HEY.. KATAMARAYUDA KADRI NARASIMHUDA..

Vasudhara startled woke up and looked around yawning. Then she saw Parthavi's mobile alarm ringing in full volume while she was happily sleeping with her head under the pillow. Growling Vasudhara turned to her and rubbing her palms together, with a naughty smirk, gave her one kick.

AMMMAAAAA

Parthavi woke up shaking the basement of the whole house. She looked around here and there and saw Vasudhara flashing her mobile phone that was ringing loud enough to wake up the whole city.

Scratching her head, Parthavi switched the alarm off and was about to get back to sleep when they both heard their mother.

"Osei! If you both dare to go back to sleep.. Cheepurakatta.. Mithaki vastadi!"

Parthavi yawned wide.

"Ammo.. Nowadays Amma is becoming ramulamma!"

Vasudhara said as she got down from bed and started to fold their sheets.

"Bhaagamthie avakunda unte sare."

Parthavi said as she made the bed.

"Yehe stop your Baahubali Bhaagamthie puranam.. Else I will become Pasupathi."

Vasudhara said throwing a pillow at Parthavi.

"If you are Pasupathi, I am Jejamma!"

Saying Parthavi threw Vasudhara's mini drafter.

"Osei my drafter."

"Abba cha.."

And both started running around. Both stopped their ruckus hearing the room door open and turned. There sood Prabhavathy with a ladle in her hand in a perfect position to aim at them.

"AMMMOOOO BHEEMASENI!!!!"

Both said and ran to a corner.

"Amlu, you are getting married and now also you behave like a kid and do all monkey seshtalu? And you Chinni, I thought, Parthavi ayithe kothi, but you would be a little responsible. And you are playing pillow fight here? Pelli panulu nethi meedaku unnayi. Come on now. Chinni, go to downstairs bathroom and get ready. And you Amlu.."

"Amma Mahathalli Lakshmi Prabhavathy, if you let me, I will get ready and be down in few minutes. You see I am not like your responsible daughter who takes hours to bath."

"I bath properly, not like you, Kaaki snanam."

"Oye!"

"Chee po ve"

"GET READY YOU BOTH!"

Saying Prabhavathy went down pulling Vasudhara along.

Shaking her head, Parthavi looked at her mobile once. Sighing at no new notifications, she went on to get ready.

The priest made Vigneswarudu idol with turmeric and started the pooja.

"Amma Prabhavathy garu, you and your husband tie the mudupu with the biyyam inside and pray to Vigneswarudu that the wedding should happen without any vignam."

Both of them said as he said and soon they were joined by Parthavi, Vasudhara and Sundaramudu and the rest of the family.

"Sankaram, tomorrow we can have Pasupu biyyam dampudu right?"

The priest nodded.

"Beshuk ga peddayya garu. From today till the muhurtha date, all days are good. Morning time all the rituals can be done."

"So today evening we can go to Prasad's house and start all the works?"

"Oh.. Yes.. two days from today, you can have the pelli koduku pelli koothuru karyakramam too amma."

And soon it was decided. Bhoomi looked at Prabha and signalled at something. Prabha nodding her head, followed Sankaram Shastry who was ready to leave. Bhoomi too gave Dhitvi to Vasudhara and followed Prabha.

"Shastry garu.. Shastry garu.."

Prabhavathy called.

"Challapalli Krishnachandra Sankram Shastry garu!"

Bhoomi called and he turned.

"Entamma Bhoomi devi. Why are you following me and calling me with my that poduganti peru?"

"Who asked you to have such a poduganti peru?"

"Uhh.. You should ask Sreesailam Hanumantha Rama Shastry."

"Who is that?"

Bhoomi frowned.

"My Maternal grandfather. He was the one who named me so!"

"Abba! Who asked your family history and geography. Athaiyya has some important work for you."

"Entamma? Cheppandi."

He turned to Prabhavathy.

"You know about Sathya and Vedu right?"

"Vinapaddanu.. Nijamena?"

He asked.

"Nijame Sahstry garu. Whatever happened in the past.."

"You want their future to be good and bright. Arthamayindi. Tomorrow after the Pasupu dampudu, Let us have a Vigneswara homam and anyway we have to do shuddhi pooja in the vidudi illu which is their house kada?"

"Avunu."

"Shubham. Let us have the homam tomorrow and in the sankalpam anyway we will read all the family member's name. Give Sathya and Vedmohan's name also. Anni Shubame jarugutayi amma. Don't worry."

Prabhavathy nodded her head and they went inside.

"Was that necessary?"

They were stopped by Hariharan.

"What?"

"Why are you doing all this for him?"

"You are yet to come out of that false thought about Parthu and vedu?"

Prabhavathy asked heatedly.

"Mavaiyya, he is now related to your Alludu too. Still?"

Bhoomi asked frowning.

"Whatever. He is related to them only right? Not us right?"

"Mavaiyya.. Vedmohan is not just Parthu's friend. He is like the son of this house. You still believe the someone's words and don't trust your own daughter? Then what is the use of all those gudi gopuram poojalu punaskaralu you do? All the punyam you want are going down the drain by your mistrust to your daughter."

Bhoomi said and stormed inside.

"You still think that Parthu and Vedu..?"

"I don't know what to think Prabha."

Saying Hariharan went inside. Prabhavathy also went inside only for both of them to be confronted by 3 people.

"This is what you think about me and Ved?"

Parthavi asked. Hariharan looked down.

"Tell me!"

"Parthu ma.."

"Don't! Naaku samadhanam kavali samjayshilu kadu! Do you think me and Ved had a love affair during our college days?"

Sathya looked at Hariharan without a small change in her smile.

"Your daughter is asking you something sir."

She said.

"Avunu! Anukunna. Vedmohan coming to our home at untimes, you running to help him and always talking about him.. And then you searching for him and not accepting proposals.. Made me think so."

"Ledu! You thought so because you heard wrong people!"

Prabhavathy said calmly.

"I know on whose words you started thinking this about Parthu. I thought you had enough trust on her to leave it at that. But no. Then I thought you would understand after seeing Sathya and vedu. But you and your narrow mind will never understand.. This I understood now."

Prabhavathy poured out.

"Sir, I studied with these two only. Many in our college thought like you because they did not know or understand these both. But being her father how come you did not understand Parthavi sir?"

Sathya asked.

"How come you did not understand their friendship sir?"

"How can a girl and boy be just friends?"

"Bagundi prasna. Tell me something. You noticed her behavior towards Ved and concluded something. You also saw her behavior towards your son in law to be. What will conclude from that?"

"That she is out of a teenage infatuation."

"Very good. Sir.. have you seen Parthavi and Bhoomi?"

Hariharan frowned.

"Whatever you said Parthu did for Vedmohan, she did and does the same for Bhoomi too. So what? Bhoomi and Partha are lovers?"

"How can two girls be.."

"Today's culture sir! Homosexuality. Very common in many countries. Legal too. Oppukuntara?"

Hariharan stood speechless.

"Sir, I know Vedmohan only for few years. Same goes for Parthavi. Even I understood that their relationship was beyond the names you all give. How come being her father, you did not?"

Hariharan looked at Parthavi and then at Vedmohan.

"Sir, Parthavi nenu.. We are friends. I don't know beyond that. She held me together when my whole world collapsed. I never cared for anyone else thinking wrong about us. But if Partha's father himself is going to.."

Vedmohan stopped as Sathya held him.

"I trust my husband and also my friend. If you do too, invite us inside. Else we will stay away and enjoy the wedding."

Sathya held both her friend and husband both who had no words to say.

"Evandi, you listened to others and always have taken wrong decisions. Left a good job, joined wrong people and then when everything went south, you took another wrong decision. For once listen to me. Forget all those. Please. Become the father you are. Night vachi, mee koothuruluni naa tho pogatam kadu, appreciate them to their face. Show your affection to them. They are mature enough now. Come back to this family."

Broken, Hariharan went to the one place that always gave him peace, Ramalayam nearby. Parthavi went to terrace. Prabhavathy held Sathya and Vedmohan and took them inside.

"Evaru yem cheppina, Vedu, you are the son of this house. Parthavi's close friend. Her wedding arrangements are your responsibility. You are not escaping that. Understand?"

"Ledamma.."

"No Sathya. All will become right. You come. Today only we have done Vigneswara pooja. All the vignas will be chased out. I believe him. Come on. You both take all these things to Shiva's house and also get your house ready. Your house is for pelli koduku and family kada? Padha. Fast."

Smiling Sathya and Vedmohan did as said.

There Parthavi sat on the terrace loft looking at her mobile for any kind of notification and sighed getting none. Soon her mobile rang and she saw that it was from Shantha.

"Parthavi.."

"Cheppandi vathina."

"I just heard from Bhoomi about the Vigneswara homam and shuddhi. I spoke to amma and she is all in for it."

"Oh.. Vathina, what did he say?"

Parthavi heard her giggle.

"He? Who he?"

"Your brother."

"What will he say? He is not here kada?"

"Not here?"

"No! He is in hyderabad Parthavi. He went last night urgently."

"Oh!"

"Oh and, Pelli koduku karyakramam is in two days Parthavi."

"Hmm!"

"Sere Parthavi, I have lot of works. Will speak later."

"Vathina.. Don't over exert yourself. You must rest."

"I am. I am just supervising and chasing around Rishi to do all the works."

Parthavi chuckled.

"Pettana?"

"Bye!"

"Bye"

Both cut the call. Parthavi looked at her mobile and growled.

"How come you did not inform me?"

After sometime she went down and found her father coming in. Not wanting to speak to him, she was about to go into kitchen when her father came in front of her.

"I want to talk to you."

"You are talking only."

"Ila kadu. Come to that room."

"Ved and Sathya are there listing down the things in that room."

"Anduke.. Come with me."

As they went inside, Vedmohan and Sathya stood up to leave the room when Hariharan stopped them.

"Idigo, I am 54 years old. I have my own thoughts that have been with me since my childhood. No one changed them then and I cannot suddenly change them now. Reaching 40, many people take many decisions that are mostly wrong. I also did. But it does not mean that I don't love my family or I don't trust my daughter. I am a father and I have to think in all directions. I may look like I don't but I do. So sorry for hurting you all these days. I will try not to do so in future."

He said to all three in general.

"Ledu sir. You are elder. Parthu's father. It doesn't look good for you to apologise to us."

"Mistake is a mistake and it should be acknowledged abbayi. I made a mistake of listening to a third person about my daughter. So I must seek apology."

Parthavi stood silent.

"Remorse is the best medicine sir."

Sathya said but Hariharan only looked at his silent daughter.

"One wrong decision made took my family so far away from me that my daughter is not even ready to talk to me."

Sathya and Vedmohan held Hariharan from sides.

"Ledu sir. They are still there only waiting for you. It is you who have gone away from them. So now it is up to you to get back to them sir."

They said. He looked at both of them and frowned.

"Mundu aa sir anadam maneyandi. Prabha is amma and I am sir?"

Both chuckled.

"Alage Babayi garu."

They said and went out as Hariharan went to his daughter folding his hands behind him.

"Did you see my wedding sarees nana?"

Parthavi said and Hariharan nodded his head chuckling.

"Come Nana.. I will show you."

Saying she held his hand and pulled him along to her room. Prabhavathy smiled from kitchen and turned to Vedmohan and Sathya and clicked her fingers. They put their hands forward making her frown.

"Pesalu halwa!"

They said in chorus making her laugh. She gave them their favorite sweet that she was making. Soon the kitchen was filled with laughter as the whole family came there with the smell of the halwa pulling them.

"On my way Akka.."

"You did not inform Parthavi about your Hyderabad visit?"

Shantha asked. Raghunandhu frowned.

"Wasn't this visit supposed to be a surprise?"

"Orei Moddhu Pandu.. This visit's purpose is supposed to be a surprise. Not the visit itself. When will you learn? Parthavi sounded upset when I said about you being in Hyderabad."

Raghunandhu hit his head.

"Who asked you to tell her?"

He asked.

"Champesta vedhava. How am I supposed to lie to her when she hopefully asked about you?"

"Sare le akka. I will talk to her."

He cut the call and turned to the people who were smirking. Shaking his head he looked at his mobile and texted. He got a call in return and he looked worried. Immediately he planned and called someone else.

"Prabhatha.."

Bhoomi called with kalasalu and kanchalu in her hands.

"Enti Bhoomi? Why are you carrying all these plates and all? Where is alludu? And Dhitvi?"

"Abba! Stop all the questioning. Dhitvi is with Prithvi as she was being a bit cranky. So I am doing these works. Nothing wrong right? Now if your interrogation is done, answer me this. All the things to be transported are done right?"

"Yeah.."

"Now only people transportation is baki right?"

"Yeah.. only me, your mavaiyya, vasu and Parthu are left out."

"You all will be coming to our home only kada? Only on the day of wedding you will come to Nana's house kada?"

"Ye.. Vishayam ento cheppu!"

"You all also get in the car with us. There is place for three people."

"Mari.."

"No tense when Maanas is present!"

Maanas came making everyone smile.

"Parthavi can join me. I am taking only the thamboolam bags."

"So atha.. Settled?"

Prabhavathy could not argue. So she nodded her head and went inside to get ready not noticing Bhoomi and Maanas giving thumbs up.

"Maanas this is not the way to Bhoomi's house..?"

Parthavi asked as Maanas took a turn way before the actual turn.

"Jagadamba ki ento kavalanta Parthamma.."

"Oh.."

But she frowned as they went into an open garden cafe.

"You go inside and wait.. I will come."

Without thinking Parthavi also went inside not noticing that Maanas and Jagadamba were not following her.

She went inside and frowned seeing a very familiar figure sitting in a corner table with back to her. She went to the table and went around to see her husband to be smiling.

"Hi!"

Sparks flew from Parthavi's eyes. But the response she got was just a small smile that could not let her stay angry. But she maintained herself and folded her arms across her front. He stood with his fingers holding her ears and smiled cutely.

"Enti? What are you doing here?"

"First kurcho Parthavi.."

He said and sat in the chair and so did she. He ordered for 2 espresso macchiato. Parthavi smiled but quickly hid it. As soon their order came, Raghunandhu took a sip from his and looked at Parthavi.

"Ipudu cheppu enduko aa kopam?"

Parthavi took a large sip from her coffee and blew out hot smoke making him chuckle.

"Slowly.."

"Where were you?"

"What happened?"

"Did you inform your mother?"

"Parthavi.."

"Pelli choopulu apudu yemo.. You said that wife will become equal after marriage. But now, you are not even present for pelli rituals. And did not even care to inform about your trip to Hyderabad."

Parthavi said as she took another large sip. He just smiled.

"Parthavi.. You yourself said, AFTER MARRIAGE."

"When I say the same you always say that we are as good as married kada?"

"In that case, it is also your right to call me and ask me the same kada? Phone choostu unte call ostunda?"

Parthavi took another large sip as her thoughts ran in the direction Raghunandhu showed her.

"Slowly Parthavi.. Its espresso not vodka shot!"

"When I am thinking or angry I eat more!"

She said finishing her macchiato. Raghunandhu chuckled.

"You are a personality yourself. Has anyone said so..?"

He shook his head and cut in before she could say anything.

"I know I know.. What is the necessity for others to say when you yourself will say the same kada?"

"Hmm.. Good that you understood me.."

"But not completely. Tell me the real reason for your worry.. Its not like you to stay worried for yourself all day long."

Parthavi gave a dull smile.

"You know that Nana and I.."

"Nana? Isn't it ayyagaru, Sir'u.. Etc etc?"

"Don't you dare make fun. It was he who went away. Business lo dabba thinnaru ani punishment maaku pettaru. Do you know that there was a time when Nana used to carry me on his shoulders and take me to school? His scooter was my absolute favorite that made me feel.. Uhh! But all that crumbled down. Vasu ki kuda he is the world's favorite person. But everything changed because he was not ready to face us.. Give us time.. First business.. Then after it went down, it was something else. At last, he even stopped believing in himself and us! Me and Ved.. Cha!"

At last everything came out like a waterfalls. Raghunandhu listened to her very carefully and attentively. As she finished and sighed he too took a deep breath. Then he started speaking.

"Parthavi.. You said your father has distanced himself.. But what did you do reduce it? Just like with me, you waited for him to return back. But sometimes it is good to take the first step and meet the other person in the middle. How else do you think your mother is managing the household? Tomorrow we might also have problems running our family. I am also doing my own business. Appudu ilage untava? Won't you help me? Parthavi, hitting 40 a man always will have crisis because he has to think in all directions. Sometimes he might take wrong decisions and it will take time for him to understand and turn around. But he will turn around."

"He did.."

"See.. Coming to him thinking wrong about you and Ved.. as a father he might have his own doubts because he is tied by society. But did he ever question you?"

"No.. but how can he.."

"Him not asking you anything itself shows that he trusts you kada?"

Parthavi started thinking.

"Parthavi.. If Vedmohan was not my cousin but just your friend, I would still trust you."

Parthavi smiled.

"How can I not after that interview in the guise of Pelli Choopulu?"

Parthavi frowned.

"Aa kaatu kallu, ghaatu maatalaki, nannu thappa vere evaru fida avtaru? I am sure, no man would want such spicy mirchi for his wife.."

Saying Raghunandhu laughed heartily as Parthavi threw a paper napkin at him.

"No man? But you.."

"I am not any man Ms. HR! Just like you, I am a personality in myself. No one will tell you. So I am telling you myself."

He said pulling his collar and laughed. And she joined that happy laughter too. After all, all the worries that were weighing down in her heart were out now.

"If your personality analysis is done, can we leave? I am so not liking this espresso. I want our Indian filter coffee that too made by Amma!"

Maanas called from behind.

"Rama Rama! Shiva pooja lo bhallukamu!"

Jagadamba hit her forehead.

"Osi ni! Mogudu ni Bhallukam antava? Do I look like bear?"

Maanas glared at his wife.

"Yehe aapandi mee sodhi. Stop your chit chat. Come lets go before the surprise comes as a shock!"

Raghunandhu said and bit his tongue while Maanas and Jagadamba hit their forehead. Parthavi frowned.

"Surprise enti? Shock enti?"

She asked. Before the matter could worse, Maanas and Jagadamba somehow managed the situation and took both to Bhoomi's house.

As soon as Parthavi got down and put a step inside, she felt someone hugging her legs. She smiled understanding. She bent down and took the bundle in her arms.

"Hey bangaaram."

"Atha.. Atha.."

Mitra parroted.

"SURPRISE!"

Then only she saw around and found all her friends with their family. She turned to Raghunandhu who smiled at her. Mouthing a thanks she ran to her friends but did not forget to pull Raghunandhu along.

This day both learned a very important lesson about marriage even before they could be in the relationship or understand its complications or simplicity and kept it in the back of their mind for their future.