"Ma'am, move a bit closer to sir" said the photographer. Vennela and Amar were posing for photographs before the reception. She has been told that the wedding album would look thinner because there was no pre-wedding photoshoot. So, she decided to take as many pictures as possible to make the album look fatter. She was wearing a beautiful royal blue floor length gown with hair tied in an elegant bun, while Amar wore a classy tuxedo chosen by Anirudh.

Vennela moved closer to Amar as instructed. "A little bit more" said the photographer.

She hesitated. This time Amar moved closer. "It's okay. It'll be over in few seconds" he whispered in her ear. Before they could turn towards the camera, the guy clicked a good five to six pictures. "Excellent pose. It looks natural. Sir, you need to sit on the couch for the next picture. And ma'am please sit on his lap."

"No" said Vennela immediately.

"Come on Vennela. He's your husband," said Shambhavi.

"No, I can't attayya garu" Vennela refused. Shambhavi remembered her promise to Amar. "I think this pose is inappropriate" she told the photographer.

"Alright then. You have to lift her up in bridal style for the next pic" he told Amar. 

Before Vennela could protest again, Shruthi said,"Akka, it's the tradition. Remember uncle Pranav and aunt Geeta's wedding pics? He lifted her similarly." The mention of her parents' wedding made Vennela agree. Shruthi gave a thumbs up to Amar.

Amar lifted her up.  A beautiful smile crept across his face due to the proximity. Vennela clutched his shoulder tightly as his breath fanned her face. He couldn't believe his luck.

She found his intense brown eyes extremely attractive. She shook her head 'How does he manage to look so handsome without even trying?'

She left quickly after the photoshoot was over. Amar gestured Shruthi to stay back. "I've been challenged by Rudy and Rishi-Raj to know her mobile number by midnight. I need your help with this." He told her what she was supposed to do.

"This trick is very old. I saw it in many movies and TV commercials" said Anirudh.

"But it is effective" said Shruthi.

"You're gonna lose. Think of some other plan" said Anirudh.

"Rudy, let them go according to their plan" said Rishi.

"Come. We'll introduce you to our beautiful neighbour, Aisha." Raj told Anirudh who left with them. Shruthi scowled. 

"Let's go" said Amar. They reached their floor. "All the best" said Shruthi.

He and Vennela were instructed to enter the hall together. He held her hand and looked at her, unsure of how she would react. She didn't seem to mind. They went inside together.

"Meet my wife, Vennela Dhanunjaya" announced Amar.

The guests clapped their hands. Right from national media to local media, everyone pushed their way forward and started taking pictures while asking her questions. Vennela who was new to this, felt uncomfortable answering them. She tightened her grip on Amar's hand. 

"We'd love to answer all your questions. But time is running out. We are supposed to be on the stage. Thank you for coming. Please take your seats." He said politely and led Vennela onto the stage.

The guests took turns to come and congratulate them. Amar's female fans envied Vennela, who was looking breathtakingly beautiful. Two hours later when everyone was headed for dinner, youngsters started their selfie sessions. 

"Let's take a selfie too" said Amar taking out his phone. They stood up. He signaled Shruthi. She quickly crept on the stage and hid Vennela's phone under the carpet, while she was posing for selfie with Amar, looking the other way. "Akka, give me your phone. My phone's battery is dead."

"Okay" said Vennela. "Where's my phone? It was right here." She searched for it.

"What happened?" asked Amar in an innocent tone.

"Amar sir, my phone is missing. Please give a missed call from your mobile." She requested him.

"Sure" said Amar with an expression of triumph on his face. "Tell me the number."  She told him her number and he dialed.

"It's under the carpet" said Vennela "Thank you Amar sir. Okay. Let me save your number."

"Akka, why did you hide it under the carpet?" Shruthi asked her.

"Why would I hide it? I don't know how it got there" said Vennela.

"You hid your phone to get my phone number? How sweet!! Such a nice trick." Amar teased Vennela. Shruthi turned away laughing.

"No. Why would I want your number?" asked Vennela.

"Simple. Because I'm handsome. It's alright. I can understand. I don't blame you. I have such effect on girls." He teased her further.

Vennela glared at him. He laughed. "Stop laughing. I'm hungry. Come let's go and have dinner." She held his arm and pulled him along. 

"I love food" said Amar, having second helpings. "My policy is to eat as much as I want and work out as hard as I can."

"Mom used to say that" said Vennela with twinkling eyes. "She used to wake me and dad up before sunrise for exercise."

He wanted to ask her if she still missed her parents. But something told him that the time wasn't ripe for that talk. Vennela pointed at something. He looked in that direction to see Ragini drenched in juice and Rishi holding a glass. It was evident that he threw juice on her.

"It's your fault. You were moving backwards for your selfie and collided with him. Now apologize to him for spilling his juice" said Raj. Ragini pushed them away and left muttering something.

"Why did you do that?" Vennela approached them.

"She's always rude to you" said Rishi.

"And we love you so much" said Raj.

Vennela hugged the twins. "I love you both."

---***---

"So, she said she'll be your friend? It means she may never accept you as her husband?" Anirudh asked Amar after he gave him a detailed account of what actually happened. They returned home and were sitting in Anirudh's room.

"At least she's willing to be my friend. Had it been me, I wouldn't even bother to speak to the person I've been forced to marry." Amar sighed.

"It's not your fault" said a furious Anirudh.

"It's not her fault either. It happened because of my aunt's ego and her aunt and uncle's selfishness. And I'm partially responsible for her misery. I was so excited to get married to her that I failed to notice her pain. I should have known" said Amar bitterly.

"Anna, if she doesn't like you then why don't you nullify the marriage?" Anirudh suggested.

"No. Never. She doesn't want it. She said she will need some time to accept me. She wants to give me a chance. I can't act selfishly when she's putting an effort from her side. She's not something that can be disposed off. She's human being with feelings. I've decided not to give up" said Amar, with sincerity in every word he spoke.

"You're right. Don't give up. I'm sure Vennela vadina will fall for you. You won't be the friendzoned husband forever. She's kind and understanding while you are sweet and caring. You both are made for each other." Anirudh patted his shoulder. "And there's one more thing I've observed."

"What is it?" asked Amar.

"You love her."

"What? No no. I just respect and admire her." Amar tried to deny but the smile on his face said otherwise.

"Bro. Stop lying. I can see it clearly on your face. Your cheeks have become pink. Who can understand you better than me? You stayed up all night and sneaked into her room just to check her temperature. You jumped a seven feet high wall and spent hours in a dirty pond to get beautiful Lotus flowers for her. You made her win the game because you couldn't see her lose. This isn't just respect or admiration. This is pure love. Admit it." Anirudh was determined to make him realize the truth.

Amar didn't speak for a long time. He was lost in thought looking at nothing in particular and grinning. "You're right. I love her."

"My anna is in loooooovveee." Anirudh was overjoyed.

"Stop shouting. Everyone's sleeping."

"Why didn't you tell this to me before? We don't have time to party now. I'm leaving for London tomorrow." Anirudh complained.

"The next time we meet, we'll have a big party." Amar promised. "It's 1 am. Let's sleep."

The next morning Vennela was busy helping Archana with last minute packing. "Can I have a word?" asked Bharat.

"Sure, uncle" said Vennela.

"I don't know if you'll forgive me, but I would like to tell you that I feel ashamed of myself for everything that happened. I'm glad you have given Amar a chance. He is a nice lad. He has always been a good boy. He lost his parents when he was sixteen. That affected him very badly. That is when we took him to London. The happy and caring Amar you are seeing today has suffered a lot in the past. I was apprehensive when he returned to Hyderabad three years ago. But now I'm not worried because you're here. I'm sure you will take good care of him. Please don't hurt him" said Bharat, about his nephew whom he always loved like a son.

"Amar sir is good man. I'll always take care of him and protect him from all dangers" Vennela promised. Bharat smiled. They went downstairs. She took Bharat and Shambhavi's blessings and hugged Archana.

"I'm going to miss you little brother" she told Anirudh. He has been her biggest support in her new home. 

"I'll miss you too. I'll be back soon. And you," he said turning to Amar "Take care of vadina. She is not alone. Her little brother is always there for her."

"Why does everyone keep taking her side?" Amar punched Anirudh playfully.

"And the most important thing. Stop using suffixes like garu and sir for each other's names. You two are a married couple." Anirudh advised them. "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Take the first step."

"Since when did you start giving relationship advice?" Amar asked him. Anirudh shrugged.

After they've said their goodbyes Shambhavi and Bharat left with their children.

Vennela held Amar's hand because she knew it was hard for him to see them leave. He squeezed her hand affectionately and smiled at her.

---***---

I'm gonna miss Anirudh. He's my favourite character.