All Strings Attached

Chapter Twenty-Six

Sita

"Sita," my mother-in-law calls me, holding the haarathi plate in her hand, "raa, haarathi iddhaam mamamyya ki, Dhushyanth ki." [Haarathi: same as Aarti, but for people; considered auspicious before important events.][(Telugu) Let's give haarathi to Dhushyanth and your mamayya.]

I accept her invitation with a smile and lend a hand to hold the plate, following her guidance as she circles both of their faces with the haarathi plate.

She hands over the haarathi plate to me, before taking a pinch of kumkuma for mamayya. "Dhushyanth ki pettu," she urges me, taking the plate back from me.

Before I can do that, Dhushyanth pulls his mother to stand by his father, ignoring my advance to put the kumkuma on his forehead.

I retract my hand and watch as he bows to his parents' feet, seeking their blessings. Mamayya is quick to pull him back up, patting his back.

I smile at the exchange, momentarily forgetting the awkwardness of being rejected by my husband, but he's quick to turn to me, and bend slightly, so I can reach his forehead. "Ippudu pettu," he requests. [Go on, now.]

I smile and smear a dot of kumkuma on his forehead.

"What about my blessings?" He asks, bending lower to forward his cheek to me.

I gasp at the public display of affection. "Dhushyanth," I sigh softly.

"Go on, go on," he hurries me, his grin widening, "my wife's blessings are very important too."

"Kaanivvandi Vadina," Dhruv teases from the side, "mee aayana ento aduguthunaadu kada." [Go on, Vadina. Your husband seems to be asking for something.]

"Edo aduguthunaadu kada Sita," their mother joins the mix, causing my face to heat up. I look at my mother-in-law, who also wears a teasing grin on her face. "Come on, late ayipothundi vellaali kada." [He's asking for something, isn't he, Sita? Come on, we're getting late, we need to leave.]

"Spot lo pettav kada," I narrow my eyes at Dhushyanth, before holding his face to press a kiss to his cheek. [You've put me on the spot.]

Dhushyanth chuckles, and plants a quick kiss on my forehead. "Thanks, sweetheart."

"Good luck," I whisper to Dhushyanth, and stand on my toes to peck his cheek.

Everyone around us falls into peals of laughter, including Dhushyanth who chuckles and pulls me in for a hug. "Thank you, wifey," he responds, laughing happily.

I step out of his warm embrace, knowing he needs to leave now.

"Edhuru naduvu, mee aayana ki," Nanamma instructs me. "Elections gelichi vasthaadu nee kosam." [I don't think there's an English/Hindi equivalent for what Nanamma is asking Sita to do at this point, but essentially, she's telling her to walk into the house while Dhushyanth walks out, as in, good fortune is coming his way.] [Bid your byes to your husband. He'll win the elections for you.]

I smile at her, in acknowledgement, and do as she instructs.

Dhushyanth smiles brightly at me, before he leaves, making sure not to look back as Dhruv repeatedly reminds him it's not a good omen to look back.

~.~.~.~.~

"Amma," I hear Sasi's son whine as I walk into the kitchen. He quickly hides behind his mother's saree when he notices everyone's quietened down and I've walked in.

I smile and wave when he peeks from his hiding place, and he quickly retreats, rather shyly.

"Em kaavaali, Ruthvik?" I ask him, indulgently, "endhuku amma ni gola chesthunav?" [What do you want, Ruthvik? Why are you troubling your mom?]