Dev was busy in his office with new projects and budgets as the year began, while Sarada was looking forward to celebrating the Pongal festival at their ancestral village. She desired that Anu be given the responsibility this year, as it will be Anu's first Pongal in their family. They used to stay there for a week and celebrate lavishly while her husband was alive. But everything changed when he died. Dev will never be present at the festival. Sarada decided to pay a visit to their village this year to celebrate with the newlyweds.

Pongal Festival (Pongal meaning "to boil" or "to overflow") is a traditional Indian festival in which an authentic dish is cooked in an earthen pot till it overflows. The auspicious ritual denotes abundance). The farmers celebrate the event to thank the Sun and the farm animals for their assistance in providing a successful harvest. The others celebrate to pay their thanks to the farmers for the production of food. It is a four-day-long festival. This festival is celebrated by one and all as it is non-relevance to any particular religious faith.

First, Dev refused to attend the festival, but later after knowing Mugil's participation, he joined them. They reached their village two days before the festival. It's customary for landlords to give new clothes and money to the maids and servants employed. In their ancestral farms, about a hundred employees were employed. Usually, Sarada gives new clothes and money during this festival to them. For the past few years, she sent a messenger to deal with this. This year she decided to hand over the gifts from Anu's hands. As there was still a lot of shopping to be done, Sarada requested Anu to accompany Mugil to the store. They were visiting a nearby City called Madurai.

When Anu and Mugil were about to start, Dev interrupted them,

"Can I join in because it's so boring here without any work?"

With a mischievous smile, Mugil responded, "You're extremely welcome."

Mugil was in the driver seat and Anu in the passenger one, so naturally, Dev has to sit in the back seat. He didn't like that idea.

That was a dumb choice for him.

"Can I drive, Mugil?" he asksed.

"Sure, Anu, let me take in the sights. C'mon, let us go back, you want to join?" - Mugil had planned a scheme to annoy Dev.

Sensing his intention, Anu played along.

"Why not, wait, let me come." - When she was about to open the door, Dev grabbed her hand.

"I am not a driver for you guys, sit here." - he ordered Anu.

Mugil grinned and went back.

"Why can't he tell, that he wants to sit with his wife." - he thought to himself.

They reached Madurai city in two hours. They went to a grand textile showroom and collected the clothes which Sarada already ordered. Sarada told them to get some new dresses for them for the festival. As it is a festival, they decided to get traditional attire for all. Anu bought a beautiful saree for Sarada, and she decided to get a lehenga choli for her. The salesman was assisting Anu by displaying various models and helping her in making a decision. Dev and Mugil were talking with the manager of the shop.

Dev watched her reflection in the mirror from the backside. She was keeping each choli on her and checking out. Like giving his opinion, Dev shook his head to express his dislike. After checking his action, she kept different ones, but Dev didn't like any of them. At last, he nodded his head for a blue and peacock green embroidered velvet and silk Lehenga Choli (a kind of Indian traditional dress). Mugil was observing their little silent conversation.

"Am I the dumb over here; they are already chummy-chummy." - he wondered.

The first day of the festival started with 'Bhogi Pongal.'

On this day, people discard old and derelict things and concentrate on new things causing change or transformation. At dawn, people light bonfires with logs of wood, other solid fuels, and wooden furniture at home that are no longer useful. Anu was busy cleaning their old ancestral house and sorting things.

"What are you doing with these works? "Won't the maids be able to do?" - Dev inquired out of the blue.

Anu was happy that he considers her as his family.

"I gave them leave; they have their family, right? But tomorrow they will come to collect their gifts." - she replied without looking at his face. She was a bit scared about his reaction.

"So you are the one who put that Kolam?" - he asked. Anu's eyes popped out by his sudden cross-examination.

"Yes...Why? Is it not good?" - she stammered.

"No, it's very nice; you got a real talent." - saying that he swiftly went from that place.

Kolam is a dainty floor painting crafted of rice flour and a variety of colours that are drawn in front of the house. They are thought to bring prosperity to homes.

The decoration is not the sole purpose of a Kolam, it is also to offer food (rice powder) for small creatures like ants, birds, etc., so they don't have to walk too far for a meal. As a result, inviting other beings into one's home and daily life is a daily tribute to harmonious coexistence. It is a sign of invitation to welcome all into the home.

Sarada watched everything from a corner. She came near Anu and fondly patted her shoulder.

"I told know, you can tame him, he is changing Anu." - she smiled.

Anu smiled down at her in a reassuring way. She also observed the changes in his attitude towards her.

Anu and Dev were given to a room with no couch like the one they had at home. Anu searched the wardrobe and found some quilt. When she was arranging a bed for her, the door flew open, and Dev entered the room.

"Where you found that?" - he questioned.

"From that wardrobe?" - she pointed.

"It might be dusty; we didn't use that for a long time. Don't make this room mucky. You better sleep here today" - he pointed to the bed where he was sitting. He lay down on the bed on one side leaving space for Anu.

Dev knew about their maids, who wash everything and keep it ready for their arrival. But he wished Anu to sleep next to him.

Anu was taken by surprise. For the past few months, she was enjoying her privacy. Things were so good that Anu felt she wasn't married. But his recent interactions confused her.

Sensing her hesitation, he further added.

"I am not a monster; I won't eat you, come, sleep here." - he patted on the other side. Then he closed his eyes and pretended to sleep.

Anu hesitated for a long time and went to the other side, and lay on the edge of the bed. As it was a tiring day for her, she fell asleep. Contrarily, Dev cannot sleep. How can he sleep when a beautiful girl was sleeping beside him?

After confirming her steady breath, he turned towards her side. Propping his head with his hand, he studied her delicate features.

"How it would have been if she was not my previous employee, I would have developed a rapport with her; she is so good for me. Why can't I give it a shot to this marriage?" - He thought to himself.

It was almost dawn when he slept. When Anu woke up early in the morning, Dev was sleeping soundly beside her. She didn't remember wrapping a blanket, but she was surprised to see the neatly tucked blanket around her. With a smile, she went to the bathroom to do her morning routine. As it was the second day of the festival, "Thai Pongal" - she dressed in new clothes, which they brought.

It was the main festival. Women will gather at a commonplace and prepare 'Pongal' - in earthen pots and offer it to the Sun God along with freshly harvested sugarcane, and other vegetables.

[ A/N - Pongal- Traditional dish made with rice, moong lentil, jaggery, cardamom, cashew nuts, and ghee. ]

On behalf of their family, Anu kept the Pongal. Sarada was overwhelmed with joy. It has been years when they celebrated a festival like a family. Dev also behaving well and followed Sarada's instructions. He even wore a 'Dhoti' (Ethnic costume of South-Indian Men) for the occasion.

When Dev entered the arena, he noticed Anu wearing the Lehenga he selected for her. He went close to her and whispered, "Beautiful" in her ears.

Anu's body went stiff, and after composing herself.

"Thank you." - she blushingly said.

After the ceremony, they distributed the gifts to all their workers. Sarada introduced Anu as her daughter-in-law to them, and even some family members were also there. Dev didn't stop her. Dev and Anu had to act politely in front of them, which improved their relationship. As a couple, they did many rituals together.