"Bavaaaaaa"
Jai sighed looking at his laptop on which he was doing nothing anyway. Thanks to his maradalu. After that long drive.. Its been days.. But the effect was still there. He could still feel his Maradalu's fingers on his lips.
To top it all, his mother has left him with this tornado alone and has gone to an event. Damn she refused to take him along. She said,
"Stay home. I am busy on sundays doesn't mean you should be too. I am mostly free on weekdays. So enjoy. Vennela also needs some free time."
He was now so sure that his mother was up to something.
Closing his laptop he got up from the balcony and went to the dining hall where Vennela was sitting with two coffee mugs in front of her.
"Enti Vennela?"
He asked pulling a chair beside her.
"Coffee"
Saying she pushed a mug to him. Sighing he took the mug and took one sip. He smiled enjoying the perfect brew. It did not take Vennela much time to learn to make coffee the way he takes it. When it comes to him, she was quick, or he wanted to think so.
"Don't hide your smile"
He heard her grumble and chuckled. This girl could understand his unsaid words just like that.
"EEEEEE"
He smiled taking his mug away making her chuckle.
"Bava.."
"Hmm?"
"Shall we go out? Somewhere?"
"Where?"
"Anywhere"
"Its 5 in the evening!"
"I know.. What is that remodelled ship doing anyway? Sitting idle!"
"Vennela! Its a cruiser bike"
"Cruiser, Ship, and that bike.. All the same"
"Huh!"
He washed his mug and went up to change to his white shirt and dark grey formal pants. Here Vennela changed from her langa oni to nice short fit and flare knee length dress in blue and paired it with a nice white laced overcoat.
Jai came down the stairs and saw Vennela already waiting down. As he descended, he took in her dressing. He thought langa oni will be a problem. But.. this is proving to be even more so.
There Vennela looked up at him and hid her smile.
How can formals make a man look so...?
"Vennela?"
She came out of her lala land and looked at him blinking.
"Huh?"
"Ready?"
She looked down at herself once and then at him.
"Hmm.. Y.. Yes.."
"So lets go"
Saying he walked ahead tossing the keychain. Frowning Vennela followed him. But suddenly she hit his front as he halted and turned to face her. They were so close.
"Langa oni was bad!!"
He whispered in her ears and his hands touched her arms in feather like manner.
"But this.."
His palms were close to her cheeks.
"Isnt good either!"
He said and in lightening speed turned and walked to his bike in the front porch.
"VENNELA!"
He called igniting the bike. Shaking her head she ran out locking the door. She got on the bike and maintained distance. Jai frowned.
"Ahem ahem"
He cleared his throat. Vennele bit her lower lip. He sighed.
"Enti Bava?"
"Nothing"
Saying he raised the bike with a jerk making her fall on him. She growled as he chuckled.
"Bava!!"
She grunted.
"Enti?"
He asked in a voice that was laced with mischief.
"Just go!"
She said as she held his shoulders in tight grip making him growl. TEsting times!
Soon both were in a cafe in Miyapur ordering their evening snacks and beverages.
"Abbo... Ammo.. Traffic ah adi? Its Thatha of all traffic in the world."
Vennela exclaimed as they waited for their orders to get ready. Jai chuckled.
"This is Hyderabad Vennela."
"And when did I say it's Hoshiapur?"
Jai shook his head.
"I meant.. It is usually like this in Hyderabad. It has traffic."
"But this is Mahapralayam!"
"Oh stop being a dramaqueen!"
"ME?"
"Yes!"
"Grrr! I am going to get our orders. Sitting in that remodelled ship has given me back pain!"
She said as she walked inside the cafe as they were sitting outside.
Shaking his head, Jai took his mobile to make a call to his mother saying about their little outing. That is when he saw Vennela collide with someone who was coming from the inside. While Vennela was busy rushing inside muttering something, mostly cursing him for himself, Jai saw the person give a leering look to Vennela and her exposed calf. Jai frowned and forgot to answer his mother who was calling out his name through the mobile.
"JAI?"
"Amma.. We will be late.. You have dinner."
"But should I leave dinner for you?"
"I don't know how late we will be. If we get too late we might take out."
"If that is the case, keep the dinner in the fridge. We can reheat and have in the morning."
"Good. Bye"
"Be careful"
"Sure."
He cut the call as he saw Vennela come out and this time, instead of one guy, there were 2 more who were leering at Vennela who walked around them with their food tray. Jai got up quick without letting Vennela say a word and followed those characters to the alleyway they went into.
Vennela frowned seeing her Bava vanish into an alley behind the cafe. Then she started playing with Jai's coolers. Then she looked around and saw her Bava coming out looking a little disheveled as he came out unfolding his shirt cuffs. It did not take much time for her to guess what could have happened there behind.
She gave him an all knowing smile as he sat in front of her and took a sip of his coffee. He frowned and looked at her.
"Enti?"
She giggled biting a fry.
"Yem ledu!"
But then she again chuckled looking at those bearded monkey who limped away out of the cafe from the alley.
Jai growled.
"That.."
"Enjoy your coffee Bava."
Then with a secret smile she went on with her beverage as well.
"Don't tell Amma!"
"Hmm.."
Was all she said as she sipped more of her beverage and enjoyed her snack. Inside she was jumping with joy seeing how protective her Bava was of her. She has seen his jealousy, his protectiveness. Now only one thing was left for her see and then relish.
She smiled more as they got up and left the place.
As Jai expected they were late to return and Vennela was asleep on her feet. Jai took her to her room and as soon as they entered, she just collapsed on the bed unceremoniously. Jai shook his head.
"Remodeled ship... Urrhhh!"
She murmured in her sleep.
"Pichi pilla!"
He said as he went on to cover her with the duvet and switched the Air conditioner to a medium temperature. He knew that if he made it more colder then he will have his head bit off by her early in the morning. He chuckled silently at his Maradalu who was as crazy as anyone could get.
Then he went down and put the food in the fridge and went on about his night activities, changed into his PJ's and kurta and slept off with a small smile on his face, thanks to his crazy Maradalu who changed his world in very little time.