Naandhi means Beginning. Snathakam means wearing gold and silver thread across the torso of the Groom indicating that he is ready for Family life.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Parthavi!!!!!"

"Why are you waking me up in the midnight?"

Parthavi asked sleepily without even getting up.

"Amlu, it's your wedding Naandhi Vratham today. And you are sleeping?"

"Who is getting married?"

She asked without waking up and then suddenly she sat looking around wildly.

"I am getting married!"

Prabhavathy hit her head.

"Yes, you are getting married. But seriously? If you keep doing like this then who will marry you."

Parthavi wiped her face and yawned wide.

"Don't worry Raghu will marry me."

She said and winced in pain as Prabhavathy hit her head.

"Wake up and get ready. Take hair bath and Kala will be here soon."

"Ammo.. Malli my head will be like a pin factory!"

"Amlu..!"

Her mother's tone was enough for her to run and seek refuge in the washroom.

"Amlu, hair bath.."

"Haan haan Amma.. I am already oiling my hair. Don't worry."

Came Parthavi's reply from the washroom. Shaking her head Prabhavathy went out to look after other things.

"May I come in?"

Parthavi heard a knock as she was drying her hair after wearing her blouse and petticoat.

"Yes come in."

Kala smiled opening the door. Parthavi smiled in return.

"Hi Kala. Come on. Ready with your Pins factory that you are about to start in my head?"

Kala chuckled.

"What Madam, You have cut your hair in steps and that too with side fringe. And your mother has strictly asked me to braid your hair with all those head pieces and billalu for all the events. If not for pins you will look like mantravathi musali and not pelli koothuru and you will scare away that Mr. Handsome Pelli koduku of yours."

"He will not get scared that easily Kala. He is here to trouble me all my life."

Parthavi sighed making Kala chuckle.

"That is good thing right?"

She said starting to dry Parthavi's hair.

"Troubling me is good?"

Parthavi asked scowling. Kala could do nothing than chuckling again.

"Troubling you may not be. But all your life?"

She said dividing her hair to dry it by parts.

"That is there. But still.. That Mr. Architect is one handful."

"You aren't any less Parthavi Madam."

"Kala, how many times I have asked you not to call me Madam. We are not just beautician and customer anymore. You have got me ready that many times."

"I am used to this."

"Change it. Oh and by the way, how is your son? Is he here?"

"No Parthavi. He is with my husband today."

"Oh its your husband's day off right. Good for him. Else that poor kid always gets bored as you put all those flours and creams on my face."

"Its Facial Parthavi."

Kala said setting Parthavi's hair for parting and braiding.

"Don't take his side Parthavi. During your engagement, along with Arush and Mitra this fellow also wasted lipstick."

Parthavi chuckled remembering two boys who were trying to satisfy the girl who wanted lipstick.

"Chinna pillodu Kala. Bring him too tomorrow. And is the Bhoosthapana of your pins factory done?"

Kala just nodded her head chuckling and braided Parthavi's hair. She added braiding hair extension and finished braiding with tying matching Jada Gantalu.

"Where is your saree?"

Kala asked looking at the hairstyle once to see if everything is okay.

"There on the bed Kala. Do you really think Green is my color?"

"This shade of green will look really good on you. Don' worry."

Kala said and draped the saree and set the low and upper pleats neatly with pins making them look beautiful adding to Parthavi's beauty.

"How many more pins? Kala, we will have to change again Kala."

"But this is silk Parthavi, if not for pins they will look like bed cover thrown very carelessly."

"What an explanation! Aha!"

Parthavi said giggling and then frowned turning to the door that opened at that moment. They saw Krishnudu and Manga standing there panting looking around.

"Mavaiyya? Athaiyya?"

"Where are those Vanaralu?"

"Hain?"

At that moment Kala felt someone pulling her duppatta and saw down to see Mitra hiding behind her. She chuckled.

"Hello chinnari. What are you doing here?"

"Check her hands!"

Manga said and all looked at her hand to see a big sugar carved candy that looked like a peacock. Before they could do anything about it, Arush came running with another one similar to the first one calling for his sister.

"Chelli, here.. Candy."

Kala and Parthavi could only laugh seeing the kids who were eager to get their hands on the candy. Parthavi bent down to Mitra and Arush and smiled.

"Atha.. Candy."

"Have darling. If not for you, then who else."

"Parthu, they are to be displayed in your Varakatna kaanukalu."

"Your alludu will not mind the missing sugar candies. Why will he need these in Varakatnalu when I will be beside him?"

Parthavi said and frowned seeing everyone else laughing.

"Enti?"

"Nothing Enuga.. Sugar candies can be eaten if Bava gets bored. What will he do with you? Akali yeste Thinocha?"

Vedmohan came in and took the kids in his arms.

"Chi chi.. Shut up ra Thaati Chettu."

"You say stupid things and ask me to shut up?"

He asked passing her the phone. Parthavi frowned looking at the mobile and then at Vedmohan. He just shrugged. Parthavi took the phone to her ears.

"Hello?"

"Hi Ms. HR, to be Mrs. Architect."

"Hey Mr. Architect, to be Mr. HR."

She said smiling. Krishnudu, Manga and Vedmohan took the kids and left. Kala too made some excuse and left the place.

"Ready?"

"Make up is left."

"I am asking about the marriage."

"I am also saying about Marriage only."

She said and held her giggle as Raghunandhu sighed.

"Parthavi.."

He called in warning.

"Raghunadhu."

She called with a smile in her voice that reflected in his face too.

"Come out soon. I can't wait to see you."

He said.

"Remember we are not supposed to meet until tomorrow Panigrahanam?"

"We cannot meet. But I can see you and you can see me too. Anyway we will be in the same Altar right?"

"What a logic!"

"Being into management, you should be the one to think out of box."

"Ahan? Managing a firm on your own, you should also be able to do the same."

"Parthavi. Tell me one thing."

"Yes.."

"Will I ever be able to win in talking with you?"

"Why do you want to win?"

"Oh.. Alaa.."

Parthavi laughed. Raghunandhu pouted there.

"Raghunadhu.. You are so cute."

She said and heard someone calling for her.

"Raghu, I am being called. I have to get ready. Vratha homam is about to start."

"Same here. Take care. Bye."

"Bye."

She hung the call and raised her brow at Vedmohan who came there to get the mobile.

"Enti?"

"Just thinking about my Bava's paristithi from tomorrow."

"You don't have to worry. I will take care ra Thaati chettu."

"Athey worry."

"Rei!"

Vedmohan made funny face and ran from there. Parthavi chuckled and Kala to get her ready. Soon she was called out to the Altar and the Vratham started.

A yellow thread with turmeric stick tied to it was tied to Parthavi's hand and permission and blessings were seeked from all the elders of the family by giving them new set of Sarees and Panche.

Everyone blessed Hariharan, Prabhavathy and Parthavi happily. This was done from Raghunandhu's family too. Being Elder though it was Dharmaraju's responsibility to do it for Raghunandhu in the place of his parents. But Dharmaraju decided against it and gave it to Bhargava as he was the one who took up the responsibility of the family when he failed to do so. So Bhargava and Mahika took up the place of Father and mother for Raghunandhu in the wedding rituals.

Raghunandhu very happily fell on their feet to seek their blessings.

"Vathina I am your eldest Son."

He said chuckling.

"You don't have to say that Maridi garu. You are always my eldest Son."

She said putting a few Akshadalu on his head.

"Appudu Pabab?"

Asked little Prabhav making Bhargav and Raghunandhu laugh.

"Prabhav is little son."

Bhargava said taking him in his arms.

Soon the Homam started and Raghunandhu was asked to seek the blessings of the all the pndithulu there including Shankaram Shastry who was the one from Parthavi's side.

He went to place where Parthavi was sitting in front of Homa kundam and praying along with Hariharan and Prabhavathy. Looking around once, he bent near Parthavi and gave Shankaram Shastry new set of panche and angavastram and got his blessings.

"You look so good in green."

Parthavi heard a whisper that sent tingles down her spine. But she did not dare to look up at Raghunandhu who was still bent near her and taking blessing from Shankaram Shastry.

"Nayna, Pelli Kumara. Pelli is tomorrow. Today only Naandhi Vratham. You have to go to your place and do Homam and Snathakam."

Shankaram Shastry said in between in Mantra Paatam. Raghunandhu's ears turned red at being got caught. Vedmohan and Bhoomi who came there to give Homa samaan to Shastry heard this and giggled.

"Thammudu Raghunandhu.. Enti?"

Bhoomi called an already running away Raghunandhu. Bhoomi bent to Parthavi and cleared her throat.

"Ahem.."

Vedmohan, Ishaani and Harshita followed her.

"Ahem.. Ahem.."

"Oye.. why are you disturbing my daughter!"

Prabhavathy came to her rescue. Parthavi smiled at her mother.

"She is busy day dreaming kada?"

Prabhavathy added with a very silly smile.

"Amma..!"

"Okay Amlu.. We are not saying anything, you continue."

Hariharan said without opening his eyes.

"Praying?"

"Dreaming."

He said and bit his lips as Bhoomi and Ishaani gave him a hifi.

"Nana!"

Parthavi growled making everyone chuckle.

"Ahem!"

Sundaramudu gave one sound and everyone on the Altar shut their mouths and continued with the prayers.

On the other side, Raghunandhu was made to wear Gold and Silver threads across his torso. Sorna, Vendi Yagnopavedham indicating that he is going to become a Samsari from Brahmachari.

"Nayna, Do pooja to Vigneswara praying for the wedding to happen well."

He did as said and the Homam on both sides ended well and the Vratham ended and the Families were sent for Lunch.

Parthavi stood near the tables and looked ahead. Sathya gave her a dash and raised her brow.

"Looking for someone?"

Parthavi glared at her.

"No!"

"In that case, you might want to look there."

Parthavi looked in the direction Sathya showed and saw Raghunandhu sitting between the Vaanara Sena. Jagatjanani and Vasudhara were sitting on his either side which chided Rathnitha and Rajvitha.

"Hey! Jagga.. This is not fair. We want to sit with our Annaiyya."

"That is old story. Now he is our Bava. Being his Maradalu we get priority now."

"Vathina..."

Both called Parthavi who stood there with her hands folded across her front.

"See what they are saying"

"Even before Maradalu, comes Pellam you know?"

"But Maradalu have their own place you know."

Raghunandhu said pouring Ghee in the fire and Jagatjanani and Vasudhara cheered him.

Parthavi just shrugged and left the place.

"Wrong move Bava."

Vedmohan said as he sat near Parthavi for lunch. Raghunandhu just smiled.