"Where were you? The Gauri Pooja starts in 2 hours. Go, take bath and get ready." Aunt Nanditha, the bride's mother, was annoyed at them for being late.
"Relax Amma. We'll be ready in half an hour." Shruthi slumped on the sofa and opened a large packet of potato chips.
"Half an hour?!!! You two are the bride's sisters. You both need to look good. Vennela, you are the next in line to get married. You need an hour to get ready at the very least. So hurry up."
Vennela looked slightly alarmed at this. Uncle Prakash came forward to greet her. She noticed that he was not his usual funny self. 'He must be worried. It is his daughter's wedding after all.' She shrugged and moved forward to meet Aunt Meenakshi, who kissed her cheek.
"Hello Uncle Praveen. How are you?" She greeted her youngest uncle. "Didn't I tell you not to call me uncle? Call me bro." he said. "Sorry Uncle." Vennela answered. He pouted like a child while everyone in the Dhanunjaya household laughed.
"We missed you" said Aunt Vidya and Uncle Praveen in unison and pulled her into a hug. She touched her grandmother's feet and took her blessings. "God bless you, my child. I was longing to meet you." said her grandmother and handed her a 2000 rupee note.
"How come Vennu akka gets money everytime she touches your feet?" said Rishi.
"This is unfair. We are the youngest ones. Someone give us some money too" added Raj, Rishi's twin.
"It's a pity the 1000 rupee notes have been banned. Or else I would have given you a thousand each." Vennela pocketed the money. "Now stop looking at me like that and give me a hug."
They hugged her and lifted her on their shoulders like they used to when they were kids. What could have been a perfect family moment for Vennela was interrupted when her grandfather spoke to her.
"How are you Vennela?" he asked.
"Fine" she muttered refusing to look at him. Every eyeball in the hall turned towards them.
"You have grown up. You look so tall."
She chose to ignore him.
"Why didn't you use our private jet? It would have been a comfortable journey" he said trying and failing to make her look at him.
She turned to Aunt Vidya who understood how awkward the situation was. She spoke loudly "Come Vennu. Let me take you to your bed chamber." Vennela followed her.
"The designer has delivered your dresses for all the functions last night. Hope you like them. I made sure that they are simple and elegant. Just the way you like."
"They are beautiful aunty. Thank you so much. You understand my taste very well." Vidya smiled in response.
"Where are Lasya akka and Ragini?"
"Lasya is getting ready for the pooja. Nanditha akka hired the best stylists for her. And Ragini, as usual, is instructing them."
'More like irritating them' thought Vennela.
"Did you meet Lasya's fiance Amar at your office?" asked Vidya. "I'm glad you work for his company."
"Aunty, he is the MD. He uses a separate elevator to get to his floor. Normal employees are not allowed in 11th and 12th floors where he works with his team. He came to inspect us twice in the past 8 months. But I was absent on both the occasions. This time I will be there. I may even get special privileges in the office for being his wife's cousin." Vennela winked as her aunt laughed.
"We can catch up later. Now go for bath." Vidya left the room.
Vennela spent half an hour in the bath tub. She almost fell asleep when she heard her phone ring.
YOU ARE READING
The Friendzoned Husband
Romance"Are you trying to tell me that she may never accept you as her husband?" asked a furious Anirudh. Amar chuckled at his cousin's anger and answered "It's not her fault. Your mother, my beloved aunt, forced her into marrying me. Remember?" "Forced we...
