Ayaan POV:
It was all chaos everywhere...
Kids are running here and there.
Elders are looking at the arrangements. Bandu melam, music, priest doing pooja
Perfect telugu wedding. Didn't got time even to have a glass of water
But in all this last night keeps on coming in my mind.
"What is happening to me, I feel like I'm going crazy. Assalu aa rakshasi friends ki yes annadha?? Leka no annadhi?"
(Did that demon say yes to my friendship or no?)
I was thinking about this the whole night. What's wrong with me? Why am I thinking about last night's incident this much?
Even while doing wedding work in the morning, I still can't process it. Like, Ms. Glare listened to my nonsense talk... and even she talked with me.
When I was lost in my thoughts, "babaiiiiiiiiiiiiiii" I heard a scream.
I looked around for Myra.
"babaiiiiiii I am here" she shouted again.
I turned back. She was standing outside the bride's room. She was wearing a green-colored langa voni ( half saree), flowers, little bangles on her cute hands, and anklets with lots of bells.
She ran towards me, holding her langa in both hands. I knelt down to match her height.
"How do I look babaiii"(uncle?)
She twirled in front of me. She is so cute.
"Punnami roju jaabili laga entha muddhuga undho naa chitti thalli"
(You look as cute as the full moon, my little girl)
I pinched both her cheeks, smiling widely.
She removed my hands and said,"babai, my makeup will get spoiled. Stawpp"
She rubbed her cheeks and asked, "What is jalebi babai?"
I laughed and said,
"That is not jalebi, not gulab jamun. Jaabili means moon"
"Heyyy I look like the moon!" She started dancing again. "babai called me moon!!"
"Then how do I look?" I heard Kavya akka's voice. I raised my head.
She was standing with both hands on her waist inside the room, waiting for my compliment.
I walked into the room.
She looked like Lakshmi Devi in her wedding saree, with poolajada (flower braid), hands full of bangles, and beautifully applied mehendi. The glow of a bride was shining on her face...
but this Lakshmi Devi is going to leave today with her Sri Maha Vishnu.
Hiding my expression, I stood up and said,
"Achham amavasya roju chandhrudi la unnav" (You look like the moon on a no-moon day)
Everyone laughed.
"Oreyy kothi, amavasya roju chandhrudu undadu kadha"(Hey monkey, there is no moon on a no-moon day!)
She hit me on my head.
"Ahhh... That's why I call you a tube light" I laughed, rubbing my head.
"Tease how much ever you want now, Ayaan, because you won't get this chance after marriage," one relative said.
I saw tears forming in Kavya akka's eyes.
"What is this? Wherever you go, you just roam around. Won't you do even one proper task??" Ishaan said behind me.
I turned. He was looking at Kavya akka.
"What happened kavya? Why are you crying? Did he say something again?" Ishaan anna went to her and side-hugged her.
"What did I say? Achham pandukothi lekka unnav annanu... nijamey kadha Myra??"
(I just said you look like a red monkey... it's true, right Myra?)
I looked at Myra, who was laughing without understanding anything.
"Annaaaa choodu veedu" Kavya akka whined.
(Brother, look at him!)
"Reyy Ayaan..." Ishaan anna and Priya vadhina said at the same time.
"Sorry sorry akka" I went and hugged her from the other side.
"Sometimes truth hurts Kavya, you should accept it" Ishaan anna teased silentlu.
"Kadha anna" I added in excitement. (Right, brother?)
"I hate you both idiots. You will know my value after I leave this house"
She pushed us and walked forward.
"Evarraaa naa bangaaru thalli ni edpisthundhi" I heard nanna's voice from outside.
(Who is making my precious daughter cry?)
"See nanna, your sons are saying I don't look good" She complained.
"Edisaaru ley yedhavalu. You are my precious daughter, you look exactly like my mother"
(They are fools.)
He rounded both his hands in front of her face and pressed them to his ears, like taking away evil eyes from her.
"See akka, dad is comparing you to grandma, which means you're just as dramatic as her haha" I teased her more.
"Enough now, stop it. Go receive the guests, it's almost muhurtham (auspiscious) time" Amma interrupted, rubbing her eyes and hiding her tears. I saw her standing near the door, admiring us.
"Eyyyuuuu Sarojaaaaa..." I whistled.
"If you were born now, do you know how many guys like Mahesh Babu would be in line for you?" I teased amma.
"You just wait... evandi(husband), Chakri anna's family has arrived, go receive them" She ignored my words, but I saw a slight blush on her cheeks.
"Ippudenti... Mahesh Babu lanti maa nanna ni eppudo padesindhi raa amma" Kavya akka said, teasing both amma and nanna.
(Leave now... back then she made my Mahesh Babu-like dad fall for her)
"Get ready fast, I'm leaving" Ayyooo... nanna blushed and excused himself.
"Amma, your husband is getting shy" Akka teased more. Now my mother's whole face turned red.
"I'll deal with you guys after the wedding... just wait" She scolded us. Just then we heard a scream from outside.
"Sarojaaaa..." It was our father.
"You can deal with us later, but first your husband is calling you, go" Kavya akka and I pushed amma towards the door.
She gave a shy smile and left, asking us to get ready fast.
"Avunu akka..." (Yes akka...)
When I was about to say something to Kavya akka, Ishaan anna held my collar from behind and dragged me outside.
"You can talk later, first finish your work, pani donga" (lazy fellow)
"Anna leave, my kurta will get spoiled" I tried to remove his grip, but he didn't listen and dragged me outside like a dog.
I saw everyone, including Myra, laughing at me.
But they were not the only ones who saw me like this.
Samhitha, Anvi, and Lakshmi attaya (aunt) were standing outside holding some jewellery boxes.
Why do I embarrass myself in front of her every time?
I was bent backwards because Ishaan anna was still holding me. My hands were in the air.
I said Myra looked like the moon... but even the moon is not enough to describe how Samhitha looks right now.
She was wearing a kanakambaram-colored saree. Half of her hair was secured with a clip. She wore huge jhumkas, I think she loves jhumkas. Just a few bangles on both her hands, but enough to make music of their own.
In one line, she looked like the word beautiful was created just to compliment her.
Anvi whispered something in Samhitha's ear, and they both started laughing loudly.
"What happened, Ishaan?" Attaya asked.
"Nothing attaya, he's always trying to escape work"Anna lied, leaving my collar, cause I never escape work, you guys trust me right?
"Anna, am I lazy? Do you know how much work I've done since morning?" I defended myself, acting like I was wiping sweat from my forehead.
"I know how much work you've done, but come, guests are arriving. Kavya and Priya are inside, atthayya."
He said to them and started moving forward.
I turned my head back to look at her, but they had already gone inside. Ishaan anna was saying something. When I was about to turn and answer him, I saw the strands of her hair near the door.
I tilted my head slightly.
She was standing near the door... looking at me from the corner of her eyes, controlling her laugh.
For a second... she didn't look away.
"Are you listening??" Ishaan anna asked beside me.
"Yes anna, I heard it but forgot to understand it... please repeat again" I showed him my puppy eyes. To be honest, I didn't hear anything.
"You handle the guests, I'll take care of the work near the wedding" He repeated.
"Yes anna, understood... I'll take care near the stage, you receive the guests" I reversed the work.
"That's not what I said..." He stopped walking and turned towards me, but suddenly a relative came.
"Hey Ishaan, Ayaan. How are you kids, what work are you doing ayaan?" this is the exact reason why I don't want to receive guests.
"Prasthuthaaniki pelli panulu chesthunnanu babai... byee" I quickly moved away.
(Currently doing wedding work, uncle... bye)
"Haha He still hasn't stopped his mischief" I heard him complaining to my brother.
I went towards the stage. The decoration theme was like a temple. Kavya akka chose everything, and Rohith bava... what is there to say... he liked whatever she chose.
She chose a white and pink theme, but there were other rare colors too, which made the decoration look even better.
I saw Arun talking to the photographers. Sathish and Manish were coming from the dining area. Since last night, these idiots have been escaping from me.
"Is everything ready, Arun? There's still half an hour for the muhurtham (auspicious time), make sure everything is ready" I said.
Then I turned to the photographer.
"Anna, please take good photos. Ledhante maa Surpanakka malli pelli chesthadhi... eesaari thanadhi kadhu, meedha... mimmalni pilichinandhuku naadhi."
(or else my surpanakka sister will kill us both you and me... for calling you)
"Don't worry bro, we won't miss anything," he assured me.
I looked around to check everything.
The priest called the groom. Rohith bava came along with the family.
Samhitha was beside him... walking with a plate of diyas in her hand.
The light from the diyas gave a golden glow to her dusky skin. She wasn't too fair, not too dark... just perfect.
She hadn't applied much makeup, just lipstick and kajal.
But somehow... it suited her more.
The diyas were glowing in her eyes... but her eyes were not.
My parents performed kanya dhaanam.
After half an hour, the priest called the bride. I went to akka's room. We brought her in the basket (Ritual in Telugu weddings).
Then jeelakara bellam... placing jeera and jaggery with tamalapaaku (leaves) on their heads, like promising each other.
Then mangalya dharana. Rohith bava tied the three knots. Samhitha was the one who lifted Kavya akka's hair.
I saw tears in my parents, Ishaan anna's, and Priya vadhina's eyes.
Even a drop from my eye fell on my hand... but I wiped it before anyone could see.
Sapthapadi was also done. ( Seven Steps )
The couple and family members went to do the other rituals. Like homam and vadi biyyam.
I was going to the stage only when someone called me or if there was any important work. The rest of the time, I was managing other things like receiving guests. Even Ishaan anna was doing the same.
My friends dragged me onto the stage during talambraalu (turmeric rice).
I saw a few unmarried people sitting behind them.
There's a saying, right... if talambraalu falls on your head, your marriage will happen next.
I heard Lakshmi atthayya saying, "Ammu, you also go sit behind Kavya. Your marriage will happen soon too"
"If that's the case, I'll sit 2 km away from her, mummy" She countered.
"In this lifetime, she will never listen to me" Atthayya said, giving up.
Suddenly one of her relatives said, "Girl, won't you get married? Go sit!" She forced her.
"Why won't she marry aunty, thanaku thagina Pentayya no Pullayya no cheskuntadhi ley" I shouted standing behind Kavya akka.
(she'll find some pentayya or pullayya suitable for her)
Everyone laughed. She glared at me. This time... not playfully.
"Akka's wedding is done, next it's your turn... do you have any love story?" Another relative asked me.
Before I could answer,
"For him, sanyasam ae dhikku aunty. Kaashayam kattukoni Kaashi ki pothaadu" Samhitha said from the other side. Everyone burst into laughter.
(Becoming saint is the only option this lifetime. He'll wear saffron and go to Kashi)
But I didn't. I looked at her.
She was already looking at me.
No smile.
Just that calm face.
Like last night never happened.
"Before I go to Kashi... ninnu kattukuney vadni kuda thodu theeskapotha"
(I'll take the guy who marries you along with me)
I took a step towards her.
She didn't move.
Instead... she stepped closer too in a challenging way.
Now we were standing side by side... closer than needed.
The noise around felt distant for a second.
"Antey nuvvu aa type aa??"
(So... you're that type?)
She asked, faking innocence. But her voice dropped slightly. I tilted my head.
"Ye type ani nuvve cheppu..."
(You tell me... what type)
For a second...
Nothing.
Just silence between us.
Her eyes flickered... like she wanted to say something, but didn't.
Then "ayaannnn".
Arun shouted.
We both stepped back at the same time.
Like nothing happened.
But something did.
I was about to ask her again, but Arun took my hand and pulled me from there. He said there was a problem in the dining hall.
I immediately went there.
It was already time for lunch. Most of the guests had already started eating. We have some workers for serving and other work, but still, in middle-class families, its common to served by us, so that it doesn't look disrespectful to the guests.
I was serving pulihora.
I saw Samhitha coming towards me.
I am confused with her behaviour now. One moment she acts like we are friends... and then she goes back to normal.
"So Reddy, now we are friends, right?" I asked, transferring pulihora from the big bowl to the serving bowl.
"I never accepted your friendship." She said it casually, taking a glass of water from the table.
"But you were about to accept my handshake." I am sure about this.
"Did I say that? I raised my hand to adjust my hair, not to give a handshake." She took a sip, still not looking at me properly.
"Yeah yeah... whatever makes you sleep at night." I took a glass too and drank water.
"What's stopping you from accepting me as your friend?" I asked seriously this time.
She threw the glass into the dustbin and turned to face me. "Why do you want to be my friend? I don't find any reason for that as well."
Her tone was normal... but her eyes weren't.
I don't know why, but I am curious about her. I want to get to know her. Don't think of me in the wrong way, I love chunni ammai... but this girl... she is getting on my nerves.
People never hate me. But she did. So no matter what... I will change her perspective.
And I want to know what she doesn't want this world to know.
She snapped her fingers in front of me.
"Hello Mr. Radio..."
"Nothing... I just want to make peace between us." I shrugged, taking the serving bowl in my hands.
"Still, I am not convinced."
She folded her hands, like she was ready to listen... but didn't step back.
"Are you not convinced... or are you scared of something more?" I leaned slightly forward.
"Don't worry... it's just friendship. For world peace." I wiggled my eyebrows.
For a second... she didn't react.
Just looked at me.
Then
"Babu pulihoraaa..." (lemon rice boy) (in another meaning it means flirt)
One of the guests called loudly. I turned to the side.
When I looked back, She was hiding her laugh with her hand.
"Babu pulihora... go serve" She said softly and walked away.
(Hey pulihora boy...)
This time... she didn't argue. But she didn't accept either.
I continued serving food, still thinking about her.
I heard many things about her through her siblings, cousins, Lakshmi attayya. She doesn't even have many friends, I guess.
But what is making me want to be her friend this badly?
What ra Ayaan... when she is rejecting you, why are you still behind her?
That's the thing, right...
Her rejection challenges me more to make her accept me as her friend.
It was already evening, time for appaginthalu. (sending off for bride)
I was standing in the corner, hiding myself from everyone.
Everyone was emotional. She and nanna were hugged each other and he broke down suddenly, this is the first time I saw him crying. He sobbed, "kavya I am always there beside you no matter what. You can always come to me no matter what. Ee nanna ni vadhilesi velli...pothunnava amma?" (are you going by leaving this father).
Others tried to control him, but I know how akka is the closest person to him. She is like his little princess. Amma and vadhina joined her. I still remember how much vadhina cried during her time.
It took her months to adjust in our home. Now akka is going to face. I felt like if it was in my hands I would have stopped. Kaani middle class bathukulu. Ammai annaka pelli chesi pampaali, abbai annaka sampaadinchaali. (a daughter should be married anyhow and a son should earn for the family.)
Anything can be changed but the way society rules the mindset of middleclass families.... Never even if we tried.
Kavya akka hugged everyone and cried a lot. I felt very helpless. I mean, every time she cries its because I tease her... but this time it was different.
I wanted to do something to stop her crying... but I couldn't. it felt like my heart is crushing.
Even my eyes started watering. I wiped them. I don't want to show everyone that I am crying for this kothi.(monkey)
When she went to hug Ishaan anna, he was already holding Myra. After seeing them, even Myra started crying.
I turned to the other side. Even Ishaan anna, who rarely shows emotions, started crying.
Kavya akka looked around and called me, "Ayu... where is he?"
I didn't went there.
I know... if I see her teary eyes, I can't control myself anymore.
She called me again, this time she saw me in the corner, she ran towards me.. my family followed her.
"Hey monkey, I'm leaving and you won't even hug me? Who will you irritate now? Your headache is gone. Ayaan... I'm leave ..." Before she could complete....
I hugged her tightly.
And broke down. "Ak..akkaahh....."
I fell on my knees infront of her joining my hands, even she sat there holding my hands in her, just the way she used to hold while we are going to school.
"Akka, you can stay right... let's ask bava to come to our house instead..." She tightened the hug. Ishaan anna was rubbing my back, trying to control me.
But I thigtened my hug, people around us saying many things to stop me but they don't know my pain.
"This was wri..written in my fate the mo..ment I was born as a girl..." She tried to control me.
"Whoever wrote that fate... I think he ne.. never had a daughter or sisters... I can't live wit...without you, akka..."
I thought I wouldn't cry... but now I couldn't control it anymore.
Amma and nanna came to my other side.
"Arey Ayaan, your brother-in-law is waiting..." Amma said.
"Akka, you are my be..best fri..hend... stay back akka... we'll go on long drives... I'll get you all your favourite ice creams... I'll listen to whatever you say... I won't do any pranks..."
I started hiccuping.
Akka ruffled my hair like she always do, but this time I didn't got irritated I joined my right hand to her hand and asked her, "promise me that, even if it's the slightest problem you will share it with me. Promise on me ak..akk... akkaaaa...".
"I.. Pro...promise chinnaa...." She kissed my forehead.
Even amma hugged us and started sobbing again.
"Ayaan, control yourself... akka has to leave, it's time... we can meet her anytime we want." Ishaan anna said beside me.
"I can...can't, anna..." i was hiccupping now.
"You said you won't cry, and now you're crying like you'll fill drums..." Akka commented to make me stop.
"I'm not crying... you started it... go... now you'll be your husband's headache from now on..." I loosened my hold on her. My didn't left her.
Everyone laughed at my words.
Suddenly, my eyes locked with Samhitha.
Even she was laughing... with tears in her eyes. Her father was holding her so close... as if she was the one leaving.
"Bava, if you don't take care of my sister properly, I'll give her a blue drum..." I said to Rohith bava.
"Your sister doesn't need a blue drum... kanti chooputho champesthundhi ley bamardhi..." He joked, and akka glared at him.
(she can kill with just her looks, brother-in-law...)
"Look at this glare... I fell for this look... now I'll fall for it daily ..." He said, placing his hand on his heart.
"What?" Akka asked in a fake serious tone.
Amma and nanna took her towards him.
"I'll fall in your love, baby... nuvvu choopultho guchhadam aaputhey manam veldham..."
( if you stop stabbing me with your looks, we can leave...)
He held her hand and kissed her knuckles. She got shy and hid in his hold.
"Don't worry everyone... I'll take good care of your Kavya..." He assured loudly to everyone.
"All my tension is only because of you, bava..." I added, and akka hit me on my biceps.
"This is my fate in this life, brother-in-law..." He said sadly and opened the car door for her.They both sat in the car.
The car started moving slowly... and the baarath also started.
My friends and I danced along with others.
It was night when akka left for her new home... her new life.
I went towards Myra to hold her.
Her nose had turned red from crying.
When I was about to take her from Ishaan anna, he stopped me.
"What happened, anna?" I asked.
"Since Kavya left, your anna isn't leaving Myra... as if she's getting married tomorrow and leaving..." Vadhina said beside him.
I can understand. Even for me... she is my first daughter.
Even in the future, even if I have kids... naa chitti thalli naaku eppudu first kuthurey.
(My little girl will always be my first daughter)
The thought of her leaving... is not even digestible.
"Ayaan, now both brothers can sit and cry holding Myra later... for now come, let's go ..."
We went home after that. During dinner, amma remembered akka and cried again.
It feels so empty in the house without her. We always fight during dinner... now I became alone. Anna will be busy with his work.
In all this mess, I forgot about Samhitha and the friendship. I was already too tired.
The moment I hit the bed... sleep immediately engulfed me.