The wedding hall was alive with the chaotic energy of a traditional Telugu marriage. Music blared, children darted between legs, and groups of aunts huddled together, sharing the latest gossip.
While Krishna and Suresh greeted the arriving guests, Radhika sat at the mandapam with Roshini, who looked stunning in her silk saree as she assisted her brother with the rituals.
But amidst the bustle, Ram's mind was elsewhere. He sat before the priest, mechanically following the chants, his heart racing with a single, desperate craving: to see his bride. It had been nearly a week since they had last seen each other, and the distance felt like an eternity.
Finally, the priest spoke the words he had been waiting for: "Bring the bride."
Ram's eyes sparked with instant eagerness. Seeing his anticipation, his mother gave him a knowing nod and stepped away from the mandapam to bring Mythili.
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In the bride's room, Mythili sat on her chair, looking heavenly as Ram's bride. Despite the beauty of the moment, a wave of nervousness washed over her.
She had always dreamed of this day, but she never expected it to happen so fast the Muhurtham was fixed just a month after the big talk with her father. Ram's joy, of course, had known no bounds the moment he heard the date.
"Mythu..." her friend Sandhya called out.
"Uh..."
"What are you thinking? I called you twice. Are you okay?"
"Yeah... just a little nervous, I think."
"It's okay, it happens. Take a deep breath and stay cool." Sandhya reassured her.
Sowmya chimed in with a grin, "Look, Sandhya, I thought I'd be the first one in our gang to get married, but our Mythu snatched my place! See how eager she is to go with her DCP sir..."
The teasing brought a small, shy smile to Mythili's face. Watching from the corner, Vasu's eyes filled with tears of joy as she looked at her daughter. Just then, Radhika entered to announce that the Pandit was calling for the bride.
Mythili walked out with her friends trailing behind her. She stopped in front of her father, whose eyes were shimmering with tears. Suresh stepped forward, patted her head lovingly, and—with a heart full of mixed emotions—led his daughter toward the Mandapam.
A silk Addutera (curtain) was held between them as Mythili took her seat. Even though they were inches apart, the cloth kept them a mystery to one another, heightening the tension.
