[Bathukamma" means "Mother Goddess Come Alive" or "Mother, Live On" in Telugu, referring to Goddess Gauri (Parvati) and celebrating womanhood, life, and nature. The festival is a floral tribute to the feminine divine and the cultural heritage of Telangana, with women arranging flowers into a conical shape and performing traditional]
Jannu's pov :
Today is Bathukamma. As usual, Bava brought flowers for me to make Bathukamma, along with anklets and bangles,and a half saree which is very beautiful... After eating, we started our work — Athamma and Amma on one side, me and Bava on the other. He helped me cut the flowers into the right shapes.
Now it was time to colour the flowers. I started colouring them, but my hair kept falling onto my face. I tried to move it away, but my hands were stained with colour. Suddenly, Bava held my hand and said softly,
“Ala cheyaku.”
[“Don’t do that.”]
He came closer. My breath hitched as I looked at him from up close. His cold fingers brushed against my skin, sending shivers down my spine. Slowly, he moved my hair away from my face while looking into my eyes. Then he gently rubbed my cheek ....I think some colour had gotten there. Clearing his throat, he stepped back.
We continued making the Bathukamma silently, while I kept stealing glances at him. After 30 minutes, our Bathukamma was finally ready. Now it was time to get dressed. I went to my room and put on a simple green half-saree with red borders.
I applied light makeup because Bava doesn’t like heavy makeup. Suddenly, someone knocked on the door. I thought it was Amma, but when I opened it, there he was — Bava, standing in all his glory. My heartbeat quickened as I looked at him. He was wearing the pancha I had bought for him, his shirt slightly undone, looking like a delicious meal.
“Chi Jannu… em matladuthunav…”
[“Jannu, what unholy things are you saying?”]
I mentally scolded myself for even thinking that. He cleared his throat to get my attention.
“Emindhi Bava? Ela vachav?”
[ Why did you come here bava?]
I asked.
He replied, “Button vudipoyindhi. Vere shirt veskundam ante, edhi nuvvu techina shirt kadha… anduke ni dagarki vachanu. Button konchem sari cheyi.”
[“The button fell off. I would’ve worn another shirt, but this is the one you brought, right? That’s why I came to you. Can you fix the button for me?”]
My heart fluttered at his words. He could’ve easily changed his shirt, but he chose to wear the one I brought. Awww… I wanted to dance with joy.
I silently nodded. Since he was taller than me, he made me stand on his feet, holding me by the waist. My hands turned cold feeling his grip on me. I started sewing the button while he kept staring at me, making me nervous. I gulped and continued my work, feeling his eyes on me.
Once I was done, I stepped back. He looked at himself in the mirror and said,
“Now it’s perfect.”
I nodded. He looked down at my dressing table and started searching for something. I watched him, confused, wondering what he was doing. Then he picked something up and came near me.
He knelt down and took my left leg in his hands. Slowly, he applied kajal to my foot ..... to keep me safe from the evil eye. I smiled, looking at him. This is why I love him. These little things he does make me fall for him even more. Yes, they’re small, but they leave a big impact.
He stood up and whisper in my ear
“Athaya tho dishti thiyinchko hmm…”
[“Tell Athaya to take off the evil eye.”]
Saying that, he left the room. I nodded, knowing this is just how he is. He doesn’t compliment me directly, but through his actions I understand what he’s thinking. Indirectly, he said:
“Bagunav… dishti thagalakunda… amma tho thiyinchuko ani.”
[“You’re looking good… so tell Athaya to take off the evil eye on you.”]
I looked at myself in the mirror once more and went out. Everyone was already in the hall. Athaya and Amma came near me.
“Chala andhanga unnava chinnu thali…”
[ Chinnu is her nickname]
“Na dishti thagilela undhi… agu dhisti thistha.”
[“You’re looking so beautiful, chinnu… wait, let me take off the evil eye.”]
[Chinnu is the nickname]
Saying this, she went into the kitchen. I think Bava had already told her. After completing it, we picked up our Bathukamma and started walking to the grampanchayat.
Bava walked behind us, watching everything. He looked so handsome in those clothes. I kept glancing at him. He raised an eyebrow, silently asking what happened. I shook my head, smiling, saying nothing.
After we placed the Bathukamma in its spot and began playing around it, I found myself still stealing glances at Bava. He was busy talking
to people but still watching me from afar
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