Meenakshi and Vicky were led to the car.The scene was grim as all her aunts and uncles had tears in eyes except her Aachi.

"Why are you all crying?Send her off happily she is going to live like a queen with my grandson..."

Ve: Akka! 😭😭

Veni threw her arms around her sister and sobbed on her chest.She was very attached to her sister who was more like a mother to her.Vicky felt bad seeing them in tears.

V: Athai,let Meenakshi be with you for some more days.I will come and fetch her when she is ready...

M's mom: It's ok pa this is the scenario of every house that has a girl child.It will be difficult for some days then all will get used to it.

V: Atleast send Veni with us.If she is around Meenakshi will have a company.Veni will also be happy.

M's mom: You are a newly married couple and she is a young girl it will be disturbance to you both.We will send her there during vacations.

M: Don't cry Veni,when your vacations are about to start you give me a call I will come and fetch you...study well...never do anything that will bring disgrace to our parents and family...

Ve: No Akka I won't I will study well...you take care...😢

M: I will speak to you everyday...😢

She kissed Veni on the tip of her forehead.They sought blessings of all the elders.Getting inside the car,Meenakshi stuck her head outside the window waving a tearful bye to her folks.Vicky was sat infront while Meenakshi and his parents were behind.The car left.

Tears steamed from her eyes and she kept on dabbing with her handkerchief.

V's mom: Don't cry bangaram...don't see us as in-laws.From this moment we are your parents and Vicky is our son-in-law.Ok?

V: Wth!Amma...😟

He shrugged his shoulders.

V's mom: You keep quiet hereafter it is like that only.See,she's smiling now.You can call us Amma and nanna if you want we have no problem.

She nodded.

***

Vicky and Meenakshi waited at the entrance of his house.His mother brought the aarathi platter and swirled it around them.

V's mom: Come ma,step in with your right feet.

Together with Vicky she entered her new home.At the prayer room,Meenakshi lit the lamp and they all prayed.

Vicky led her to his room.His door had the sign,

M: 😳😳

V: Errr...hihihi sorry you may enter no need to worry about risk...😅

He pushed the door open for her.It was spick and span with all white interior.There was a double-bed,a wardrobe,his workstation and a treadmill.The walls had many posters of gaming and one sexy poster of Anushka Shetty next to the long mirror.

M: 🙄

V: Hihihi the only lady who has had the privilege to see me in my birthday suit everyday.😍

M mv: Who wants that privilege?😤

He stared at the poster with dreamy eyes.

V: She's been here from the time I joined college,monitoring my growth...huh...uh...I mean from student to a married man now hihihi...Ms.Fish,you are free to bring any changes to this room but no taking down Anu pappa from here...

Leaning against the wall,he traced his finger on Anushka's midriff.Rolling her eyes,Meenakshi turned and found something dangling from above.

"Welcome Mrs.Priya Vicky"

V: (mv:Oh no...this was there...who knew bride would change...😰))Err...sorry Ms.Fish,I'll take it down immediately.

She looked away and moved on to his workstation while Vicky took down the decorations.

Beside his computer were two photo frames one had a photo of Vicky with his parents and sister.She picked the other one,

V: There it's remov...

He saw her staring at the photo.

V:(mv: Aahhh my crime rate is increasing!!!😭Because of this holi photo my life is going to be black and white...)Ms.Fish!La...la...la...

He skipped happily to her and slowly pulled the frame from her hand.

V: Ms.Fish,in Delhi you must have played holi no...if you have any photos give it to me I will cut this one off and put yours next to mine..😃

However she didn't respond.Unzipping her suitcase she took out her stacked up sarees and made her way to his wardrobe when he intercepted her.

V: One minute pls...I'll make space for your things...

He scurried to his wardrobe and discreetly pulled out Priya's photos which he had stuck inside the doors.

V: (mv:Thank god I remembered these else I would have been kicked out of the window.)Err...it's ready pls come...

Exhausted,Vicky took the water bottle.Meenakshi stacked her clothes beside his.She found a Victoria Secret's shopping bag and took it.Picking the item,she held it up.

(Ignore the model)

Vicky who was gulping water spurted it in full force seeing the lingerie in Meenakshi's hands.

V:(mv: I bought this from Australia to gift Priya when she comes here now it's in Kali's hands...😭)Uh...mm...I've told Amma many times not to keep her clothes in my wardrobe see now you are mistaking me how troublesome for us no Ms.Fish...🥺

He said keeping an innocent face.Meenakshi shot him a 'jejjamma'look and he fell down dead like Pasupathy.She dumped it into the waste bin and strode out of his room in anger.Vicky quickly crawled to the bin and took it out.

V: Wow what a creation!😍This was the last piece on the rack luckily I bought it.One day I'll make Ms.Fish wear this and...hihihi....

He did a little ballroom dance with that lingerie unaware that Meenakshi was watching him.When he turned he saw her staring at him with arms crossed infront.

V: Err...cloth is good we can use this to wipe dusty shelves...🥺

She stretched her palm asking him for it.He shook his head no and hid it behind his back like a school boy refusing to surrender his toy to teacher who wanted to confiscate it.

V: If I give this,you will tear it.🥺

M: I won't do that.I want to see if it fits me.Give...

Grinning he passed it to her.She disposed the material into the bin.Striking a matchstick,she threw it inside and stormed out of the room.

V: 😱😱😱My 200 Australian dollars all burnt...😭😭

***

Vicky's mother was prepping the items to cook for dinner when Meenakshi entered the kitchen.

M: Amma,you take rest.Tell me what has to be made,I'll cook...

V's mom: It's ok ma you've just come.Until you familiarise with this place I'll do.Now you take rest..

Her mother-in-law never allowed her to do any major work so she did little help while they chatted.

V's mom: Err...Meenakshi are you truly happy with this marriage?

M: Of course ma...I am very happy...

She lied to her mother-in-law.

V's mom: Happa...that's enough for me...I was worried if you were unhappy about it like the first time so I asked...don't mind me...

M: That's ok ma...though we've spoken we still don't know each other well enough so there's an awkwardness...

V's mom: Yes yes I can understand...after all the hullabaloo you accepting him itself is a great thing.Both of you should understand each other first then you can think about starting a family.Vicky was born the second year of my marriage after that me and his dad barely had time for ourselves.Running behind Vicky itself my time went.😄😄

M: 😁😁

V's mom: Life will never be the same for a woman after birth the of a child.Those days it was the norm to have a baby immediately after marriage but times have changed so I'm telling you...don't rush...enjoy life as a couple for some years then plan for a baby.Ok?

M: Ok ma...(mv:Never knew this naive mother would be so broad minded.If not husband,atleast god has blessed me with good in-laws I'm thankful.)

They continued chatting.Just then Vicky came.Seeing him,a relaxed Meenakshi stiffened up.Perching on the counter top,he picked a carrot.

V: Chomp...chomp...what were you both talking about?Can I also join in?

V's mom: You coming into the kitchen when ladies are there itself is wrong above that you want to know what we're talking?

V: I can also give my valuable input no...

V's mom: No need.We ladies in the kitchen have many things to discuss don't poke your nose into everything.

While talking to his mother his eyes kept darting towards Meenakshi.She knew he was ogling at her but pretended as if she didn't see.

M mv: ...17,18....19...20,21...

Deep down she was keeping track of how many times his gaze shifted towards her.

V: Hmm...Nanna is also not at home I'm feeling bored...the weather is good.Nice to sit and chat outside...

He thought his mother would send Meenakshi with him but,

V's mom: Your vanar sena must be playing cricket now why not you go and join them?Come up in an hour's time,dinner will be ready.

V: Huh...uh...don't want...I'm going to my room.

Looking longingly at his wife,he went to his room.

***

Dinner time,

V's mom served her husband and Meenakshi served Vicky.While there was no gap between his parents,an elephant could go in between Vicky and Meenakshi.

V mv: She's serving me as if putting food for a leper...will her dress catch fire if she comes near me?Grr...

She sat beside him and everyone started eating.

V's dad: When do you have to return to work ma?

M: In two weeks time but I'll not go...I'll tender my resignation and search for a job in a hospital here itself.

V's dad: But why?Vicky told me about your plans of setting up an eye research foundation in Delhi so you prefer being there right?

M: Yes nanna but it won't look good if we both are living separately...this is his place so it's only fair that I be here.

V: Its definitely going to rain today...

He mumbled to himself.

V's dad: If it is so we'll send him with you...Vicky,will you be able to get a transfer to Delhi?

V: I can nanna...

V's dad: Very well then...

M: Err...don't want nanna...people might say I separated him from you...he also might find it difficult to be away from you.

V mv: Such a wet blanket 😒

V's mom: Aren't you finding it difficult to be away from your family?

M: I am but I'm a girl this is natural after marriage going to husband's house...

V's mom: Natural but there is no rule.It's not that you fought with us and taking him with you.You have a goal to achieve so you're going and we are happily sending our son with you.People will say many things we should do what is best for us.Wherever you both be you should be happy that's what we want.

She looked at her husband who nodded in approval.

V's dad: It is your dream so you should achieve it under any cost,never compromise that for anyone.

V: Cough...cough...

V's mom: Drink water ra...

V's dad: He's doing it on purpose.Isn't it?

V: Yes!When I said I won't compromise for anything in life what all lecture you both gave me? You have to sacrifice for others blah blah now look at you changing sides!

V's dad: Hahaha you didn't want to lose to anyone and always wanted to have your way.It was only about you but she is not like that.It's her dream to build an eye hospital for the less privileged.Her motive is selfless hence to achieve that I am telling her not to compromise.

V: Yeah you have decided to support her so you will speak like that only.😏

V's mom: It's not wrong to support her...what she is doing is such a good deed...so many people will benefit from that and bless her.Isn't that great?😀

V's dad: Absolutely.I'm sure she will make us proud of her.Meenakshi,you have our blessings ma...

M: Thank you so much amma...nanna...

V's dad: What ra?You're not saying anything?

V: I have to tell something?Ok...pass me the bowl of fried chicken...

V's dad: You will never change...

***

Priya's house,

Sitting near the window sill of her room Priya was staring out of the window.Her phone which she held in her hand was playing a video which Vicky had recorded and timed to be played after two weeks of their marriage in the same manner as Priya once did.

"Good morning wifey,today is a special day can you tell what it is?Wait wait..I'll only tell.Last year this was the day we met.Remember now?You gave me the wrong directions and I went roaming around...lol...I hated you then but today you have become my world!Really.I may not be able to show you but I can tell you that till this heart beats I will keep loving you!Be ready,I'll come soon and take you out."

V: You love me so much Vicky but I failed to understand you...

P's dad: Priya ma...

Wiping her tears,she straightened herself.Her dad came in and sat beside her.

P's dad: What are you doing ma?

P: Nothing nanna...just...

P's dad: Hmm can I talk to you regarding something?

She looked at her father asking what is was.He forwarded the photo of a groom.

P's dad: He's also a doctor and the only son to his parents.He saw you at a function and is interested in you.If you give your nod I can speak to them.

P: What is all this nanna?After all that happened...

P's dad: Priya,you have to accept the fact that Vicky is not going to return to you.As your father it pains me to see you like this.I want you to get married and lead a happy life.

P: Pls understand nanna...I don't want marriage...I will remain like this...

P's dad: For how long?

P: For this lifetime nanna...

Falling on his lap,she cried.He caressed her head.

P's dad: What is the use of crying now ma?If at all you listened to me that day and remained calm you wouldn't have been in this state today.

P: Nanna,I beg you pls don't raise the topic of marriage again...I'll be like this...as your daughter...😭😭

***

Vicky woke up.Scratching his head he went in search of his mother.Both the ladies were in the prayer.

V: Yaawnnn...what's going on here?

V's mom: Stay there!Don't come near...today is Gokulashtami have your bath and come first.

He looked at Meenakshi who was arranging the flowers on photos of the deities.Leaning against the door frame of the pooja room,

V: Amma,I don't like Krishnaa we should not celebrate him here...

V's mom: Why so ?

V: He's such a playboy! Not 1 or 2 how many girlfriends he has...pity his wife she has to tolerate him.I only like Lord Rama.He has only one woman in his life...like me...

He rolled his tongue in his mouth giving romantic looks to her.Meenakshi saw that from her side glance.Picking a hard shell coconut in her hand,she twirled it as if getting ready to hurl it.

V: Oops...weapons...I mean amma we should all love Lord Rama and follow his footsteps hihihi...

V's mom: Till yesterday you were worshipping Krishna and calling him best amongst all deities suddenly you changed side to lord Rama?

Vicky blinked like a kid who had soiled in his diapers.

M mv: Exactly!He and Lord Rama?No chance.😏

Some boys from the colony came up to call Vicky.

"Annayya,we have to break the pot,come soon..."

V: Ok ok I'll be there...

V's mom: Oh I forgot about that... Meenakshi,you also go with him ma...

M: Where to ?

V's mom: Just downstairs to the ground.The colony boys have organised this pot breaking game. Vicky is the tallest person here so always they call him to break it.Last year he did it.It will be fun.Leave all that there.You go and watch...

Both of them went down.The games had begun.One after the other people tried their luck to break the pot but to no avail.

"Vicky Annayya is here!Pass him the stick"one of the boys said.

V: I don't need stick my hand itself is enough.

He threw a proud smirk at Meenakshi.

M: 😏

They blindfolded him and Vicky jumped to hit the pot but the guys raised it higher and he kept losing.

Forgoing his shame,he asked for the stick.Meenakshi giggled inwardly.

Despite getting the stick also Vicky kept on missing the target.

"What's wrong with Vicky annayya?Last year in just one attempt he broke the pot now he's not able to."

Vicky removed his blindfold.

V: I give up.I can't do this...

The boys faces fell in disappointment.

V: Hey cheer up ra always I'm winning why don't you give others a chance to try?

"Who else is tall here apart from you?"

V: Open your eyes well and look around ra...tall ones need not only be men...

Vicky eyeballed the boy to call Meenakshi.

"Vadina!"

M: Huh me?

"You only vadina...come,try..."

Meenakshi refused but some girls pushed her to the middle.Vicky tied the blindfold around her eyes and passed her the stick.

Meenakshi stepped forward and raised the stick to hit the pot.Even after several tries she kept losing.The spectators cheered for her.

"Vadina,this is going to be your last try.Come on,you can do it..."

M mv: Oh no I should not lose this time...it will be a pupsooo pa shame...Krishnaa pls help me!!

She prayed in her heart.Raising the stick she got ready to hit when Vicky came running from behind and lifted her by her waist thus reducing the distance between the stick and pot making it easier for her to hit it.The pot broke and the flowers inside fell on their heads.He released her.

All around clapped for her.

"Yaayyy vadina won!"

V: Congratulations Ms.Fish!You did it!😃

However she was pissed.She left the place with Vicky chasing after her.At the corridor,

V: Ms.Fish,Ms.Fish...what happened?

He caught her hand.

M: Leave my hand!

He let go.

M: What do you think about me?By doing all this I will get impressed and I will fall for you?Never!You're touching my waist...holding my hand...who gave you the permission?Just so you married me you don't own me and just so I am silent don't assume I am giving you way for everything!One more time you behave like this,I will scream and humiliate you infront of people!Chi...

She went past him.Poor Vicky stood there looking at her direction.

To be continued...