"Pandu.. Stop!"

Shantha shouted and Raghu pressed the break halting the car screeching. He looked outside and saw that they were in front of his sister's doctor clinic. He frowned and turned to his sister who was already getting down with Bhoomi on tow.

"Akka?"

"Will you please take care of Parthu and Dhitvi while we return in few minutes?"

"Of course.. But.."

But who was there to listen to him? Shaking his head he got down and looked at the back seat to see Dhitvi and Parthavi sleeping peacefully through all this. He chuckled and wondered how come both are not even disturbed by his sudden break.

Slowly he opened the door and tried taking Dhitvi in his arms so as relieve Parthavi but frowned at the tight grip. He looked up at her face and saw her frowning and opening her eyes. She scowled and looked around and felt her surroundings and jerked away from him.

"God! Raghu!"

She said calming her breath and then patted Dhitvi who was ready to wail her lungs out. Raghu gave her a confused look.

"You scared me! Never do that again."

Raghu chuckled as he saw her crankiness for the first time. But he also saw how she kept firm hold on Dhitvi and how naturally she kept patting her. He smiled.

"Mr. Architect becomes Raghu!"

He mumbled.

"Where are Bhoomi and Shantha akka?"

She asked looking around outside.

"Inside the clinic"

Raghu said frowning.

"We are already in clinic. God!"

She said and quickly and sat straight adjusting Dhitvi who was already up. Parthu picked Dhitvi up and wiped her face with wipes and came out of the car.

"You dont need to do that you know?"

Raghu asked.

"They will be back any moment and its better to sit inside the car than stand in the sun."

"After sitting like that in the car its better to stand in sun for sometime Mr. Architect."

Raghu frowned. Didn't she address him by his name sometime ago? But he decided not to make anything of it and took Dhitvi in his arms who was flailing.

"Dhitvi? You traitor!"

Parthavi growled making Raghu chuckle.

"I have this charming effect on opposite gender."

"Excluding me!"

She mumbled.

"I beg to differ Ms. HR!"

"You..!"

Their bickering was put on halt as they saw Shantha and Bhoomi coming to them with their faces glowing. Well, it was mainly Shantha's.

"Bhoomi?"

Parthu called expectantly and Bhoomi nodded smiling. Parthu squealed and took Shantha in her arms shouting..

"Congratulations Akka"

Raghu looked amused at all the fuss and he looked at Dhitvi.

"Enti Bangaaram? Looks like there is some private celebrations going on and we are not invited."

Dhitvi blew a raspberry making him chuckle. That's when the womenfolk turned to him. Parthu took Dhitvi from him making him frown when he felt his sister pulling him down. He bent to her and she went to his ears and whispered.

"Pandu.. You are going to become Mavaiyya."

He looked at her and slowly a smiled formed on his lips and radiated his face that Parthu looked without blinking. For first time she wanted to say BEAUTIFUL to a man than HANDSOME.

"Akka?"

"I wanted to surprise Rishi. But not before confirmation."

"But weren't you planning to take Bava with you.."

Shantha rolled her eyes.

"No! I was planning on taking Bhoomi with me leaving Parthu and Dhitvi at home. But what would I tell your bava. So I said Shopping and that man was not about to let us alone given my latest health condition. I was thinking hard about how to escape him.."

"And I landed."

Raghu finished.

"Yes"

Shantha smiled.

"My wonderful timing"

Raghu shook his head and Parthu giggled which in turn made Dhitvi to giggle as well. He turned to them.

"And You smile at my plight!"

He said to Dhitvi. But Parthu knew whom the statement was directed to.

"Avunu chepu Dhitvi!"

She said to her which made her blow another raspberry.

"At last my bangaaram also joins the womenfolk!"

He said shaking his head and rubbing her nose to Dhitvi's making her squeal.

"We are women. Kada Dhitvi?"

Saying she moved close and Dhitvi chose that moment to dive to her mother which made Raghu and Parthu hit their heads.

"OW!"

Both said in unison and looked up at each other rubbing their foreheads. Then they turned to see Dhitvi giggling settling herself in Bhoomi's arm while Bhoomi and Shantha turned away smiling. Parthu took her chance and hit his forehead again.

"Ouch! Parthavi?"

"You will not look good with horns! And I seriously and literally don't want a husband with horns"

"What are you talking about?"

"Oka sare guddi vadilte kommulu vastayi!"

"ARE YOU SERIOUS?!"

He said widening his eyes and rubbing his forehead.

"Maa illu bommarillu"

Bhoomi sang and earned a glare from Parthu. Raghu was about to say something when Parthu cleared her throat.

"Brahmarambaki nachesanu.. Hey jejanaka..Ambarame touch chesanu..Ahem.."

She sang and Raghu flushed.

"Parthu?"

Bhoomi frowned.

"Akka! I think its time we picked up Prasiddhi."

"Yeah! And we have some important shopping to do"

"And there goes Raghu! Sacrificed"

Parthu frowned as she got into the car. Soon the car halted in its next stop that was Prasiddhi's school who as soon as saw her mother and uncle jumped on them. And once in the car she saw Parthavi and smiled.

"Hi aunty"

She said smiling shyly and Parthavi's widened her eyes.

"Aunty?"

Bhoomi giggled.

"What else? Still want to be called akka?"

Parthavi glared and then smiled at Prasiddhi.

"Hi Prasiddhi"

Both smiled at each other. Dhitvi who saw this jumped from Bhoomi to Parthavi and hung to her neck. Raghu raised his brow and looked at Bhoomi as he ignited the engine.

"Tell me again how old is she?"

"10 months"

Bhoomi said stifling her giggle while Raghu chuckled navigating the car to the mall.

"Territorial much."

"Dont get me started Thammudu! This girl is as worse as her father when it comes to being territorial!"

Bhoomi rolled her eyes. Parthavi frowned.

"When did he become your Thammudu eh Bhoomi?"

"When you vanished inside to get car keys!"

She glared back and Parthu flushed thinking about her little stunt sometime back.

"Ahem.. Ahem.."

Raghu cleared his throat and whistled the Idedo song tune.

"Rei Pandu.."

Shantha called and Prasiddhi started her work.

"Pandu pandu pandu.. Na Mama Pandu.. Raghu pandu vaari peru!"

Parthavi laughed out loud and Dhitvi clapped her hands giggling.

"AKKA!"

"Nenu kadu ra! Your bava did"

"I will.. Undu Bava pani chepta"

He said in false menacing tone which made Parthavi giggle. He glared at her. He stepped on the break halting the car.

"And Mr. Architect becomes Mr. Agniparvatham!"

Parthavi mumbled. Prasiddhi who heard her giggled shutting her mouth.

"We are at CMR central. Daya chesi thallilu andaru Car vadili digithe, Nenu park chesta!"

"As soon as Bhoomi and Shantha got down, Raghu heard a horn and turned to see other cars in line waiting for parking space. He grunted as another horn blew tearing his ear drums.

"Veedini.."

Saying Parthu peeped out rolling down her window glass.

"Kaasepu aagara? Can't you see women are getting down."

"Is this the place for that? Ellellavamma! Park the car and then get down!"

They heard. Raghu's nose flared. But Parthu was already in action.

"Parking nunchi, maa vaalani nuvvu moskelataventi? You talk so much.. And look at you letting your family here itself before getting to parking. Meeru cheste kutumbham.. Mari memu cheste nuisance eh? Ellandi swamy.."

Bhoomi chuckled.

"Thammudu, get in and park. If you let her, she will bite the head off of the man. Save him!"

"Bhoomi! You forgot one thing. Look at Pandu! He himself is erupting!"

Bhoomi hit her forehead.

"Bhale jodi! Nanna! Raghunandhu! Please go! We will wait near the coffee shop in ground floor."

Raghu nodded.

"Parthavi, head inside. Dhitvi is also peeping out choodu!"

Parthavi immediately gripped Dhitvi and rolled the glass up but not without one last glare to the man.

They went down to the parking lane and were asked to park in 2nd while the one behind them got to 4th much to his chagrin.

Getting down after parking, Raghu carried Dhitvi and Parthu held Prasiddhi who happily walked along hopping and smiling with her pigtails dancing. They went to the lift and Parthu immediately scowled seeing the man there.

"Ammo! Vachindi Jejamma!"

"Yem? Nuvu pasupathi va?"

The man glared. Raghu tried hard to stifle his smile.

"Is this what you teach your kids? Meeru mee moderrn pempakam. Jeans lo pellam, adi aadinche mogudu. Shame on you man."

Now Raghu was really angry. He pushed Dhitvi in Parhu's hands.

"Excuse me Mr. She is my fiance and the kids are our niece. Think before you talk. When the wife is good there is no wrong in dancing to her tunes as you can trust her to take you in right path!"

Raghu said in low but firm voice and moved out of the lift pulling Prasiddhi who was giggling and Parthu who was gaping while Dhitvi happily clapped her hands from Parthu's arms.

The man too got out of the lift and started sweating seeing his wife.

"Orei Vishwa! Intha sepenti? Mee Amma malli phone chesinda? Aameki vere pani leda? Doesn't she have any other work?"

Raghu folded his cuffs and was about to go to that Vishwa when he saw Parthu dashing forward after pushing Dhitvi in his arms.

"Abbo! Ee maha nari shiromani ni kattukunnanduka.. You were praising modern wives? Neekoka namaskaram thalli! Meeku kooda."

She folded her hands to both who were frowning.

"Avatala vaalini ane mundu, mee vanka oka saari choosukondi Mr. Before pointing to others look at yourself first! Oh vachesaru! Padhandi Raghu.."

Saying this time she pulled him holding his arms. Raghu smiled. As he let her pull him and he understood that he could really trust her to guide him. They saw Bhoomi and Shantha waiting near coffee shop and they walked there.

"Aunty super kada Mavaiyya?"

Prasiddhi asked as Parthu went to Bhoomi, actually stormed.

"Keka bujjima"

Raghu said smiling. His ears went pink as he saw his sister raising her brow.

"Ahem..!"

Shantha cleared her throat and his ears went red.

"Enti Thammudu.. Looks like you had a nice time with that jerk?"

"Blast Bhoomi! Abbo"

"Vaadoka pedda manishi.. Vaadi gurinchi nuvu adagadam.. Bhoomi.. Lets go!"

"Ok ok Jejamma. Cool down"

Saying Bhoomi followed angry Parthu while others followed them giggling and chuckling. They went to the babies and mom shop in the 1st floor. Dhitvi kept on pulling Raghu's nose and hair making him laugh while Prasiddhi spoke nine to nineteen hundred with Parthu seeing which Bhoomi and Shantha smiled. They went on with the basic baby stuffs while Raghu and Parthu entertained the kids in the play area.

Raghu was swinging Dhitvi in swing and Parthu and Prasiddhi were playing slide.

"Enti bangaaram? Someone was so eager for shopping, but not joining others now? Entamma vishayam?"

"It means I dont like shopping much Mr. Architect"

"Hain? Women like shopping kada?"

"Not all. Definitely not me. I would like better to read, watch movie or something else. But definitely not shopping. I am too lazy for that."

Raghu widened his eyes.

"I don't like too."

He looked at Dhitvi carrying her in his arms.

"Ilagayithe, bhavishyatlo mana paristhiti enti Bangaaram?"

Dhitvi giggled biting his nose. Parthu chuckled.

"Ide! Enti Bujji?"

She and Prasiddhi hi5ed.

Ori devudo.. Orori Devudo..

Yem pilladi yenta maata annadi..

The song suited the situation well making Raghu chuckle. This time when next line came, Raghu sang along swinging Dhitvi in his arms, but had eyes only for Parthu.

Ori devudo.. Orori devudo..

Yem pilladi yenta bagunnadi..

Parthavi's cheeks took a beautiful shade of pink as his eyes, on her.. Was creating some sort of feelings in her.

"Happa! Bangaaram. Look at your Atha's face. Pink lady."

"Rose rose rose.. Roja poova.. Puvve nuvva.. Parthu atha.."

Prasiddhi sang making Parthu go red.

"Prasiddhi! Shh.. Who is teaching you all these songs"

She said making Prasiddhi giggle and tucked her naughty fringe behind her ears as she looked at Raghu. Seeing his teasing smile she lowered her eyes making him chuckle happily. At that moment, they heard.

"Orei. Choodu ra.. Being parents of two kids look at them, so in love. And look at you, inka pelli kuda avvale, appude you are bored of me"

Saying one girl hit her boyfriend's head and went of angrily stomping her foot. The guy gave them a pitiful look and followed his girl calling out for her.

"Ahem.. Idedo bagunde cheli.. Idena premante Mari.."

He sand making her go more red.

"Aba cha.."

She said composing herself and pushed him outside to the food court where they said they would meet the other two. The new word kept ringing in their minds making them smile. LOVE!