Surya Kanthaṁ watched as Ananya smiled leaving Vikram's room the previous day. She felt a deep, unsettling confusion. She knew nothing of the intimacy between them. What is happening? she wondered. Tomorrow was Ananya's wedding. How could she possibly ask her now? Surya felt a cold dread about the whole situation. She needed to know.

She walked to Ananya's room and knocked. "Ananya," she called softly. Kavya, who was downstairs helping Sita, was not there. Ananya, still in her lavender saree, opened the door.

"Amma," Ananya said, her voice soft. Surya came inside, her expression serious. She took Ananya's hand and led her to sit on the bed. Surya went straight to the point: "Vikram room lo em chesthunnav?" (What were you doing in Vikram's room?)

Ananya's eyes widened nervously, her cheeks immediately flushing. She stammered, "Amma, adhi..." (Mom, that...)

Surya's voice turned cold and firm, cutting off Ananya's excuse. "Ananya, I don't know what's happening between you two, but okati gurthupettuko neeku repu pelli jaragabothundhi. Edhi emina, repu nee pelli jarigithiruthundhi." (Ananya, remember one thing your wedding is happening tomorrow. Whatever happens, your wedding will definitely happen tomorrow.)

"Amma, ardam..." Ananya tried to explain about Hari Narayan, the lies, the threats, but Surya didn't listen. She stood up and walked towards the door, stopping and turning back, her eyes fixed on Ananya. "Okati matram gurthupettuko nanna thathaya paruvu matram poye panulu em cheyyodhu, Ananya."

(Remember one thing: do not do anything that will ruin the honor of your father and grandfather, Ananya.) With that final warning, Surya left the room.

Ananya just sat there, devastated. She was overwhelmed and trapped in this marriage arrangement, but she held onto the hope that everything would be okay. She clung to the belief that when her family knew the truth about Hari Narayan, they would surely stop the wedding. But for now, the secret was suffocating her.

On the other side of the village, Arun, without telling anyone, had gone to the location Vikram given to Arun . He didn't even inform his own family. Vikram and Anand knew he had gone but purposely didn't contact him, allowing him to work autonomously.

Arun went near the location, saw a small house, and a small girl playing outside. He went inside and rang the doorbell. A girl in her early 20s opened the door and asked, "Evarandi?" (Who is it?)

Meanwhile, Ananya had no choice but to attend the Haldi function. She wore a bright yellow lehenga, but her face was dull, and she didn't know how to face her mother. Kavya, wearing a pale yellow lehenga, was ready to assist. They came downstairs, Ananya's eyes searching frantically for Vikram, but he was nowhere to be seen.

Radhika, who had been out of town visiting her ill grandfather, arrived, her presence a welcome sight. The family began applying haldi (turmeric paste) to Ananya, a ritual of blessing. Kavya assisted, and Radhika soon joined in.

Just as the haldi ceremony was underway, Arun returned. His face showed nothing—just a peaceful calm. He walked into the house, finding Vikram and Anand waiting for him. Arun went near them. Vikram, his eyes intense, raised his eyebrows, a silent question hanging in the air. Arun gave a small, subtle nod, confirming a success. Vikram exhaled deeply, the first sign of relief in days. Without another word, they went inside.

Arun saw Ananya sitting, smeared with yellow paste. His eyes immediately caught Kavya, who looked exceptionally beautiful, her long hair tied back with a clip adorned with fresh jasmine flowers. Arun stopped dead in his tracks, mesmerized.

Vikram saw Ananya, sitting like a goddess in yellow, her face soft and golden. He couldn't blink his eyes he was completely captivated, stopping in his tracks. Anand, too, saw Radhika sitting there. He hadn't seen her in days, and his mouth opened slightly. She was looking beautiful.

The three men stood frozen at the door, completely lost in their respective loves, staring intently. They didn't even notice the women talking and applying haldi to Ananya.

"Arun," Krishna Murthy called loudly, seeing them stopped at the doorway. (Arun.) The three men were jolted back to consciousness. "Nanna," Arun responded, walking towards his father. (Father.)

"Enti ra ikkade undipoyaru? Vellandi mugguru akkadiki, haldi jaruguthundhi ga," Krishna Murthy instructed. (What, you've stayed here? Go, all three of you, the haldi ceremony is happening.)

They all nodded, scratching their necks sheepishly. Arun looked at Vikram and Anand. "Konchem decent ga behave cheyyandi. Ala choosthu undipokandi," he muttered under his breath. (Be a little decent. Don't just stand there staring like that.)

"Abba! Meeru chesindhi enti, Bava garu?" Vikram retorted with a smirk, clearly referring to Arun's own earlier frozen state. (Oh, sir! And what were you doing, brother-in-law?)

"Malli modhalu pettara meeru? Padhandi akkadiki veldham," Anand nudged them, trying to stop their bickering. (Are you starting again? Come on, let's go there.)

They went near Ananya. Vikram took haldi in his hands, his eyes meeting Ananya's. He went near her and gently applied the paste on her cheeks. Ananya lifted her head, looking at Vikram. "Konchem navvandi, pelli kuthuru garu," he said, smiling, his eyes full of assurance. (Smile a little, bride-to-be.) Ananya smiled, a genuine, grateful smile. Vikram nodded, silently assuring her of his commitment.

Radhika looked at Anand. He winked at her, and she immediately blushed.

Arun went and stood beside Kavya. "Paiki raa," he said quietly in Kavya's ear. (Come upstairs.)

"Dheniki? Naaku chala panulu unnayi. Nenu raanu, Arun," Kavya replied. (Why? I have a lot of work. I'm not coming, Arun.)

"Naku adhi antha thelidhu. Room ki raa," Arun whispered, his voice low and demanding. (I don't know all that. Come to the room.)

"Nenu raanu. Em chesthav?" Kavya said, smirking at Arun, folding her hands across her chest, challenging him. (I won't come. What will you do?)

Arun looked at her, a wicked challenge in his eyes. He grinned, turned, and went straight to Ananya. He scooped up a large handful of haldi and, in one swift, playful move, applied it all over her face, turning her completely yellow. "Hmphh, Annaya!" Ananya shouted, sputtering the paste from her mouth and wiping her eyes. (Hmphh, Brother!) Everyone burst into laughter at her surprised, covered face.

Vikram and Anand decided to retreat to the backyard to talk strategy away from the family. Ananya, determined to get back at her brother, had spotted Arun nearby. She scooped up a bucket of water.

"Aagara! Cheptha nee pani!" Ananya shouted, running behind Arun. (Wait! I'll show you!)

Arun darted behind Kavya, catching her waist tightly and shielding himself. Kavya tried to move away, but Arun's grip was like iron. "Vadhina, pakkaki jarugu!" Ananya yelled, trying to hit Arun. (Sister-in-law, move aside!) Ananya missed Arun and accidentally poured the entire bucket of water over Kavya.

Ananya gasped. "Shit! Sorry, Vadhina!" (Shit! Sorry, Vadhina!)

Arun started laughing loudly, joined by the entire family, who were now watching the spectacle. Ananya and Kavya, soaking wet, turned towards Arun. They both quickly found more water.

"Eyy, vaddhu! Chepthunna!" Arun yelled, running towards the backyard, realizing he had two women after him. (Hey, no! I'm warning you!)

Ananya and Kavya, laughing hysterically, chased him. Vikram and Anand were near the backyard talking when Ananya and Kavya came around the corner with water.

Arun quickly darted aside, leaving Vikram and Anand squarely in the path of the water. They were instantly drenched. Their eyes widened, turning to stare at Ananya, Kavya, and Radhika, who had joined the chase. Arun, watching from the side, was howling with laughter.

They all turned towards Arun. Arun saw their mischievous smiles, tried to go, but Vikram and Anand caught him. "Rey, vadhalandira!" Arun pleaded, but they didn't leave him. (Hey, let go of me!) They dragged him towards the pump and dropped him inside the large water tank used for agriculture.

Arun gasped, then stood up, soaking wet, and started splashing water on everyone. They all started playing with water, chasing each other, their laughter echoing through the evening air, momentarily forgetting all their worries.

Slowly, the fighting stopped. They were all wet and breathless. Radhika, soaking and restless, went home. Anand watched her go, then stood up, going in the same direction. Arun looked at him. "Enti, Bammaridhi, ekkadiki velthunnav?" Arun asked teasingly. (What, brother-in-law, where are you going?)

"Adhi, Bava. Thanu okkathi velthundhi kadha? Konchem thodu..." Anand mumbled, his ears turning bright red. (Well, brother-in-law, she's going alone, right? I'll give her some company...)

"Ahaaaa!" They all hooted, knowing exactly where Anand was headed. He blushed deeply and quickly left. Kavya and Arun went upstairs to change.

Vikram and Ananya stayed there, enjoying the cool night. It was dark, the moon hidden by clouds, so no one could easily see them. Ananya slowly leaned on Vikram's shoulder. They sat very closely, enjoying the peaceful company.

Arun, after changing, saw Kavya going to Ananya's room. He called her. "Oyy, ila raave!" (Hey, come here!)

Kavya turned and looked at Arun. "Enti, edho pellani pilichinattu pilusthunnav?" Kavya asked mischievously. (What, you're calling me as if I'm your wife?)

"Avunu, pellanive gaa," Arun said simply. (Yes, you are my wife, aren't you?)

"Accha, chala undhi ra nee dhaggara," Kavya retorted playfully. (Oh, you have a lot of guts, man.)

"Enti? Inka em choodakundane fix aypothunnava?" Arun asked, smirking. (What? You're fixing things without seeing anything else?)

Kavya looked down, getting shy. Arun, seeing her wet clothes sticking to her body, was captivated. "I'm going," she stammered, feeling the heat of his gaze.

Arun caught her wrist and pulled her inside his room, closing the door and locking it. He pinned her to the door. "Ar...un," Kavya gasped.

"Vadhulu, Arun! Evaranna choostharu!" (Let go, Arun! Someone will see!)

Arun ignored her. He dipped his face inside her neck. "Hmpph," Kavya gasped as he started giving hot, open-mouthed kisses. "Aru...nn," she moaned as he started biting and licking her neck.

"Arunnn, sto...p," Kavya whispered.

Arun lifted his head. "Nenu ante bhayam lekunda pothundhe! Asalu paiki ramante raanu ani chepthava?" (You're losing your fear of me! You even say you won't come when I ask you to come upstairs?) Arun pinched her waist. "Ahh," Kavya hissed, but she clutched his shoulder. He closed the distance, his body pressing into hers.

All couples are completely lost, not knowing what tomorrow held.

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