Telugu words in the chapter: Mandapam = a platform set up for wedding ;
Kanyadaanam = a Hindu wedding ritual 

---***---

"So, she's the angel you told me about? The girl from the park?" Anirudh asked Amar.

"Yes. She's the one." Amar answered.

"You have a crush on her. Admit it." Anirudh teased him. Amar smiled.

"Nanna look. The mighty Amar Pratap is blushing. Why aren't you speaking? Anything wrong?" Anirudh asked his father.

"What happened, uncle? You don't like Vennela?" Amar asked Bharat.

"No, no. I like her. It's just that everything is happening so suddenly. It will take some time to sink in." Bharat replied.

Shambhavi knew Amar would never agree to the wedding if he knew the truth. So, she forbade Bharat from telling him anything. He was torn between his devotion to his wife and his love for Amar.

"Why did aunty decide to stay behind?" Amar asked Bharat.

"To help the Dhanunjayas. They are busy searching for Lasya. So, your aunt will take care of Vennela" Bharat lied. Shambhavi's reason for staying with Vennela was to make sure that she doesn't run away like her cousin.

"Amar, tell me the truth. Are you happy?" Bharat asked Amar.

"He's getting married to his crush. Why wouldn't he be happy?" Anirudh was back to teasing mode.

Amar smiled again.

---***---

"Akka, you don't have to do this. Just tell her" said Shruthi as soon as Shambhavi went out of the room to make a call. They reached the venue at 6 am and were waiting for the stylists to arrive.

"Are you mad, Shruthi? Your parents convinced her with great difficulty. Please don't ruin it." Ragini scolded Shruthi.

"It was very selfish of my parents. It's their fault. They made a commitment without bothering to ask what Lasya akka wants. And now that she's gone, they are expecting Vennela akka to honour their promise." Shruthi argued.

"Vennu has to get married some day. Just think. She will be the wife of famous Amar Pratap Devaraju. He's rich, handsome and intelligent. They even share the same workplace. What else can she ask for?" said Ragini as if that settled the matter.

"Working for the same company doesn't ensure happiness. Akka is not happy. I can see that in her eyes. I'll go and tell that woman. If she tries to create any problem we'll face it together." Shruthi declared.

"And make your entire family suffer. Is that what you want, Shruthi?" asked Nanditha who just entered the room.

"Amma, look at her. She's been crying since yesterday." Shruthi pointed at Vennela.

"Shruthi, why don't you understand? She will be happy" said Nanditha.

"But amma, she can't--"

"Shruthi, please--"

"STOP IT. BOTH OF YOU. STOP ARGUING." Vennela couldn't take it anymore.

She took a deep breath to calm down. "Shruthi, I am getting married. It's happening with my consent. It's the most important day of my life. I want my little sister to be happy and have fun. Because I draw my strength from you." She looked at Shruthi, who wiped her tears and nodded.

Vennela turned towards Nanditha and spoke a single word. "Leave".

"But Vennela, I was just --"

"I said leave." Vennela repeated. Nanditha obeyed.

Shambhavi re-entered the room.

"Akka is hungry. She needs something to eat." Shruthi told Shambhavi.

"But, according to the tradition the bride and the groom break their fast only after the marriage." 

"Akka hasn't eaten anything since last night. What if she faints? Just imagine what the guests would say if Devaraju family's daughter-in-law faints in public."

Shambhavi was alarmed. "You're right. I'll arrange breakfast." She hurried out of the room.

---***---

"What do you like the most about her?" Anirudh asked Amar.

"Her name." Amar answered.

"Name?" Anirudh was puzzled.

"Her name suits her personality. Vennela means moonlight. They say that moonlight is the proof that there will always be light in darkness. Likewise, Vennela lights up everyone's life with her kindness." Amar explained.

"OMG! Anna, you've become a poet. Let me record this. I'll show it to Vennela vadina."

"Rudy, let me get ready. It's 9.30."

After an hour Amar reached the mandapam. The pandit was chanting mantras. The hall was filled with guests. Amar kept glancing at the entrance every now and then.

"Anna, don't be so desperate. She will come" said Anirudh earning a few laughs.

"You will understand when it's your turn to get married. I'll tease you the whole day." Amar replied.

"Sorry bro. This marriage thing is not for me."

"We'll see."

"Look. She's here" said Archana, Anirudh's younger sister.

Amar looked at Vennela. His jaw dropped. Clad in a yellow saree, hair tied in a long braid and wearing intricate jewellery, there stood the most beautiful girl he has ever seen.All the guests in the hall were admiring her. She reached the mandapam and sat down. The wedding rituals started.

Prakash and Nanditha came forward to perform Kanyadaanam i.e., handing over the bride to her husband. As instructed by the pandit, they placed her hand in Amar's hand. Amar was elated. Vennela's hand shivered a bit when it came in contact with his hand."Don't get scared. Just look at him. He looks so handsome" Vidya whispered in Vennela's ear.

Vennela looked at him. For a moment, she forgot that she's getting married against her wishes. The man sitting beside her looked so majestic and graceful. 'He must have been a king in his previous birth' she thought.

The pandit asked them to stand up for the sacred rounds circling the fire. As per the tradition the bride and the groom should circle the fire seven times taking a vow for each circle. Shruthi and Archana tied the end of Vennela's saree to Amar's stole. They held hands and started the ritual.

Amar was enjoying every moment. 'Let this moment never end.'

Vennela was exhausted. 'How long do I have to endure this?'

They were made to sit down. Amar was asked to tie mangalasutra around her neck. He gladly obliged.

Then came the ritual where Amar had to make her wear toe rings. "No, it's okay. I'll wear them. You don't have to touch my feet" said Vennela. She was ticklish on the feet. She never let anyone touch them.

"It's one of the wedding rituals. Your husband has to do this" said Vidya.

Vennela reluctantly let him touch her feet. He immediately understood the reason. She pleaded him with her eyes to make it fast. He nodded and finished the ritual as quickly as he can suppressing a grin.

Finally, when all the rituals were over the pandit pronounced them husband and wife.

'Thank God it ended' thought Vennela.

'A new beginning' thought Amar.

---***---

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