Ayaan's POV:
Finally, now I am ready for the day, to be panodu (worker) in my own sister's marriage. But the thing is, how should I call that Reddy to tell her that she also should come with us?
I thought of asking Rohith bava (brother-in-law), but he will think badly if I ask for his sister's number. Let's go to their quarters. She will be there only, and I will ask her directly.
While I was coming out of the room, I felt someone tugging my shirt. It was none other than Myra. I picked her up and she giggled.
"Ayu Babaiiii, ekkadiki pothunnav?"
(Ayu uncle, where are you going?)
"I am going to the temple, Myra, with Kavya athha (aunt)."
"Ohh nenu vasthaa (Oh I will come)," just then Priya vadhina (sister-in-law) came saying, "No need Myra, you will trouble them. They will come back soon."
"It's ok vadhina, I am going in the car anyway. I will take care of her. Pleaseee,"
I requested, and Myra showed her puppy eyes while shaking her head.
"Ok Ayu, be careful. And you Myra, be careful and always hold babai's (uncle's) hand, ok?"
"Ok mummy." "Ok vadhina."
We both said it at the same time and laughed. Myra did her happy dance.
"Sare vadhina (Okay sister-in-law), I will go and get the car ready. Ask Kavya akka (elder sister) to get ready."
I went to the groom's quarters with Myra in my hands. She was blabbering about something and I was just shaking my head.
Soon I saw Lakshmi atthaya (aunt). I immediately went to her to ask for Samhitha's number. But wait Ayaan,is it good manners to ask her mother about her number. I mean I don't know... God, why is getting a girl's number so hard?
Then aunty asked me,
"Enti Ayaan, emaina kavala?"
(What is it Ayaan, do you need something?
"Haa aunty, mee ammai number..."
(Yes aunty, your daughter's number...)
I murmured the last line to myself. But Myra heard it and shouted.
"Haa ammamma numberrr!"
(Yes grandmother, number!)
"Myra silent ga undu."
(Myra be quiet.)
"Em number bangaaru thalli?" she asked, ruffling Myra's hair.
(Which number dear?)
"Nothing aunty. I am taking Rohith bava and Kavya akka to the temple for some family ritual. So amma asked me to take Redd... I mean Samhitha also from the groom's side to help... so where is she?"
"Ok adhaa, Rohith ni ready chesthundhi, room lo undhi. Saroja gaaru mundhe chepparu."
(Oh that, she is getting Rohith ready. She is in the room. Saroja already informed.)
"Ohh cheppara aunty," I said to her. (oh she informed?)
"Malli nannu endhuku cheppamandhi amma," I murmured this time very slowly so that even Myra could not understand.
(Then why did mom ask me to say it again?)
Me and Myra went to Rohith bava's (brother-in-law's) room. I saw Anvi, Kiran, and some other cousins sitting on the bed, and Rohith bava was setting his hair.
I looked around the whole room, but she was not there. Now where did she go? Aunty said she was in bava's room.
"Bava veldhama?"
(Brother-in-law, shall we go?)
"Haa Ayaan, I am ready. 2 min. Samhitha pakka room lo undhi. Go and call her. I will wait near your car."
(Yes Ayaan, I'm ready. She is in the next room. Go call her.)
"Ok bava."
I went to the next room with Myra.
"Reddy..."
I knocked on the door, but Myra pushed it and opened it before I could stop her.
I saw her backside; she was arranging something in the pooja basket.
Immediately she turned back with a soft expression and asked,
"Who is it?"
But that soft expression turned into a glare when she saw me.
"Why did you enter without my permission?"
"I knocked, but Myra opened the door. Sorry."
"Ohh it's fine. What do you want? I didn't know you have a daughter, but nee polika assalu raaledhu."
(She doesn't resemble you at all.)
She asked while looking at Myra.
"No, she is not my daughter. Do I look that old to look like a married guy with a daughter? I am rod single (completely single) since birth."
I was saying that, but Myra interrupted me with a crying face.
"I am your daughter. You said right... I am angry with you. I will complain about you to amma (mom)."
"Myra, you are my daughter, but wait... I mean she is Ishaan anna's (elder brother's) daughter. So technically she is my daughter. And Reddy, I am single."
Samhitha looked at me weirdly and said,
"Ok ok, but what will I do if you are single or married? And why do you talk alot"
"manufacturing defect ha...." I gave an awkward smile to her. Why do you embarrass yourself ayu.
She took Myra into her hands because she was trying to kick me in anger.
"So you are the Myra Anvi told me about. You are so cute Myra."
She was talking to her in a baby voice and pinching Myra's angry cheeks. She smiles softly towards myra, and her smile looks so pleasant, the slight curve near the corner of her lips, that light spark in her eyes when she speaks and the way her jhumkas are moving.
It looks like they are dancing to the music of her voice. Ayaan don't be a creep, she already have a very good opinion on you (very very good one)
"Yes I am Myra... akka (elder sister), and who are you?"
"I am...."
"Gayyali dhayyam."
(Fierce devil / stubborn ghost.)
I thought I said it in my mind, but too late. My tongue slipped and the words rushed out.
"Uhh enti?"
(What?)
Samhitha glared at me. She was so sweet with Myra, so why was she glaring at me?
"I mean nothing. Ee madhya ammailu gayyali dhayyam la unnaru, but you are different Reddy. It's not about you. Really. Promise on..."
(These days girls are like fierce devils.)
Suddenly I couldn't remember on whom to promise, so I said the first thing I saw when I entered the room.
"Haa promise on your jhumka."
I don't know if the jhumka looks good because she wore it, but it's distracting me a lot.
Wait... nenu jhumka ni pogudthunnana leka ammai na?
(Am I praising the jhumka or the girl?)
Definitely the jhumka.
Why would I compliment this gayyali?
Ok Ayaan, don't make weird faces while speaking to yourself. People already think you are mad because of your loose tongue.
She ignored me with the same glare.
"I am Samhitha, Myra. Anvi vaala akka."
(Anvi's elder sister.)
She crossed me while introducing herself to Myra. I was about to follow them, but she turned back and said,
"Ekkadiki sir? Bring that basket."
(Where are you going, sir?)
"Enti nena?"
(What, me?)
I asked, pointing at myself while looking at the basket and then at her.
"Can you see anyone here other than you?" she said irritably.
"No, but why should I bring it?"
Before she could reply, Myra said,
"Endhukantey, akka is carrying me so go and bring babai."
(Because akka is carrying me, so you go bring it, uncle.)
Hawww... she changed teams now. Traitor. But a cute traitor.
While carrying the basket and walking behind them, I asked her,
"Avunu Reddy, meekentha mandhi pillalu?"
(So Reddy, how many children do you have?)
Even though I know she isn't married, it's a small revenge on her. She turned back, gave me her iconic glare, and said,
"Naluguru. Why do you care?"
(Four.)
There is no difference between her and Myra when they are angry. Both look cute... no, Myra looks cute, not that Reddy.
I was debating with myself when I suddenly remembered.
"Enti naluguraa, gattidhanve."
(Four? That's strong.)
We reahed the main door by then. Just then Lakshmi aunty came and said,
"Eppudu aa moothi ala muduchukoni pettaka pothey, koncham navvochu kadha. Appudey adugutharu sambandhaalu."
(If you stop making that serious face all the time and smile a little, then marriage proposals will come.)
"Mari naluguru pillalu ela...??"
(Then how four children...?)
Loose tongue again.
Based on her expression, I should probably start planning my funeral. I just gave an awkward smile to aunty.
"Naluguru pillalu enti babu?"
(Four children? What are you saying?) aunty asked.
"Nothing amma, edho vaguthunnadu le."
(He's just talking nonsense.)
Before I could say anything, she answered while glaring at me. I took that as a signal to leave and started moving, but I heard them behind me.
"Maa please apava, we discussed about this at home."
(Mom please stop, we already discussed this at home.)
Then she came behind me with Myra.
I could feel arrows hitting my back. But they were not arrows they were someone's glare, waiting to kill me.
"Choopultho guchhi guchhi champake, mere haiiiii..." this song suits her glaring.
("Don't kill me with your piercing looks...")
When I reached the car, Rohith bava and Kavya akka saw us, and akka went to sit in the back seat.
Samhitha followed akka, but I immediately held her hand. She gave me a look like I had gone crazy.
Before she could start an argument about me holding her hand without permission, I said,
"Panakam lo pudaka laga, why are you sitting in the back seat? Come and sit in the passenger seat."
(Like an unnecessary lump in sweet drink — meaning: don't be a third wheel.)
"I don't want to sit beside you," she said bluntly.
"Haa even I don't want to, but there is no other way. Go and sit."
I opened the passenger seat for her. While she was sitting, I saw Ishaan anna coming toward me.
"Em iyyindhi anna? Do you need anything?"
(What happened, brother?)
"Nothing Ayu, why are you taking Myra with you? She will trouble you," he said, walking toward the car.
"Myra, come out nanna. We will go some other time."
But now who is going to tell him that Myra already decided to come and took permission from the big boss of the house?
"No daddy, I will go with babai and Ammu akka. I plomise I won't tlrouble them," she said
.
Then she added,
"You know mummy already gave permission. Byeee."
She showed her teeth at him.
"Babai come and start the car fastlyyyy," she shouted, waving her hand toward me.
"Haa Myra, coming."
I was walking toward the car when anna stopped me by holding my collar.
I don't know why everyone has a fantasy of holding my ear or collar just because I am younger.
Assalu respect lekunda pothundhi intlo naaku.
(I'm losing all respect in this house.)
I turned toward him and said,
"Haa anna, I know. I will drive carefully at 60 to 80 only, will take care of everyone, and make sure the rituals happen properly in the temple... Is this all or do you want to add anything?"
He smiled."Yes. Don't talk like a radio and don't rush them in the temple... ok?"
"Adhi avvadhamma."
(That won't happen.)
I heard that Reddy's voice from the car. Followed by everyone's laughter.
I glared at her and went toward the driver's seat.
It's been 10 minutes. There is so much silence in the car except for Myra's whispering sounds.
Silence mana prananiki chaala haanikaraam.
(Silence is very harmful for my life.)
So I asked,
"Radio on cheyyochha?"
(Can I turn on the radio?)
"Nuvvundaga radio endhuku?" she countered back.
(When you are here, why do we need a radio?)
"Enti?" I asked, confused.
(What?)
"Loda loda vaaguthuney untav kadha ani." she said, turning her face toward Myra.
(Because you keep talking non-stop like 'loda loda'.)
"Ammu, ala anaku feel avuthaadu." said Rohith bava from the back seat.
(Ammu, don't say that, he will feel bad.)
"Haa ammuuu... feel avuthanu" , I said pressing the word ammu.
( Haa ammuuu... I will feel bad)
"Ee punchulu vaadiki alavatele." said Kavya akka immediately.
(He is used to these punches/teasing.)
Everyone laughed, including Myra.
"Andharki nenu alusu ipoyanu chi chi." I murmured, but everyone heard it.
(I have become a joke for everyone, huh.)
"Entira feel iyyava?" asked Kavya akka.
(What, did you feel bad?)
"Mari avvara?"
(Of course I will, right?)
"Iyyi maathram peekedhi emundhi le, fast ga vellu." she laughed.
(Even if you feel bad nothing will happen, just drive fast.)
"Bava control lo pettu, ledhantey aa kothi nethina ekkuthadhi choodu."
(Bava, keep her under control, otherwise that monkey will climb onto your head.)
"Haa pettaanu le, nene mee bavani control lo." akka said, making everyone laugh.
(Yes, I already kept your brother-in-law under my control.)
Few minutes passed, and I am just listening to her and myra talk. I know myra is definetly telling her about me, cause both of them are looking at me and laughing. Then I heard,
"Akka, can you teach me dance? You danced so well yesterday."
"Why not! I will teach you, and we will plan a surprise dance for the reception, ok Myra?" she asked.
"Myra, even I danced so well, but you never asked me," I said sadly to her.
"Babai, you danced the same way like how the monkey dances in my cartoon, hahaha..." she laughed.
"Indirect ga kothi la kuppi ganthulu vesaav antundhi..." Reddy said.
(Indirectly she is saying you were jumping like a monkey.)
"Indirect ga kaadhu, direct gaane antundhi le. Anyway, Myra, after this one week you should come to me only. Your Ammu akka will go to her house, hahaha," I laughed this time. (Not indirectly, she is saying it directly only).
Myra made a sad face and turned toward her.
"Akka, will you come with me to our home? I have lots of chocolates. I will give you... don't tell babai, he steals my chocolates."
"Babai can hear you, Myra. I won't buy you chocolates anymore now."
Soon we reached the temple. It was a small temple on the outskirts, surrounded by trees and the sound of temple bells. A few people were already standing in line for darshan, and the priest was preparing things for the morning rituals.
She was holding Myra, and I carried the basket with the pooja items. Akka and bava came behind us.
The priest asked us to place the basket near the idol and started the rituals. Akka and bava sat in front of the deity while the priest chanted mantras.
After finishing the pooja and all the other rituals, everyone took blessings.
The whole time she was helping akka arranging flowers, giving turmeric, kumkum, and passing things to the priest whenever he asked.
Meanwhile, I was holding Myra along with her phone.
We soon came out of the temple and sat back in the car.
While returning, Myra slept on her lap because of tiredness. And she was looking outside tiredly.
I was getting calls from amma, but I was busy driving and Myra was sleeping. I couldn't connect the call to the car.
So I gestured to her to answer it.
"Aunty asked us to come back fastly. They should start the pellikuthuru function at the auspicious time," she said.
(Pellikuthuru = bride's pre-wedding turmeric ceremony.)
"Oh, then should I book a helicopter?" I joked.
"Hahaha, very funny kaani navvu raaledhu, drive fastly," she countered back.
(But I not getting any laugh.)
Soon we reached the resort and everyone got out and started going towards the entrance. But while getting down samhitha's jhumka, which is wantedly distracting me from morning fell in the car.
"Oyee Ammu..." I called her.
"Enti ninnaney cheppa kadha Ammu, Reddy ani pilavodhu ani, call me Samhitha." she said.
(What? Didn't I tell you yesterday not to call me Ammu or Reddy? Call me Samhitha.)
Now what happened to her? She was fine before. Girls' mood swings... there is no timing at all.
"Nothing, your jhumka... it fell in the car," I said, giving the jhumka to her.
"Andhukey leni poni promise lu cheyyakudadhu." she said, taking the jhumka from my hand.
(That's why you shouldn't make unnecessary promises.)
I looked at her confusedly but then remembered my morning promise about her jhumka.
Smiling sheepishly, I closed the car door.
Akka took Myra from her and went towards her side. She and bava went towards their side. I went to park the car.
I came back to my room to freshen up.
When I came back, I saw the phone ringing. I took the phone to answer it.
But before answering, I saw the phone.
Shitttttttttt.....
It's not my phone.
She gave her phone to me during the rituals and forgot to take it back. And after speaking with amma, she didn't return my phone.
Shit... shit.
I know I am God's favourite child, but I don't want this much favouritism. Now how should I return it and how should I take my phone back?
First of all... where do I even find her? I don't even have her number.
Ayaanuuuu chachhav poraaa, aa pilla inka em antadhoo...
(Ayaan, you're dead now... who knows what that girl will say next.)