PRAKRUTHI
✨

'You did what???'

'I.....I kissed him!!!'

'Whatttt??? You know you can't do that!!!'

'I cannnnn!!! Look like this!!!' saying Anayra kissed Pattu's lips and said

'Kissie kissie!!! And Mumma's anger shoo away!!!' and Pattu rolled her eyes looking at Rudra Anna and said

'Your genes for a reason!!!' and Rudra Anna smirked saying 'I do much more than that to you Doll!!!' and Mukta Vanni cleared her throat. While Sanskriti, Shivansh and Neil chuckled amongst themselves.

'Stop!!! My daughter doesn't learn these cheap things ok!!! She's what 5??? And if this is what she's learning now...what will she learn as she grows up???'

'But remember when you kissed me the first-'

'Rudra it was different with us!!! We were in love!!!'

'But remember that caused our first fight too!!!' Rudra Anna argued

'Well that's coz you were an idiot to not realise your emotions for me!!!'

'But Doll!!!'

'Rudy boy listen!!! It's different when people are in love...you won't understand.. So you...stay out of it!!!' saying my otherwise super cool cousin roared and Rudra Anna stepped back.

'Anu...come here...' saying she softly called Anayra who was scared to see her otherwise jovial mother in a serious mood.

'You cannot

'Anu...you can't do that baby...Royston is your classmate and you can't just kiss anyone like that!'

'But he wasn't letting me bat...so I kissed him...just like Dadda kisses you when you don't listen to him!!!' she said at once with everyone coughing rigorously in the room and Rudra Anna shamelessly high fived his daughter.

'Rudra!!!' and that's it. Everyone went silent. Little Anayra put her head down.

'It is still wrong. Your dad and I love each other Anu. But you don't love Royston. You kissed him because you wanted to trick him. That is wrong. It is like robbery. You robbed someone's precious something' and suddenly Rudra Anna laughed saying 'Come on Pattu...it's just a'

But suddenly Mukta Vanni stopped interrupted saying
'Rudra... Pattu is right!!! Don't!!! Anu maybe our baby but kids need to learn this from childhood both for their knowledge and safety too. It's as important as teaching good and bad touch to our children. Kathani... listen to Pattu Pacchi (aunt)...this is for you too!!!' she said in her boss woman tone and Rudra Anna was left speechless.

Pattu smiled at Mukta Vanni and Vanni smiled back and nodded.

'You cannot...listen to me CANNOT kiss someone just like that. You can't kiss someone for the sake of it and neither can you allow anyone to touch you anywhere without your permission. Remember good touch bad touch lessons???' Pattu asked Anayra in a crisp tone and the tiny one but down her head and nodded with a pout.

'Kiss on lips from stranger is good or bad touch Miss Anayra Rudra Nayak?' she asked strictly and Anayra nodded saying

'I am sorry Mumma!!! Royston didn't say anything. I thought he didn't feel bad!!!" She said quietly.

Well I thought the same thing Anu but looks like that's not how human emotions work!!! I hurt your Kedar Bappa (Uncle)

Pattu slowly called her little one closer and caressed her cheek saying
'Just because someone doesn't say anything doesn't mean they are ok. Royston isn't from Mangalore. He is a new one in your school. Your sudden behaviour might have scared him. He might think you are a bad girl if he knows good touch bad touch...if not it will always scare him that he did something wrong. You want Royston to feel wrong about him?' Pattu asked and I was shocked to see my cousin being such a dotting mother.

'I will say sorry to Royston tomorrow and will never repeat it Mumma. Anayra is a good girl. Sorry for being bad today. Will Swami Devu (God) forgive me Mumma?' and she smiled saying

'If Royston and you become true friends and you never do such a thing. Then yes!!!' and suddenly Anayra hugged her mom. Everyone continued eating at the dinner table except Omkar Anna and him.

I learnt a lesson from my dumb cousin today. Guess I'm the dumb one. She isn't.

✨

'You seriously???' Pattu was shocked as Mukta Vanni exclaimed and Sanskriti slapped her forehead. We were all at the terrace post dinner. Omkar Anna came home but looks like he won't come here. Anna told me that he went back to his bungalow to attend a meeting and here I was shedding the load off my chest telling my co-sisters of the blunder I made.

'Didnt I tell you Pattu...this was a bad plan!!! This is why I quietly went shopping' Sanskriti chipped in.

'Guess I went a little overboard!!! You were drunk to death last night Pakku...you were blabbering senselessly and I wonder what would happen if Kedar Bhavaji didn't save you from falling off the first floor...' Pattu said and I was shocked.

'I was going to commit suicide?'

'No you wanted to fly!!! You were drunk like a tanker Prakruthi!!!' Sanskriti confessed and I closed my mouth with my hands.

'Kedar Anna manipulated you and saved you. But you know what that man is crazy about you. I could say...the way he pulled you into a hug and showered kisses all over your face... he was scared to death. Could say... he's smitten completely!!! Why don't you just confess it all Pakku?' Sanskriti asked and I was shocked

'Confess what? I don't feel anything like that...I mean...I like him...he's hot...but...I don't know if I..-'

'Are you really my cousin or Rudra's cousin Pakku???'asked Pattu

'Whatttt???'

'You seriously sound like a female version of my husband. The only difference is that atleast you didn't behave toxic like him. He was so possessive and nuts about me yet never wanted to accept that he had some emotions for me.

No you tell me Pakku...if you didn't feel things for him...why did you kiss him?'

'Pattu it was just a kiss!!!' I tried explaining

'Pakku...then you should have asked for consent. People ask consent even when they hook up meaninglessly. If there is no consent then it's called an assault!!!' and Mukta Vanni as well as Sanskriti agreed to it.

'I ...I didn't think it would escalate so much...And anyways I don't feel anything like that for him. I mean...he's good looking and all but those feelings...I mean he's sure like Hrithik Roshan but he's still Tatya Vichu!!!'

'Pattu you need to first stop your bollywood crap!!!'

'Says the one who still watches cartoons!!! That Doraemon and his pink door!!!' I huffed rolling my eyes.

'Well atleast they are better than dancing around the trees and fighting hundred people with bare hands and the hero's hairstyle doesn't mess up. Atleast in Doraemon Nobita accepts that he's a looser inspite of being the hero. And its anywhere door and not the pink door get it?' Pattu yelled and although she was pissed she made sense.

Both of us went silent and that's when Mukta Vanni sat next to me and asked

'Do you like spending time with him?' and I looked at her and nodded. She smiled.

'Do you care for him?'

'Ofcourse I do...when last week he caught cold. I made him my famous pepper soupy maggi. It worked like a magic cure!!!' and Vanni chuckled.

'You think you can live without him?' she asked and I thought for a while and said

'Yup...I have lived my last 21 years without him...why won't I?' and her expressions changed and she nodded.

'If you see him with someone else...you think you will still be ok?' she asked and I raised an eyebrow

'Someone else??? He doesn't have anyone in his life Vanni.' I chuckled confidently

'What if there will be someone in future? Vanni asked raising an eyebrow

'Impossible!!! The man who works for 16-18 hours a day can never have time for someone else!!!' I said

'But he has time for you!!!' she said and I was left thinking but suddenly I chuckled saying 'That is because we are a family!!! He is my husband and I'm his wife!!!' I said confidently and Vanni smirked saying

'But if you don't feel that way for him what is the meaning of this marriage? Don't you think you should let Kedar free ..maybe he will find some-'

'I told you na Vanni...he can never have any girl in his life. He's single AF!!! And above all no one can live with that Tatya Vichu except me!!! And anyways I am not the quintessential jealous wife. Infact I'm the cool dude. I have seen in movies and read in novels...I dont understand what this jealous vibe is!!! Not my type!!! Can never happen to me' saying I giggled and Vanni smiled saying

'Dont challenge your destiny Prakruthi. What if a storm enters your life... something in future? Or shall I say someone in future?' and I giggled saying

'Sure sure!!! And I'm Katrina Kaif!!!'

'Never say never Prakruthi!!' Vanni said.

✨

'I don't understand why are we doing Srimantu (pre pregnancy religious rituals done usually in 6th month of pregnancy) today and tomorrow the Gurbini Kappada (baby shower)? I mean look at the heavy saree and jewellery. Are you ok Pattu?' I asked her and she nodded making a irritated face and Mukta Vanni said

'Its her brother's loooove!!! I told Omkar.. one function is enough but noooo when has the Demon ever listened!!!' saying Vanni added another heavy necklace to Pattu.

She looked gorgeous but the jewellery and saree looked so heavy that it made me uncomfortable just by seeing her.

'Whatttt??? One day even you will dress up like this!!!'

'Meeeee??? Neverrr!!! Ewwww!!! Marriage is scary but babies are horror!!! I'll run away!!!' I said and Pattu giggled.

Sanskriti took Pattu out and everyone adored and smiled looking at her while all my eyes did was look for him. I hadn't seen him since yesterday morning.

'He will be late!!!' Rudra Anna whispered in my ears and I felt sad.

'Ummmm Nnnno...I...Ummm'

'Look Prakruthi...I don't know what has happened between you both since we pranked you yesterday but Kedar isnt himself since then. If possible talk to him' he said and leaving me worried. I dialled his number and there was no one on the other side.

I was worried. Standing on the staircase I kept looking at all the rituals happening downstairs as both Pattu and Rudra Anna wear doing the offerings into the fire. House was filled with guests but my minded was still clouded with thoughts. Why didn't he pick my call? Was he really busy or ignoring me? Guests had started leaving as well. He was late. What if he doesn't come?

Half heartedly I met everyone including my own brother and my father whom I was seeing after a month. Something wasn't right. I was in no mood to attend the function although Sharadha aunty kept introducing me to a lot of relatives.

I told Sharadha aunty that I have a headache and decided to go upstairs into my room and get some rest but But then suddenly I heard Sharadha aunty calling his name and I turned around. A sudden wave of happiness passed into my body and mind as I saw him walking inside the living room holding his laptop bag wearing his 3 piece suit, thick stubble.

How can a man although so tired look so handsome at the same time. Was he always this handsome or something was wrong with that almond milk I had drunk ten minutes ago. I kept looking at him although not once did he look in my direction. I couldn't take my eyes off his handsome face...those eyes...that jawline
.. those lips... those luscious warm lips...Shutup Pakku!!! Hold your horses!!!

But he was looking devilishly handsome. My eyes betrayed me and kept looking at him. I was seeing him after an entire day. The longest I hadn't seen him. The least I didn't see was one night and here he was in front of me after a whole 34 hours!!! Sharadha aunty was probably arguing with him for being late but he gave her a tiring smile and she patted his cheeks.

He's cute!!!

He slowly tilted his neck and stretched his arms.

Annnnnnd he's hot!!!

No wonder every other girl in the function is looking at him.

'Slowly Prakruthi...Your eyes may burn the female gaze eyeing your husband!!!' Mukta Vanni whispered in my ears.

'Whatttt....whhhhat nonsense!!! I wasn't gazing anyone. I was just looking at the crowd.' I said and Mukta Vanni chuckled saying

'Sure you were Bala (child). So much for I don't have the jealous vibe in me!!!' saying she walked away and I rolled my eyes.

'I really don't Vanni' I said loudly and she smiled nodding a yes and chuckled teasingly.

Phewww!!! Come on...I don't feel jealous. If those woman find Kedar good looking let them stare at him. I don't care.

But then I suddenly noticed a woman as old as Kedar walking towards him.

Wait a minute??? Did she like stop him???

✨

'You are so successful already and I heard you are investing more into IT!!! But you know what you must also invest into fashion. I own a fashion house in Mumbai Kolkata and Bangalore...and I think you can maybe be one of my models!!!'

'I....I...Ummmm...Ac...actu-' he tried explaining

'NO HE CAN'T!!!' I said at once and both Kedar and the lady were shocked.

I went and stood infront of Kedar.

Between him and that ........... BIT--

I mean the....Bit annoying lady!!!