Anu and Vedansh were sleeping, wrapped in each other's arms, their bodies fitting together like they were made that way. The early morning light slipped softly through the curtains, painting golden patterns on the walls. The room was quiet—peaceful in a way that only comes after a long night of exhaustion and unspoken emotions.

The alarm rang.

Vedansh stirred first. He carefully silenced it, not wanting to disturb the fragile calm. He turned his head and looked down at Anu.

His ammu.

Her face looked impossibly cute—soft, tired, yet peaceful. Dark circles faintly hugged her eyes, a silent testimony to the nights she had spent vomiting, restless, and uncomfortable. Yet right now, she looked calm... safe... his.

His heart melted.

He leaned down and kissed the tip of her nose gently.

She wriggled slightly in her sleep, a small frown forming before relaxing again. A smile curved on Vedansh's lips. He traced his fingers along her cheek, then bent lower, placing slow, tender kisses along her collarbone, then her neck—soft, teasing kisses meant not to awaken her abruptly, but to pull her gently from sleep.

She murmured, half-asleep,

"mmm nee beard guchukuntundi.."
"Mmm... your beard is pricking me."

He chuckled softly.

"ammu lei eroju manam hospital ki kuda velali check up ki and night kuda vomitimgs aiyay lesi breakfast tindu raa..."
"Amma, wake up. We have to go to the hospital today for a check-up. You had vomiting again last night, get up and eat breakfast."

She responded with a lazy hum, burying her face against his chest.

He kissed her again—this time firmer, longer—until she finally opened her eyes slowly.

She blinked, groggy, then sat up on the bed. Immediately, Vedansh pulled her into his arms, hugging her close, kissing her cheek softly.

"ippudud ela undi bujji..vomiting sensation taginda"
"How are you feeling now, bujji? Has the vomiting sensation reduced?"

She nodded lightly, too tired to speak.

Without another word, Vedansh scooped her up in his arms. She didn't protest—she never did when he carried her like this. He took her to the bathroom, gently made her brush, holding the mug when her hands trembled. He stayed close while she bathed, steadying her when dizziness hit, his presence grounding her.

Once done, he wrapped a towel around her carefully and brought her to the living room.

Nidhi was already seated at the table, happily eating dosas.

"ra anu breakfast chedu neeku istamaina masala dosa chesa" Kavitha said lovingly.
"Come Anu, eat breakfast. I made your favorite masala dosa."

Anu smiled faintly and sat down, forcing herself to eat.

Just then, a worker came rushing in.

"ayya party office nunchi evaro idharu ocharu.."
"Sir, two people from the party office have come."

Vedansh nodded calmly.

"kurchopettu osta"
"Ask them to sit, I'll come."

He walked out and saw a woman and a man standing there.

"cheppu kaveri enti sudden ga.." asked Vedansh.
"Tell me, Kaveri. What's the matter suddenly?"

"ade sir lakshman rao gari party vaalu gola gola chestunaru and chala mandi aa party ki velipotham ani bediristunaru..."
"Sir, Lakshman Rao's party people are creating chaos, and many are threatening to switch parties."

Vedansh's jaw clenched.

Inside the house, suddenly, Anu's face paled. Nausea surged violently. She dropped her spoon and ran mid-meal.

"anu emaindi amma." Kavitha shouted.
"Anu, what happened, dear?"

Vedansh heard it.

"one min i will be right back" he said quickly and ran.

He found Anu bent over, retching violently. Her throat burned, tears streamed uncontrollably. He knelt beside her, rubbing her back firmly, whispering soothing words.

When it was over, he cleaned her mouth gently, lifted her effortlessly, and laid her on the bed.

Kavitha came running.

"ela undi anu" she asked anxiously.
"How is Anu?"

"throat pain and stomach kuda edo la undi naa valla kavatla atha.." Anu cried.
"My throat hurts and my stomach feels strange, I can't handle it, atha."

"nenu emana juice testa agu..." Kavitha said and hurried away.
"I'll bring some juice, wait."

Vedansh wiped Anu's tears.

"heyy shh em kadu bujji edvaku nenu una kada..enduku sudden ga vomitings avtunai.."
"Hey shh, nothing will happen, bujji. Don't cry, I'm here. Why are you suddenly having vomiting?"

She glared at him.

"varam nunchi avtunai.."
"It's been happening since a week."

His voice rose unintentionally.

"avna naku enduku chepaledu .."
"Is it? Why didn't you tell me?"

She shot back, equally loud.

"enduk arustunav nuvu asl matladutunava natho eppudain matladadaniki oste ignore chesi velipoyevadivi.."
"Why are you shouting? Do you even talk to me properly? Whenever I come to talk, you ignore me and leave."

Guilt hit him hard.

"shhh calm dowm am so sorry doctor degariki veldam juice tagesaka..hmm"
"Shhh, calm down. I'm so sorry. Let's go to the doctor after you drink juice, hmm."

He gently caressed her stomach, slow rhythmic motions, calming her nerves. Gradually, her breathing eased.

"taginda ippudu hmm?"
"Is it better now?"

She replied softly, "hmmm."

Kavitha brought lemon juice. Vedansh made sure she finished every drop.

They went to the hospital.

The doctor examined her carefully.

"Morning sickness is intense in some pregnancies," the doctor explained gently. "Avoid junk food, take plenty of rest, and don't stress. Emotional stress worsens nausea."

Vedansh nodded seriously, absorbing every word like a command.

On the way back, Anu suddenly demanded cold coffee.

Vedansh stopped near a café.

As they stepped out, a woman approached.

"hey vedansh.."

Anu froze.

Vedansh never spoke this openly with women. Never let other men talk to her either.

"hi sindu.." he replied casually.

That was it.

Anu's expression shattered.

Oh... so this is her. The one he was supposed to marry.

She grabbed the car keys abruptly.

"you guys have a talk.. i will wait outside..."

Before Vedansh could stop her, she left and sat inside the car.

Sindu tried to speak.

"how are you?"

But Vedansh's eyes were only on Anu.

"i am sorry i gotta go.." he said and followed her.

Anu snapped.

"enduku ochesav matladalsindi ga nee kaboye bharya tho.."
"Why did you come? You should've talked to your would-be wife."

"anu please not now.."

Hormones stormed inside her.

Tears flowed.

"if i weren't pregnat you were going to marry her na"
"If I wasn't pregnant, you would've married her, right?"

He stopped the car suddenly.

"orelse you are still planning.."

He cut her off sharply.

"anu what are you talking you know why i did yesterday and you know what you are to me and still doubting me...if you are then stop it other wise i will punish you hard that you wouldn't able to walk for a month.."

She averted her eyes, shaken.

.

.

At home, she froze seeing her parents.

"nene pilcha.." Vedansh said firmly.
"I called them."

"athaya meeku okati chepali..." he continued, ignoring Krishna.
"Aunty, I need to tell you something."

"actually we are going to become parents.."

Krishna exploded, grabbing his collar.

"i will not spare you vedansh .. you played cheap trciks to marry her.."

Vedansh's eyes darkened.

"should i tell who played the cheap tricks mamaya.."

Krishna let go.

Vedansh turned to Lakshmi.

"athay we will marry in few days...please..."

"but ved what about society"

"i dont care about anything as far as she is with me."

Anu smiled softly... but avoided her father.

Krishna finally broke down, apologizing.

"nee manasulo inta undani naku teliyaledu!" said lakshmi.
"I never knew you could stoop this low!"

She cried, holding her chest.

"nee kutumbam, nee izzat kosam... naa ammayi jeevitham ni baali ichava?"
"For your pride and reputation, you sacrificed our daughter's life?"

"lakshmi... nenu tappu chesanu."
"Lakshmi... I made a mistake."

He looked at Anu, emotional.

"amma... nannu kshaminchu."
"Child... forgive me."

The room waited.

Everyone waited.

Anu stood still, tears silently falling.

She spoke softly—but each word cut deep.

"nanna... kshaminchadam anedi okka roju lo jarigipoye pani kaadu."
"Dad... forgiveness isn't something that happens in a day."

She looked straight into his eyes.

"i can't as of now." 

"ok anu let's go to our home till your marriage." said lakshmi, but vedansh cut her off..

"no athaya she is having vomiting sickness and she needs me ...i will not send her anywhere." he said.

"anyways our houses are side by side you stay here most of the time..."said vedansh.

lakshmi thought for anu happiness and nodded.

SO AS I PROMISED I WILL GIVE DOUBLE UPDATE AND DON'T FORGET TO VOTE AND COMMENT PLEASE TELL ME YOUR OPINION ON THIS CHAPTER..I KNOW MANY OF YOU ARE WAITING FOR NIDHI AND RAHUL SO THE NEXT WHOLE CHAPTER IS ON THEM...READ AND VOTE