Short Stories

CH 1 - Promise

( 10 years ago )~~~

Prudhvi pov :

" Are everyone ready ?! Ammayini chuse lope nenu muslodu ayipotha anukunta ?" I say sarcastically.( I think I will get old by the time we see the girl)

Today we are all going to the neighbouring kindom to ask for their daughter's hand in the marriage

For whom you may ask ? Me of course !

Well , not ask per say . As our alliance has already been decided by the elders way back, when I was 12 and Ahalya was 8 yrs.

Ahalya ...

Isnt her name beautiful ? Just like her name , she is beautiful in appearance as well . And also ,she is kind , smart and well behaved. What more can I ask for in a lifelong partner ?

My father and hers , the bestest of friends , had decided and promised each other , that they would get their children married to one another when we both come of age.

So here we are , getting ready to go to their palace and to set a date for the marriage.

I was never keen to be married so soon, I wanted to wait a year or two like my father to get married. But I've seen Ahalya a few times in their home when we visited them during festivals .

She was so beautiful . I never got the idea of marrying her but ever since last year ,when my mother talked about the marriage with her , I can't stop thinking about her and about how great our life would be together. Just like my parents .

Suddenly I was thrown out of my thoughts when I saw my sister Janu coming crying down the stairs of our palace .

I kneel down to get to her level but she put her hands up , like she wants me to lift her up.

And I do.

" Em ayinda ra ? Amma titinda?" I ask ( What happened? Did mother scold you )

She nods .

Just then Amma comes down with a pattu langa ( South Indian traditional dress)

" Oh I did not say anything to her . I just wanted her to wear this . " she says

" Kaani danilo chala vaid ayitadi . Nenu ide eskunta . Cheppu Annaya nuvaina " Janu cries on my shoulder. ( But It will get hot in that . I will wear this only . Please tell her Brother )

" Amma she is saying she will wear this dress and it looks good only . Why are you bothering then? " I ask her

" Kaani tana machcha kanapadtundi danila" she says ( But her mark is showing in this dress)

I just sigh out loud.

Yes , My cute sister Janaki was born with a rather large birthmark that covered most of her her right shoulder. It has always bothered my mother.

Because she is .... Well , a mother.

A lot of my relatives commented on her mark and blamed my mother but most importantly they also plunged this idea into into her that Janu won't be able get married with an 'ugly' mark like that .

Yes , I too hate my relatives.

Amma cares about her daughter, I can see that , but I will not let her make my sister feel insecure about something so natural .

" Amma chalu aapandi . Meeku telusu kada Janu ni iputu nunche ee vishayam gurinchi digalu petaddu Ani. Tana vayase enta ? ( Mother please stop. You know you shouldn't disturb Janu about these things just right now. Think of her age)

I put down Janu on the ground and say to her . " Go and get ready soon and wear whatever you want ,alright ? " She smiles and shows her tongue to Amma mockingly and runs away from amma laughing .