prabha took the same color for them.

"Aunty? Sherwani?"

"Yeah! What else?"

"Get me Kurta alone. I can manage with dhoti."

Parthavi widened her eyes. Did he just say Dhoti?

"But.. Alludu.."

"Its okay. For engagement Kurta alone will do. For wedding you can get me something grand okay?"

Parthavi smiled. Prabha and Shakthi smiled too seeing how understanding their son in law was.

Raghu sat beside Parthu again as the ladies went to bill his Kurta. He leaned in and whispered in her ears.

"Pink, does look good on you."

Parthavi's eyes widened as she felt his hand on the small of her back. She looked into his eyes that asked her to look at the mirror and she did. Durga had put the pallu of the saree on her shoulder to see if it goes well with her and with Raghu beside her holding her, they looked picture perfect.

"Ahem.. Ahem.."

Both came out of their reverie and this time they saw that it was Durga who cleared her throat. She grinned at them teasing. On the other side Mahika tried stifling her smile.

"Aha! Athaiyya! Super selection. Even Maridi garu couldn't stay back from appreciating."

Durga chuckled. Bhargava nodded his head.

"Amma's selection is always the best."

He said putting his arm around his wife's shoulder that she swatted away making other's chuckle and giggle.

At that moment, both Parthavi's and Vedmohan's mobile phones pinged seeing which both of them widened their eyes.

"What happened?"

Durga and Shakthi asked.

"Adi.. Athaiyya.."

"Our college alumni meet!"

"What? When?"

"The next evening of our engagement!"

"WHAT?"

Prabha looked at her husband who was ready to throw a fit. She looked at her brother and then at Durga who smiled.

"If she wishes she can go.. Mahi never misses them unless its something beyond her control. Even Nandhu goes to Alumni meet every year. So if Parthu wishes she can go."

"But.. alone?"

"Uff oh! Where am I going alone? Ved is also there. And Mama will be in hyderabad kada?"

Parthavi got a smack on her head from her mother.

"Amma?"

"Forgot? Your Mama is shifting to Vizag permanently! He has sold that house since he has retired!"

"Oops!"

Parthavi looked at Ved and Raghu. RAghu was about to say something when Prithvi came in between.

"Lakshmi Pinni.. My house is there nearby her college na?"

"You have rented it out right?"

"Ledu pinni. They have shifted. Now its between tenants. Completely furnished and well maintained. Parthu can stay there. Its just matter of one night."

Bhoomi dashed her husband and grinned at him.

"But.."

"Oho Mavaiyya. Don't tell she will be alone. Ved is there, Your own Alludu is in Hyderabad to take care of her."

Before Hari could say one more BUT, Everyone convinced him and after Durga and Prabha made the decision there was not much Hari could do. So he obliged. Everyone moved out and it was again decided that Parthavi and Rahunandhu will come alone taking her scooty from Starbucks to nearby hotel for lunch.

But Raghu disappeared for sometime along with Ved.

In the wedding section side stairs..

"What happened to Mavaiyya?"

"He died soon after Amma died Bava!"

Ved could not hide anymore.

"You could have called us Kada ra?"

"Peda Mavaiyya was still there ra. And Appa was very clear that he did not want anything to do with him."

"But what about me? Annaiyya, akka, amma? We were there for you kadad?"

"Sorry Bava. At that time, I did not know what to do. I wanted to contact you. But I was scared of Peda Mavaiyya. And I was also angry. If not for his Gauravam, Today amma Appa would have been alive kada? So I started spiraling down Bava. 1st semester in college was worst as I had to look into all the formalities of Appa's last rights. If not for Partha and Prasad Mavaiyya and Shakthi Athaiyya.."

Raghu immediately hugged Vedmohan whose voice was shaking. Both men at last were at peace.

"Hereafter remember that we are there for you. And instead of updating status in FB and tagging me, call me or Parthavi or anyone. Understand?"

Ved nodded his head. But then he grinned.

"Oh you and Parthavi? Already taking her name with yours?"

"Orei.."

"Okay okay.."

"Orei.. listen.. Take this packet and go home."

"Home?"

"Vella ra. Amma will be happy. Go to our Madhurawada home ra."

Vedmohan nodded his head and went with the packet.

RAghu joined Parthu outside.

"Spoke to Ved?"

"Its not something that will be solved in few minutes."

"Life decisions are taken in few minutes"

"Parthavi! We still are trying to get to know each other right?"

"Similarly, you can talk with him slowly and make him comfortable."

"That is what I planned."

"Good!"

"So much concern for friend?"

"Friendship comes first!"

RAghu just smiled. He also always thought friendship above all. It was nice to see his future life partner value friendship too. They both walked in very comfortable silence and did not know when their hands found each other. Hand in hand both walked towards Starbucks. There they saw Ved and Vasu waiting and immediately let go off their hands.

"Rei Bava. Vasu will take Partha's scooty and drop at home and then I will bring her to the hotel. You both take this your car and reach there."

"Who brought my car?"

"Nene!"

Vasu said proudly.

"You drive a car?"

RAghu asked widening his eyes.

"I do. But Did you ever ask the same to Parthu?"

"Why?"

"Ask you will know."

Chuckling Vasu and Ved made their way leaving confused and fuming souls behind.