Shilpa rushed towards Vennela. "Look at me, Vennela. It was nothing. Breathe in. Take a deep breath." She held Vennela's hand and gently rubbed it. Vennela opened her eyes. She clutched Amar's hand very tightly. Her nails dug into his skin. He bore it without a word.

Shilpa checked her blood pressure. It was a bit higher than usual. "Calm down" She gave a chocolate to Vennela. The moment she ate the chocolate she felt calm and energized again.

Through the corner of her eye, Vennela saw Bunty's father hugging him. "Daddy's so proud of you Bunty."

Amar and Anirudh thanked him too. "I never knew a dog can scare someone as brave as vadina." Anirudh was still unable to believe it.

"Only a person who is dead scared of dogs will react this way." Amar asked her to get up.

Amar and Shilpa held her hands to support her. She stood up with great difficulty.

She felt as if she has conquered the world. "I don't believe I'm standing on my legs." She whispered. All the servants and a few neighbors gathered around and clapped their hands. She felt tears of happiness rolling down her cheeks.

"Try to walk" said Amar.

"I think you are being greedy" said Shilpa. "Take her to the specialist doctor."

"Right. I'll take an appointment for tomorrow." Amar's hands shook slightly as he called the doctor.

He ended the call and started praising Bunty. "Bunty, you are a hero. You have become a celebrity." Bunty wagged his tail. He tried to jump and get to Vennela, but his father stopped him.

"Please thank Bunty. Tell him he is the best pet in the world" said Vennela, hiding behing Amar to avoid Bunty from jumping at her. "Ask him to forgive me for yelling at him."

"It's alright. I understand. I'll take him home. Have to tell his mother what he has done." He left with Bunty.

"I can't stand anymore."

Amar took her inside. She kept moving her leg just to check if the movement didn't get arrested again.

"You tore my shirt again" said Amar.

"Take it off then" said Vennela.

"Getting naughty thoughts, moonlight?" Amar winked at her.

"You wish. I just want to repair it." Vennela started unbuttoning his shirt.

"AKKA! CONGRATS! I knew it. I knew this plan would work..."

"...and I want a big party this time..."

"...long drive on bike next week..."

Shruthi and Rishi-Raj were shouting simultaneously, climbing the stairs. The twins reached their room first to see Amar's shirt half open.

"Oops!" They said in unison and closed Shruthi's eyes before she could see Amar and Vennela. They pulled her back.

"Leave me. Let me meet akka." Shruthi tried to remove their hands. Raj whispered something in her ears. Her face broke into a smile. They turned around.

"Please continue." Rishi closed the door on the way.

"Guys! That was nothing." Vennela tried to stop them.

"They left. You may continue" said Amar, mischievously.

"There's nothing to continue. Get me a needle." Vennela felt her cheeks heat up. She turned around to hide the color. "This is awkward" She mumbled.

Amar was slightly hurt to know that she still felt uncomfortable around him. But he shrugged it off. He didn't have time to think about that. He dedicated the day to celebrations.

He announced bonus for all the staff members of the house. He gifted cars to the servants who took care of Vennela all those days.

"Amma, talk to your daughter-in-law." Anirudh was talking to Shambhavi on video call.

"I have a surprise for you. " Vennela showed them her leg. She moved it.

Bharat screamed like a little boy, clapping his hands. Shambhavi gasped. Archana gave Vennela a flying kiss.

"How did this happen?" asked Shambhavi.

Amar and Anirudh took turns to tell her everything. "Warning: The stunt was performed under expert supervision. Please do not try to imitate at home" said Anirudh, earning a few laughs.

"I'm so proud of you two" said Shambhavi.

"Me too" Vennela squeezed Amar's hand.

They called Ragini to thank her for the idea. "Now that you are normal, I can get back to irritating you" said Ragini.

Shruthi rolled her eyes. "Why don't you just admit that you love Vennu akka?"

"Shruthi, this is our style of expressing love" said Vennela.

After they spoke to each and everyone among their family and friends group, they sat down to have lunch. "If only I had the phone number of the man from the art exhibition." Amar wanted to thank him.

The mention of art exhibition made Vennela remember her promise to herself. 'Should I say the three magical words?' She thought. 'No no. I need at least a month to walk normally. I'll confess then.'

The next morning they went to meet her specialist doctor. Anirudh accompanied them.

"Are you mad?" The doctor yelled at Amar.

"Maybe he is" said Vennela, smiling.

"This is not a joke Mrs. Vennela. The plan could have gone horribly wrong. They have used a dog. You have cynophobia. What if your blood pressure fluctuated? What if you had a heart stroke? How can he put your life in danger just because he wants to see you walk?"

"Doctor. I assure you, my heart isn't that weak. And my husband, would never have done this if it was harmful. He didn't do it out of selfishness. His respect for me wouldn't have altered even if I stay on wheelchair my entire life. He did it for me. Only for me." Vennela defended her husband.

The doctor tried to say something but Vennela stopped him. "And one more thing. Don't scold him. I have exclusive rights on scolding him." Amar felt so happy on hearing it, he wanted to marry her again.

The doctor was clearly taken aback. He viewed the situation from Amar's perspective. What Amar did seemed to be fair. "Fine. Now that you can move your limb, you can walk with the help of crutches. There are a few tests that need to be done to determine the condition." 

After the tests were done Vennela waited for the test reports. She saw a  boy of around eleven years of age sit beside her, with bandaged leg.

"Where are your parents?" Vennela asked him.

"I'm an orphan. I came here with Sister Sally" said the boy.

A few minutes later, a woman came and sat beside the boy. "Let's go back, child. We'll come some other day."

"Sister, if you don't mind me asking, what happened to him? You look sad. Anything wrong?" Vennela asked Sally.

Amar noticed Vennela talking to strangers. He listened to their conversation quietly.

"I work for an orphanage. This boy met with an accident last month. We are getting him treated with the help of donations. Today I requested them to lower the fees. But they didn't agree. We need three thousand rupees more." The woman looked sad. The boy started crying. 

"Amar, give me my card." Vennela snatched her card from Amar's wallet to pay the bill for the little boy. They thanked her profusely before getting inside.

"You gave away your hard earned money so easily." Amar said with pride and disbelief in his voice.

"I started understanding the importance of good health only after this accident. I am an orphan too. If my uncle didn't take me in, I would have been poor like that boy." Vennela rested her head on his shoulder. "Amar, you are rich. Aren't you?"

Amar frowned. "Not me but we. Everything that belongs to me is yours."

"What I'm going to say may sound harsh. I know our company is famous for charity work we do. I have heard about all the orphanages it supports. But, we are just sponsoring their food, clothes and education. What if something like this happens to them? Will they be taken to good hospitals like you did for me? I don't think so. What I want to say is, we need to take care of the expenses of their treatment too. I think we need to start a new welfare programme in which the children from our orphanage receive best treatment from best hospitals." She paused and looked at him unsure of how he will react.

He asked her to continue. "We even need to have quarter yearly check ups for them in good hospitals. A healthy child will be a successful adult in future. We also need to conduct training programmes for the orphanage staff on how to keep the atmosphere lively" said Vennela. Amar didn't say anything. "Is it too much to ask for?"

"No. I was just wondering why I never thought about it. Maybe I'm not as kind as you. Your idea is pure. I'd be honoured to implement this." Amar looked at Vennela. "This kindness is what made me like you even before I knew your name. And I'm glad we met that way. Your kindness is your biggest strength."

Her eyes gleamed with happiness. He tried to hug her. But she stopped him. "Control. This is a hospital. You are a public figure. Remember?"

"Why do I have to maintain this businessman image everywhere?" He complained.

Vennela chuckled. Anirudh returned with Vennela's reports. They left for home.

Vennela entered, walking with the help of crutches. She went into the pooja room and thanked all the Gods and Goddesses.

"Now that I almost recovered, you need to concentrate on your work." Vennela told Amar.

"And who is going to stay with you?" Amar asked her.

"Amar please. I'm fine now."

Amar wasn't listening to her. He was busy examining her new medicines.

"If you don't listen to me I will hide your laptop." Vennela threatened him.

"Please do that. I wanted to buy a new one. I have been using this for three years." Amar gave her his laptop.

Vennela scowled. Amar laughed, clapping his hands. "Poor little Vennu tried to threaten me. But her plan backfired." He whistled.

Vennela glared at him for a while. "Laugh as much as you want. But you have to listen to me. Or else..."

"Or else what?" Amar was still laughing.

"Or else I will kidnap all your bikes and hide them." Vennela smirked.

Amar's eyes widened with horror. "No!"

"Yes" said Vennela. "Anirudh, take your brother's bikes one by one and hide them somewhere he would never find them."

"Aye aye, Captain" Anirudh saluted.

"Rudy, don't touch them." Amar warned him. Anirudh hesitated.

"Ignore him Anirudh. I grant you full permission" said Vennela.

"Sorry anna. Vadina is the boss." Anirudh bowed to Vennela and slowly started walking towards the door.

"No no please. Don't kidnap my bikes."

"Then promise me you will concentrate on your office work from tomorrow." Vennela emphasized office work so that he doesn't find loopholes in it.

"Okay. I will. I will work from home. That way I can take care of you too" said Amar.

"But--"

"That's final. End of discussion" said Amar.

"Okay." Vennela agreed. They shook hands.

"You two are killing me with your cuteness" Anirudh clapped hands.

---***---

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