Morning sunlight streamed softly through the open courtyard as Nidhi and Anu sat cross-legged, carefully making a beautiful rangoli with colors. The soft fragrance of jasmine filled the air, and their giggles echoed through the verandah.

Just then, Rahul walked out, towel slung over his shoulder, heading towards the outdoor washroom.

A few minutes later, Vedansh walked in, stretching his arms lazily.

"Annaya... na rangoli ela undi?" Nidhi asked excitedly, eyes sparkling like a child waiting for appreciation.
(Brother... how's my rangoli?)

Vedansh tilted his head, pretending to observe seriously. "Hmm... just like you. "
(Hmm... nuvvu laage undi.)

For a second, Nidhi's heart melted — "aww" she almost whispered to herself, smiling shyly. But her little trance broke when Vedansh smirked and added,
"like joker."

"Idhi tappu baava! Papam kastapadi este ala ela antav?" said Anu, lightly smacking his arm.
(That's not fair, brother-in-law! She worked so hard on it! how can you say that?)

Nidhi bobbed her head cutely, agreeing. "See! Even Anu agrees with me!"

Vedansh chuckled, "Okay guys, you carry on... nenu snanam cheyali."
(I need to take a bath.)

"Wait! Nuvvu snanam cheste varenda loki water ostundi, na rangoli padaipothundi!" Nidhi exclaimed, widening her eyes.
(Wait! If you bath outside, water will splash here, and my rangoli will get ruined!)

"That's your problem, sis... I can't help it." Vedansh said casually, walking away with his towel.
(Adi nee problem, nenu em cheyanu.)

"Bava, lopala bathroom use cheyachu kada?" Anu suggested.
(bava, you can use the inside bathroom, right?)

"Nope! I want to enjoy nature while bathing. Village ki ravadam ye thakkuva, so nenu enjoy cheyyali!" Vedansh said playfully, heading out.
(I rarely come to the village, so I want to enjoy it!)

Anu sighed. "Em cheddam, annaya velipoyadu!" nidhi said.
(What to do, brother's gone already!)

But Nidhi's eyes twinkled mischievously. "Idea!" she whispered and ran off giggling.
(I got an idea!)

Rahul was almost done bathing in one of the outdoor cubicles, while Vedansh in the next one was washing his face, humming lazily. Suddenly, the water stopped.

Vedansh frowned. "What the—?" He turned the tap again. Still no water.

He immediately shouted, "Nidhi! Nidhi!"
(Nidhi!)

He knew exactly who could be behind this.

From outside came a sweet, pouty voice, "Hmm... chupu!"
(Hmm... say it!)

"Water enduku apesav?" Vedansh asked, irritated.
(Why did you turn off the water?)

"Na rangoli padaipothundi!" she said innocently.
(My rangoli will get ruined!)

"Are you mad? Muskoni water on chei!" he shouted, water dripping down his face.
(Are you crazy? Shut up and turn on the water!)

He reached for the door latch but suddenly heard the click of the lock.

"Nidhi! Naa chetha thanichukuntav cheptunna! Door enduku lock chesav? talupu tee" Vedansh yelled again.
(Nidhi! you will be beaten by me so badly.. why did you lock the door?open the door!)

From outside came her teary voice, "Idigo nuvu arusthunav! Nenu tiyanu!"
(See, you're shouting! I won't open!)

Rahul, still inside the next bathroom, sighed. "Nidhi, door enduku lock chesav tee?"
(Nidhi, why did you lock it, ? open it)

"No bava, na rangoli padaipothundi!" she said, almost whining.
(No bava, my rangoli will be ruined!)

"Picha Nidhi Neeku... first door open chei!" Vedansh shouted again.
(Crazy girl! Open the door first!)

"Aha! Nenu cheyanu! Nannu kodatav!" Nidhi pouted.
(No! I won't! You'll hit me!)

Vedansh pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to stay calm. "Sare, em cheyan. Door lock tee."
(Fine, I won't do anything. Now open the door.)

"Aha, nuvvu itla cheptav, taruvata nannu kodatav. Nenu teyanu!" she said stubbornly.
(You'll say that now, but later you'll scold me! I won't open!)

Rahul called out patiently, "Nidhi, vadu em kothadu. Nenu unna ga, door tee."
(He won't hit you. I'm here, open it.)

But Nidhi sniffled. "Ledu bava, nannu kodatadu, ammamma ki kuda cheptadu."
(No brother, he'll hit me and tell grandma too!)

Vedansh sighed deeply. "You're acting like I'll stay here forever... I'll deal with you once I come out!" he said sternly.

"Naku telusu nuvvu atla chestav ani!" she sniffed, wiping her tears. "Aina, nenu kavalani cheyala na rangoli!...."Her voice cracked, and little hiccups came between her sobs.
(I know you will! Still, I have to save my rangoli!)

Rahul sighed softly, "Nidhi, first stop crying... he will not say anything."
(Stop crying, he won't scold you.)

But she whimpered more, "No bava, nannu torture chestadu. Malli naku cakes and chocolates kuda ivadu one week!"
(No bava, he'll torture me! He won't give me cakes or chocolates for a week!)

Hearing that, Vedansh's voice softened inside the bathroom.
"You're crying like I really torture you. If someone heard, they'd believe it's true! Stop crying now, please."

Rahul smiled slightly and said gently, "Nidhi, please door lock tee. Kavalante evening ninu baitiki teskeltanu, and Vedansh ninu em anakunda chustanu."
(Nidhi, please unlock the door. If you want, I'll take you out in the evening, and Vedansh won't say anything to you.)

Immediately, Nidhi sniffed and unlocked the door.

Rahul stepped out, water dripping from his hair, wearing only his trousers and a towel around his shoulders. He took a bucket, filled it from the main tap, and knocked on Vedansh's door.

"idigo koncham water undi, teesuko."
(Here, some water — take this.)

A few minutes later, Vedansh came out, wiping his face, still annoyed but amused. The moment Nidhi saw him, she gasped and quickly hid behind Rahul...

.

.

After the whole morning chaos, everyone gathered for breakfast in the courtyard. The aroma of ghee and idlis filled the air. Nidhi sat quietly beside Anu, poking her spoon into the chutney, pretending to eat.

Across the table, Vedansh sat with a stern face, eating in silence — his eyes occasionally shooting sharp looks at her.
She shifted uncomfortably, stealing glances at him.

Finally, she couldn't take it anymore.

"Ala chudaku nanu... sorry chepanu kada!" she said softly, her voice breaking the tension.
(Don't look at me like that... I already said sorry, right!)

Vedansh didn't look up from his plate. "Agu...nee next month pocket money cut... and parties kuda cut."
(Stop right there... next month, your pocket money and parties are both cut.)

Nidhi's jaw dropped. "Enti?!" she gasped, eyes wide. Then she pushed her plate away dramatically and stood up.

""Eppudu inte nanu edipistane untadu..." 

(You always make me cry like this...) 

She stomped off to her room, leaving her breakfast half-eaten.

Rajyalakshmi, who was watching everything quietly, sighed and looked at Vedansh.
"enduku ra na manavaralani edipistav eppudu?"
why do you keep troubling my granddaughter all the time?)

Vedansh smiled faintly......

After a couple of minutes, he got up silently, took Nidhi's plate, served some fresh breakfast again, and walked toward her room.

Inside, Nidhi sat curled up on the bed, hugging her knees, still pouting and sniffing. Her eyes were red from tears.

Vedansh knocked softly. "Door open cheyyava?"
(Will you open the door?)

No reply.

He smiled faintly. "Sare, nenu lopalaki vastunna."
(Alright, I'm coming in then.)

He stepped inside and sat beside her quietly. For a moment, neither spoke. Then he placed the plate on her lap.

"Sorry.."

He took a piece of idli and fed her gently.
She took it but still mumbled between bites, "nuvu eppudu ila arusthavu,"
(You always shout like this, don't give me chocolates, scold me in front of everyone...)

Vedansh chuckled softly and said, "Sare sare... anni complaints list lo add chesta."
(Okay, okay... all complaints noted.)

"Next time ala cheyakudadu ok na?" she asked, looking at him with hope.
(You won't do that next time, right?)

He nodded, smiling. "Promise."

And that was it — her anger melted instantly. She smiled through her big fat cute tears and hugged him tightly.

Rajyalakshmi watched them from the doorway, a small smile of relief on her face.

Because that's how siblings are — they fight, they yell, they cry, and yet... they always find their way back to each other before the day ends. 

.

.

The evening breeze moved softly through the verandah. Anu sat on the wooden swing, scrolling through her mobile, her dupatta loosely hanging over her shoulder. The rest of the family was busy chatting inside.

Just then, Vaishnav walked in with a casual smile.
"Hey Anu, long time... what are you watching?" he asked, sitting a bit too close for comfort.

Anu smiled politely, keeping her eyes on her phone. "Just some insta reels.."

But as seconds passed, she could feel his gaze — not on the screen, but on her. His eyes lingered, making her shoulders stiffen. Her fingers froze mid-scroll. She shifted slightly, pretending to adjust her phone, trying to put some distance between them.

"Nice dress... suits you," he said, his tone low.

Anu forced a faint smile, hiding her unease. "Thanks," she said quickly and stood up, pretending to check something inside.

From across the courtyard, Vedansh had been watching silently. The small frown on his face deepened as his eyes followed Vaishnav's gaze earlier — he had noticed the discomfort, the uneasiness in Anu's body language.

After Vaishnav left, Vedansh walked up to Anu. His tone was calm, but firm.

"Anu... next time, stay away from him."

Anu looked up, slightly startled, but she could see the concern in his eyes. She nodded quietly.

"Okay... "

Vedansh gave her a small reassuring smile. "Good. Some people don't deserve even a simple conversation."

Anu nodded again, silently appreciating his protective nature — the way he always noticed even the smallest change in her expression.

The moment passed quietly, but the air around them carried an unspoken understanding — he would always watch out for her.