Introducing Karthi and Ranjini as Maanas and Jagadamba

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Marriage preparations were going on in full swing. Sathya and Vedmohan settled everything in between them as they found peace for what they lost in the past and appreciated what future held for them. So they happily joined the teasings and enjoyed being teased, though secretly.

"Rei Bava!"

Vedmohan called Raghunandhu who was playing with Prabhav and Prasiddhi.

"Enti ra?"

"Enough of playing. Your wedding shopping has already been postponed twice. Muhoortha cheere and panche should be purchased in auspicious time."

"All time is good time Mohan!"

"Try telling that to Athaiyya and Prabha Ma."

"Oh no!"

"Oh yes. Get ready. They will reach the stores soon too."

"Pandu. Go with him. Amma is in the car already. Rishi and I will join you after my check up."

"I will take Prasiddhi with me."

"You will. Oh thank you"

"Stop your drama! And Bye"

"Rei. Straighten your hair at least."

"I will do it in the car."

Saying both rushed to the car.

"Amma.. Lets go?"

Raghuandhu asked opening the door for them when two other cars came there. ShivaPrasad, Shakthi, Prabha, Hari, Krishnudu and Manga got down from one car while Prithvi and Bhoomi got down from other carrying Dhitvi. Raghunandhu's eyes looked for one person he wanted to be here.

"Ahem ahem"

He heard Bhoomi and turned to her frowning.

"What?"

"What what?"

Bhoomi asked back.

"Aren't we going shopping?"

"Yes, we are. But there is a little work inside before we do."

"Work?"

"Avunu Alludu. We should do a pooja before we can go further with the pelli panulu."

Raghunandhu frowned in question.

"It will just take half an hour Vathina. If you dont mind."

Prabha looked at Durga who smiled and took them inside.

"Identi pooja, sudden ga.."

"We had a mokku, and Nana thinks that unfulfilling of it is only causing problem with the Muhurtha cheere panche shopping. So we are going to do one shanthi pooja and then after wedding..."

He couldn't hear more as he turned to see that everyone have gone inside. Taking his mobile, he went around the place to talk to Sreenu about bringing Peddamma and his sisters here.

Parthavi stood there in front of his door biting her nails. Damn why did she even think of getting a bouquet?

"Parthavi Ambujakshi, you have come so far. Why hesitating now? He is your fiance. And he succeeded in getting an office in Vizag for which you are going to congratulate him as his fiance. So don't be shy. Go on!"

She prepared herself and was about to move in while she heard..

"Ahem.."

She turned to see him standing leaning on his bike that had arrived recently. She gave a sheepish smile as he stood there with a small smile, looking all relaxed with his arms across his front.

She did not know what to say and damn suddenly the flowers in her hands weighed a ton. So she did one thing she always did when she was tensed out of her mind.

"Hey pillagaada.. Endi ro pillagaada.. Naa Gundekaada lolli..

"Ahaan.."

He raised his brow and she fumbled forgetting the lyrics. But she managed.

"Hey Monagaada.. Sampakoi moratodaa.. Naa manasantha gili.."

Raghunandhu shook his head as he heard her voice shiver as he came closer.

"Not bad."

He said bending to her ears. Damn his breath made her shiver.

"Wha.."

"Erra kavalalu.."

He said moving back and pointing to the flowers in her hand.

"Grrr.. Tease!"

She mumbled under her breath making him hold back his chuckle.

"So the lilies..?"

"Err.. for your new office."

"Why didn't you come to inauguration?"

"I.. err.. Just couldn't make it. Sorry."

"Yem ayindi Parthavi?"

He asked in his soft voice.

"I had an interview.."

"Oh.. that's.."

"I messed it up."

"SO that is why you did not answer my texts and calls?"

"I threw my mobile somewhere and shut myself in my room."

"Hain?"

"Mood swings."

"Oh.. WHAT?"

He asked moving away and taking a good look at her head to toe. Parthavi giggled thrusting the flowers in his hand.

"Not that mood swings. You will understand later."

Before he could understand anything, he heard..

"Rei Macha.."

They turned to see a nice young couple standing there with big smiles on their faces.

"Rei undrallu.."

Raghunandhu rushed to man and pulled his hair making him wince.

"Rei rei.. Vadulu!"

The woman beside him laughed heartily.

"Annaiyya.. I missed you troubling him so much."

She said.

"Jagadamba.."

"Aaahhh.. Hearing my name pronounced correctly after 3 years."

She said as Raghunandhu engulfed both in a bear hug.

"Macha.. Introduce us to your pellam ra. Paapam she is standing there watching us like watching a couple of chimpanzees in a zoo."

"Shh.. She is a dragon herself."

He said in a loud whisper making them laugh while she searched something to hit him with.

"Parthavi.. Meet my best friend and his wife, Manas Ravindra and Vijayasree Kanaka Chamundeswari Jagadamba."

"Ammo.. Mee kanna podugayina peru!"

Parthavi exclaimed.

Jagadamba laughed.

"Vathina! Perfect jodi for him. In Belgium, they used to murder my name and found out an easily pronounceable short form Jazz! How they came to this, god knows. Rèpugnant! But that was better than slicing and dicing my name. Oh and by the way.. Sorry for not coming to your engagement. Immigration complications! Urrrhhh.. Belgian laws."

Parthavi stood jaw dropped at the speed with which the girl spoke.

"Meeting someone matching your calibre Parthavi?"

Raghunandhu asked grinning. Parthavi glared at him.

"No. Just looking at how someone turned into a neanderthal in just few seconds."

She retorted back making everyone laugh.

"See.. che.. What should I call you? Chelli.. Akka?"

"Asking my age in guise?"

"Rei Undrallu.. She is elder to you in both age and relation."

"Enti.. Question akkada yeste.. Samadhaanam ikkada nunchi vastundi? Switch there, light here?"

Asked Jagadamba making Raghunandhu look everywhere.

"Please call me by my name. I dont think we will be apart by much."

"In that case, you call me by name too."

"Maanas?"

"Yo!"

"Oh and my dear buddy and buddy in law, please allow me to introduce my would be wife, Parthavi Ambujakshi."

He said making a dramatic head tilt and then turned to Parthavi to whisper.

"Neanderthal to gentleman again?"

"Some where in the middle."

She replied after a dramatic thinking posture.

"You.."

"Enough.. Shall we go inside? I want to see Amma."

"And wait for the surprise."

Raghunandhu said as they all went inside and just as he said, Maanas was surprised to see Vedmohan there and that too married. Nevertheless, all got together well and soon the house was loud as a kindergarten classroom.

"Hello Vaanara sena!"

Bhargava and Prabhav called standing on the couch. Everyone who were talking in their worlds turned to him.

"We were supposed to purchase wedding attires today for Pandu and Parthavi. Remember anyone?"

"Sri Rama!"

Durga exclaimed.

"Raghuvara!"

Prabha exclaimed making Raghunandhu jump and look around.

"Guys! Come on. Its not late yet."

"Looks like we came in the wrong time. Maybe we must come later."

Maanas said calling Jagadamba to leave.

"Rei aagu. Don't do too much. Join us."

"Family.."

"You are family too Ravi. Anyway you will be staying alone only right?"

"Amma.."

"Rei padha ra! Amba Jagadamba.. Come on"

Jagadamba was eager enough to pull her husband along. As they all went to the car, everyone decided it was best to get a 30 seater tempo traveller rather than taking 3 cars. Maanas who well connected in the travels business in the city, got one at the snap of fingers with a very good driver.

As they got in one by one, Hari's phone rang.

"Hello.. Namaskaram. Cheppandi Raju."

".."

"Okay Raju.. I will be there in sometime."

".."

"Hmm.."

He cut the call only to see all angry faces glaring at them.

"Parbha ma.. Athi.."

"You have to be somewhere else?"

"Yes.. Something is wrong with the accounts at Rajureddy's.."

"Just go."

"Parthu.. Scooty keys"

Parthavi just thrusted the keys in his hands without looking at him and got into the traveller and sat in the last seat.

Parbha and Shakthi shook their heads and they too got in. Hariharan said his apologies to Durga and Bhargava and left the place.

Raghunandhu kept looking at a leaving Hariharan with a frown and then he too got into the tempo. He saw that all the seats were taken except for the last one beside Parthavi, who was sitting near the window looking outside at nothing.

Taking a deep breath, he sat beside her and tried to look out the window.

"Enti?"

She asked irritated. He looked around short of words. Maanas, Vedmohan, And pretty much everyone gave him a knowing grin and turned to look into their own businesses.

Raghunandhu cleared his throat again and said the first thing that came to mind.

"Malatikalano Polatina.. Kalano polatina.."

Maanas hit his head while Bhargava wanted to punch Raghunandhu on his face and Shantha actually threw a baby wipe on him. But Bhoomi, Prithvi, Vedmohan, Sathya, Jagadamba, Mahika and Rishi laughed.

Vedmohan, Sathya, Prithvi and Bhoomi laughed because they knew Parthavi while others laughed at the situation.

"Lasisi kbad.. La vie.. Zoto.. cakaquselano polatina.."

He continued looking very uncomfortable. And much to his joy, Parthavi giggled.

"Cakado demikua Polatina.. Demikua Polatina.."

She sang chuckling and he joined.

"Lasisi kbad.. La vie.. Zoto.. Cakaladosela Polatina.."

Both laughed.

"Vathina! Oh god!"

Durga exclaimed.

"Don't tell me."

Prabha held her forehead.

"Stop being a spoilsport Atha.."

Bhoomi giggled.

"Shut up you thingarabuchi. I am having a stroke seeing one kid marry a baby!"

"Who is kid and who is baby?"

Maanas asked.

"Orei!"

Durga glared at him. Raghunandhu and Parthavi looked at everyone with one brow raised.

"Remember you are discussing us with us being able to hear?"

Parthavi asked.

"You can hear.. So only we are discussing Panda bear!"

"Shut up you thaati chettu!"

"Seriously guys.. Even Prasiddhi and Prabhav will outgrow Minions but not you two"

Bhargava laughed.

"What is wrong with Minions?"

"They are cute!"

Both of them said in unison.

"Officially the case is dropped! There is nothing we can do about these lost cases."

Jagadamba said with an expression of some 19th century Victorian judge.

Raghunandhu and Parthavi grunted. As others went into their conversations, Parthavi looked at Raghunandhu and smiled.

"Minions?"

He just shrugged.

"Tulaliloo ti amo.."

He said without thinking and then mentally hit himself.

"I mean.. Banana.."

Parthavi chuckled.

"Underwear.. Luk a tu"

She said and blew raspberry like a minion. Suddenly Prasiddhi came there and stood beside his seat. They both looked at her.

"BAAAHHH!"

She said and gave one punch on Raghunandhu's thigh and ran to her grandmother. Everyone laughed.

"Good Bangaaram."

Sathya said giving her a hifi. Prasiddhi giggled.

"Behave like grown ups you both."

Shivaprasad said. Parthavi chuckled and without anyone noticing she slid her palms on his and held it in hers as she looked out. Raghunandhu enjoyed as the breeze teased her hair making her look so serenely beautiful in the breeze and the light. Without realizing he closed his eyes and soon he was sleeping leaning back while Parthavi's head was on his shoulders.

They both woke up to sound of loud chuckles. They opened their eyes to see everyone looking at them and then only understood their positions and immediately moved away making others laugh out loud.

"We have reach Kanchi Kamakshi. Come on. Before its too late, we have to get the wedding attires."

Durga said smiling not wanting to embarrass the kids. While the youngsters kept grinning making Parthavi grunt.

"Muhurtha cheeralu, panchalu.."

Shivaprasad asked in the counter and they were taken to a floor full of beautiful sarees and dhotis. A man and a girl approached them and showed them a mattress to sit on. Everyone sat down and waited as the salespeople brought down colorful sarees.

"Vathina, Bellampu cheera is Yellow or white?"

Prabha asked Durga.

"Our tradition has been mixed Vathina. So we can settle among, Yellow, White or off white. But cotton."

Prabha smiled and asked for cotton sarees. They were just too many varieties that had Parthavi's head going in rounds. At last, Mahika came up with the best plan.

"Athaiyya, Lets settle for Gadwal cotton for Madhuparkam, Dharmavaram for Nagavalli, Kanchi for Nandhi and vratham. She already has nishchaya cheera with her, so no problem. Designer silk saree for reception, for pelli koothuru lets have a simple cotton or silk cotton which can be used for Nalugu too and at last, soft silk for.."

"Ammo.. Aboo.. Enni cheerelu! How many times should I change?"

She wiped invisible sweat off her forehead.

"Osei! Nuvvu muyi! Pelli ante vandha veyyi vuntayi! Its not easy with marriage."

"Yeah right! I am seeing many here."

She said looking at Bhoomi and Shantha who was pestering Prithvi and Rishi about different colors while Vedmohan was nodding his head for everything Sathya had to say about sarees. On the other side, Mahika was giving expert advice about the works on the sarees for which Bhargava could only scratch his head and Jagadamba was looking at sarees like some treasure creeping Maanas.

"Amma Parthu.. Come here. Look at this saree."

She took a nice dark laurel green mixed with rose color saree with nice golden mango works. The girl there wrapped it around Parthavi like a drape and made her stand in front of the mirror. Raghunandhu could not take his eyes of her. She looked so..

Without realizing, the words came out of his mouth..

"Neeku telisena.. nee loni hairaana.. Hoi.. Nannu munchena.. Naa loni jadi vaana.."

"Rei Bava.. Earth to!"

Vedmohan called snapping his fingers across his face.

"Macha.. Flat wash out! Paruvu theesavu kada ra!"

Maanas shook his head in false shame.

"Unta undrallu.. As if you were any better. I remember you literally flooding out the yagna kundam with your sollu."

Raghunandhu gave back.

"Right Annaiyya.. There is nothing wrong in being completely taken by your bride to be. Meeru sollu kaarchukondi."

Jagadamba said making everyone laugh. Soon they got sarees for Parthavi and seeing the range, they purchased sarees for relatives too there itself.

"Panche?"

"Abba.. aagu ra.."

Durga said to Vedmohan who asked for it. Soon they were in the Dhoti section.

"Babau salesman'u... Get us muhurtha panche.. Cotton, the conjoint two 8 yards one. Then one 9*5 Silk dhoti. And then get us 8 moora panchalu in cotton. Around 10 and all the panchalu with pai pancha."

Krishnudu gave all the necessary details.

"Thathaiyya training. Both my Mavaiyyas know everything about being traditional."

Parthavi whispered to Raghunandhu.

"Oh boy!"

He exclaimed. Then he looked at the first Dhoti that came that was long enough to hold at least 4 men like him. Seeing his expression the elders laughed.

"Nanna Nandhu.. This is for the Muhurtham ra.. It is actually 2 Dhotis. But it should not be cut until you tie the knot."

Durga explained.

"And don't worry about draping it. Shastri garu will help you. This is not for us mere humans!"

Bhargava said chuckling.

"I still have nightmares about this falling off anytime during the wedding."

Prithvi said shaking his head making Dhitvi too imitate him.

"Only all the time you had your belt holding it tight!"

Bhoomi said hitting her forehead. Everyone laughed.

Soon all the purchase was done, they asked the store people to pack everything and they went to have lunch which was a noisy affair.

As they went back to get the packed clothes, Vedmohan got a call from Vasudhara who was at Shivaprasad's place along with her grandfather Sundaramudu waiting to receive Jagatjanani who was coming there with Sainath and Srinath. And she stayed back as she had some important college project work to finish before the wedding to be free.

"Yente Vasu?"

He asked.

"..."

"Okay.. we are on our way. Ask them to wait. We are done here."

He cuts the call.

"Guys.. Sai and Sri arrived with Janani and Sreenu has arrived with Raji and Ratthu and Peddatha."

They were packing the clothes into their vehicle, when they heard.

"Pelli battalu konadam ayipoyindi anukunta?"

Raghunandhu closed his eyes and uttered an inaudible "Shit"

Parthavi fisted her fingers while Vedmohan hung his head. Durga did not know how to react and so did the others because the man of the voice was Dharmaraju, Raghunandhu's peddanana.