Samhitha's POV
It's been 45 minutes since I have been waiting for that Ayaan. I hate when people are not on time. I called Rohith Anna earlier, and he said Ayaan was already on his way. He said he would send me his number, but it has been half an hour and I still haven't received any number or any call.
And no one is answering my calls either. I think they all got busy with Sangeet preparations.
I noticed a guy looking at me for the last 20 minutes. He looks decent, but he keeps looking at me. He looks at his phone and then at me. Whenever I turn toward his side, he avoids eye contact.
Creep.
Can't they behave properly around girls? God, when is this Ayaan going to come?
Having enough, I decided to walk away.
When I started moving to the other side, he also started walking toward me. I look cool from the outside, but inside my brain is imagining ten different scenes, and my overthinking has already started kicking in.
When I turned back, he was already behind me walking. He looked at his phone and then at me again. He was shouting something, but I couldn't hear a word.
Having enough, I decided to confront him. So, I turned toward him, and suddenly I saw him stumbling on a rock while looking at his phone.
He threw his hands forward.
I thought he was going to fall on me, so I quickly moved three steps back, closing my eyes in fear.
Then I heard a thuddd...
I opened my eyes only to see no one in front of me. Did he evaporate? Then I heard a voice.
"Hello madam."
I looked down. He was literally kissing the floor. He raised his hand. I looked at his hand and then at him.
"What?" I asked.
"Nothing," he replied with a smile.
"Then are you going to sleep there only?"
"No madam. If you help me, I will get up."
Having no other option, I helped him. He stood up and started dusting his pants.
He looked at me and asked, "Are you Ammu?"
"Yes, I am! How do you know my name? And why are you looking at me for the last 25 minutes? Should I call She Team?"
"Woah woah calm down madam. Firstly, I am not looking at you. I am Ayaan Varma. Rohith Bava sent me to pick you up, Ammu. Bava is not answering my calls and no one gave me your number. They only told me 'office building mundhu okka serious looking and chiraaku lo oka ammayi untundi, adhe Ammu'."
(Translation: In front of the office building there will be a serious-looking and irritated girl. That is Ammu.)
"SERIOUS looking and chiraaku? Are you serious?"
"No, I am not serious. In fact, you are serious. Athayya is correct, chiraaku puttaka nuvvu puttinattu unnav."
(Translation: My aunt is right, it feels like you were born angry.)
"Evara Athayya?"
(Who is that aunt?)
"Inkevvaru... Lakshmi Athayya."
(Who else... Lakshmi aunt.)
"Maa mummy neeku Athayya endhuku avuthundi?"
(Why would my mom be your aunt?)
"Endhukantey we are going to be families kabatti."
(Because we are going to become family.)
"Sare veldhama Ammu. Late avuthundi. Inka chaala panulu unnai."
(Okay shall we go Ammu? It's getting late. We still have a lot of work.)
"And whose fault is it that we are late? I have been waiting for 45 minutes."
"You've been waiting 45 minutes? Wow. Rohith Bava didn't tell me you were this patient. Inka nee interrogation ipothey veldhama Ammu?"
(If your interrogation is over, shall we go now?)
"Ammu enti Ammu? Nen edho neeku friend inattu. I am Samhitha Reddy, so call me Samhitha."
(Why are you calling me Ammu like we are friends?)
"Ok Reddy gaaru, shall we go."
"ITS SAMHITHA."
"Ok ok Samhitha. Anyway... we're going to be family. And we can become friends also, but I know someone is definitely not interested in human interaction."
"What do you mean?"
"Nothing... ee pillani evadu kattukuntado kaani chachhadu. Indhaka paddappudu kaali rendo veelu choosake arthamaindhi."
(Whoever marries this girl will definitely suffer. I understood that when she let me fall and seeing her second toe I am sure now)
He murmured that and went to sit in the driver's seat. I went to open the backseat door. Then the passenger window rolled down.
Ayaan looked at me and said,
"Reddy gaaru, I am not a driver. So sit in the front seat."
Without arguing, I sat in the front seat.
"Reddy gaaru, I have a few things to buy for the wedding. First we will buy those and then we will go to the jewellery shop. Is it okay?"
"It's okay. And please stop with this 'Reddy gaaru'. Just call me Samhitha."
"As you say Reddy gaaru... sorry sorry Samhitha."
We bought a few things from the list and then went to the jewellery shop.
I asked about the jewellery in the store, and they said it was ready and went to bring it.
Ayaan came toward me scratching his neck.
"Reddy gaaru..."
I raised my eyebrows.
He looked around and quickly corrected himself.
"Sorry sorry... I mean Samhitha. Amma asked me to buy a few gifts. I know my selection won't be good, so can you please help me choose?"
Soon we selected a few gifts, collected the remaining ordered items, and sat in the car.
As soon as we sat inside, Ayaan asked,
"Samhitha, if you don't mind, can we eat something? I am very hungry and tired because of this shopping. I know a place... katharnak food dorukuthadhi."
(Amazing food is available there.)
I knew if I denied he wouldn't stop, and he said he hadn't eaten, so I said okay.
He stopped near a food truck and asked if I wanted anything. I denied.
He went out and came back with two plates of dosa and two plates of idli.
"I said I am not hungry right, then why did you buy for me?"
"Who said it's for you? I am hungry, that's why these many plates. Are you my friend to bring you food?"
I turned my head to the other side and started admiring the Hyderabad city lights. The city looks like a dream at night.
Then I heard beside me.
"Ahhaaa... ohhooo... ee dosa idli evaru kanipettaro kaani vadiki gudi kattali. Try chesthava Samhitha?"
(Whoever invented dosa and idli deserves a temple. Will you try some?)
"Naaku em vadhu. Thamaru twaraga thintey veldham. I don't want to miss Sangeeth."
(I don't want anything. Eat fast so we can go.)
"Ok Samhitha. Where do you live? And are you always this serious or just with me?"
"Why do you care?"
Just then my stomach started growling.
He pushed the other plate toward me.
"Eat it Reddy. I bought it for you only. I already had lunch."
"No need. I will eat at the resort."
"Eat it. I am full anyway. It will go to waste."
I gave him a look and took the plate.
"I am eating because I don't want to waste food."
He smiled.
"Ok ok meeru ela antey ala ney.. thinandi veldham."
(Alright, eat however you want, Eat it then we can go.)
I started eating. It was really tasty. After eating, we started driving toward the resort.
Ayaan kept speaking continuously asking random things.
I don't know how he has this much social battery. He didn't stop speaking from the moment we met.
I answered a few questions related to Rohith Anna. I knew he was worried about his sister.
But I skipped the personal questions. Still he kept asking random things. Blah blah...
I already had a headache because I didn't sleep properly last night.
"Abbahh can you please stop. Vaagudukaya laga vaaguthuney unnav. Take a break. I am having a headache."
(You're talking nonstop like a chatterbox.)
"Oh sorry. It's my habit. Should I turn on the radio?"
Having enough, I turned on the radio myself and kept the volume low. After two hours of traffic, we finally reached the resort.
Some guys came to collect the luggage. I think they were his friends.
One of them saw me and said,
"Mama eyyyuuuu..."
Ayaan immediately hit him on the head and whispered something.
I took the gold boxes and went to the groom's side.
At the entrance I saw Rohith Anna's parents and greeted them.
Then I went to the groom's room.
"Hello pellikoduku, mummy idhigo gold."
(Hello groom, here is the gold mummy.)
"Hammayya finally vachava nuvvu. Velli ready avvu Sangeeth ki time avuthundi. Nee dance kosam waiting andharam."
(Finally you came. Go get ready. Everyone is waiting for your dance.)
"Anna I am tired. I will sleep."
"You can sleep after Sangeeth. Kavya Vadhina is waiting for your dance."
"Okk sir. Do I have another option?"
I went to freshen up.
When I entered the venue, everything was beautifully decorated.
People were enjoying. Our soon-to-be married couple were sitting in the first row holding hands.
The program started with the bride and groom's performance.
They looked so in love.
Since the moment I entered the venue, I felt like someone was watching me. But whenever I turned around, no one was there.
Then after a few performances I went to dance, Anvi and few other cousins joined me. We danced for few songs. It was very fun. I danced my heart full. I heard people cheering and whistling. Then i my got locked with ayaan, he was looking at me clapping and whistling.
His friends are saying something beside him. He ignored them. But the way he is looking at me. I dont know if he is judging me or encouraging me. But i think its later one cause his eyes are saying that. I broke eyecontact. He can think whatever he want.
Soon the groom's side started dancing. Then the bride's side joined. It turned into a dance battle.
I saw Ayaan in that group. He was wearing a black shining kurta.
For a moment I was shocked kothiki kuppiganthulu kuda thelusu. I felt like I had seen him somewhere before. But I couldn't remember where. ( Even monkey knows few moves).
Ignoring that thought, I continued dancing. Soon everyone sat down and the energy dropped. Songs were playing but no one was dancing.
After half an hour of boredom, I decided to leave.
Just then the music suddenly changed. Ayaan and his sister entered with Hyderabad Dj beats.
Then Ayaan and his gang entered dancing on the floor instead of the stage.
Suddenly everyone stood up and started dancing.We danced for almost one hour before going for dinner.
Maybe Ayaan isn't that bad. I saw how he helped elders in the sangeeth. he is always smiling and giving them answers.
He is an extrovert and talks too much... but still okay.Maybe I judged him too quickly because of Anvi's words.
But still...
How can someone speak that much? My social battery dies within half an hour.
And Ammu... why are you even thinking about him? You just met him few hours back.
Just then a relative came to me and asked,
"Ammu, I thought Rohith would get married after you. But God had different plans. Tell me, do you want to marry my son? You both will look made for each other."
Before I could reply, my mother came.
"Ohh now she is focusing on her career vadhina. When she is interested I will definitely call you."
I immediately escaped from there and went to my room.
Anvi followed me.
Both of us fell asleep cuddling each other
Ayaan's POV:
Finally, the day came to an end. I was sitting in the garden with a coke in my hand.Just then I heard Sathish's voice.
"Orey mawa, bachelor's party ledha?"
(Hey bro, no bachelor's party?)
My friend Sathish came and sat beside me.
"Orey manam adapellivallam raa, manakendhuku bachelor's parties untai. Okavela unna maa akka valla friends tho chesukuntundhi."
(We are the bride's side, why would we have a bachelor's party? Even if there is one, my sister will celebrate it with her friends.)
"Arey eeroju evening aa ammai baagundhi kadha raa," he said, sitting beside me.
(Hey, that girl looked good this evening right?)
"Who is it raa?" Arun appeared the moment he heard the word "ammayi".
I interrupted them. "She is Rohith bava's sister. If you guys do anything, it will bring a bad name to my sister. I am saying this seriously."
"I know Ayaan, you will finally forget that chunni girl and fall for someone else. Tell me... you like her right?" Manish teased from the other side. (chunni girl – dupatta girl)
"Shut up raa. I don't like anyone and I am not going to forget her."
"Then set her up for me," asked Sathish and Arun at the same time.
"This is the last warning. Stop it."
"What is this man? You won't try and you won't even let us try. How long do you want to stay single? I know you are not going to find that chunni ammai. Your pair looked good side by side," said Manish irritatingly.
"Arey listen to me. She is not my type raa. And you know I love that chunni ammai. Even if I don't find her, it's fine," I said firmly.
"Then help me. This is final," said Sathish.
"Mawa, I can definitely say she is not your type. And you know she always keeps that stoic expression. At least she should speak normally right? I think kaaram tho paatu yetakaaram kuda kalupukoni thintadhemo."
(I think she eats sarcasm along with spice.)
"She gets irritated at everything. I spent a few hours with her today and I felt like I was going to die with suffocation."
I said this while looking at the sky.
"Ahaa she is not your type but you observed this much about her" said manish.
"Edhemaina mama, sangeeth lo dance iragadeesindhi raa. Nuvvu naaku set chesthey reception lo couple dance vestham raa memu... please raa," said Arun beside me.
(Whatever it is bro, she danced amazingly in the Sangeet. If you set us up, we'll do a couple dance at the reception.)
"Apura. Ammayi ni choosthey sollu karusthav. Vere pani em ledha? Veldham padha... morning chaala work undhi," I scolded him.
(Stop it. You drool the moment you see a girl. Don't you have any other work? Let's go, we have a lot of work tomorrow morning.)
But even while saying that, I remembered how she looked and danced in the Sangeet.
As Arun said... she danced really well.
The whole Sangeet I couldn't stop myself from looking at her.But I don't know why... sometimes she looks fine, then suddenly she zones out.
She looks around as if she's scared... then acts like she's fine and smiles at everyone, the fake smile. I observed her real smile when she was admiring the city.
She looks like a person who feels a lot but expresses very little.
Why can't she just be herself? Why pretend?
But her eyes...
I feel like I have seen those eyes somewhere. They feel familiar. They hold many emotions.
Whatever she tries to hide, her eyes express everything. Anyone can drown in those eyes.
While walking there earlier, I overheard a few relatives asking her about marriage. Why are these relatives so interested in getting everyone around them married? Someone even asked me if I was interested in their daughter.
And a few said,
"Next nuvve."
(You're next.)
"Ina Ayaanuu manakendhuku raa aa pilla gurinchi. Pelli ayyaka malli choosthano ledho kuda thelidhu."
(Why are you thinking about that girl anyway? After the wedding you may never see her again.)
"But first time aa ammai ni choosinappudu mathram oka rakamaina feeling. Time freeze aipoyindhi."
(But when I saw her for the first time... there was a strange feeling. Time froze.)
"Something feels familiar about her. Whatever it is... don't go that side. You have to search for that chunni ammai."
Saying this, I went to my room to end the day. But whenever I tried to sleep, I kept seeing Samhitha in front of my eyes.
Pichhi pattelaga undhi.
(I feel like I'm going crazy.)
What is this Ayaan? Why are you behaving like a creep?
If Samhitha finds out that you are thinking about her like this, that's it... neeku paade kadthadhey.
(You're finished.)
Asale Reddys... jaagrathaga undaali.
(They're Reddys... better be careful.)
With those thoughts, I tried to sleep. Soon tiredness took over me.
Someone turned off the fan. Immediately I removed the blanket and continued sleeping. Then someone turned on the light. I hid my face with the pillow.
"Evarraa poddhu podhuna naa nidhra chedagottadaniki kankanam kattukunnaru?"
(Who has taken a vow to ruin my sleep early in the morning?)
"Haa... thamari thandri gaarini. Raja kumarudu lesthey pelli panulu start cheyyali. Pasupu karyakramaniki muhurtham dhatipothundhi."
(Your father of course. If the prince wakes up, wedding work can start. The turmeric ceremony time is passing.)
"Ayyo nanna... nen emaina panditlo padukunnana? Leka idhemaina naa pelli aa? Velli akkani lepandi."
(Dad, am I sleeping in a wedding hall? Or is this my wedding? Go wake up sister.)
I said, turning my back toward him.
"Sir gaariki cheyyadaniki job ledhu kaani pelli kavali anta. Siggu ledhu. Leraa buradhalo pandhi dhorlinattu dhorluthunnav."
(You don't have a job but you want to get married. No shame. Get up... you're rolling like a pig in mud.)
"Get up and take Kavya to the temple. We need to do some rituals." Saying that, he went out.
"Haa nanna lesthunna. Eppudu naa job meeda edavadame meeku."
(Yes dad I'm getting up. You always complain about my job.)
He turned back.
"Edavadaniki thamaru em udharinchaaru... everyone is asking the same question. What is your younger son doing? Thala kottesinattu avuthundhi."
(What have you achieved for me not to complain? Everyone keeps asking what my younger son is doing. It's embarrassing.)
"Get up first. Even Rohith bava and his sister Samhitha are coming with you."
"Why is it always about everyone nanna? Can't you see me? I am trying to start a business—"
Before I could finish, Amma came into my room.
"Abbahh... mee thandri kodukulu godava ipothey velli ready avvandi."
(Enough of you father-son arguments. Go get ready.)
"Orey Ayu, call Samhitha. There are a few things I need to give her before going to the wedding. You must have her number, right?"
"Haa Amma, I will call her."
They both left the room. Then I realized...
I don't have her number.
I need to call Rohith bava and ask him for it after getting fresh.
Mundhu mundhu enni panulu untayo... aa ammai tho asaley adapaduchu. I should take her number.
(There are so many tasks ahead... and that girl is the groom's sister. She will be involved in those tasks. I should take her number.)
With that thought, I went to start my day.