The next day began with a visit to the local temple to seek blessings for the upcoming marriage. The sprawling temple complex was alive with the hum of activity. Elder family members engaged in conversations with the priest, discussing special poojas and archanais for the bride and groom. The temple's fragrant incense and melodious chants created an atmosphere of reverent anticipation.

Amidst the crowd, Prabhu stood out in his traditional attire: a pista green shirt paired with a white cotton veshti, complemented by a brown watch that added a touch of modernity to his otherwise classic look. His dusky skin, polished by the sunlight, gave him an appealing aura that drew admiring glances. Prabhu chatted with his brother, Ram who's eyes never fails to steal glances at Meera.

Meera, surrounded by friends and cousins, tried to stay engaged in their lively discussions. However, her gaze frequently slipped towards Ram, her curiosity about him evident. The occasional glance she stole didn't go unnoticed by those around her, adding a layer of intrigue to the day's festivities.

Amid the chatter, Preethi, one of Tamizh's younger cousins, caught sight of Tamizh teasing her sister for her repeated glances at Ram. With a mischievous smile, Preethi approached Tamizh and asked, "Akka, when will you get married?"

Tamizh laughed, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Not anytime soon. Not before I complete my MA literature."

Preethi's curiosity wasn't satisfied yet. "But what if you're forced by parents to marry someone?"

Tamizh and Meera exchanged a knowing glance before Meera spoke up, "Our parents won't do such things. They've always raised us with so much love and understanding. They never tried to use the emotional card to get us to do something we didn't want. They've given us everything we wished for and supported us in every way."

Tamizh nodded in agreement. "Exactly. They're not the type to push us into something against our will. They've always been there for us, giving us the freedom to make our own choices."

Their childhood had been filled with love and support. Their parents had nurtured them with patience and encouragement, always prioritising their happiness and personal growth. This upbringing had instilled in both Tamizh and Meera a deep sense of security and trust in their parents, making them confident that any decisions about their futures would be made with their best interests at heart.

As they reminisced about their supportive upbringing, one of Tamizh's younger cousins, Kavya, found herself unable to tear her eyes away from Prabhu. Since the moment she had seen him, Kavya had harboured a crush that seemed to grow stronger with each passing minute. Determined to get closer to her crush, Kavya pulled Tamizh aside, away from the bustling crowd.

"What is it, Kavya?" Tamizh asked, her voice tinged with irritation as she was pulled from her playful teasing of Ram.

Kavya blushed, nervously twisting her fingers. "I need to talk to you about something."

Tamizh raised an eyebrow, glancing across the temple grounds to see Prabhu busy with his own affairs. Kavya's eyes were glued to him, which did not escape Tamizh's notice. Growing more irritated, she snapped, "If you're going to act like this, maybe you should just go."

Kavya tugged at Tamizh's sleeve and took a deep breath. "You know Prabhu, right? The groom's younger brother?"

Tamizh nodded still slightly annoyed. "Of course, who doesn't know him? He's been impossible to ignore since he arrived."

Kavya's cheeks turned a deeper shade of red. "Well, what do you think of him?"

Tamizh laughed, a sound that held a mix of amusement and exasperation. "Oh, he's full of himself and quite the show-off. But why are you asking?"

Kavya's eyes sparkled with determination. "I like Prabhu and I need your help to confess my feelings to him."

Tamizh's irritation flared. She pinched Kavya's ear and said sternly, "How dare you like someone like him? First, he's too old for you. Second, you're too young for this kind of nonsense. Third, focus on your board exams. And fourth, don't look at him like you want to eat him. I'll tell your mother and you know she'll give you a good beating if."

Kavya winced, her eyes wide with fear. "Amma Thaaye, please, I won't look at him like that again. I'll call him Anna. ok va ? Please, let me go now"

Satisfied with the frightened look on Kavya's face, Tamizh released her and watched as she hurried away. With a final glare at Prabhu, who seemed to sense her gaze and looked in her direction, Tamizh signaled him to come to the back of the temple.

.

After slipping away from the crowd, Prabhu found himself at the back of the temple, where Tamizh awaited him, her fingers nervously biting her nails. She looked stunning in her red silk half saree, her usual demeanor of playful mischief softened by the serious nature of their conversation.

Prabhu admired her for a moment before approaching. "What's this all about, Tamizh? Are you going to propose to me?"

Tamizh rolled her eyes. "My taste isn't that questionable, nor am I foolish enough to fall for you."

Prabhu smirked, murmuring under his breath, "But you already did."

Tamizh's eyes widened. "What?"

"Nothing," Prabhu covered quickly.

Tamizh sighed. "Look, I need you to behave yourself around the girls. Some of my cousins are still quite young and in this village, rumours spread fast."

Prabhu looked confused. "I don't get it. Could you be more specific?"

Tamizh groaned. "Haan, Ambalaya adakam-odakama erunga sir."

Prabhu's eyes widened in shock. "What??"

"Look," Tamizh said, glancing around to make sure no one was listening. "One of my cousin sister who's too young for such stuff, has developed a crush on you because... well, you keep popping up everywhere with that stupid smile of yours. It's not good for her and let's not complicate things more than they already are."

With that, Tamizh turned and walked away, leaving a bewildered Prabhu behind.

After a few moments of realisation, Prabhu called out, "What am I supposed to do if girls fall for my smile? It's not my fault, right?"

Tamizh still walking away, yelled back, "Then smile less, especially around girls. Don't show your teeth so much. It's simple!"

Prabhu chuckled, "Not possible... it's a manufacturing defect, madam."