“Idiot!”

“Lucky and Abhay! Stop fighting!” Yelled Phalguni, their music teacher and Lucky’s aunt. She's an architect by profession. 

It's half past eight in the morning of early May. Sun rays radiated throughout the terrace, illuminating the newly ripened mangoes from the age-old mango tree. 

Phalguni's students sat under the shade of the mango tree on the straw mat. Melodious tunes of Carnatic music could be heard by the entire street. It is harmonious to the ears as the first thing in the morning for the neighbourhood on the weekends. 

The kids practiced along with their teacher. Amidst the music, Lucky’s ears did not miss the engine sound of her father's Yamaha RX 100.  It's an everyday ritual of her father to visit the temple in the morning at quarter to 9 o’clock. That means the music class is about to end.

Soon the class ended. Lucky folded the mat and ran downstairs. 

“Thataya!!!” She sang, running down. Her mother's yells caught her attention from the house beside. Shravani, mother of Lucky and sister of Phalguni. She's a classical dancer. Both houses are separated by a parapet wall.

Keeping the mat behind the front door, Lucky ran towards the parapet wall. 

“What is it, Amma?” She asked her mother, standing on her toes and leaned in as she lifted her silk skirt to balance.

Shravani handed a steel box of laddus and asked to give it to her grandmother.

Lucky ran back inside with the box.

“Thataya!!!” She sang as she handed the box to him.

“Lucky! Done with your music class?” Enquired Aravind, keeping the newspaper aside. Film songs started to play on the radio. 

“Done Thataya!” Replied Lucky, giving him a known smile.

Aravind took the box and opened it. He handed Lucky a laddu and he relished another one.

His wife Bhadravati came from the kitchen and handed him his second coffee for the day. 

She took the box from him as she scolded them.

“These are for the guests! It's quarter past nine; they're going to arrive soon. Go and get ready! Where's Phalguni?” She asked them.

“Pinni is still on the terrace, ammama,” replied Lucky. 

Bhadravati hurriedly went to call her daughter down to get ready as today's her Pelli choopulu. 

The smell of the freshly brewed filter coffee hit Aravind's nostrils as he enjoyed every sip.

A little while later, the groom's family arrived. Pleasantries were exchanged. The house was filled with laughter, jokes, and warmth.

Phalguni nervously glanced at the groom, Akash, a passionate paediatrician. 

It was time for them to talk in private. Shravani nudged Phalguni to take Akash on to the terrace to speak.

Phalguni slowly climbed the stairs, with Akash following her.

“Hello, Ms. Phalguni,” he politely greeted her.

Phalguni returned his greetings with a nervous smile. Her hands played with the hem of her saree, thinking of ways to break the news.

“So… Do you want to ask anything?” Akash awkwardly asked Phalguni. 

“Hmm… Akash, I don't know how to say this, but…” hesitated Phalguni. 

“Go on, I wouldn't mind Phalguni,” assured Akash.

Phalguni glanced at Akash with guilt as she told the truth. 

“I can't marry you, Mr.Akash!”

Twenty fifth rejection 

This is the twenty-fifth time Akash got rejected. 

“Is it because you love someone else?” Asked Akash facing the similar rejection. 

“No,” replied Phalguni, softly. 

“Is it the age gap?”

Phalguni lightly shook her head to the side as no.

“My profession?”

“Absolutely not, Mr. Akash! I truly admire your dedication and service.”

“Is it because of my dressing sense or my colour?” Asked Akash with disappointment in his voice. 

“No!” Yelled Phalguni, her voice louder than intended.

“Then what is it?” Asked Akash slightly annoyed. 

“Your name,” replied Phalguni as she glanced at Akash, afraid of his reaction. 

“WHAT?!”  Akash shouted, shocked.

Glossary

Thataya- grandfather

Ammama- maternal grandmother

Amma- mother

Pinni- Aunt

Pelli choopulu- matchmaking

Laddus- A type of sweet