Ayaan POV:
"Assal nenantey lekka lekunda pothundhi andharki, entha intlo chinnodni ithey... anni panulu neney cheyyali." I sighed, getting down from my bike.
(No one seems to take me seriously. Just because I am the youngest in the house... I have to do every single job.)
"Maa akka pelli naa saavukochhetattu undhi." (My sister's wedding is going to kill me.)
Sorry, you guys don't know the context, right? When I was about to go out to give her phone, my father and Ishaan anna came to me. They asked me to go to the function hall and check everything. I denied, but tomorrow they will start the arrangements. I had to go today.
I told anna that my phone was missing and that I needed to search for it, but my father scolded me.
"Mr. Minister, take my other phone for now and go. Since it's from the bride's side, everything should be perfect. Check all the arrangements properly. Don't rush and do things half-heartedly".
He gave me his old phone, and they both left my room.
Having no other option, I took the phone. I kept her phone in the cupboard and went to the hall. Around 2000 people will come, so we should be careful with the arrangements.
It was already midnight when I came back. I checked the groom's side, but only a few boys were there. I didn't see her or her cousins, so I thought of returning the phone tomorrow.
I heard laughs from the terrace. I knew it was my friends, so I went there. They were all sitting in a circle on chairs, having some snacks with beer.
"Where did you go, bro? You are not answering the phone?" Sathish enquired, giving me his beer tin.
"Bava, mee intlo panollu lerani mammalni pilichaavu kadha ra?" complained Arun.
(Bro, you called us saying there were no workers in your house, right?)
"It's ok raa, it's our sister's marriage anyway," Manish said, laughing.
"No need raa," I refused beer and took some snacks to eat.
"First of all, I don't even have my phone with me," I said, cracking my neck, then my eyes went to the moon.
Nelavanka... kanipinchi kanipinchakunda, pournami rojuna maathrame dharshanam isthaanantu.
The crescent moon appears and disappears, as if promising to reveal its full beauty only on the night of the full moon.
Aa koncham kanipinche velugu kuda mabbula venakala dhaagi andarini aatapattisthundhi.
Even that faint sliver of light hides behind the clouds, playfully teasing the world.
Achham aa chunni ammai aa roju naa vanka choosinattu.
Just like the girl with the chunni who once glanced in my direction that day.
Thana kurula konalo choosindhi kabatti moham poorthiga kanipinchaledhu.
She looked at me from behind the curtain of her hair, so I couldn't see her face clearly.
Kaani sarigga choodham anukune sariki thanani theesukellipoyaaru.
And just when I wished to see her properly... she was taken away.
Thana chunni ni maathrame thana gnapakanga naatho vadhilesi vellindhi.
All she left behind was her chunni... a small memory that stayed with me.
Ee nelavanka pournamiki aina poorthi dharshanam isthundhi.
At least the crescent moon returns one day as a full moon.
Kaani naa devatha naaku eppudu dharshanam isthundho...
But I do not know when my goddess will appear before me.
Naa jeevitham lo aa chedhu roju ni thanavalla entha kashtamaina marchipolenu.
Because of her, that day in my life is something I can never forget.
Ekkada unna vethukutha... enni ugaalu dhaatina eduruchustha thanakosam.
Wherever she may be, I will search... and even if ages pass, I will wait for her.
Naa nelavanka ni pournami la naa jeevitham loki aahvanisthaanu...
One day, like the full moon lighting up the night sky, I will welcome my crescent moon into my life.
"What happened, Ayaan? We are speaking here and you are looking at the moon and smiling like an idiot," Arun said, bringing me out of my imagination.
"Nothing raa... what happened? What are you guys speaking?" I asked him.
"You said your phone is not with you. Then how did you see our messages?" Sathish asked.
I looked at them in confusion.
"What...?"
Then I understood what he meant and shouted, "WHATTT...?"
I think she saw the messages. She looked decent... how can she read someone's messages like that?
"What did you guys text?" I enquired.
"Hahaha nothing raa, we just asked where you are... that's all," Manish said, looking everywhere except at me.
"That's all raa," everyone joined him getting up from there seats.
I looked at them accusingly, but they all immediately left, saying,
"Siggu ledhu, akka pelli pettukoni time pass chesthunnav."
(You have no shame... your sister's wedding is going on and you are wasting time here.)
"Who is time passing?" I questioned myself and turned to ask them more about the texts. But they ran fast as if I was chasing them.
"Weirdos," I sighed.
"Not more than you, Ayu..." I heard a voice.
"Eh... eh... who is it?"
"How can you forget me, bro, just because you are busy? Nenu raa nee Chintu gaanni."
(It's me, your Chintu.)
"Ohh nuvva... it's been so many days since I heard from you. Are you alive, bro?"
It's my subconscious mind. Normally people get tired of my blabbering, so I speak with my subconscious mind.
"Yes Ayu, it's just that you are busy. So I didn't disturb you. Now go and rest. Save your energy. There's going to be a hell of a lot of work in the coming days," it answered my question.
"Nijame raa. Ok bye."(True.)
I went to my room. After freshening up, I drifted off to sleep.
Suddenly, I heard a phone ringing. I don't have my phone with me, right? Then whose phone is this? Everything in this universe seems to have a problem with my sleep.
Rubbing my eyes, I woke up. The ringing was coming from the shelf. I walked towards it and saw... ohh, it's her phone.
What the hell? Why does she even put an alarm at 4:30 in the morninggg? Who even wakes up at that time?
Then I saw the phone blinking.
Shit... there is only 2 percent battery. Her phone has a few missed calls, messages, emails and all, but it's locked. I should return it to her as soon as possible, ledhantey ammai kaastha aparakaali aipothundhi.
(Otherwise that girl will become a dangerous kaali.)
It's not even my waking-up time, but I lost my sleep because of this damn phone. Ok anyway, Ayaan... let's get ready for the day.
I went to the washroom and came out after a shower. What should I wear today? No matter what I wear, at the end of the day I will look like a beggar.
I went outside and saw a few people already awake. I checked the time, it was 5:20 am. I went to the kitchen to make tea. Priya vadhina was already there.
"Vadhina, oka manchi kadak chai ivvava?" I asked her.
(Sister-in-law, can you give me a strong tea?)
"I already made ginger tea. It's boiling on the stove. Pour it into glasses for you and your brother."
"Abbahh, podhu podhuna nee chethi chai thaagalantey ekkado manchaskoni puttalsindhey. Ishaan anna is lucky."
(Wow, to drink tea made by you early in the morning, one must be born very lucky somewhere.)
"Kaaka pettindhi chaalu ley kaani, go and give tea to Ishaan," she laughed, arranging turmeric and other things on a plate. I think they are for the haldi. (stop your over hype)
I took tea in two cups and went to give it to Ishaan anna. But suddenly my father came in front of me with a shocked face.
"What happened nanna? Why are you reacting as if you saw a ghost" I asked.
"You are not ghost? What time is it? I think tsunami is coming somewhere, that you woke up so early? And now you are even serving tea?" he said in shock.
"That much reaction is not needed nanna. As a younger son, it's my responsibility to take care of everything," I said with pride raising my shoulders.
"Haa, I know about your responsibilities," he said and took a cup from my plate.
"Nanna that cup..." I stopped him before he could take a sip.
"what...?" he raised his eyebrows.
I knew if I said it was my cup, he would taunt me again. Ok Ayaan... let's pour another cup. I went back to the kitchen, but vadhina had already left. So this time I poured six more cups.
I saw Ishaan anna sitting in the pandhiri (its like a tent done with leaves in Telugu weddings). By the time I reached him, only three cups were left on plate. I sat beside him and gave him tea. He gave the same expression as my father.
"Anna, don't be so shocked. It's just me, Ayaan, not a ghost. I woke up early because I had some work," I explained before he could express his shock. He is a person of less words.
"How is the work going on? Did you check everything in the function hall?" he asked, taking a sip from his cup.
I didn't answer him and just enjoying my morning tea.
"Ayaan, I am asking you only. Did you check the decoration and food arrangements?" this time he asked a bit loudly.
"Ahhh aagu anna, chevulu chillulu padey laga arusthunnav. I checked everything. Don't worry," I assured him.
(Wait anna, you are shouting, my ears will burst.)
We both enjoyed our tea while looking at the arrangements. After doing a few works, I came to my room to take my bike keys. Then I saw her phone.
I think she woke up. I will return this and take my phone. I took her phone and went out, playing with my bike keys.
These days I am not spending time with Myra. She is busy being thoda pellikuthuru, and I am busy with work. I miss my cutiepie.
I walked towards the groom's side, but I didn't see her anywhere. One uncle came towards me and asked,
"What do you want, son?"
"Nothing uncle." I said and went to search for her.
Soon another one came towards me and asked,
"Whom are you searching?"
"Neekendu ayya nenu evarni vethukuthey," I murmured.
(Why do you care whom I am searching for?)
But he was still looking at me.
"No one uncle," I said.
Mahathalli ekkada undho??
(Where is that girl?)
I thought of asking someone, but I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned to see who it was.
They were Rohith bava's parents along with some other people. They introduced me to them and left.
Now these senior citizens started asking me viva about my life.
"What do you do, son? Are you married? Or will you do a love marriage like Rohith" asked one aunty.
"I have business plans. Right now I'm not interested in marriage or love aunty."
"If not now, then when?" they laughed and continued with viva.
"Haa aunty, I have a bit of work. I will talk with you later," finally I escaped.
I was searching for her the whole time. Won't she have minimum common sense to return my phone? She even saw messages. Assalu samajam lo manners lekunda pothundhi.
(People are completely losing manners these days.)
"Evaru kavali?" I heard a sharp voice. (Who do you want?)
"Ippudey evadu ra babu?" (who the hell it is now?)
I saw an uncle looking at me seriously.
"Naaku evvaru vadhu uncle," I said, scratching my neck.
(I don't need anyone, uncle.)
"I was observing you since you came here. You are searching for someone."
"Mee no uncle, you might be mistaken. I came to meet Rohith bava."
"But this is not the way to Rohith's room. You are going towards the girls' room."
"Sorry uncle, I didn't know that. Where is Rohith bava?"
He looked at me from top to bottom as if I was a creep.
"Rohith is ...."
"Ayaan anna, what are you doing here?"
I saw Anvi coming towards me behind uncle.
"Anvi, I am searching for Rohith bava. Do you know where he is?" I asked her fastly to escape him.
"Haa anna. Rohith anna and others are in the backyard. It's haldi second day right, everyone is playing there." She answered.
She came towards me saying, "Daddy, mummy is calling you"
"Daddy? Uncle... you are Samhitha's father?" I think my eyes were about to pop out in shock. Don't worry, I react too much for everything.
"Yes. Do you have any problem with it?" he asked strictly.
"Umm... no uncle, why will I have any problem with that? Haha... Anvi, let's go to Rohith bava."
I gave him an awkward smile and went with Anvi.
"Anvi, you said everyone is there right... so ammu is also there right?" I asked while walking beside the swimming pool.
"Haa anna, ammu akka is also there only. Why?" she questioned me.
"Noth—"
I was about to answer, but then someone collided with me.
It was none other than Samhitha.
We were about to fall, but I held her waist and pulled her closer to me to balance us.
The minute my hands touched her waist, I felt a shiver run through my spine. This is the first time I came this close to a girl. I pulled her more towards me thinking she might fall.
She closed her eyes in fear, but then slowly opened them. She has dark black eyes. It reminded me of the dark sky before raining. The depth in her eyes even ocean's depth seems less. But her eyes looked a bit familiar.
I could hear my heartbeat rising. I think even she could feel that, because her hand was right on my heart. I feel like my body is paralysed. I want to stand straight. In fact, I am trying. But no part of my body is moving.
Then I felt water splash.
"Great... this was the only thing missing. Next they'll start Holi here."
"Ayaan, do something first. Look at her... she is planning your funeral." my subconscious warned me.
Yeah, I am looking at her only. That's why I am not able to do anything. She started wiggling in my hands.
I suddenly removed my hands from her waist. It suddenly felt empty.
Out of balance, she was about to fall into the pool. In reflex, she held my hand and pulled me.
"Ahhh....."
"Ahhhhhhhhhhh....."
We both screamed at the same time and fell into the pool.
"Aaaa naaku inka pelli kuda kaaledhu raaa... appudey pothunnana...
Akka pelli lo swimming pool lo padi chanipoina yuvakudu ani inka paper lo vasthadhi...
Evaranna kaapandi pleaseeee... na business lo shares istha!"
(I'm not even married yet and I'm dying already...
Tomorrow the newspaper will say: "Young man dies by falling into swimming pool at his sister's wedding"...
Someone save me please... I'll give shares in my business!)
I was blabbering something. Then she immediately held my shirt collar and pulled me out of the water.
"Ehee aapu! Swimming pool lo padthey sasthaava?" she shouted at me.
(Stop it! Will you die just by falling into a swimming pool?)
Then I looked around. The water only reached till my waist.
"Oh... how would I know? I thought the pool was deep".
I suddenly realised.
"Shit... shit..." Her phone fell into the swimming pool.
"What happened again?" she gritted her teeth.
"Phone... I mean your phone fell in water"
I immediately went into the water to search for her phone. By God's grace it was near my feet only. Just when I was taking it, she grabbed my collar and pulled me out.
"Just now you said you are scared... then again going inside?" she scolded me.
"Yes I'm scared... but I'm more scared of you Hehehe..." I smiled sheepishly.
She gave me a weird look and took her phone.
I didn't observe properly before... but she is beautiful.
The way her wet hair was falling on her face... her skin shining with the reflection of sunlight on the water droplets. Water droplets on her lips slowly dripped down her cute chin.
I raised my eyes to look at her. The anger on her face is just the cherry on top.
Then I heard people around us laughing. That's when I realised what I was thinking. Chiii ayaan.
Kiran and a few guys came to help both of us out of the pool.
After coming out, she took her phone from my hand and turned to leave.
"Ayaan, ask your phone," Chintu reminded me.
"Ammuuu...!" I shouted.
All the relatives looked in my direction. She turned her face, looked around everyone, and murmured something.
According to my guess, it was something close to "idiot." She went inside. Now who will give my phone?
Suddenly another girl came towards me and gave my phone to me, introducing herself.
"Hii, I am Sanjana, Rohith anna's cousin."
I took the phone from her hand.
"Hii, I am—"
"I know your name, Ayaan from kanya raasi." she laughed weirdly.
Uhh What is wrong with her?
Some guy came to me and said that amma is calling me. I went to my room, changed my wet clothes, and went to meet amma.
"Amma, did you call me?" I asked her.
"Yes ayu, I will give you a list of a few things..."
"Amma, I won't go out. Send Ishaan anna," I whined.
"wait... you and Priya vadhina go and check in the room if all the things are there or not. We should take that box for the muhurtham," she said. (auspicious wedding time)
"Where is vadhina?"
"She is already in the room. Go and help her. And check the return gifts also."
"Ok amma, anything left?" I asked, joining my hands in front of me.
"Haa Ayaan..."
"Amma wait, I joked! Please no more work," I said and ran from there.
Me and vadhina checked everything. Later I called to wedding hall and confirmed if everything was ready or not, because it was already around night. Muhurtham is tomorrow morning at 8:20 am. (wedding time)
When I was going to my room, Sathish dragged me to a corner.
"Mama, Arun is calling you raa. Your phone is switched off."
I checked my phone. Battery is dead.
"Where is he? What happened?" I asked him.
"He is on the terrace. He said it's important. Asked me to send you there. Go fast," he said.
I don't know why, but I am not feeling good about it. Something is fishy. What is that much important?
"Ok, I will go," I said and was about to walk. But he stopped me.
"What happened now? Should I carry you to the terrace?" I said in irritation.
"chii no Ayaan. Give me your phone, I will charge it," he said.
He took my phone and went towards my room. I went to the terrace. I saw a shadow standing near the railing in the corner.
But it didn't look like Arun. I immediately walked towards it.
It looked like a girl.
Who is it? Where is Arun? Please don't be a ghost... I am scared.
"Sri Anjaneyam... Prasannanjaneyam..." I murmured while walking towards it. (Hanuman Mantra)
Then I called,
"Arun..."
It turned back.
"Why godddd... it would have been better if it was a ghost...
Now it is more dangerous than that..."