"Did you see vennu ?"

"Did you see her ? No ?"

"Offo...where is this girl now ?"

"Pedanna, did you see vennu ?"

"Yes..she is near the mango tree playing with the kids" Deva described the situation briefly to his sister.

"Offo..this girl...🤦‍♀️" she facepalmed which made Deva chuckle as he expected this reaction only from Lakshmi. He had been seeing this ever since Vennela was a small girl.

She was naughty and chirpy from younger times itself. Like a mischievous little Krishna, she used to steal mangoes from others orchards, open neighbours' hens from their coop.... sometimes takes away the eggs and what not. All the complaints of the villagers were received by her amma while she stood innocently as if she had not done any such thing. Vennela always took hide behind her mavaiyya whenever her mother scolded her.

"How many times i have to tell you not to do such naughty things ? I'm fed up of all these complaints from the whole village. Why can't you study properly instead of doing such activities ? You are grown up like a bamboo tree now. People say you should have been married off soon to someone"

Lakshmi yelled frustrated at an 18 year old Vennela wearing a red and green langa voni with hair braided on both sides hiding partially behind Deva Raju.

"Arey Lakshmi..she is a kid no ..why are you scolding her like that ? Paapam ( poor girl)"

"Anna...you are her support always and she knows it well. Thats why keeps doing this.. abbo..look at her innocent face as if no one else in the village is as innocent as her. You come out before i twist your ears"

And this was the banter that usually occured in the household. Neither Vennela stopped this nor Deva had not stopped providing his support like everytime.

Vennela was such a happy baby girl ever since young. One thing that kept Deva alive in the house was the birth of Vennela. The moment she came into the world, she got bonded with her mavaiyya more than her father and mother even. The memories of his wife and son along with the loneliness he experienced were reduced to a certain extent with Vennela's presence around. He used to do everything to bring a smile on her face. He supported her everytime when her mother scolded. He used to take her to temple fairs and buy all the girly accessories she asked.

"You're spoiling her too much, anna" Lakshmi used to say this always.

"She is more than what you all see in her, Lakshmi. I believe in her and she will be a good woman in the future. She is my daughter only"

These words always used to bring tears to Lakshmi's eyes.

Deva smiled wide remembering the good old times.

"I know what you are thinking, anna. I still don't think your words have come true. She is still childish"

"Let's see and you will get the answer infront of your eyes dear☺"

Lakshmi shook her head and went ahead to call Vennela.

"Hey vennu... that mango.. yes that one" Chinna encouraged her.

"Ripe or raw one ?"

"Arey ripe one, vennu. You know i love ripe mango more than raw"

"Ohho alage maharaja..😆" ( Yes your highness )

The other kids chuckled seeing her bowing dramatically before him.

She squinted her eyes and pulled the catapult.

"Offo..missed that one too" One of the kids said.

"Lets call Jai bava.."

"Uh...why ..why you are calling him ? do you think im not good aiming ? See you all have got one mango already and im doing it for the second time since you all asked and you want to call him huh ?🤨"

"Not that Vennu...Jai bava is looking from there"

Kids chorused and pointed towards the balcony where Jai stood watching her giving a charming smile. His thick hair fluttered in the gentle breeze.

"Shall i come ?" He gestured with his fingers.

Vennela shook her head in 'no' widening her eyes.

The kids took her hands and asked her to aim instead of looking at Jai.

Before she could aim, she felt a twist on her ears while all the kids escaped into the house leaving Vennu all alone.

"Ahh...amma...leave my ears...ouww..😖"

Jai bit his tongue and hid behind the curtain of his room not wanting to get caught anyway.

"Today is your haldi and look at you playing like kids when your age is to give birth to two kids"

"Haww..amma..you can't talk everything like this. They only pestered behind me constantly asking. I couldnt deny them. After all, this might be my last time playing with these kids carefree😔"

She made a puppy face trying to melt her mother.

"Okay okay..i know why you are making that face.. everyone is looking for you inside. You have to select mehendi pattern too"

"Ohh..so much works... im feeling sleepy from now on😪" She leaned onto her mother's shoulder pretending to be asleep.

Lakshmi gave a small whack on her bums.

"Hawww...amma seems like you will kill me even before i get married😗"

"Yes i doubt that myself" Lakshmi chuckled and went inside with Vennela tagging her.

"What are you all making ?😋" She smacked her lips together finding her chinnatha and few of her relatives making laddoos, barfis and other treats.

"These are for the evening ceremony. Also since you are getting married in two days, there will be guests around. So we have to give them right☺" Pallavi said smiling.

"Ohh...nice..." a blush formed on her cheeks thinking that ever chirpy carefree Vennela was going to be someone's wife soon. And that someone was none other than her dream man. Her bava ❤

She took one laddoo and tasted.

"Ummm...this is heaven. Seems like i will only finish this whole plate soon🤤"

"Then we have to get Jai married to a laddoo😂" Lakshmi joked earning a scowl from her.

"Vennuu...come lets go and select mehendi design" Some of her younger cousins literally dragged her from the kitchen before she could say anything.

As Vennela was going to her room, she thought to have a glance at her bava's room. But much to her chagrin, his room door was closed.
She was carried by a wave of cousins to her room.

"Offo...can't we select this design and stuffs some other time ?" She looked annoyed.

"As if your wedding is next month. There is only one more day remaining. If we dont apply it today, it won't be red by the time of wedding"

"Hmm..okay. Stop this lecture and show the patterns"

She kept her hair to the front and sat cross legged on the bed surrounded by her cousins showing different patterns.

"No. I didnt like this.."

"Not this one too.."

Vennela scrolled 10 or 20 designs they have showed until now.

"Offo..which one do you like ? You only find"

"I ..umm...dont know actually..😐"

"Excuse me for 2 minutes" Saying that she took the phone and went outside her room leaving a confused set of cousins looking each other shrugging. They continued the search.

Meanwhile Vennela dialled Jai's number.

"Yes bangaram...😍" he lifted the call abruptly as if he was waiting for it since eons.

"Umm..bava... they are all torturing me here😗" She pouted.

"Who all ?"

"My cousins... they want me to select a mehendi design. I dont know which one i should select. I'm confused. I want to know the one you like.
Can you select a pattern for me and send it through whats app quickly. Please..."

"Ohho..so thats the matter. Okay i will check, bangaram. But you dont have to apply according to my wish"

"Your wish is my wish. I dont have any other particular choice, bava. Now you select one for me, soon. I'm disconnecting otherwise they will become suspicious. Okay bava. Bye"

"Wait wait... no kiss ?😟"

"You are so naughty. Everytime you want a kiss. I should save some kisses to give after wedding too. You shouldnt ask always🙈"

"Okay. Then go. Im not selecting any design for you😒"

"You know how to get everything right ? Muah...😘 ...now be a good boy. Bye.."

"Muah 😘...see you soon"

Vennela shook her head smiling with pink cheeks thinking about her crazy bava.

"Where were you vennu ?"

"She must have been calling her husband😉" One of the cousin whistled slightly making her widen eyes.

"No..no... i was..umm..anyways let me search some patterns too. You all continue your search"

"Look at her blush which is so evident😆"

"Hey...I'll twist your ears if you speak lot😑" Vennela tried to become serious hiding her shyness.

After 5 minutes,

*Ping* She received a message from Jai.

Vennela excitedly opened the chat window and saw a beautiful pattern sent by her bava.

"Thank you bava...❤"

He sent a heart emoji back making her smile.

"Girls...I've found a design☺"

All of them looked attentively while she showed.

"Wow. This is so good" They gave thumbs up and proceeded to go with this pattern.

Vennela smiled and called Kavya, her best friend in the village. Meanwhile cousins selected their patterns.

Kavya was the partner in crime for Vennela. She shared everything with Kavya. And she was one of the best mehendi designer in the whole village. Vennela always approached her whenever she wanted to apply mehendi in her palms during festivals or weddings. Both of them used to go to temple daily. Kavya was a family member itself to Vennela's home and vice versa. They had studied together from school to college days, making them bosom friends.

"Hello kavii..."

"What's up bride ?"

"umm...you are coming evening right ?"

"Yes da. You called for this ?"

"I have actually found a design"

"Dont worry. I will apply it for you no. Where is your man ?😉"

"Umm...bava is here.."

"What do you mean by here ? In your room ?😂"

"Chi😳 ...po di ( go girl)😑 here means in our home. He is in his room"

"Paapam give him a company no. He might be alone"

"I will give him company after wedding. You are talking too much kavi.."

"Hey i wanted to see your blushing face now"

"You come here and will get nicely from me🤨"

"Look at you ..all shy.. my Vennela has changed a lot"

"Remember i will also get chance soon to tease you like this. Huh..😏"

She disconnected the call making her friend laugh.
____________________________________________

"Hai dude....whats up ?"

"Hey da... have you started from home ?"

"No. Why ?"

"Be serious Vivek. I know you must have started from home"

"Dont get angry now. I'm coming😂"

"Better"

"How are the preparations going ?"

"Everything is going well. Getting up ready for the evening"

"Hmm. I'll reach there by 5"

"Okay da. When are others coming ?"

"They will also come there by that time"

"Hmm. Okay then. Come safe. Bye"

"Bye"

Vivek, Jai's best friend from college who encouraged and supported him in everything. Saved him from girls' proposals. Jai loved sports and he used to be the volleyball champion of their times. He loved badminton too. Vivek was his partner in the game. Jai was a great cook too. All his food was taste tested by his buddy.
And when Jai was banished by Deva from the village, he was his only genuine support.
_____________________________________________

Vennela was feeling restless sitting at one place with her right arm over the pillow while her friend was applying the mehendi, every strokes made precisely with perfection.

Kavya had come early before noon as the plans were changed a little bit because Vennela had to get ready for the haldi in evening and the dried mehendi would be a disturbance in between, so she called her early.

"How much more time kavi ? I'm hungry ..i want to stand up. Its been so long im sitting in the same position without moving an inch😣"

"Okay then stand up and sit. Already the left hand is done no. The right hand will take 10 more minutes da. After that you can have lunch"

"Offo.. fine😖" She said irritated and her friend chuckled as Vennela sitting at one spot itself is a wonder to her.

"Now lets write your man's name in the middle here"

"Umm...okay...😳" she suddenly got excited and happy but hid her expressions while the blush was already there when she saw "Jai" was written and followed by that her friend intentionally added "Vennela".

"There you go. Jai and Vennela. Match made in heaven😉" She winked.

Vennela bent her head feeling all shy.

"How fortunate I'm to witness the unusual things from my best friend😂" Kavya nudged her shoulders with Vennela's. She scowled.

"I'm hungry.." she stomped her feet on the floor.

"Sshh slowly vennu...ive applied mehendi on both your feets too. Be careful that you wont smudge it"

"This is real torture. Grhhh..😖"

"I'll get you some food" Kavya laughed and went to the kitchen.

When her friend was out she watched her palm and smiled seeing their names together.

"Bava...seems like he is too busy today. Uff.. i can't go and search with this palms and feet. Oh god" Vennela groaned in irritation.

"But i can come to my girl😉"

Jai got in her room and closed the door slightly keeping it unlocked.

Her eyes widened in surprise and gave an excited happy squeal.

"Were you waiting for me ?😉"

"No"

"Really ?😂"

"Yes. Really. I was applying mehendi. See how is it?" She showed her palms and feet.

"So pretty just like you..😍" He gave a peck on her cheeks.

Ufff..this man makes me fall more harder for him each day..

"Saw our name ?😍"

He glanced at it and smiled wide.

"Our names look so perfect together... ❤"

"Yes bava. Absolutely☺"

He smiled.

"You didnt have lunch right ?"

She shook her head in no.

"Kavi went to take it"

"I have already brought" He took the plate from the bedstand and sat beside her again.

"Did you have lunch, bava ?"

"No ..i thought we would have together like this☺"

"But you must have been hungry. This took a lot of time😗🙁" She pouted sadly pointing to her mehendi.

"You must be equally hungry too. It was just a matter of an hour or two. Dont worry"

He started feeding her with spoon while he too had from the same spoon.

"Kavi will come here soon"

"Then we will shoo her away😌"

Vennela gave a hearty laugh making Jai smile while eating food.

He wiped a bit of curry stuck on the corner of her lips which made Vennela conscious and her body suddenly became a little stiff in nervousness at his touch even though they have shared many hugs and kisses.

" Did i disturb you love birds?" Kavi knocked the door with a plate of food on her hands.

"Yes" Jai said casually having the food earning a jab on his stomach by his sweetheart.

"Then you continue feeding her😉" She winked at Vennela and went away before she could say anything.

"Bava ! You chased her away too🤦‍♀️"

"I didnt chase her away. She went on her own giving us privacy. You've got an understanding friend" He gave another morsel of food in her mouth.

"That she is☺" Vennela gave a sweet smile.

" Bava..your friends are coming right?"

"Yes, Vivek is my best friend from college. He will come soon followed by few more"

He looked at Vennela's face keenly which made her raise her eyebrows.

"You are so gorgeous❤"

"Umm...🙈" she bent her head feeling shy.

"I love you bangaram.."

" I love you too bava"

He kept on staring at her with a love in his eyes.

"Don't look at me like that🙈"

"You are going to be my wife in few more hours"

"I know" She blushed.

But then she heard footsteps of ladies coming.

"Bava...you should go now. They are all coming😳"

"Okay. See you in the evening😘" He held her chin and kissed her forehead softly.

"Take care of yourself. If possible, take some rest"

"You too, bava😘" She kissed his cheeks making him surprised.

Jai patted her cheeks lovingly and escaped the room suddenly before getting caught.
_____________________________________________

All the guests started pouring in, relatives, neighbours, friends and colleagues, one by one.
Vivek had already arrived early being there for Jai as a support. He was helping in Jai getting ready for the haldi function. Poorna had also arrived with Manasa much to Jai's relief. Other friends also were arriving.

Lakshmi, Pallavi and others were serving the guests with sweets, snacks and drinks.
While the elder men were welcoming everyone and having the chat with their old friends. Kids were running here and there, savouring delicious treats and playing making the whole surrounding in a festival mood.

Vennela's palms and feet were already washed off the dried mehendi as it got more darker. She was sitting in front of the mirror being dolled up by Kavya and Manasa, while some of her other friends and cousins were in the room too.

Vennela was elegantly dressed up in a yellow lehenga suit having some light designs of stones and embroidery works. Her hands were adorned with three to four gold bangles on each arms, hair was kept open, jhumkas and a long neck piece made her look divine altogether. There was golden anklets framing her delicate feet which made tingling sounds when she walked.

"Be ready to get blushed a lot today..😉" Manasa nudged her shoulders with Vennela's.

She looked at her confused.

"Because Jai wont be able to take his eyes off you throughout the function.."

A small gasp came out of her cherry red lips making Kavya laugh wholeheartedly.

"You two dont forget that I'll also get a chance"

"Yeah with a pregnant belly struggling to walk and talk😂" Manasa teased her.

"Neee..😳" Vennela twisted her ear.

"Ouwww...vennu... i said nothing wrong"

"You both dont tell anything only"

"Its so rare to see our vennu getting shy so we are utilising it to the maximum, right Manasa ?" Kavya high-fived with Manasa.

Vennela smirked as she walked making a long face getting irritated with their talks. But she was enjoying these on one side too.

"Ayyo..sorry vennu..look these are your special days. We were just teasing you. We are sorry😗"

They held their ears cutely making Vennela chuckle and hug them.
_____________________________________________

Time was around 6 pm.

The beautiful yet elegant stage in front of their home, was already decorated with flowers and everything was themed in orange and yellow.

The entrance had a board written " Jai and Vennela's Haldi"

Different sweets-Laddoos, Jalebis, Mysore pak etc. were already covered and kept on the table.
Cupcakes, cakes, different refreshments were arranged elegantly by the event management team.

"Let's call the bride and groom.." the elders demanded, as everyone else was already present there.

Jai came first accompanied by his friends and colleagues, them singing and teasing him funnily till he was made to sit on a wooden plank.

He was a little nervous and too much excited to see his love.

After 2..3 minutes of waiting, Vennela came, her head bent down in shyness accompanied by a group of girls. An arrow struck his heart seeing her so beautiful and elegant. She lifted her head gently to look at Jai who was already smiling wide. She returned a small smile while her cheeks blushed red as she was made to sit on the other plank.

Vennela tucked a loose strand of hair that fell on the side of her face which was all noticed by Jai.

She kept gazing at the patterns of her mehendi feeling a sweet tension.

Photographer was taking their photos from different angles. He took both of their candids too which came out really pretty when both of them were admiring each other.

"Now starting with the elders, one by one come and apply this turmeric-sandalwood paste on the bride and groom"

Vennela's mother came first , took a small amount of the paste in her hand and gently applied on her cheeks making her smile wide. While for Jai, his father came and did the same on both his cheeks making him grin.

After that they exchanged- Deva applied the paste softly on Vennela's cheeks while her eyes gently welled up thinking that she grew up suddenly when it all felt like yesterday that her mavaiyya was carrying her in his arms. Sensing that, Deva hugged her sideways and patted her back for which Vennela too hugged him back making him smile.

Followed by that her father, chinnatha, friends and everyone started applying on arms, legs etc. Same for Jai, his relatives, colleagues and friends were making him painted in yellow paste.

Later everything was so fun that kids, elders, young men and women everyone started applying the paste on each other some chasing making the whole atmosphere lively.

In their little moment, Jai saw Vennela laughing and chuckling seeing the fun going on. She looked at him. He held out his palm and she slowly held his. Jai took a little bit of paste in his palm and applied it on her arm.

Vennela smiled wide- the smile reaching his heart. She too did the same❤

She chuckled seeing him in all yellow.

After sometime before the sieve bath, they put on a song called "chandamama nuvve nuvve" - the lyrics so meaningful capturing the essence of love, portraying emotions with depth and sincerity.

All the family members and guests danced together. Vennela and Jai watched everyone with a smile. Their hearts full of love seeing everyone united in happiness. As she danced, her eyes welled up and she wiped the tears that rolled down her cheeks with a smile, making everyone conscious.

"Are you okay vennu ?" Kavya came near her.

"I'm fine.. just happy tears☺" She smiled through tears.

Vennela was not a cry baby. But she couldn't control her emotions in this moment. She thanked the lord almighty for giving such an amazing family that pampered her like a princess.

Jai patted her cheeks and wiped her tears pulling her into a warm hug earning whistles and teasings from his friends.

Towards the end of the song, he scooped her up in his arms and swirled gently, the moments were captured and recorded.

"Bava...put me down...everyone is watching😳"

"Sssh. Dont interrupt me. This is our moment. Enjoy😉" He winked at her making her hide her face in his neck.

All of them danced to their heart full, captured every sweet memories into their hearts.

Later they did sieve bath for both of them. Everyone showered flowers on them.
Towards the end, their friends threw pots of turmeric water over them making them gasp, glare and laugh finally.

The elders enjoyed the moments of the kids which took their memories to their younger times.

Food was served. There were so many delicacies, but all vegetarian because the wedding was auspicious and they did not want to bring in non vegetarian. But still there were lots of vegetarian options, desserts, juices etc.

Vennela's friends took her to change the wet clothes and Jai's friends accompanied him till his room. They bathed and changed. Vennela wore a gorgeous salwar suit, Jai was in his shirt and pants.

Both of them bumped each other while going downstairs.

He seized the chance and grabbed her waist pulling her closer.

"Bava!😳" Vennela gasped.

"Someone was a cry baby today"

"Umm...that was happy tears. I'm not a cry baby😗" She mumbled pouting and playing with his shirt buttons.

He kissed her head. She closed her eyes and smiled in content being in his arms- her safe place.

"Today was so much fun right...." he asked after two minutes of their embrace.

"Yes. I had not ever dreamt of something like this to happen in my life. I loved it so much❤"

"Me too bangaram. I never imagined to have a big family like this. They all made us special and we are so grateful to them right❤"

"Yes☺" She nodded smiling.

"Now, I'll get a good kiss right ?"

"For ?" She asked him raising her eyebrows.

"For being your amazing partner😉"

"Ohho..we are not married yet"

"This is the starter, I'll take the main course after marriage😏😉"

"So shameless ok ?

"Okay😉" He winked.

Vennela twisted his ear playfully and gave a peck on his cheek.

"Bad babe. This is how you kiss😘"

Vennela didnt understand what happened in those few seconds. He was kissing her lips greedily yet gently pouring out his love, Vennela's eyes fluttered close in the intimacy, keeping her both palms on his shoulder and responding to his kiss making him smile.

She broke the kiss first and panted out of breath.

"You taste amazing😍"

Vennela blushed red and hit him gently on his chest.

"Lets go. Otherwise they will come searching for us" She said.

"Okay. I'm hungry too"

Both of them walked together, entwining their fingers until they reached the destination.
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Yours,
Aiswarya2018.