Samhitha POV:
Today is Sathyanarayana Swamy Vratam (pooja). It's a ritual in our culture, on the next day of marriage, the bride and groom do this vratham. I am sitting behind Kavya vadhina, and my cousins are sitting around me. Tomorrow is the reception.
We all the girls planned and wore langa voni (half saree) today, and Sanjana just didn't stop taking snaps until she got scolded by pedhamma (aunty) for not concentrating on the puja. Now she is sulking beside me.
"It's ok Sanjana, leave it. You can take photos later," I consoled her.
"Later when akka? My makeup will go after sometime," she whined silently. Pedhamma saw her and shushed her. Everyone around her hid their laugh and concentrated on the pooja.
Ayaan was sitting at a distance, cutting fruits for prasadam along with his friends. His eyes are swollen, as if he cried the whole night. Not just his, everyone's eyes in his family, including Myra's, are also swollen.
When she came here, she immediately ran to Kavya vadhina and didn't leave her even for a second. Now also she is sitting beside her.
Myra turned towards me and smiled. I signalled her to come to me. She got up, holding her langa in both tiny hands, and walked towards me.
"Hlaww Ammu akka," she raised both her hands as if asking me to take her on my lap.
"Hii Myra cutieee," I made her sit on my lap carefully. While I was arranging her dress properly, I felt eyes on me. When I raised my head, my eyes locked with Ayaan. There will always be a spark in his eyes, but today it has dimmed. He looks like he needs a person to talk to.
But he immediately covered his expression with a smile... but his smile... it's fake.
"Akkaaaa..." Myra held my chin, turning my face towards her.
"Yes Myraa..." I turned my attention to her. She held my hand and opened it.
"Akka, your hands... my hands red red, seeee..." she showed me her hands filled with mehendi, laughing ear to ear.
I took her hands towards my lips and kissed her palms. She giggled, saying, "Babai does the same thing."
I again turned my head towards his side, but this time he is not there. In his place, his friend is sitting. I looked around but couldn't see any sign of him. Why am I even searching for him? Sighing, I turned towards Myra.
She is saying something in her child language. Even though I can't understand half of it, I still kept the conversation going.
Soon the vratham (pooja) was over, and we took prasadam and came outside the room. Myra is still with me.
Sanjana started taking photos of us.
"Babaiiii..." Myra screamed, looking behind me. She asked me to put her down. When her feet touched the ground, she immediately started running towards him.
While running, she stumbled on her dress and was about to fall. I started running towards her. When I was about to hold her, Ayaan had already caught her. Myra started crying. I bent to her height, holding her shoulders.
"Ushhh... it's ok Myra. You are babai's strong girl, right? You should not cry."
He checked for wounds on her, but luckily he was on time. Priya akka came there after hearing Myra's scream. She took Myra in her hands and went inside, saying Myra won't stop crying until she sees Ishaan.
Ayaan was about to get up, but his head bumped into mine.
"Ahh..."
"Sorry," he apologised, rubbing his head where it bumped into me.
"It's ok..." I looked into his eyes, trying to find whatever he is hiding behind that fake smile.
"I know I am handsome, but if we don't bump our heads again we will get horns" he said, setting his hair after rubbing his forehead.
"What??!!!..." I heard his voice but didn't register his words.
"I said I know I am handsome" he again bumped to my head slowly before I could stop him. "Don't stare at me in front of everyone," he signalled around us.
My eyes skimmed around. My cousins were giving me teasing looks, some aunties were giving judging looks, and some people were just minding their own business.
"Whoever told you that you are handsome they lied," I countered him and turned to walk away.
"Don't know about others, but your eyes didn't lie," he followed me.
"Now stop following me. Everyone will start creating rumors about me."
"When you are admiring me, no one will create rumors, but when I walk beside you they will create aa?? It's not fair," he said dramatically, looking around everyone and giving unnecessary smiles to them.
"I was not admiring you. I just tried to see what you are hiding," I told him the truth, hoping he would leave my side. But guess what, it was a big mistake.
"So, what did you see?" he asked, putting his hands behind him, walking beside me. I looked at him. He was bending a bit to match my height.
He added that shitty smirk on his face.
I stopped immediately. He stopped too. He turned towards me and I told him, gritting my teeth,
"I didn't see anything. Please stop following me. Everyone is looking at me. I don't want to become gossip."
"Okay then, tell me later what you saw in my eyes," he said, looking into my eyes.
He didn't say anything further, but his eyes... they were challenging me, whether I could see what is hidden behind them.
Soon everyone had lunch and went to take rest.
It was around 2 pm. Nandha dragged me towards a room.
"Nandha, I am tired, please..." I requested her.
"No akka, everyone is waiting, come on," like a stubborn girl, she didn't listen to me and dragged me inside the room.
I looked around the room. I thought there were only my cousins. But no, even Ayaan, his friends, his cousins, and my cousins were sitting in a circle.
There were only two empty spots, probably for me and Nandha. One was beside Sanjana. on her other side his friend Manish was sitting. Another empty spot was beside Ayaan.
No way in hell I am sitting beside that idiot.
I was about to sit beside Sanjana, but Nandha pushed me aside and sat there.
"Sorry akka, this is my previous place," she showed her puppy eyes.
"Excuse me Manish, can you move aside?" I asked him, but Ayaan answered instead.
"I won't eat you if you sit beside me."
I thought for a few seconds. It's just a game. It will be over within an hour or two.
I went towards him and sat beside him.
"Okay guys, you know the rules of truth and dare, right?" Sathish asked, holding an empty coke bottle.
Everyone shouted yes loudly.
"Ushhh, senior citizens are taking rest in the next room. Don't shout. Arun, go and close the door," one of his cousins told Arun.
Sathish spun the bottle. It faced Arun.
"This one is for God, spin again," Arun said.
"Shut up and answer truth or dare?" Sathish asked him.
"Dare..." he said, as if he was not sure what to choose, but dare is an easy escape.
"Okay then, dance to the 'We love Bad Boys' song," Manish dared Arun.
"Arey... what kind of dare is that?? Wait, I will give the dare now," Sanjana interrupted him. She started thinking about what to give. Nandha called her and whispered something in her ear. Sanjana widened her eyes.
I know these idiots definitely got a dumb idea... but papam Arun, among all these, he is innocent according to what I have seen. But still, we should not judge a book by its cover.
"Kiss an XY chromosome," Sanjana gave the dare... and I was expecting a million things, but definitely not this.
I looked around... everyone looked clueless, including Ayaan.
"Telugu lo chepthaara??" Arun asked.
(Can you say it in Telugu?)
"Arey evaranna abbai ni kiss cheiii," she explained to him.
(Hey, kiss any boy)
"Chiiiiiiiii....." all the boys said at the same time.
"What chiii? Never heard about BL?" Nandha raised her eyebrows.
Ayaan came close to me, too close that it looked a bit awkward for others.
He whispered, "What is BL?"
I explained it to him. His eyes widened like he had heard a sin.
"Are you girls into these type of stuff?" this time he didn't whisper but said it loudly, still looking at me.
Now he got everyone's attention around us. I looked around, everyone was looking at us. I made a bit of distance between us.
"Not us, Nandha watches it... and what's wrong in that?" Sanjana said calmly, but her expression said dare you to speak another word against it.
"Nothing wrong..." it was Manish this time.
"Arun anna, complete the dare fastly..." Nandha brought everyone back to the game.
Arun looked at everyone... all the guys were giving him death stares, asking him not to choose them.
"Ayaan...." Arun turned towards Ayaan.
Looking at the horrific expression on Ayaan, I couldn't stop myself from laughing...
"You can use my place, Arun," I got up quickly, taking this chance.
We exchanged seats. Now Arun and Ayaan were looking at each other. There was pin-drop silence in the room... and along with that, there was tension between them. I never thought Arun would accept the dare.
Arun moved forward... Ayaan moved backward...
"Arey Arun, champestha chepthunna, dhooranga undu bey," Ayaan warned him.
(Hey Arun, I'm telling you I'll kill you stay away)
"I always thought there is something going between you two... now I can see it," Manish interrupted their sweet moment.
Both of them turned towards Manish. Ayaan glared at him.
Taking that chance, Arun kissed Ayaan's cheek.
It happened so fast that no one realised until Ayaan screamed,
"Oreyyyyyyy... sachaaavvv raa naa chethilooo!"
(Heyyyyy... you're dead in my hands!)
He started wiping his cheek harshly.
"Nuvvu naaku dhooranga undu bey, ila thayyarav enti raa... nenu naa first kiss naa girlfriend tho share chesukundham anukunna..."
(Stay away from me! What have you become... I thought I would share my first kiss with my girlfriend...)
He was still rubbing his cheek. It turned red, and the way he was doing it made everyone laugh.
"Antey bava, adhi dare kadha raa... ina idhi kuda naa first kiss ae raa... ina cheek paina ney kadha bava kiss chesindhi, adhedho lips paina annattu react iyyavu..."
(Bro, that was a dare... even this is my first kiss... and I kissed you on the cheek only, you're reacting like it was on the lips...)
Arun gave his reason.
"Babu, first 'bava' ani pilavadam aapu... edhaina kissu kisseyyyy..."
(First of all, stop calling me 'brother-in-law'... a kiss is a kiss!)
Ayaan said, moving a bit away from Arun.
"Bavaaa..."
Arun moved closer again.
"Apavaaa.."
(Stopp...)
Ayaan moved back again. Everyone burst into laughter.
"Sorry sorry, I tried to control it but couldn't," Sanjana apologised.
"Anyway, you don't have a girlfriend mama, you can try for a boyfriend," Sathish teased Ayaan.
"Ippudu ledhu, future lo vasthundhi..."
(Not now, but in the future I will have one...)
Ayaan declared, as if he had already seen his future.
"That is future, right now live in the present," I said casually, but Sanjana gave me a look saying, "says the one who lives in her books 24/7."
"That's just an escape from the real world," I defended myself.
"Okay guys, let's spin the bottle," Manish spun it. This time it landed on Nandha.
"Truth," Nandha said before anyone could ask her.
"Do you have a boyfriend?" Sathish asked this time.
"Dhaani bondha, abbailandharni bayapettesthadhi..."
(Forget it, she scares all the boys away...)
Sanjana said, and I agreed to that. I know Nandha.
"That's a simple question. no, I don't have a boyfriend. I hate the male species," She said, looking nowhere. All the guys got offended.
We played a few more rounds. Sathish dare was to go and knock on the next door where the elders were sleeping, he got scolded.
Sanjana shared her crush secret with everyone, but Manish got sad when she said that.
Now it was Ayaan's turn. He chose truth.
"Who is chunni girl?" Sanjana asked.
"So what do you think about Samhitha akka?" Nandha asked at the same time.
Both questions came together.
I hoped he would choose Sanjana's question. I didn't want to know what he thinks about me... but I was curious about chunni girl.
"Chunni ammai ledhu evaro theliyani ammai gurinchi maa vodu picchhodi la wait chesthunnadu..."
(There is no such 'chunni girl'... our guy is waiting like a mad person for some unknown girl...)
Manish answered.
"Assalu 8 years aithundhi... thanu real aa ledhantey veedi hallucination aa ani maa doubt..."
(It's been 8 years... we even doubt whether she's real or just his hallucination...)
Sathish added.
"If it's a hallucination, how is her chunni with me then ..."
Ayaan sounded a bit sad. I mean, his friends should believe him, right? Anyway, I don't know the real story, so why should I come to a conclusion?
"May be some other girl's chunni... and adhi 7th stage of hallucination iyyundochu kadha bava, mana Brahmi cheppinattu..."
(Maybe it belongs to some other girl... and it could be the 7th stage of hallucination, like Brahmi said...)
Arun tried to make the situation lighter, but it triggered Ayaan. He looked pissed off.
"Naa maata vini verey ammai ki try chei raa..."
(Listen to me and try with some other girl...)
Manish said, placing his hand on Ayaan's shoulder.
"See, I am the one who is waiting for her. I know it's not a hallucination. I never asked you guys to search for her."
He scolded everyone.
"Leave all that and answer my question," Nandha changed the topic, but at what cost... now everyone's attention was on me and him.
"What is there to say... manchi ammai konni sarlu crack la behave chesthaadhi," he said casually.
(She is a good girl... but sometimes behaves like a crack person)
"Crack aa nena? Nuvvey idiot la eppudu 32 pallu kanipinchela navvuthaavu, situation ki sambandham lekunda," I glared at him.
(I am crack? You're the one who keeps smiling like an idiot showing all 32 teeth, no matter the situation)
"I at least laugh. You don't even show any expression, as if you are some kind of robot. Mee akka manishena Nandhaa?"
(your sister is human, right Nandha?)
What he called me a robot?
"Arey endhuku raa thanatho godava padathaavu," Arun calmed him down.
(Why are you arguing with her?)
"Edho saradhaaki ley lera... pelli annaka konni memories undaali kadha..."
(Just for fun... it's a wedding, we should have some memories, right...)
"Yeah, even your first kiss happened at this marriage. What a great memories you made," I countered him.
"Akkaww, vadu marchipoyaadu... please dhani gurinchi vadhileyyava," Arun requested me. But is he calling me akka.
(Akkaww, he already forgot... please leave that topic)
"Tell me more, Ayaan. What do you think of her?" Sanjana asked with so much interest.
"Aapu Sanjana," I stopped her.
(Stop it, Sanjana)
But she didn't listen and asked Ayaan to continue.
"Konni sarlu kadhu... eppudu crack ae mee akka. Edho maatladithey thana sommu emaina pothundhi annattu chesthadhi,"
(Not sometimes... your sister is always crack. As if speaking will cost her something)
Everyone laughed at that.
"Kondhari gurinchi inka chepthey books raseyyochu ley Nandha,"
(If I continue about some people, I can write a whole book, Nandha)
He ended the topic.
"It's okay anna, she likes to read books anyway," Nandha laughed, looking at me.
"Kondharu chepthey kuda vinaali ani naaku ledhu," I stood up and walked outside.
(I don't even want to listen to some people)
I went to the balcony for some fresh air.
I looked down few kids were playing, and elders were walking. It was already evening.
"Nijaam chepthey feel iyyava Ms. Library?" I heard the voice I didn't want to hear.
(Did the truth hurt, Ms. Library?)
"Velli mee friends ki cheppuko nijaalu aa chunni ammai gurinchi, Mr. Radio,"
(Go and tell your truths to your friends about that chunni girl, Mr. Radio)
He didn't say anything, I thought he left.
I turned back... he was still there, but silent.
I realised what I said.
"I am sorry... I shouldn't have said that. Apologise to me, if you hadn't said those things, I wouldn't have said it."
I defended myself. I know I am wrong but not completely.
"Why should I apologise? I didn't do anything other than stating facts. To accept your sorry, accept my friendship. I will consider your sorry."
He said, coming beside me and standing, looking at the kids playing.
"Those kids remind me of my childhood... me, Kavya akka, Ishaan anna..."
His eyes became teary. I didn't say anything. I waited for him to continue. I know this is the reason behind his sadness since morning.
"But now everything changed... akka won't be with me...
Now who will listen to my nonsense talk...
Who will encourage me to search chunni girl..."
He said, looking nowhere.
"Don't worry, Rohith anna is a good guy. He won't upset Kavya vadhina,"
I assured him, not knowing what else to say.
"I know him... but still, I will miss her a lot. Like till yesterday, she was with us... now she is in her home, with new responsibilities..."
I wanted to console him... but I couldn't. I know how it is to lose someone in your family... but here at least Kavya akka is still with him... but my...
"Don't think too much, Reddy. I just shared it with you because you've been trying to search for answers in my eyes since morning,"
He interrupted my thoughts.
"I am not searching anything..."
I mean... am I that obvious?
"Yes, you are. But I shared it because I didn't told anyone, I don't want anyone to see me sad. I don't want to spoil my charming image."
Did I say that out loud? I ignored is self praising words.
"No, you didn't. But your eyes told... nuvvu matladaddu ani entha try chesina, nee kallu matladthai. You have expressive eyes," he smiled at me.
(Even if you try not to speak, your eyes speak)
"Ohh... then tell me what my eyes are expressing now,"
I challenged him. But I am scared... am I that transparent?
"You are telling me to get the hell out of here,"
He said but he stopped halfway.
He didn't say everything.
What did he see? Why did he choose not to tell it?
I played along.
"Then get out," I showed my hand towards the door.
"Ayaan, we should leave. Come on," Priya akka came with Myra.
"Ammu akkaaa," Myra ran towards me. I knelt to her height and pinched her cheeks. I think she just woke up from her sleep. Messy hair. Pillow marks on her cheeks
"Vennu potu podichav Myra nuvvu... ee babai ni vadhilesi aa akka dheggariki poyaav,"
(You betrayed me, Myra... you left your babai and went to that akka)
Ayaan acted like he got a heart attack, putting his hand on his heart.
"Hehehe..."
Myra just laughed at him, showing her two front teeth that had just started coming out.
"Malli babai antaavu kadha, appudu cheptha... ippudu hehehe," he mimicked Myra's laugh.
(If you call me babai again, I'll tell you then... for now hehehe)
Myra hugged me. I don't think she understood whatever he said.
"Byee Ammu akka," she kissed my cheeks. I kissed her cheeks too. She giggled at me. I smiled, pinching her button nose.
"Byee Myraa..."
I felt Ayaan's eyes on us but ignored it.
"Okay, come fast Ayaan. Byee Samhitha," Priya akka said, leaving but she was giving some teasing looks to me and Ayaan... whyyyyyy????
Myra left me and went to Ayaan. She raised her hands, asking him to lift her.
"Why should I lift you? Go and ask your Ammu akka to lift you," he sulked, but still bent and showed her his hands.
He took her in his arms and started tickling her... Myraaa laughed, wiggling. Their bond brought a smile to my face.
"Okay, byee my dear friend Samhitha," he said, turning towards the door.
"I never accepted your friend request."
"But I accepted your apology, so it means you accepted my friend request," he said without turning back.
"Idiot...."
"Yeah, I know," he said but his voice was low. I think he had already left.
I smiled. This time, I was searching for a reason to accept his friendship.
I saw them getting into the car from balcony. Ayaan sat in the driver's seat. He looked up at me, waved his hand, mouthing bye. Priya, standing beside the door, looked towards me and said bye.
I waved at her but not to him.
Should I accept his friendship...? It won't bring any harm, right?
But he reminds me of someone whom I have hidden from this world. Someone I wish I could bring back to life but couldn't. It built walls around me in such a way that even a thunderstorm can't break them.
But every time I try to read him, he does the same. I don't want anyone to know me that way. The loss I had is enough.
I don't want my life to be interesting, as Ayaan said. I'm fine being nonchalant.
Still, something in me says to accept his friendship. And something warns me that it might take me back to my memories.
Anyhow, after this marriage... there is very little chance that we are going to meet each other. So he will forget it.
"Ina thanu edho aatapattinchaadaniki ala chesthunna annadu kadha... so leave it, Samhitha," I told myself.
(Anyway, he himself said he's just teasing...)
Just two more days... then I will start work, and everything will shut down.