Jannu's pov:
I was in the middle of my pooja, softly chanting the Shiva Stotram as I circled the arathi around my Mahadev. The room felt calm… sacred. But just then, a sudden shout tore through the silence, making my hands freeze mid-air.
“Jannu, where is my chain?”
I didn’t bother replying. My entire focus was on my pooja. No one dares to disturb me during this time.....
Except him. The only person who can shout like the world is burning.
I finished the arathi peacefully and moved to Amma and Athaya, giving them arathi one by one. They accepted it without a word.
Only after that, I walked to his room.
He was pacing restlessly. The moment he saw me, he started again, a voice full of drama.
“Where did you keep my chain, Jannu?”
I didn’t say anything. I just took a little arathi and gently placed my hands on his head, giving him arathi… the stubborn child of the house. Then I set the plate aside.
“Jannu, Ekkadapettave… kanipinchi chaavatleh naku…”
(Jannu, where did you keep it? I can’t find it anywhere.)
Without a single word, I walked to his dressing table, opened the first drawer… and there it was ... his precious Mahadev chain, lying exactly where he had left it.
I placed the chain in his palm.
“Bava, edigo.” (Bava, here.)
He frowned dramatically.
“Akade vunda? Nenu chusthe dorakaledu… Poni ra, ee chain veyi.”
(It was right there? I didn’t see it. Come, put it around my neck.)
I nodded quietly and moved closer, tying the Mahadev chain around his neck. As soon as I finished, he stepped back with that usual authority.
“Sare… ika vellu.”
(Okay, now you can go.)
I nodded again, already knowing he would call me back in a few minutes. He always does.
Oh....sorry, guys. I didn’t even introduce myself properly.
I’m Jahnavi.
My father passed away when I was ten, and from then on, Amma and I stayed in my Athamma’s house. I completed my MBA, and I’m also a classical dancer. Every jathara, every festival in our village temple....I’m the one performing.
And my Bava…
I love him. More than Amma, more than Athaya… more than anyone. I don’t even know why. Maybe because, from childhood, I’ve only seen him as my future husband.
And somewhere deep inside, I hope… no, I believe… he feels something for me too.
I headed to the kitchen to start making breakfast for Bava.
You might wonder why I’m specifically saying breakfast for him.
Well… simple.
“Na Bava, na chethi vanta maathrame thintadu…
Evaru chesina thinnadu, kanisam Athaya chesina kooda.”
(My Bava only eats the food I cook. He won’t eat anything made by others .... not even if Athaya makes it.)
So every morning, afternoon, night… it’s always me.
Today, I was making his favourites .. dosa, chutney, and aloo fry. The moment the chutney got its perfect texture, his voice came crashing through the walls again.
“Jaanu… Jannu… Jahnavi!”
I let out a frustrated sigh and walked to his room, while Amma and Athamma giggled behind me ....they know this routine all too well.
“What happened, Bava?” I asked softly.
He didn’t answer. He just pointed at the buttons on his shirt.
Of course. He wanted me to do it .... because he’s too lazy to button his own shirt.
I stepped closer. My heartbeat picked up immediately.
With shaky fingers, I began buttoning his shirt one by one, trying not to stare at him. Once I finished, he turned to the mirror and adjusted his hair.
Let me tell you guys .... my Bava looks unfairly handsome in a simple pancha and shirt. It’s his daily wear, but every day he looks like a hero straight out of a telugu movie.
“Bava, breakfast ready ayindi… kindhiki ra.”
(Bava, breakfast is ready, come downstairs.)
He nodded.
“Nuvve chesava?” (You made it?)
“Ha.”
“Yem chesavu?” (What did you make?)
“Dosa with chutney and aloo curry.”
“Good.”
I went downstairs and arranged everything neatly on the dining table. After calling everyone, I served the plates. Amma, Athaya, and Mamaya started eating.
And then… heavy footsteps echoed through the house.
There he was ... my Bava, Rudra Pratap Reddy walking in like he owned the whole world. Wearing his pancha and that half-buttoned shirt I had just fixed, he looked… breathtaking.
He murmured a low “Good morning,” and took his seat at the table, commanding attention without even trying.
My heart?
Gone. Completely gone.
I began serving him like always. After placing the plate in front of him, he looked at me and said,
“Come and eat.”
So I sat beside him and ate quietly. Once breakfast was over, everyone drifted into their daily routines. Amma and Athaya headed to their gossip session, Mamaya went to rest in his room, and Bava started getting ready to leave for the Panchayat.
“Jannu, ra.” (Jannu, come.)
I nodded and walked to his room. I stood in front of the door, facing him. He glanced at my face once… and then walked out.
“Thanu bayataku velle mundhu nenu edhuru ravali.”
(Before he steps out of the house, I must be the one he sees first.)
That’s the rule. So I stood there, silently fulfilling it. After he left, I returned to my room and sat at my desk.
I’m currently working from home .. for his company. It’s located far away, so employees who live far are given work-from-home.
And before you think wrong…
No, I didn’t get the job because of him.
I gave the interview without even telling Bava, and I got selected because of my own hard work. I want to be independent. Yes, I live with Athaya and Mamaya, but I want to build a life of my own. A home of my own. I’m saving every rupee.
I fell in love with him at an age when people don’t even know what love means. From childhood, all my dreams had the same ending .....me marrying my Bava.
Maybe because he filled the place of my father in my life.
He became my second “Nana.”
[Father]
He raised me.
Protected me.
Wiped my tears.
Carried me on his shoulders when I cried for my father.
He did everything… everything a father would do for his child.
So yes, he is the one person I love in this universe.
The only person I want.
“Na Bava natho vunte chalu… chivaridaga santhoshanga brathikesta.”
(If my Bava is with me… I can live happily till my last breath.)
Finally here is 1st chapter
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