The mandap was glowing in soft golden light.

Fresh jasmine garlands hung from the pillars, their fragrance mixing with the scent of agarbatti and ghee lamps.

He sat calm, composed on the outside—but inside, his heart was pounding just as loudly as hers.

Anu sat with her head slightly bowed, hands trembling in her lap. The silk of her red saree felt heavy, not because of its weight, but because of the meaning it carried.

This moment...
She had waited for it for years.

The priest's voice rose.

"Mangalyam tantunanena mama jeevana hetuna..."

Vedansh took a deep breath.

He reached for the thalibottu.

The gold chain rested in his palms, warm, sacred—holding promises, pain, patience, and love that had survived storms.

He stepped closer.

Anu's breath hitched.

As Vedansh lifted the thalibottu, his fingers brushed her collarbone. The cool gold touched her skin—and when it slid down and rested against her chest...

Anu closed her eyes instantly.

Tears spilled without permission.

Not loud.
Not dramatic.

Just silent tears—pure, heavy, long-held.

"i waited for so long"

Her lips trembled.

For a second, she forgot everyone around her—the crowd, the rituals, the expectations.

All she remembered were the nights she cried alone.
The moments she thought she had lost him forever.
The fear that maybe fate was cruel.

But now...

Vedansh tied the knot carefully.

Firm. Certain.

As the final knot was secured, he leaned forward and gently kissed her forehead.

A slow, lingering kiss.

Not possession.
Not victory.

But reverence.

Anu's hands came up instinctively.

She held the thalibottu between her fingers, her tears dropping onto the gold.

She lifted it to her lips and kissed it.

Her shoulders shook.

Vedansh saw her tears and his own eyes burned.

"Devuda... maa bava ki oche anni kastalu naa meedhaki raani. Naa happiness anta maa bava di. Aayana eppatiki santosham ga undali... oka chinna baadha kuda raakudadhu."

"God... let all the troubles that come to my bava come to me instead. My happiness belongs entirely to him. He should always remain happy... not even a small sorrow should ever touch him"

"Naaku ani nuvve, Anu. Naa happiness neethone start avtadi. Neeku e kastam kuda raakunda nenu chusukunta."

"You are my 'mine', Anu. My happiness begins with you. I'll make sure that not a single hardship ever reaches you."

The priest announced:

"eeroju nunchi mee idharu bharya bartalu..idharu tama baadalu, sukhalu, kastalu ani panchukoni sukha shanti toh undali."

"From today, you both are husband and wife. You should share each other's sorrows, happiness, and hardships, and live together with peace and harmony."

Flowers showered over them.

Applause erupted.

But Anu only looked at Vedansh.

.

.

Soft pastel silk.
Hair neatly braided with loose curls framing her face.
A small bindi.

Simple.

Elegant.

When she stepped into the hall, Rahul saw her.

And forgot how to breathe.

He walked toward her slowly.

Without a word, he gently held her wrist and pulled her aside—near one of the quiet rooms.

She looked up, confused.

"Em ayindi?"
(What happened?)

Rahul closed the door halfway.

The noise of the wedding faded.

He reached out and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

"Chaala andanga unnaav."
(You look very beautiful.)

Her cheeks warmed.

He smiled softly.

He bent forward and kissed her forehead.

Slow.

Deliberate.

Then her cheek.

Once.

Twice.

Lingering.

Nidhi closed her eyes.

Rahul buried his face into her shoulder.

Not desire.

Comfort.

Belonging.

and nudged his nose on her collarbone. and hands on her waist....and pinched her

"ahh bava " and rubbed her waist..he smiled and kissed her cheek and bite her "my rasagulla " he said and kissed one more time...

She placed her hands on his chest.

He pulled her closer.

And hugged her.

She smiled, eyes shining.

Outside, wedding music played louder.

Inside that room—

Two hearts rested.

.

.

the very next day

Lakshmi cleared her throat.

"Ippudu oka vishayam matladali."
(Now we need to talk about something.)

Kavitha nodded.

"Pelli ayipoyindi kada... kuladevi darshanam ki vellali."
(The wedding is done... we should visit our kuladevi.)

Lakshmi turned toward Anu and Vedansh.

"Rajyalakshmi athaya oorlo unde kuladevi."
(The kuladevi is in Rajyalakshmi mil place.)

"Repu poddunne bayalderudham."
(We'll leave early tomorrow morning.)

Everyone agreed.

Suitcases, travel plans, temple timings—all began forming naturally.

That's when Nidhi spoke up, hesitant.

"Amma... naaku exam undi."
(Mom... I have an exam.)

Kavitha turned sharply.

"Adenti? Intlo evvaru undaru."
(Then what? No one will be at home.)

Nidhi bit her lip.

"Chadukovali amma... vellalenu."
(I need to study, amma... I can't come.)

Kavitha sighed.

"Okka ammayini intlo ela vadulutam?"
(How can we leave a girl alone at home?)

Before Nidhi could answer—

Rahul stepped forward.

Calm. Responsible. Steady.

"athaya... Nidhi ki thoduga nenu unta le etlano naku konchem work undi."
(Aunty... I'll take care of Nidhi. even i have some work.)

Everyone turned.

Kavitha studied him for a moment.

"are you sure?"

Rahul nodded.

"Aame exam important. Nenu untanu."
(Her exam is important. I'll stay.)

Nidhi looked at him, with pout.

Their eyes met.

Something warm passed between them.

Kavitha finally exhaled.

"Sare..."
(Alright....)

Nidhi's shoulders relaxed.

She whispered:

"Thanks..."

Rahul didn't reply.

He just smiled.

.

.

"Anu will sleep with me as pandit said there is still 2 more days for your first night." said kavitha which made vedansh panic and anu blush.

"what no mom...i won't do anything... but i can't stay away..i won't let her." he said and took her to room..

"this boy will not behave.."kavitha sighed and lakshmi laughed..

.

.

The door closed softly behind them.

The world outside—voices, rituals, laughter—faded into silence.

Anu stood still, nervous fingers clutching the edge of her saree. The heaviness of the day finally settled on her shoulders.

Vedansh turned toward her slowly.

He didn't rush.

He stepped closer and gently held her hands.

"Chaala alisipoyav."
(You're very tired.)

She nodded slightly, eyes lowered.

Vedansh lifted her chin with his finger and pecked her.

He began removing her jewellery one by one.

The bangles first—soft clinks echoing in the quiet room.
Then the necklace.
Earrings.

Each touch was careful, respectful.

Anu closed her eyes.

Not fear.

Relief.

"Nenu unna kada."
(I'm here, right?)

She whispered:

"Hmm..."

He guided her gently toward the bathroom.

The sound of water filled the space.

Vedansh stood behind her, helping her loosen the braid, fingers brushing her hair softly.

She leaned slightly into him.

Trusting.

After her bath, wrapped in a simple cloth, Anu stepped out.

Her face was bare.
Eyes tired.
Heart full.

Vedansh held her shoulders and wiped her hair gently with a towel.

No words.

Only presence.

He then led her to the bed.

Anu hesitated for a second.

Vedansh sat first and pulled her gently toward him.

Not demanding.

Inviting.

She lay beside him.

He wrapped one arm around her and pulled her close, her head resting against his chest.

The steady rhythm of his heartbeat calmed her instantly.

Vedansh kissed her forehead slowly.

"Ippudu bojjo"
(Sleep now.)

She murmured, voice soft and broken with emotion:

"Ee kshanam... nijam laga ledu."
(This moment doesn't feel real.)

He tightened his hold slightly.

"ide nijam... jeevitam antha untundi."
(This reality will stay for a lifetime.)

Anu's fingers curled into his shirt.

Within moments, her breathing slowed.

She slept.

Vedansh didn't move.

He rested his cheek against her hair, eyes open, protective.

"Naa bujji pellam..."
(My wife...)

And for the first time in a long while—

Both of them slept.

Together.

.

.

Nidhi sat at the study table, books open in front of her, but her eyes weren't reading anything.

Her phone vibrated.

Caller ID: Aarti

She picked it up.

"Hello?"

"Nidhi! Em dng... chadukuntunnava?"
(Nidhi! What's up... studying?)

"Ha... try chestunna."
(Yeah... trying.)

Aarti laughed on the other end.

"Wedding ayipoyindi kada..."
(The wedding is done right....)

Nidhi smiled faintly.

"Ha."

There was a pause.

Then Aarti's tone dropped, becoming teasing, careless.

"Oye... oka question adugutha."
(Hey... can I ask you one question?)

Nidhi frowned.

"Em?"
(What?)

Aarti giggled.

"Meeru iddaru... close ayyara?"
(Have you both... gotten close?)

Nidhi stiffened.

"Ardham kaaledu."
(I didn't understand.)

Aarti lowered her voice.

"Arey... aa type lo... relationship wise."
(I mean... that way... relationship-wise.)

Nidhi's heart skipped.

"Ledu."
(No.)

There was silence.

Then—

"Ayyo Nidhi!" Aarti burst out.

"Ila unte ela?"

"How will things work like this?"

Nidhi swallowed.

"Em matladutunnav?"
(What are you talking about?)

Aarti spoke casually, as if it was normal advice.

"Choodu... abbayila manasu chala weak."
(Listen... boys' hearts are very weak.)

"Konchem care teesukoka pothe... bayata easy ga change ayipotaru."
(If you don't take care, they change easily... they look outside.)

Nidhi's fingers tightened around the phone.

"Ila delay chesthe... interest taggutundi anta."
(If you delay, their interest fades, they say.)

Her chest felt tight.

"So... konchem bold ga undu."
(So... be a little bold.)

Nidhi's voice trembled.

"Aarti... please."

But the damage was done.

"Nenu cheppindi nee manchike."
(I said it for your good.)

The call ended.

The room felt suddenly smaller.

The books blurred.

Her heartbeat echoed loudly in her ears.

"Ala anukuntara?"
(Do they really think like that?)

Rahul's face flashed in her mind.

His calm eyes.
His patience.
His respect.

But Aarti's words replayed cruelly.

"Boys heart will change in seconds..."

Nidhi hugged herself.

"Nenu tappu chestunnana?"
(Am I doing something wrong?)

Fear crept in.

Not of Rahul.

But of losing him.

"Aayana ala undaru... kada?"
(He's not like that... right?)

Her eyes welled up.

She rested her forehead on the table, breath shaky.

For the first time—

Love didn't feel safe.

It felt fragile.

And that thought—

Made her heart restless.

Rahul entered the room quietly.

Nidhi quickly wiped her tears and turned toward her books, pretending to read. But her heart was still restless, echoing Aarti's words again and again.

"Boys' hearts change in seconds..."

Rahul kept his bag aside and looked at her.

"Chadukuntunnava?"
(Are you studying?)

"Ha..."
(Yeah...)

She didn't look at him.

Something inside her tightened.

Fear crept in slowly—not about exams, but about him.

What if I lose him?
What if I'm not enough?

She stood up hesitantly and walked toward him.

Her voice softened unnaturally.

"bava..."

He turned.

She tried to smile, sat on his lap her fingers nervously touching the buttons of his shirt—not confidence, only insecurity.

Rahul immediately sensed something was off.

He gently caught her hand and moved it away.

She froze.

"Ippudu nee focus chaduvu meede undali."
(Right now, your focus should only be on your studies.)

Her eyes widened.

"Ee time lo ila unte... distract avutav."
(If we do this now, you'll get distracted.)

That was all.

To Rahul, it was care.
To Nidhi, it felt like rejection.

Her hand slowly dropped.

Her throat burned.

"Okay..."

She turned away without another word.

She went to the bed, lay down, and turned her back toward him.

No hug.
No closeness.

Only silence.

.

.

Her eyes stayed open, staring at the wall.

Questions attacked her mind mercilessly.

"Nenu andanga lenaa?"
(Am I not pretty?)

"Nenu saripovada?"
(Am I not enough?)

"Aayanaki already evaraina unnara?"
(Does he already have someone?)

Her chest felt heavy.

Tears slipped silently into the pillow.

She didn't turn toward him.

She didn't ask.

She just went quiet.

And slowly—

She fell asleep.

Alone, even though he was beside her.

.

.

Rahul sat on the edge of the bed for a long moment, watching her still form.

He misunderstood her silence.

"Ee exams time lo emotions perigite... tana future disturb avtundi."
(If emotions grow during exams, her future will get disturbed.)

He exhaled slowly.

"Control cheyyali."
(I need to control myself.)

He lay down beside her carefully, leaving space between them.

Not because he didn't want her.

But because he loved her enough to hold back.

Two hearts.
One room.
One misunderstanding.

And insecurities—
growing quietly in the dark.

SO GUYS I HAVE DOUBT AND I NEED YOU GUYS TO RESPOND I AM THINKING THIS STORY TO EXTEND FOR NEXT GENERATION (rahul son and vedansh daughter...how is this eee)ALSO WITH DIFFERENT CONCEPT (LIKE HOW IT LOOKS WHEN ONLY MALE LEAD IS OBSSESSED WITH FEMALE LEAD WHERE AS FL WILL NOT HAVE ANY FEELINGS)IS IT OK FOR YOU GUYS ??