Chapter 38 - The Art Exhibition

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Telugu words in chapter : Vijaya Dashami- A festival celebrated at the end of Navaratri.

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"Blue skirt with white top?" asked Vennela.

"You are not a school kid" said Amar, putting the skirt aside.

"Orange saree?" Vennela pointed at a chiffon saree.

"It's not a party" Amar put the saree aside.

"How is this? Black shirt and cream colored pants."

"Are we going to attend a conference?" Amar put it aside.

"I never saw a man who is so particular about dressing style." Vennela was amused.

"Moonlight, this is the first time you are presenting your paintings in art exhibition. I want everything to be perfect. I want you to look like an artist." Amar chose a simple green cotton dress.

"Wow! Is this mine? I don't even remember buying this dress." 

"You bought it a week before the accident. Call me once you wear it. Comb your hair properly." He kissed her forehead. 

After making sure that she looked good, they went into the dining hall where Surya was waiting for them. "All set?" asked Surya.

"I'm nervous. What if no one likes my paintings?" Vennela looked tensed.

"Art is not about making someone like your work. It's all about telling a story on the canvas" said Surya.

"And your paintings tell such a beautiful story that people will definitely like it." Amar served breakfast. "Have your sandwiches."

After having breakfast they headed towards the venue. Amar disguised himself again. His bodyguards followed them as they were going to a crowded place. Vennela was used to it. They reached the place.

Surya left to help the organizer, who was his friend. Vennela, being a first timer, was given a corner slot. They set up her paintings. "This is unfair." Amar complained. "I'll talk to the the in-charge."

"No. I'm comfortable here." Vennela stopped him.

Amar sat down beside her and held her hand. People started coming in. No one bothered to come in that corner, much to Vennela's disappointment. Amar noticed this. He started talking to her to distract her. "Do you know, I once auditioned for a school play?"

"You did? Which role was it?" Vennela was interested in listening to stories about his school days.

"Macbeth. They said I was a bit skinny and rejected me. I ended up playing a nameless soldier. But, I wasn't disappointed. I knew I was the hottest and the tallest soldier in the play. I set a standard for soldier's role which no one could reach till now." Amar concluded the story.

Vennela chuckled. "Of course. My hubby is smoking hot. No one can reach Amar Pratap's standard." 

They waited for people to notice them. Amar understood that people couldn't notice their paintings because of the corner slot. "Vennela, you look tired. Let's go and take rest in the car. Let's come back after half an hour." Amar informed the in-charge and left with Vennela. He took her outside and asked the servants to take care of her.

A few minutes later, he removed his disguise and re-emerged from the front door in his businessman avatar. People gathered around him asking for pictures. The organizer came running to welcome him. "Mr. Amar Pratap. It's an honour having a great businessman like you here, sir. Please come in."

He waved at everyone and started examining the paintings one by one. People followed him wherever he went. He moved towards Vennela's paintings and stood there for a very long time admiring them. His fans noticed the paintings.

"Wow! Such a wonderful concept!" Someone from the crowd exclaimed. Everyone started admiring Vennela's work. 

Amar knew his plan worked. He took his phone out of his pocket and walked out of the hall pretending to be on a call.

"Where is the artist?" Someone asked the organizer.

"She will be here in a few minutes." He answered.

Amar reached the car. "Where were you?" Vennela asked him. 

"Very important work which needed to be done." He chose his words very carefully because he promised not to lie to her. "Let's get inside."

He disguised himself again and took her wheelchair to the corner. She was surprised to find some 8-10 people gathering around and admiring her work. "Hello everyone. I hope you like them."

"You painted them? They are so beautiful. I like the one where the woman is fighting and shielding her man. It shows that women are not inferior. May I know what's your inspiration for this?" A woman in her thirties asked Vennela.

"It is inspired from a real life incident. Actually my wife is the woman warrior in the painting." Amar explained.

"Wow! That's great." Everyone looked impressed. 

"Determination and wisdom can defeat mere physical strength. A woman armed with these weapons can win any battle" said Vennela. The crowd applauded.

"The second one is nice too. I assume it is also inspired from your real life." A girl asked her. "I'm sure the man kneeling next to the woman is your husband."

"Yes" Vennela smiled, happily.

"It conveys a very good message. It says true love will remain unaffected by the physical condition of the person we love. Love can can make all the problems look smaller." The girl squealed.

Everyone started writing 'Get Well Soon' messages on an empty canvas for her. She was moved by the sweet gesture and thanked everyone. 

"Looks like you gained a good number of fans." Lasya, who just entered the exhibition hall, remarked.

"Not just fans. Well wishers." Vennela squeezed her hand. "Thank you akka."

The organizer came running again. "Lasya Dhanunjaya. It's an honour having a great businesswoman like you here. I didn't believe when Surya told me he is married to you. Glad to meet you. Our exhibition is getting famous. Great business personalities are visiting us. Only this morning--"

"Sir! Mr. Surya is calling you. I think it is urgent" said Amar. He sighed in relief as the man left. "Let's go for lunch in the adjacent hall."

They were having lunch when Rishi-Raj arrived. "Shruthi akka will be here in a few minutes. She said she has to submit her project to the professor."

"I hope it goes well." Vennela felt sad that she couldn't help Shruthi with her project.

"Amar, what's behind this building?" asked Vennela.

"A playschool. It's visible from the backyard."

"Take me there" said Vennela. They went into the backyard when Vennela started coughing. "Bring some water."

"Okay. Stay here." Amar went to get some water. He returned to see Vennela lying on the floor and a man kneeling next to her, apologizing. "Sorry I didn't mean to push you."

"How dare you push her? Are you out of your mind?" Amar rushed to the spot. She was sweating profusely. "You could have hurt her--" He stopped talking. He observed a slight movement in her left leg. Vennela was unaware of that.

"Did you see that?" Amar whisper-yelled.

"What?"

"You moved your leg." He whispered again.

Vennela looked at her leg, disbelieving. She tried to move it again. It didn't move. "I hope we are not mistaken."

"I saw it too. A slight movement from the knee" said the man.

She tried very hard summoning all her strength despite the excessive pain. To her surprise, it moved a bit. A very very slight movement.

Amar stood up and thanked him. "Thank you so much for pushing her." The man looked at Amar as if he has gone mad and left.

"He thinks you are bipolar."

"Do you understand the meaning of this, Vennu? You are recovering. Let's go and meet the doctor tomorrow and tell him what happened."

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"I sold both the paintings and bought these for you." Vennela gave a new blue shirt to Amar after returning from the hospital. The doctor conducted a few tests and announced that her limbs are getting stronger and she is indeed recovering. He even stated confidently that it will only take around three months. 

He tried it on. "I look good." The fact that his wife is capable of earning even in that condition made him feel proud.

"I got perfume for Anirudh, sunglasses for Rishi-Raj, books for akka and bava garu. These chocolates are for Shruthi." Vennela showed him the gifts she bought for everyone.

"I want chocolates too."

"There's something better than these." She gave him a scrapbook. 

He opened it to find his rare childhood pictures. A sweet smile crept across his face as he looked at his childhood self. He turned the page to find his first drawing as a child and the essay for which he got first prize during 3rd standard. The next page had his first letter to his mother. His smile widened as he read the letter in which he described how much he loved the summer camp. The scrapbook included most of the things which he didn't even remember- like his trading cards, script of first school play, head boy badge, etc., The last page had his father's love letter to his mother.

"How did you..." He couldn't speak.

"This is what I have been doing in my free time. Grandma told me where I would find them." Vennela answered.

"Vennela, I don't know how to thank you."

She embraced him. He felt safe and protected in her arms. A feeling he never experienced since his mother's death.

The next day they completed the Vijaya Dashami pooja in their house and reached Dhanunjayas' place along with Anirudh. He didn't want to miss an opportunity of meeting Shruthi.

Prakash didn't seem to like Anirudh accompanying Amar and Vennela. He avoided talking to him.

Nanditha was reading a short story from mythology which described the qualities of ideal son, daughter, parents and couple. "Sacrifices and problems only bring husband and wife closer. According to me, men lack emotional strength and cannot choose what's right for them. An ideal wife should always provide emotional support and guide the husband towards the right path..."

Amar looked at Vennela and remembered how she always guided him when he was unable to decide, scolded him when he neglected his duties and shielded him from all possible dangers.

"...and an ideal husband should never give up on his wife. All women crave for, is respect. A good husband should understand what his wife needs and try to make her feel comfortable. He should always value her opinion..."

Vennela remembered how Amar never gave up and always fought her problems alongside her. He sincerely tried to make her feel comfortable since the first day of their married life. She rested her head on his shoulder.

"Aunty, complete the pooja quickly. We are starving." Rishi reminded Nanditha.

"Starving? I just saw you eat banana chips in the kitchen" said Anirudh.

"You did?" Prakash asked the twins.

"No. Rudy is lying. He is a compulsive liar" said Rishi.

"Hey! He's not a liar. If he said you ate in the kitchen, then it must be true. I trust him" said Shruthi, defending Anirudh. She looked at him with eyes full of adoration. Anirudh turned away blushing. 

"You saw what I saw?" Rishi whispered in Raj's ear.

"Yes. Does that mean..." Raj raised his eyebrow.

It was time for pooja. Amar carried Vennela in bridal style and made her sit on the floor making everyone applaud.

"It means another Devaraju boy is after a Dhanunjaya girl. Looks like Rudy is following his elder brother's foot steps" said Rishi. They grinned.

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