Paalikalu: Paalikalu means nine grains that have auspicious value. In a wedding, these grains are planted and five ladies from both bride and groom side are asked to water them with the thought that like those grains even the new couple will grow all green in their life and live happily. 

Madhuparkam: Madhuparkam literally means, Sweet welcome drink. I.E., the welcome given to the groom's family by the bride's family as they arrive for the wedding. Usually when they arrive, Bride's family gives the groom his wedding attire and in exchange, Groom's family gives the bride's family the Bride's wedding saree. So this ritual itself is called Madhuparkam. 

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"Guys, what have you planned for the sangeet?"

Matheysh asked the guys gang.

"Enti bro, Here we are planning for something else and you are asking plan for sangeet?"

Maanas said.

"Vere enti plan today evening?"

Sreenu asked as he helped Raghunandhu with the panche that got twisted and refused to remove.

"Rei, sariga cheyi ra. You are winding it more around me!"

Raghunandhu said irritated as he turned and twirled.

"What can I do? How did Rishi bava tie this on you?"

"How do I know? I just followed his instructions!"

"Orei.. Here the discussion about your bachelor party is going on and you both are.. Karma ra babu!"

Vedmohan facepalmed! Raghunandhu looked as if he might hit Vedmohan.

"Rei, I am already going mad with panche, do you expect me to come to the bachelor party or sangeet party in this?"

He asked showing his half open panche.

"First find a way to calm down that dragon of yours."

Sanjeev said happily munching a mysorepak.

"Found it!"

Sreenu emerged from below and held Raghunandhu's panche that was held by knot on his hip.

"Found the knot. Now you can be free"

"Haiyooo Raghu Rama!!"

Sarvesh hit his head.

"I am Raghunandhu!"

Raghunandhu said removing the panche and getting into a comfortable shorts. This time all the boys hit their heads.

"Brotheru, Only after marriage Men become like this. But you, from now itself?"

Bhaswath asked.

"Bhas bro, My bava is mentally married to that Dragon already."

Vedmohan said munching the mysorepak that Sanjeev gave.

"Haiyoooo muddha pappannam!"

Sanjeev, Aakarsh and Matheysh said hiding their faces in their palms.

"You have to anyway wear it again ra Bava!"

Vedmohan said and Raghunandhu looked at him like he might strangle him.

There in Parthavi's room, Rathnitha and Rajvitha sat eating a laddoo as Parthavi was walking here and there.

"Vathina, why are you walking like a wounded lion?"

Rathnitha asked.

"Can't you see Rattu, she is angry"

Rajvitha.

"Athey why?"

"Because Annaiyya said Maradalu are more important than Pellam."

"Amma Mahathallulu! Stop it. Don't tickle the already fire breathing dragon."

Bhoomi said letting Dhitvi inside with Arush and Mitra. Arush and Mitra cheered Dhitvi who was trying to walk.

"Dhitiiii.. Ra.. Ra.."

Arush said clapping his hands and Mitra followed the suit clapping her hands making everyone chuckle.

Parthavi caught Dhitvi who missed her step trying to walk.

"Naa Bangaaru konda.. Is walking. When did you start kutty ma?"

She cooed to Dhitvi who just giggled and blew a raspberry making Parthavi chuckle and give her a sound kiss.

"When did she start Bhoomi?"

"I do not know either. She used to try to walk but usually she needed support. Last night, when I left her in the room to change her bed, she suddenly walked to the bed and pulled my nighty and smiled."

"Wow Bhoomi. She is fast. Mitra and Arush walked together."

"Oh I know! She did not walk because Arush could not."

Ishaani said taking Arush in her arms.

"Ishu, let him down. He is very naughty and likes to kick."

"Nothing will happen Harshu. He is a good boy. Kada nanna?"

Ishaani asked ruffling Arush's hair Arush ruffled Ishaani's hair and said

"Good boy."

Making everyone laugh.

"Vathina, Annaiyya is calling."

Rathnita came giving her mobile to Parthavi whose smile vanished. She took the mobile and went to the balcony. Harshita, Ishaani and Bhoomi looked at each other and laughed. Rathnitha and Rajvitha scratched their heads looking at each other. The kids kept cheering Dhitvi not giving importance to the elders.

"Hello"

"Hello Parthavi. Ready for the Sangeet?"

"Did you call to ask that?"

"Why else will I call?"

"I thought may be to talk with your Maradallu!"

Raghunandhu bit his cheeks controlling his laughter.

"To talk with them why will I call you. They are already here."

"What are they doing there?"

"Madhuparkam is at 4 in the evening. They have come for that. Mavaiyya and Athaiyya has come to get ready the therasaala, you know that screen that will be held between us tomorrow. And also get the thalambaraalu and matti for the paalikalu ready."

"If your maradallu athaiyya and mavaiyya are there, why are you calling me."

"Correct eh kada. Okay see you in sangeet. Bye!"

Raghunandhu cut the call and chuckled imagining the fire breathing dragon.

"Rei Bava! Wrong move again!"

"Nuvu muyi ra Mohan. You don't know the maza in tickling the dragon and then calming it."

"But Bava You don't know how dangerous the dragon is when it is tickled, that too when it already letting fire from nostril and mouth. Do you want to risk your life?"

"What is life when there are no little adventures in it"

"Guys! Are you talking about Partha?"

"The same dragon Sathya!"

"Then I am sorry Anna.. you are going to have a tough time after the little stunt you pulled. Partha can prove to be difficult."

"Wait and watch Chellayi!"

Raghunandhu said and moved out. Sathya looked at Vedmohan and frowned.

"What is going to happen in two more hours?"

"Anything can happen. Do you want some popcorn?"

"Vara Katnalu lo there are some chakilu and jantikalu."

"My perfect Partner!"

Vedmohan said giving her an air kiss and pinched her cheeks. Chuckling they both moved down.

"Maridi garu. Why are you wearing Slacks?"

Mahika asked Raghunandhu who came down to the Madhuparkam in formal slacks and shirt. Raghunandhu bent down to her and said secretly.

"Vathina, it took me and Sreenu a lot of time to understand and strategize the removing of my Panche. Bava is busy and so is Annaiyya. So I thought why waste time. Anyway Madhuparkam is just receiving of Muhurtha panche kada."

"Raghunandhu, ila ayithe, later in Shobanam lo.. Ayinate.."

Mahika laughed.

"Vathina!"

Raghunandhu chided. Bhargava who heard him, cleared his throat and eyed both of them showing that people were listening. Mahika bent to Bhargava.

"You can be strict to your brother and Son. But mee pappulu naa daggera udakavu. Try cooking your pappu somewhere else."

Mahika said and sat straight folding her hands to the people in the place who came for the marriage.

Bhargava coughed and smiled at everyone folding his hands. Prabhav followed his parents earning applause from everyone.

"Namaskaram Mavaiyya. Palikalu ki matti, Thirasaala lo, om, Thalambaraalu lo Pasupu.. All done?"

Raghunandhu asked Hariharan who was sitting on his other side. Prabhavathy chuckled at Raghunandhu.

"Alludu, Parthavi will come only later. So.."

"Athaiyya is saying that you don't have to butter us now and concentrate on the happenings which happens to be your marriage."

Bhoomi said settling behind Raghunandhu who looked everywhere.

"Akka.. I did not ask for.."

"I know BavaMaridi. You don't have to explain."

Pritvi said.

"Bava?"

Raghunandhu asked trying to keep his face as innocent as possible. But everyone laughed as he saw other way and his eyes clearly searching for his fire breathing dragon.

"Rei Bava, at least lie in a believable tone. And you run a business."

"Karma ra babu!"

Maanas completed for Vedmohan and both gave a thumbs up.

"Rei.. you both!"

Raghunandhu wanted to scold them when Sankaram Shastry and Narasimha Shastry called for the Girl's brother to the Altar.

"Where is Vrushanka?"

Hariharan called for his nephew.

"I am here Babayi."

Came a young boy holding his Panche up.

"Where were you? You landed here 3 hours ago!"

Prabhavathy asked the boy who came near them.

"Jet lag pinni. I slept off after the sumptuous meal."

He said and offered Gandham kumkum to Raghunandhu.

"Hello Bava. I am Vrushanka Rudranetra. Harihara Babayi, that is your Father in law's brother, Shridhara Kesava and Kamala's son."

He introduced himself and shook his hands.

"So you were the one in Dublin?"

"Aye! That's me. I stay in Temple bar and own a small cafe that serves Indian delicacies."

He said as he gifted Raghunandhu with a chain on the behalf of the girl's family. Then he garlanded Raghunandhu.

"Welcome to our Mad family Bava."

He said and sat beside Prabhavathy who fussed over him. Raghunandhu smiled at this.

"He lost his father in a bomb blast in Taj. They were touring around Mumbai as after a long time, his father took a break from his army career and wanted to spend time with his family and mainly dedicate it to his wife. Vrushanka was studying in Delhi then. He dropped everything for his parents. To provide him with a change of environment, we sent him to Dublin, which was quiet and relaxing."

Raghunandhu remembered Parthavi telling about her missing brother a few days back.

Raghunandhu understand that this family elders we're different. They might have a lot in between them but they never allowed it to affect the next generation which made the cousins really close to each other. Raghunandhu wanted his family to be the same. 'One more incident like Vedmohan's would not happen in his family' was the promise he made to himself.

Parthavi and her family have influenced him and his family a lot in good way. It was a welcome change.

At that time Narasimha Shastry called for the bride. Raghunandhu looked up and saw a beautiful sight in front of him.

"Thammudu. Close your mouth else an Elephant can go in."

Bhoomi said giggling and Raghunandhu closed his mouth immediately which led to more laughs. Parthavi who saw this, chuckled as she sat beside him on the other side of the transparent screen that separated them.

"Who created this screen!!"

Raghunandhu cursed his fate.

"Nice.. Did you both discuss on the colors?"

Vrushanka asked seeing Raghunandhu is sea blue color shirt and Parthavi is sea blue color silk saree with golden border.

"Why will I discuss such things ra?"

Parthavi asked.

"Wow! Wavelength matching, color matching! Great!"

Anbumozhi said.

"Shut up Anba! And you Vrusha.. How long has it been since you landed? And is this the time you land for my wedding?"

She asked. Vrushanka held his hands up in surrender.

"Sorry Partha! Had to look after the leasing process of the cafe. I told you right? And Don't call me Vrusha!"

"Po ra! All excuses"

"Keep quiet. Your vathinagaru is coming."

"I know! You keep quiet."

Raghunandhu enjoyed this bro sis banter with a smile on his face.

Shantha, by the time, came and gave gandham kumkuma to Parthavi and then presented her with a vanki finger ring with single red stone.

"Alochinchu Parthavi! Pandu can be a handful."

Shantha said holding her giggle.

"No more thinking vathina. My fate is sealed."

"And akka! She is no less!"

"Did she ask you?"

"Did I ask you?"

Both Parthavi and Shantha said at the same time and chuckled looking at Raghunandhu gaping.

"The bride and groom's parents. Please exchange the plates with the madhuparkalu and present each other with sweets."

Shankaram Shastry said and Hariharan Prabhavathy and Bhargava Mahika followed as said.

"From Bride's side, five muthyadalu, married women, please come and pour milk for the paalikalu."

Narasimha Shastry said and one by one, Shakti, Bhoomi, Manga, Harshita came. Ishaani was not allowed as she was pregnant. For fifth Prabhavathy called Sathya.

"Amma Sathya. Come here."

Sathya got to the place and looked around.

"Amma.. Ask someone else to.."

She said secretly to Prabhavathy.

"Yen?"

"Amma.. I.. My miscarriage.."

Her words stumbled. Bhoomi frowned which reflected in Prabhavathy's face.

"Sathya.. No one will tell anything. Good thoughts matter more than superstitions. If you think that your friend should have happy marriage life, then come here, pour milk and take this Gandham kumkuma."

Prabhavathy said and all the ladies smiled accepting it. Sathya looked at Hariharan who also smiled.

"Entamma choostunnav? Amma is calling you kada? Go!"

Hariharan said and Bhargava smiled nodding his head at Sathya. Sathya looked at Vedmohan who had his eyes brimming with unshed tears.

Sathya did as Prabhavathy asked.

Raghunandhu looked at Parthavi who had this satisfactory smile on her face.

"Its good to see that our family respects relations above all."

Raghunandhu said and smiled at Parthavi. Parthavi smiled at him but her smile dropped.

"Enti Parthavi?"

"Relationship le kada? Look there!"

She said pointing to the direction where Jagatjanani and Vasudhara were sitting.

"Parthavi?"

"Maradalu have their own place kada?"

Saying Parthavi turned away. Raghunandhu chuckled.

"Ahan.. Aligina pellam!"

He said and shook his head. Vedmohan looked At Sathya and winked and she winked back. Bhoomi, Harshita, Ishaani and gang cleared their throats making the couple turn crimson.