| ROHITH |

At this point, I was convinced God had completely forgotten me.

There was simply no other explanation.

Because this had to be the twenty-fifth time in the past week that someone had interrupted us.

Twenty-fifth.

At this stage, I genuinely wanted to know where these people kept coming from.

“Ekkada nunchi dorukutharo ardham kaavatledhu.” (I genuinely don't understand where they keep appearing from.) I muttered under my breath.

Beside me, Anvi glanced at me and sighed dramatically. One minute it would be just me and Anvi. The next minute, somehow, half the family would materialize out of thin air.

It was unnatural.

Highly suspicious.

Meanwhile, the culprits standing at the doorway looked extremely pleased with themselves.

Anvi, on the other hand, recovered far quicker than I did.

Naturally.

She immediately straightened and pointed at everyone accusingly. “Interrogation em vadhu. Mundhe chepthunna.” (No interrogation. I'm warning you beforehand.)

Sneha immediately gasped dramatically. “Aha! Ante interrogation cheyyalsina avasaram undhi annamata.” (Oh! So that means there is a need for interrogation.)

“Ade kada.” (Exactly.) Aariz nodded.

“Meerandharu idhe chesi ila pelli chesukune stage ki vacharu.” (All of you did the same things and reached the stage of getting married.)

For one second, the entire room fell silent.

Then Kiran pointed dramatically.

“Valid point kani—” (Valid point, but—)

“Mosey.” (Shut up.) Anvi cut him off immediately.

“Chaala valid point.” (Very valid point.) Lavanya agreed.

Anvi folded her arms proudly. “Exactly.”

Then she pointed toward the door. “Padha, padhandi. Kindhaki veldham.” (Come on, let's go downstairs.)

Unfortunately, Kiran had absolutely no intention of remaining silent.

Which was never a good sign.

He narrowed his eyes at me. “Rohith, inko sari naa chelli tho nuvvu romance cheyyadam chudali—” (Rohith, if I catch you romancing my sister one more time—)

Before he could finish, Sneha immediately cut him off. “Meeru mundhu evari chellini pelli chesukunnaro gurthucheskoni matladandi, mogudu garu.” (First remember whose sister you married before speaking, dear husband.)

I immediately pointed at her. “Chusava? Naa chelli naa vaipu undhi.” (See? My sister is on my side.)

“Always, Annayya.” (Always, brother.) Sneha replied proudly.

The room exploded.

Kiran looked personally attacked. “Sneha!”

“Nijame kadha.” (It's true though.)

“Nuvvu naa side lo undali.” (You're supposed to be on my side.)

“Ledhu.” (No.)

“Betrayal.” (Betrayal.)

“Marriage.” (Marriage.) Aariz corrected solemnly.

That only made everyone laugh harder.

Lavanya wiped tears of laughter from her eyes. “Paapam valliddharni vadileyandi ra.” (Leave those two alone.)

She pointed toward me and Anvi. “Chinnappati nunchi kotukoni kotukoni ippude koncham premaga untunnaru.” (They've been fighting since childhood and are only now starting to behave affectionately.)

I immediately looked offended. “Memu chinnappati nunchi kotukoledu.” (We didn't fight since childhood.)

Anvi turned toward me. “Aba chaaa.” (Oh please.)

“Nijamey kadha.” (It's true though.)

“Antha ledhu.” (Not at all.)

The traitor. Lavanya laughed even harder.

Meanwhile, Aariz nodded dramatically. “Premaga anta.” (Affectionately, she says.)

“Avunu, avunu.” (Yes, yes.)

“Nenu nammutunna.” (I totally believe that.)

“Monkey, nuvvu matladaku.” (Monkey, don't talk.) Anvi informed him.

Aariz gasped. “Chusara?” (Did you all hear that?)

“Nenu em cheyyaledhu.” (I didn't even do anything.)

“Nuvvu unte chaalu.” (Your existence is enough.)

The room dissolved into laughter again.

Lavanya immediately raised both hands. “Ushh, Chalu.” (Enough.)

Everyone quieted.

Well...

Mostly.

Then she shook her head.

“Malli start chesaru.” (You've started again.)

“Idi oka roju lo ayipoye problem kaadhu kani.” (This isn't a problem that will be solved in a single day.)

That earned several nods from around the room.

Including mine.

Unfortunately.

Then Lavanya suddenly turned toward Anvi. “Anvi.”

“Hmm?”

“Vallu vache time ayindhi.” (They're about to arrive.)

Immediately, something flashed across Anvi's face.

Confusion.

Then realization.

Then absolute horror.

“Ayyo akka!” (Oh no, akka!)

She slapped her forehead dramatically. “Gurthu chesav!” (You reminded me!)

“Marchipoyava?” (You forgot?)

“Completely!”

Sneha narrowed her eyes. “Em marchipoyindhi?” (What did she forget?)

A slow grin spread across Anvi's face. The kind that never meant anything good. Absolutely never and unfortunately, I knew that grin very well.

Too well.

Anvi immediately grabbed Sneha's hand. “Padha! Padha!” (Come on! Come on!)

“Ekadiki?” (Where?)

“Surprise complete cheyyali!” (We need to finish the surprise!)

Every alarm bell inside my head immediately started ringing. “Anvi.” I said cautiously.

She ignored me completely. Instead, she called everyone closer. “Sarey, sarey. Padhandi.” (Alright, alright. Come on everyone.)

Everyone immediately followed her. At last she turned toward me.

“Ah Rohith, nenu signal isthanu appudu nuvvu nee phone nee daggara pettuko ante—” (Rohith, when I give the signal, keep your phone ready and—)

I completed the sentence automatically. “Video on chesukoni undali, anthe kadha?” (Keep the video recording on, that's all, right?)

Her face lit up.

“Aww. Andhukey nuvvu chaala cute. Em cheppakkarledu ani ala telisipothayi.” (Aww. That's why you're so cute. I don't even have to explain and you already understand.)

Before I could react, she reached up and squished my cheeks. The entire room immediately erupted into exaggerated coughing. Very loud coughing. Very fake coughing.

Anvi blinked innocently. “Parledhu.” (It's okay.)

Then she looked around at everyone. “Intlo naluguru doctors unnam. Mee cough ki tablets iddam.” (There are four doctors in this house. We'll give tablets for your cough.)

That earned another round of laughter.

A few minutes later, we all headed downstairs and right on schedule, Nikhitha and Prithvi arrived.

The gruhapravesham rituals began. Elders gathered near the entrance. Children crowded everywhere. Phones appeared from every possible direction.

The moment the loudspeaker crackled to life, the entire courtyard seemed to pause.

Prithvi, who had just stepped forward with Nikhitha beside him, froze mid-step and immediately looked around suspiciously. “Oho baava garu, akkade agandi!” (Oh brother-in-law, stop right there!)

A collective cheer erupted from both families.

Prithvi groaned dramatically and turned toward his wife. “Ayyo.” (Oh no.)

Nikhitha instantly covered her face with both hands. “Ayyipoyav, Raj. Eeroju ninnu vadalaru.” (You're finished today, Raj. They won't spare you today.)

“Ala bayapettaku.” (Don't scare me like that.)

“Late ayindhi!” (Too late!) Sarath shouted from somewhere in the crowd.

“Pelli koduku waiting ikkada!” (The groom is waiting here!)

“Kanivvandi!” (Let's begin!)

The cheering only grew louder. Relatives immediately started clapping in rhythm while children abandoned all forms of discipline and ran toward the center to see what was happening.

Then the music began. "Love you antu venta padaledhu..."

The second the first beat echoed through the speakers, Anvi appeared from the crowd. Right in the middle of the pathway. The entire family exploded. “Ahaaa!”

“Start ayyindhi!” (It has started!)

“Baava garu, mee time vachindhi!” (Brother-in-law, your time has come!)

Laughing, Anvi pointed dramatically toward Prithvi and began dancing backward in front of him, perfectly matching the lyrics. "Dating anna maatasale raadhu..."

She shook her head dramatically and wagged a finger at him as though accusing him of being the most innocent man in existence.

The crowd immediately burst into laughter. Prithvi pointed at himself in disbelief. “Nenaa?” (Me?)

“Avunu, nuvve Annayya!” (Yes, you!) Sneha yelled from behind.

“Hundred percent nuvve!” (One hundred percent you!)

Even Prithvi's elder brother was laughing now. "He is so cool, he is so cute..."

Anvi dramatically circled around him, inspecting him from every angle as if presenting a rare specimen to the audience.

Whistles erupted instantly. “Ahaaa!”

“Baava ki introduction isthundhi!” (She's giving an introduction for brother-in-law!)

Aariz nearly doubled over laughing. Prithvi buried his face in his hand. “Ayyo Devuda.” (Oh God.)

Meanwhile, Nikhitha was laughing so hard she could barely remain standing. "Fake anipinche types asalu kaadhu..."

Anvi immediately stopped beside Nikhitha and pointed proudly toward Prithvi. “Ade nijam!” (That's true!)

“Correct!” Sneha agreed instantly.

“Certified!” Aariz added.

“Verified by family committee!” Sarath shouted.

The crowd roared.

Even the elders were laughing now. "Break up cheppe veelasalu ledhu..."

Anvi folded her arms proudly before gesturing toward Prithvi like a proud spokesperson presenting a product.

“Green flag!” Aariz declared.

“Premium edition!” Sarath added.

“Limited stock!” Kiran shouted.

“Shut up!” Nikhitha complained through her laughter.

"He is so hot, he is so cute..."

At that line, the younger cousins completely lost control. “Ahaaaaa!”

“Baava siggu paduthunnadu!” (Brother-in-law is blushing!)

“Nenu siggu padatledhu!” (I'm not blushing!)

“Abaddham!” (Lie!)

The answer came from at least fifteen people at once.

Even Prithvi's mother was laughing. “Raj, siggu paduthunnav.” (Raj, you're blushing.)

“Amma!” (Mom!)

That only made things worse. "Yemi thakkuvanta chudu..."

Anvi slowly walked around him from head to toe as though conducting an official quality inspection. The family erupted again. “Quality check jaruguthundhi!” (A quality check is happening!)

"Tippu taapu gunnadu..."

She gave a firm thumbs-up. Rajesh mama immediately started clapping in rhythm. “Approved!” Aariz announced. “Pass ayyadu!” (He passed!)

"TikTok lona chusi flat ayyadu..."

Anvi pretended to scroll through an imaginary phone. A second later, she dramatically clutched her heart and pretended to faint.

Nikhitha doubled over laughing. “Anviiii!”

“Drama queen!” Sneha shouted.

“Family heritage.” Kiran replied solemnly.

"Wanna see you antu seven seas dhaativachadu..."

Anvi pointed dramatically toward Prithvi before stretching both arms wide as though describing an epic journey across oceans. “Katha chusthe America nunchi vachinattu undhi.” (Listening to this story, it sounds like he came from America.) Kiran muttered.

“London kaadhu?” (Not London?)

“Dubai kaadhu?” (Not Dubai?)

“All of you shut up.” Nikhitha groaned.

I stood slightly off to the side recording everything exactly as instructed and trying very hard not to laugh.

Failed miserably. "Land ayyi avvagane band yenta thechinadu..."

Before anyone could stop him, Aariz jumped into the performance. He pretended to drag enormous suitcases behind him while dramatically stumbling across the courtyard.

The crowd completely lost it. “Perfect acting!” Lavanya laughed.

“National award ivvandi!” (Give him a national award!)

"Nee hand ivvamantu..."

Anvi immediately grabbed Nikhitha's hand and pushed it forward dramatically. Prithvi instantly understood where this was going. His face fell.

“Ayyo.” (Oh no.)

Unfortunately for him, it was already too late. "Knees bend chesi..."

Before anyone could react, Aariz dramatically dropped onto one knee. The entire house shook with laughter. Lavanya was laughing so hard she had tears in her eyes. “Wrong person!” 

“Replacement groom!” Sarath yelled.

“Duplicate piece!” Kiran added.

Even Prithvi had completely given up trying to look dignified. "Will you marry me anadu duu duu..."

Anvi pointed dramatically toward Prithvi. Nikhitha covered her face again. “Naaku ee family tho pani ledhu.” (I cannot deal with this family.)

“Late ayindhi vadhina.” (Too late .) Sneha informed her cheerfully.

Then came the chorus. "Oh baava..."

Anvi danced directly in front of Prithvi and pointed at him. "Maa akkani sakkaga soosthavaa?" (Will you take good care of my sister?)

The teasing remained, but there was something softer beneath it now. Something genuine. Something everyone noticed. The family gradually quieted.

Still smiling. Still laughing. But listening. "Oh baava..."

Anvi pointed gently toward Nikhitha. "Ee sukkani pelladesthavaa?" (Will you cherish this precious girl you've married?)

For the first time since the song had started, Prithvi stopped laughing. His gaze shifted to Nikhitha. Then back to Anvi. “Choosthanu.” (I will.)

A small cheer immediately rose from the crowd. "Oh baava..."

Anvi continued dancing, now walking backward while facing the couple. "Maa akkani sakkaga susthavaa?" (Will you take good care of my sister?)

This time Prithvi nodded without hesitation. “Promise.” (Promise.)

The response that followed was even louder.

Whistles.

Cheers.

Clapping.

Someone shouted, “Green flag confirmed!”

Another person yelled, “Lifetime warranty kuda undhi!” (It even comes with a lifetime warranty!)

"Oh baava..."

As the final line approached, Anvi stopped directly in front of him. "Sindhuram nuv pedhathava..."

She pointed dramatically toward him.

The crowd erupted once more.

The music shifted into its final upbeat section.

"Macho man maa baava..."

At that point, Sneha joined in. Then Aariz. Then Sarath. Then Kiran. Soon half the family was dancing. Children were running everywhere. Elders were clapping in rhythm.

Prithvi stood in the center of absolute chaos with Nikhitha beside him and somehow looked happier than he had all day. 

The exhaustion was still there. The sleepless night was still there but so was the happiness. The kind that couldn't be hidden.

As the song finally came to an end, Anvi finished with an exaggerated flourish before grabbing the microphone. The cheering gradually faded. “Baava garu!” she called.

“Hmmm?”

“Maa akka ni baaga chusukovali.” (You have to take good care of my sister.)

The courtyard fell quiet. Not completely but enough. Enough for everyone to hear his answer. Prithvi looked at Nikhitha. Then at Anvi. Then at the entire family gathered around them. A slow smile appeared on his face.

“Aadhi promise kaadhu.” (That isn't a promise.)

Everyone blinked. “Then what is it?”

Without taking his eyes off Nikhitha, he reached for her hand and intertwined their fingers. “Aadhi naa responsibility.” (That's my responsibility.)

For a moment, all the teasing disappeared. The laughter softened. The smiles remained but something emotional settled over the gathering.

A warm kind of silence. The kind that only family creates. Applause broke out almost immediately. Loud. Heartfelt.

Nikhitha's cheeks turned pink. Prithvi simply smiled and from somewhere behind me, I heard Kiran mutter under his breath, “Green flag ani chepparu ga...” (They said he was a green flag, right...)

“Ade nijam.” (That's true.)

For once, absolutely nobody disagreed. The cheering started again, the elders resumed blessing the couple, the cousins immediately began planning their next round of trouble, and the newlyweds were finally welcomed into the house amidst laughter, music, teasing, and far too much love.

Exactly the way they were meant to be.

By the time the last game, ritual, blessing, and round of teasing finally came to an end, it was already well past midnight. The newlyweds had been successfully delivered to their room.

After approximately seventeen emotional speeches, twenty-three warnings, thirty-seven blessings, and enough teasing to traumatize Prithvi for the next six months, the family had finally allowed them some peace.

Well...

Relatively speaking.

The house was still very much awake.

Some relatives had returned to our house.

Some had gone to Anvi's house.

Others were spread across guest rooms, hallways, balconies, and every available piece of furniture. Despite the hour, nobody seemed remotely interested in sleeping.

The elders were still talking.

The aunties were still discussing wedding photos.

The uncles were still debating travel plans.

And the children, somehow, were still running around with supernatural levels of energy.

As for Anvi...

She had vanished.

Completely.

One minute she had been helping everyone.

The next minute she was gone.

Apparently, Madam had decided that midnight was the perfect time to freshen up.

Of course she had.

My woman and her rules.

At this point, predicting Anvitha was harder than predicting the weather.

Since everyone seemed busy living in their own little worlds, I made a decision.

Possibly a terrible decision. Definitely a risky decision but a decision nonetheless. A few minutes later, I found myself quietly stepping onto the balcony connected to her room.

Technically speaking, I wasn't sneaking.

I preferred the term strategically visiting.

The balcony door wasn't locked. Which I chose to interpret as divine approval.

“Thank you, Lord.” I muttered under my breath.

Looking back, that was probably my first mistake. Slipping inside, I glanced around.

The room was dimly lit by a bedside lamp. Her suitcase lay half-open near the wardrobe. A shawl had been tossed carelessly across a chair. Several bangles rested on the dressing table. A half-finished cup of coffee sat near the window. Because, naturally, even after surviving an entire wedding, Anvi still found time for coffee.

The faint scent of her perfume lingered in the air. Everything about the room felt unmistakably Anvi.

Comfortable.

Chaotic.

Beautiful.

A small smile tugged at my lips as I sat down on the edge of the bed and waited.

And waited.

And waited.

“Oh God.”

How long did one person need to freshen up?

Ten minutes passed.

Then fifteen.

Then twenty.

At this point, I was beginning to suspect she had either fallen asleep in the bathroom or started reorganizing the entire room for fun.

“Nijanga chepthunna, ee ammayi normal kaadhu.” (I'm telling the truth, this girl is not normal.)

Just as I stood up to investigate, the bathroom door finally opened. The moment I turned, every coherent thought abandoned me.

Anvi stopped in her tracks the second she saw me.

I froze.

She froze.

For one utterly ridiculous moment, both of us simply stared at each other in complete shock.

Neither of us had expected the other to be there.

She immediately grabbed a towel and wrapped it around herself while staring at me in absolute disbelief.

Meanwhile, I stood there like an idiot who had somehow managed to get caught committing a crime he hadn't fully planned.

Her eyes widened.

Then narrowed.

Dangerously.

“Rohith Velaga...” she whispered fiercely.

That tone alone was enough to make any sensible man retreat.

Unfortunately, I had never been accused of being sensible. “Nuvvu ikkada em chesthunnavu?” (What are you doing here?)

I opened my mouth. Then closed it again. Because, honestly, there was no good answer.

Anvi pointed accusingly toward the balcony. “Nenu door lock chesanu kadha!” (I locked the door, didn't I?)

I cleared my throat. “Technically...” I began carefully.

“Ayyo devuda.” (Oh God.) She squeezed her eyes shut briefly before opening them again. “Balcony.”

I gave her a sheepish smile.

Which was apparently the wrong choice.

“Rohith!” she hissed.

“Nenu vachanu anthe.” (I just came.)

“Adhi naaku kanipisthundhi!” (I can see that!)

Anvi's glare intensified as she pointed firmly toward the balcony.

“Midnight lo naa room loki balcony nunchi enduku vachavu?” (Why did you come into my room through the balcony at midnight?)

I folded my arms and attempted to look dignified.

Failed immediately.

For one long second, she simply stared at me, water droplets still clinging to the ends of her damp hair. Then her eyes narrowed even further. “Siggu ledha manishiki? Bayataki po.” (Have you no shame? Get out.)

I had the good sense to look slightly guilty.

Only slightly. “Anvi—”

“Bayataki po ani cheppanu.” (I said get out.)

She pointed toward the balcony again with absolute authority. “Nenu clothes marchukovali.” (I need to change my clothes.)

Unfortunately, a very bad idea entered my head.

An even worse sentence followed. “Adhi parledhu. Naa mundhe change chesukovachu ga.” (That's fine. You can change in front of me.)

The silence that followed was deadly.

Absolutely deadly.

Anvi blinked once.

Then twice.

And then she looked genuinely horrified. “Chii! Siggu ledhu manishiki!” (Ugh! You have no shame!)

I immediately started laughing.

Which only made everything worse. “Rohith Velaga!” she whispered furiously.

“Em?” (What?)

“Po ra bayataki!” (Get out!)

Instead of obeying, I took one step forward. Anvi instantly took one step backward. “Rohith...” she warned.

I took another step. She took another one back. “Ekadiki vasthunnavu?” (Where are you coming?)

“Nee daggariki.” (To you.)

“Enduku?” (Why?)

I tilted my head. “Adhi kuda cheppala?” (Do I need to explain that too?)

“Avunu!” (Yes!)

“Chaala clingy ga unna.” (I'm feeling very clingy.)

Her jaw dropped. “Midnight ayyaka nee brain complete ga pani cheyyatledhu.” (After midnight, your brain has completely stopped working.)

“Adhi possibility.” (That's a possibility.)

“Confirmed.” (Confirmed.)

I grinned.

She glared.

Neither of us looked away.

Unfortunately for her, every step backward brought her closer to the wall.

Unfortunately for me, she realized that too.

Her eyes narrowed suspiciously.

“Rohith...”

“Hmmm?”

“Nuvvu em alochisthunnavo naaku nacchatledhu.” (I don't like whatever you're thinking.)

“Nenu em alochinchadam ledhu.” (I'm not thinking anything.)

“Abaddham.” (Lie.)

“Konchem.” (A little.)

“Chaala.” (A lot.)

I laughed softly.

The sound felt unusually loud in the quiet room.

Outside, the house had finally begun settling down. The distant conversations had faded into a soft murmur. Most of the lights were off. For the first time all day, after the wedding, the rituals, the relatives, and the endless noise, everything felt calm.

Just me.

And her.

Anvi folded her arms tightly across her chest and tried very hard to look intimidating.

The problem was that she looked more flustered than intimidating.

And she knew it.

Which only made her more annoyed.

“Enduku navvuthunnavu?” (Why are you laughing?)

“Em ledhu.” (Nothing.)

“Adhi kuda abaddhame.” (That's a lie too.)

“Maybe.”

“Ayyo devuda.” (Oh God.)

She rubbed her forehead dramatically. “Naa life lo peace undadhu.” (There is no peace in my life.)

“Undhi ga.” (There is.)

“Ekkada?” (Where?)

Without thinking, I pointed between us. “Idhe.” (Right here.)

For a brief moment, her expression softened.

Only for a moment.

Then she remembered she was supposed to be angry. “Cute ga matladithe bayataki pampanu anukuntunnava?” (Do you think talking cutely will stop me from throwing you out?)

“Konchem.” (A little.)

“Work avvadhu.” (It won't work.)

“Chaala sad news.” (Very sad news.)

“Naaku kaadhu.” (Not for me.)

I placed a hand dramatically over my heart. “Cruel woman.”

“Correct.” 

“Heartless woman.”

“Inka correct.” (Even more correct.)

“Naa future wife ila undakudadhu anukunna.” (I never thought my future wife would be like this.)

The words slipped out casually.

But the effect was immediate.

Anvi froze.

Completely.

And so did I.

The teasing smile slowly disappeared from her face as a faint pink color crept across her cheeks. For a few seconds neither of us spoke, and suddenly the room felt much quieter than before.

I cleared my throat.

She looked away first.

“Rohith...” she muttered softly.

“Hmmm?”

“Bayataki po.” (Get out.)

“Enduku?” (Why?)

This time, despite herself, she smiled.

A small smile.

The kind I liked far too much.

“Endhukante nenu nijanga clothes marchukovali.” (Because I genuinely need to change my clothes.)

I stared at her for another second before sighing dramatically.

“Fine.”

“Finally.”

“Naa sacrifice ni appreciate cheyyaru.” (Nobody appreciates my sacrifice.)

“Po ra.” (Get lost.)

Laughing quietly, I raised both hands in surrender and turned toward the balcony.

Or at least, that had been the plan.

Instead, halfway through turning away, I stopped.

A week. An entire week of interruptions. A week of relatives appearing from nowhere. A week of stolen glances and unfinished moments.

Before she could say another word, I crossed the distance between us. My hands found her waist, and her breath caught.

“Rohith!” she whispered, startled.

“Oka week nunchi evaro okallu vasthune unnaru, disturb chesthune unnaru. Ippudaina konchem time ivvu.” (For the past week, someone or the other has kept interrupting us. At least now give me a little time.)

Her eyes widened.

For a fraction of a second, she looked like she wanted to argue.

Then she smiled.

A small, helpless smile that completely destroyed whatever self-control I had left.

I leaned in and kissed her.

Softly at first.

A stolen moment in the middle of chaos.

The kind of kiss that carried exhaustion, affection, longing, and relief all at once.

For a heartbeat, she froze.

Then her fingers curled into my shirt, and she kissed me back.

The room seemed to disappear around us.

No relatives.

No wedding planning.

No teasing cousins.

No endless rituals.

Just the two of us standing in the quiet glow of the room, stealing a moment that belonged entirely to us.

When we finally pulled apart, neither of us moved very far. Our foreheads rested together. Her cheeks were still pink. Mine probably weren't any better.

“So this was your balcony escape plan?”

“Partly.” 

“Chaala dangerous doctor vi.” (You are a very dangerous doctor.)

“Nuvvu inka dangerous.” (You're even more dangerous.)

She rolled her eyes, but her smile only widened. “Po ippudu.” (Go now.)

“You're sending me away again?”

“Yes.”

“Heartless woman.”

“Yes.” 

I laughed softly and finally stepped back. This time, I actually turned toward the balcony.

Behind me, I heard her mutter under her breath. “Ee manishi tho naa jeevitham ela untundho devudike telusu.” (Only God knows what my life is going to be like with this man.)

The grin that spread across my face was impossible to stop.

Because for the first time all day, despite the chaos, exhaustion, relatives, rituals, sleepless nights, and endless teasing, it felt like we had finally managed to steal a moment that belonged only to us.

And somehow, that single moment was worth every interruption that had come before it.

Still grinning like an idiot, I quietly stepped out onto the balcony and pulled the door shut behind me.

The night air immediately hit my face.

Cool.

Peaceful.

And significantly safer than remaining inside Anvi's room for another thirty seconds.

Because if I had stayed any longer, there was a very real possibility that I would have either forgotten every ounce of common sense I possessed or been murdered by my future wife.

Possibly both.

Our houses stood side by side, and although they were separate buildings, the balconies on that side were close enough that moving between them wasn't particularly difficult.

Not smart.

Not advisable.

Definitely not approved by any responsible adult.

But not difficult.

Carefully placing one hand against the wall, I stepped onto the narrow connecting ledge and made my way toward my own balcony.

Halfway across, I paused.

Not because I was scared.

Because I heard something.

A soft click.

Turning around, I saw Anvi's balcony door open again.

She stood there with her arms folded across her chest, her hair still slightly damp from her shower. The warm light from her room spilled onto the balcony behind her, creating a soft golden glow around her.

For a moment, neither of us spoke.

Then her eyes narrowed. "Rohith Velaga."

I immediately sighed.

"Malli em ayyindhi?" (What happened now?)

"Nuvvu normal ga nadichi vellochu kadha." (You could have left normally, couldn't you?)

I looked at her as though she had suggested something completely unreasonable. "Normally?”

"Yes.”

"Midnight rendu gantala ki nee room nunchi bayataki nadichi vellamantunnava?" (You're asking me to casually walk out of your room at two in the morning?)

Anvi opened her mouth. Then closed it again.

Because unfortunately, I had a point.

"Hmm."

"Exactly."

She rolled her eyes. "Drama king."

"Thank you."

"Adhi compliment kaadhu." (That wasn't a compliment.)

"Nenu compliment laga teesukunta." (I'll take it as a compliment.)

Despite herself, a reluctant smile appeared on her face.

Victory.

A small victory.

But still a victory.

I finally stepped onto my own balcony and spread my arms dramatically. "Chusava?" (See?) Safe ga cheranu." (I reached safely.)

"Everaina chusthe?" (What if someone had seen you?)

"Chudaledhu ga." (Nobody saw.)

The moment those words left my mouth, a light suddenly switched on somewhere below us.

Both of us froze instantly.

Anvi's eyes widened.

My soul temporarily left my body. At the exact same moment, we leaned over the railing and looked down. For one horrifying second, I was convinced an uncle had caught us.

Or worse.

An auntie.

Aunties remembered everything.

Forever.

Unfortunately, it wasn't an uncle.

And it wasn't an auntie.

It was something far worse.

Our precious romance interpreters.

Standing in the courtyard below were Sneha, Aariz, Lavanya, and Kiran, all looking up at us with identical expressions of satisfaction.

The kind of satisfaction people wore when they had just caught criminals red-handed.

For three full seconds, nobody spoke.

Then Aariz slowly folded his arms. "Aha." 

Sneha nodded solemnly. "Evidence dorikindhi." (We found the evidence.)

Lavanya looked genuinely impressed. "Balcony route kuda undha?" (There was a balcony route too?)

Kiran placed a hand dramatically over his heart. "Rohith, nenu nee meedha nammakam pettanu." (Rohith, I trusted you.)

"Abaddham." (Lie.) Sneha replied immediately.

"Correct." Aariz agreed.

Anvi made a strangled noise.

I considered throwing myself off the balcony.

The fall seemed preferable.

Then Sneha looked up at us and called out loudly enough to wake half the neighborhood.

"Meeru iddharu kindhaki vasthe evvaru ekkada padukovalo decide cheyyali. Mee romance meeru Mumbai tirigi vellinappudu pettukondi!" (If you two come downstairs, we still need to decide who is sleeping where. Save your romance for when you return to Mumbai!)

The courtyard exploded with laughter.

"Sneha!" Anvi groaned, covering her face.

"Em?" (What?)

"Konchem silent ga undachu kadha!" (You could be a little quieter!)

"Enduku?" (Why?)

"Andharu lestharu!" (Everyone will wake up!)

"Already lecharu." (They're already awake.) Aariz informed her helpfully.

As if to prove his point, another light switched on.

Then another.

Then another.

From somewhere inside the house, an uncle's voice drifted out.

"Em jaruguthundhi bayata?" (What's happening outside?)

I closed my eyes.

Wonderful.

Absolutely wonderful.

Lavanya immediately started laughing so hard she had to hold onto Aariz's shoulder.

"Paapam valliddharu." (Poor those two.)

"Paapam emi kaadhu." (They're not poor at all.) Kiran replied. "Planning motham complete ayipoyindhi anukunta." (I think all the planning was already complete.)

"Annayya!" Anvi looked scandalized.

"Em? Nenu nijame chepthunna." (What? I'm telling the truth.)

"Mosey!" (Shut up!)

The entire group dissolved into laughter again.

I leaned against the railing and sighed dramatically.

"Anvi."

She glanced toward me from her balcony.

"Hmm?"

"Manaki privacy ane concept ee family lo undadhu anukunta." (I don't think the concept of privacy exists in this family.)

She looked at the crowd below.

Then at me.

Then back at the crowd.

Finally, she sighed.

"Late ga telisindha?" (You realized that only now?)

Unfortunately...

She had a point.