I know... door enduku ala musesa anpichindi naku kuda.

Ala ani nenu inka emi alochinchaledu.
Night dress lo unna, paiga appude lecha...
inka edho deyyam la kanipinchi untanu emo ani sudden ga door moosesa.

(I know why I shut the door. Not because I was thinking too much — I was in my night dress, just woke up, probably looking like a ghost.)

Tarvatha koncham set ayyi,
hair sare cheskoni, face ni hands tho rub cheskunna.
Malli door teesi,
"Hi... good morning," ani cheppa.

(I fixed my hair, rubbed my face, opened the door again and said, "Hi... good morning.")

Thanu navvuthu,
"Sorry lepesi vunte. Kani munni ammamma gaaru ninnu pilusthunnaru.
Alage Chinnu ni kuda maa nainamma pilusthundi — adhi cheppadaniki vacha," annadu.

(He smiled and said, "Sorry if I woke you up. But Munni ammamma is calling you, and my grandmother is calling Chinnu.")

"Avuna? Sare, chepthanu," anna.

("Oh okay, I'll tell her," I said.)

Arvind emo,
"Parledu, nenu leputha le Chinnu ni," ani lopalki vachadu —
hand lo glass water patkoni.

(He said, "It's okay, I'll wake Chinnu," and came inside holding a glass of water.)

First chusi tea emo ankunna...
kani aa water papam Chinnu meeda pose lepudham ankunadu

(At first I thought it was tea, but no — he poured water on Chinnu to wake her up.)

Typical brother–sister panulu avi.

(Typical sibling behavior.)

Nenu water eselopu,
bedsheet Chinnu face meeda vesesa.

(Before the water could fall properly, I covered her face with the bedsheet.)

"Ayyo! Deniki ala? Mumulga lepandi, legusthadi," anna.

("Why like that? Just wake her normally, she'll get up," I said.)

Arvind emo calm ga,
" Intlo lepithene legadhu — ikkada em diff undadhu.
Nenu leputha, parledu," annadu.

("She won't wake up easily. I'll handle it," he said.)

Ilopu Arvind valla amma vacharu.

(Just then, his mother came.)

Nannu chusi,
"Ammu, gorintaku pedthanu. Pettukoni kasepu poduko.
7 ki ala leputha," annaru.

(She saw me and said, "Ammu, I'll apply henna. You sleep for a bit, I'll wake you at 7.")

Nenu just,
"Haa haa," anna.

(I just nodded.)

"Chinnu ki kuda pedthanu. Lepaku le pedhoda," ani Arvind vaipu chusi annaru.

(She said, "I'll apply it for Chinnu too. Don't wake her yet," looking at Arvind.)

Arvind emo,
"Mundhu cheppalsindi amma. Lekapothe ni kuthuru
ilopu bed meede snanam chesesedi," annadu.

(He joked, "You should've told me earlier, otherwise your daughter would've had a bed bath by now.")

Nenu quick ga,
"Athayya, nanna lechara?" ani adiga.

(I quickly asked, "Aunty, did Nanna wake up?")

"Haa ammu, annaya lechi ma andharni leparu," annaru.

(She replied, "Yes, my brother woke up us all.")

"Sare athayya, ayithe oka 10 minutes ilopu Chinnu ki petandi.
Nenu nanna ki coffee ichesi vasthanu," ani vella.

(I said, "Okay, give Chinnu henna in 10 minutes. I'll give coffee to Nanna and come.")

Ilopu Arvind,
"Amma, naaku kuda coffee kavali," annadu.

(Meanwhile Arvind said, "Amma, I want coffee too.")

Nenu thani vaipu oka look icha.
"Haa, nenu pedthunna ga andi. Isthanu, randi," anna.

(I looked at him and said, "I'm making it anyway, I'll give it to you.")

Arvind glass akada petti, naa venake vachadu.

(He kept the glass aside and followed me.)

Athayya annaru,
"Pedhoda, ala vachetapudu konni neellu tiskoni ra."

(His mother said, "While coming back, bring some water.")

Arvind kanisam 'haa' ani kuda anakunda,
naa venake vasthane unnadu.

(Without even saying okay, he kept following me.)

"Sare, oka 2 minutes TV petti kurchondi.
Nenu brush chesi vastha," anna.

(I said, "Sit and watch TV for two minutes. I'll brush and come.")

Arvind emo,
"Haa, parvaledu Ammu. Velli ra," annadu.

(He replied casually, "Okay Ammu, go.")

Enduko telidu kani...
thanu 'Ammu' ani pilichina prathi sari,
lopala evo melikalu tiruguthunnayi.

(I don't know why, but every time he called me 'Ammu', something twisted inside me.)

Fresh ayyi vachesa.
Arvind emo TV petti podhunne football match chusthunnadu.

(I came back fresh, he was watching a morning football match.)

"Sare disturb cheyadam enduku le," ani
kitchen loki velli coffee pedadam ani fridge open chesa.

(I didn't want to disturb him, so I went to the kitchen to make coffee.)

Paalu teesi, fridge door close chesina ventane...
Arvind door deggera curtain ki lean ayi, hands fold cheskoni unnadu.

(The moment I closed the fridge, I saw Arvind leaning near the door curtain with folded hands.)

"nenu petti thestha lendi miru tv chudandi parvaledu" anna.

(I said, "I'll make it, please sit.")

Arvind emo,
"Nenu ni venaka vacha kadha Devika.
Nuvvu ila cheppakunda vachesav enduku?" annadu.

(He asked, "I came behind you, right? Why did you leave without saying anything?")

Mansulo:
"Nenu emaina America ellipoyana?
Brush chesi kitchen ke ga vachindi!" ani anukunna.

(In my mind I thought, "Did I go to America or what? I just came to the kitchen!")

Paiki navvuthu,
"Ayyo... miru football match chusthunnaru kadha.
Inka enduku disturb cheyadam ani nene pilavaledu," anna.

(I smiled and said, "You were watching football, so I didn't want to disturb.")

Thanu mundhiki vachi,
naa chethilo unna paala packet tiskoni,
"Na hobby telusa? Football," annadu.

(He came closer, took the milk packet from my hand and said, "Do you know my hobby? Football.")

"Avuna?" anna.
"Eppati nunchi? Ekkada team?" ani adiga.

(I asked, "Really? Since when? Which team?")

Thanu atu samanlu vaipu chusthu,
"Ginne ekkada?" annadu.

(He looked around and asked, "Where's the vessel?")

Nenu,
"Ayyo parledu andi. Nene pedthanu.
Matladuthu em parvaledu," anna.

(I said, "It's okay, I'll make it. You can just talk.")

Arvind emo navvuthu,
"Roju nuvve ga Devika chesedi. Ivala nenu pedtha — taste chudu," annadu.

(Arvind smiled and said, "You're the one who makes it every day, right? Today I'll make it — taste it.")

Nenu ventane,
"Parledu, tarvatha chustha lendi. Maa Munni vachindi ante naa gundu pagalthesthadi.
Ila mitho pettisthunna ani telisthe," anna.

(I said, "It's okay, I'll taste later. If Munni sees this, she'll kill me for letting you make it.")

Arvind oka chinna smirk ichi,
"Tarvatha ante... tarvathane ga?" annadu, eyes raise chesthu.

(He smirked and said, "Later means later only, right?" raising his eyebrows.)

Nenu normal ga,
"Antee... haa..." anna.

(I just said "yesss...")

Thanu navvuthu,
"Ayyo Devika, urike anna le. Nuvvu pettu, nenu matladutha," annadu.

(He laughed, "I was just kidding. You make it, I'll talk.")

Nenu thani vaipu chusi,
"Haa haa," ani itu vangi ginne teesi, paalu cut chesi poyimeeda pettanu.

(I nodded, bent down, took the vessel, poured the milk and kept it on the stove.)

Ilopu thanu cheppadu,
"Naku 11 years nunchi football aadutunna.
21 ki professional ga aadham ankunna... kani telsindhe ga, adhi promising future kaadhu ani.

(He said, "I've been playing football for 11 years. I wanted to go professional at 21, but we know it's not a promising future.")

"So appudu diploma chesi, architecture lo masters chesi, ee side vacha," annadu.

(So I did a diploma, then a master's in architecture and came this way.)

Nenu adiga,
"Avuna? Ayithe miru engineering–arch cheyaleda?"

(I asked, "Oh? Then you didn't do engineering-architecture?")

"Civil chesa Devika. Maa time lo abbailu mechanical or civil ekkuva chesevallu kadha.
Bhimavaram lo pedda college lo chesa.
Appudu danitho job vachindi... kani itu interest undi ani vellaledu," annadu.

(He explained he did civil engineering, got a job, but chose interest over comfort.)

Nenu genuine ga,
"Avunaaa... thopu andi asala. Mee educational background chala impressive ga undi," anna.

(I said, "Wow... that's amazing. Your educational background is really impressive.")

Ilopu paalu pongayi.
Kastha manta thagginchi petta.

(Meanwhile the milk boiled, I reduced the flame.)

Atu tirigi, kastha back ki lean ayyi,
"Mi lane naku oka hobby undi," anna.

(Turning back, I leaned slightly and said, "Like you, I also have a hobby.")

Arvind ventane,
"Enti adi? Nee andhamaina gonthu tho paadatam aa?" annadu.

(He teased, "What is it? Singing with that beautiful voice?")

Nenu navvuthu,
"Gonthu thone kani... paadatam kaadhu.
English novels untayi kadha, avi Telugu ki translate chesthanu.
Okoksari voice translations kuda," anna.

(I laughed and said, "Using my voice, yes — but not singing. I translate English novels into Telugu, sometimes voice translations too.")

Arvind shock ayyi,
"Wah Devika! Asala expect cheyala.
Paiga idhi okati undi ani kuda teliyadu naku," annadu.

(He was shocked: "Wow Devika! I never expected this. I didn't even know you did this.")

Nenu coffee powder vesuthu cheppa,
"Naku ela idea vachindi ante... inter time lo story books chadivedhanni.
Degree ki vachaka anipinchindi — mana bashalo enduku rayakudadhu ani.

(I explained how the idea came from reading books.)

"Online lo chusthe translators kavali ani chusa. Apply chesa.
Ippudu 5 years nunchi side ga chesthunna — business tho paatu.
And that too... chala books already translate chesanu," anna.

(I've been doing it for five years alongside my business.)

Arvind cup patkoni mundhiki vachi,
"Niku nenu nemmadiga padipothunna anukunna Devika...
kani mothaniki padipothunna asala.
Nuvvu telsese kodhi," annadu.

(He came closer holding the cup and said, "I thought I was slowly falling for you... but I'm completely falling the more I know you.")

Aa maata ki naku em cheppalo teliyaka,
navvi,
"Sugar enni spoons?" ani adiga.

(Not knowing what to say, I smiled and asked, "How many spoons of sugar?")

Ilopu Nanna kitchen loki vacharu.

(Just then Nanna entered the kitchen.)

Arvind ni chusi,
"Babu, apude lechaava? Emi kasepu podukopoyara?" annaru.

(He asked, "Did you wake up already? Didn't you sleep more?")

Arvind nemmadiga,
"Parledu uncle, naku morning levatam alavatu," annadu.

(Arvind replied calmly, "It's okay uncle, I'm used to waking up early.")

Nenu ventane nanna ki coffee ichesi,
"Nanna, nenu ivala thaganu lendi.
Athayya gorintaku pedthanu annaru, so velthanu," anna.

(I gave Nanna coffee and said I wouldn't drink since henna was being applied.)

Arvind emo —
crct ga nanna vachaka varuku matladina manishi...
silent aipoyadu.

(The same Arvind who spoke so much fell silent the moment Nanna came.)

Nenu mansulo anukunna,
"Aha... iyana natho matladetappudu active, nanna daggara silent."

(I thought, "Ah, he's active with me, silent with Nanna.")

Arvind ki kuda cup ichi,
glass water patkoni vella.

(I gave Arvind his cup and went to get water.)

Athayya already chepparu kadha — water themani.

(Because aunty had already asked.)

Nenu vachalopu,
athayya Chinnu rendu chethulki gorintaku pettesaru.

(By the time I returned, aunty had applied henna on both of Chinnu's hands.)

Chinnu emo sagam nidralo undi.
Nannu chudagane,
"Kurcho vadhina," annadhi.

(Chinnu was half asleep and told me to sit.)

Nenu glass pakkana petti kurchunna.

(I kept the glass aside and sat.)

Arvind emo,
"Amma, manchiga pettu. Asale chinnaga vunnay chethulu kamilipothay," annadu.

(Arvind said, "Apply it nicely, her fair hands are very small, they'll get reddened.")

Athayya navvuthu,
"Nenu chethulu ethukoni velatledu pedhoda? Just oka 2 hours ki pedthunna anthe" annaru.

(She joked, "Am I lifting her hands or what?" I'm just keepin it so that her hands look good)

Nenu athayya annadhaniki navvi,
(I smiled at aunt playfully)
Arvind vaipu chusi anna,
(and looked at Arvind and said,)
"Nadhi emi chinna cheyyi kaadhu andi."
(Mine isn't a small hand, okay.)

Arvind emo oka eyebrow raise chesi,
(Arvind raised one eyebrow mischievously,)
"Na hand pakana pedtha... chudu." annadu.
(Keep it next to mine... see for yourself.)

Ani cheppi,
(Saying that,)
naa chethilo unna glass kindha petti,
(he took the glass from my hand and placed it down,)
naa hand ni thana hand pakana petti
(and placed my hand beside his)
measure chesadu.
(to measure it.)

Nijamgane...
(Honestly...)
sagam kuda ledu.
(It wasn't even half of his.)

Thana cheyya mundhu chusthe
(Compared to his hand)
inka chinnadiga anipinchindi.
(mine looked even smaller.)

Ilopu athayya annaru,
(Just then aunt said,)
"Pedhoda enti?
Naa kodalni egathali chesthunava appude?"
(What is this, son?
Are you already teasing my daughter-in-law?)

Arvind ventane,
(Arvind immediately replied,)
"Amma...
nee pedha kodalu bale mudhuga undi ani chepthunna anthe.
Nenu enduku tease chestha?"
(Amma...
I'm just saying my elder daughter-in-law is very cute.
Why would I tease her?)

Ani malli naa vaipu tirigi,
(Then turning back to me,)
"Chudu... entha mudhuga, andhamga undo." annadu.
(See... how cute and beautiful you are.)

Naku oka pakka
(On one side,)
pogidadu ani happy feel avalo,
(I felt happy that he praised me,)

inka oka pakka
(but on the other side,)
athayya mundhu ala anesarki
(since he said it in front of aunt,)
em react avalo ardam kaaledu.
(I didn't know how to react.)

Smile cheyyala?
(Should I smile?)
Siggu padala?
(Should I blush?)
Ledha athayya vunnaru ani em react avakunda vundala?
(Or should I act serious?)

Ala confused ga silent aipoya,
(I just stood there confused,)
kani heart lo matram
(but inside my heart,)
chinna fireworks start ayyayi.
(tiny fireworks had already started.)