The morning of January 15 arrived with a cool breeze over the Shamshabad estate.
The quiet routine of the farmhouse was about to change. Tomorrow was the sixteenth of January. It was the date fixed by the family priest for Krithika's Seemantham.
In Telugu tradition, the Seemantham is the baby shower ceremony. It is performed to bless the pregnant mother, satisfy her cravings, and protect the unborn children. Because Krithika was carrying twins and was in her third trimester, the families decided to hold the function at the farmhouse. Traveling to a banquet hall in the city would cause her unnecessary strain.
At ten in the morning, a black Mercedes drove through the main iron gates.
Subba Rao parked the car near the front porch. He stepped out. Suma and Anjali stepped out from the passenger doors.
Siddanth opened the front double doors of the house. He walked down the steps.
"Mamayya. Athamma. Welcome," Siddanth said, taking the heavy bags from Subba Rao's hands.
"We brought the sweets," Suma said, opening the trunk of the car. Inside rested several large brass and steel containers. "We prepared them yesterday in Tarnaka. We have Ariselu, Sunnundalu, and Kobbari Louz."
"I will call the staff to carry these to the kitchen," Siddanth said.
Vikram Deva and Sesikala walked out onto the porch. They greeted Krithika's parents warmly. They all moved into the living room.
Krithika was sitting in her comfortable armchair near the window. She smiled as her family walked in. Suma went straight to her daughter, placing a hand on her cheek and asking about her health. Subba Rao sat on the sofa, looking at Krithika with a proud, happy smile.
Anjali dropped her backpack on the floor and sat on the armrest of Krithika's chair.
"When are the others coming?" Anjali asked, looking around the large living room.
"My brothers and their families are arriving in the evening," Vikram Deva answered from his chair. "Your brother are also coming by evening, Subba Rao garu. We kept the guest list very small. Just the immediate family. Around thirty people."
"That is good," Subba Rao nodded. "Krithika needs to rest. A large crowd will create too much noise."
The house slowly transitioned into a busy state. The staff began cleaning the central areas. Suma and Sesikala went into the kitchen to start the preparations for the next day's feast.
Siddanth walked into the kitchen an hour later.
Suma was standing near the counter. She had a large bowl of jaggery syrup and rice flour. She was preparing the dough for extra sweets. Sesikala was sorting fresh vegetables near the sink.
Siddanth washed his hands. He walked over to the counter.
"Let me help, Athamma," Siddanth offered.
"No, Siddu. You go sit with your father," Sesikala protested gently. "
Siddanth did not leave. He took a piece of the dough. He rolled it between his palms, flattened it into a perfect circle, and placed it on a greased banana leaf. His movements were fast and precise.
Suma watched him. She smiled. She knew he was a very good cook.
"Press the edges slightly thinner," Suma instructed him.
Siddanth followed her instructions. They worked together in comfortable silence, shaping the traditional sweets. Sesikala heated the oil in a large wok and began frying them. The smell of hot oil and jaggery filled the farmhouse.
In the late afternoon, the first vehicles from the extended family began to arrive.
Siddanth's Peddananna and Mammaya and Krithika's Babai arrived with their wives and children.
The living room filled with voices. The cousins sat on the floor, talking and drinking tea. The uncles discussed farming and real estate. The aunts immediately surrounded Krithika's chair.
They asked her questions. They touched her stomach gently to feel the twins kicking. They offered advice on how to sleep and what to eat. Krithika answered them all patiently, though the constant attention tired her.
Siddanth stood near the hallway. He watched the crowd around her.
He walked into the living room. He held a glass of warm water.
"Excuse me, Peddamma," Siddanth said politely, stepping between his aunts.
He handed the glass of water to Krithika. He looked at her and saw the slight droop in her shoulders.
"It is time for her evening rest," Siddanth announced to the room. His voice was calm but firm. "The doctor said she needs to lie down for an hour before dinner."
The aunts nodded immediately, stepping back.
"Yes, yes. She must rest. The babies need rest," his Peddamma agreed.
Siddanth held Krithika's hand and helped her stand up from the armchair. He supported her back as they walked slowly out of the living room and down the hallway to their ground-floor bedroom which they recently shifted.
He closed the bedroom door. The noise from the living room faded away.
Krithika let out a long breath. She sat on the edge of the bed.
"Thank you," she said. "My back was starting to ache."
"Lie down," Siddanth said. He arranged the pillows against the headboard.
Krithika lay back. Siddanth sat next to her. He rubbed her shoulders gently, easing the tension in her muscles.
"The house is going to be very loud tomorrow," Krithika murmured, closing her eyes.
"It will be," Siddanth agreed. "But it is only for one day. I will stay next to you during the ceremony. If you feel tired, we will stop the rituals."
Krithika smiled. She rested her hand on her stomach. "They are moving a lot today. They can hear the voices outside."
Siddanth placed his hand over hers. He felt a sharp push against his palm. He kept his hand there, feeling the movements. They stayed in the quiet room until dinner was served.
The next morning began before sunrise.
It was January 16th.
Siddanth woke up at five in the morning. He took a bath and wore a simple white cotton kurta and dhoti.
He walked out to the living room. The estate workers were already there. They carried large baskets of fresh flowers. They began decorating the main wall of the living room. They hung long strings of bright orange marigolds and white jasmine flowers, creating a thick, fragrant floral backdrop.
They placed a low, wide wooden plank, known as a peeta, directly in front of the floral wall. They covered the plank with a soft silk cloth.
Suma and Sesikala were busy arranging the traditional items. They brought out heavy silver plates and bowls.
Anjali walked out of the guest room. She carried a large, flat bamboo tray.
Siddanth looked at the tray. It was filled entirely with glass bangles.
There were dozens of bangles. They were sorted by color. Deep green, bright red, and gold.
"Did you get the right size?" Siddanth asked Anjali.
"I checked her new bangles last week," Anjali confirmed. "They will fit perfectly. The glass market in the old city had the best green colors."
the glass bangles are the most important part of the Seemantham. The mother-to-be is adorned with them. The gentle clinking sound of the glass is believed to reach the womb and soothe the unborn babies. Green is the primary color, symbolizing fertility, new life, and prosperity.
At eight in the morning, Sameer, Arjun, and Feroz arrived. They walked into the living room quietly. Arjun had brought a professional photographer with him.
"I told him no flash and no staging," Arjun told Siddanth quietly, knowing his friend's preference for privacy. "Just candid moments."
"Good," Siddanth nodded.
His friends took their seats near the back of the circle, watching the traditional setup.
At nine in the morning, Krithika was ready.
She walked slowly out of her bedroom. Suma walked on her right side, and Anjali walked on her left side.
Krithika wore a heavy, traditional Kanjeevaram silk saree. The color was a rich, vibrant forest green with a thick gold border. It was the saree gifted to her by Sesikala for this specific occasion. She wore traditional gold jewelry. A heavy necklace rested on her chest. Gold earrings hung from her ears. Her hair was braided and adorned with fresh jasmine flowers.
She looked beautiful, but the weight of the twins and the heavy silk saree made her movements very slow.
Siddanth walked over to her. He took her hand and supported her right arm.
They walked to the center of the living room.
"Sit carefully," Siddanth said.
He helped her lower herself onto the wooden plank in front of the floral backdrop. He sat down cross-legged on the floor right next to her plank.
The extended family gathered around them in a wide circle. The men stood at the back. The women came to the front.
The ceremony officially began.
There was no priest chanting loud mantras today. This ceremony belonged entirely to the women of the household.
Suma stepped forward first. As the mother of the bride, she initiated the rituals.
Suma held a small silver bowl. Inside the bowl was fresh, wet sandalwood paste, known as gandham.
She took a small amount of the gandham with her fingers. She applied it gently to Krithika's right cheek, then her left cheek. She applied a small dot to Krithika's neck and her forearms. The cool sandalwood paste was meant to relax the mother.
Suma then picked up a small silver container filled with red kumkum. She pressed a dot of the red powder onto Krithika's head.
Suma then took a handful of Akshinthalu, which is raw rice mixed with turmeric. She sprinkled the yellow rice gently over Krithika's head.
"May your children always be healthy," Suma said softly, her voice carrying deep emotion. She stepped back and wiped a tear from her eye.
Sesikala stepped forward next. As the mother-in-law, she repeated the same process.
She applied the sandalwood paste and the kumkum. She took red and gold glass bangles from the tray and slipped them carefully onto Krithika's wrists, right next to the green ones. The glass bangles clinked together softly.
Sesikala sprinkled the turmeric rice over Krithika's head. She leaned down and kissed Krithika's forehead.
"May they bring endless happiness to this house," Sesikala said warmly. "God bless you, Amma."
Then, it was time for the aunts and the married women of the family.
They formed a line. One by one, they stepped up to the wooden plank.
Krithika's Pinni applied the sandalwood and the kumkum. She slipped more bangles onto Krithika's wrists. "May your home always be filled with laughter," she blessed.
Siddanth's Peddamma stepped up. She applied the paste. She took a set of green bangles.
As she slipped the bangles onto Krithika's wrist, she looked down at Siddanth sitting on the floor next to the plank, watching every movement closely.
"You look very serious, Siddu," his Peddamma teased him. "You are sitting there like a guard. The babies are safe."
Anjali leaned in, holding the bangle tray. "Bava, stop checking Akka every five minutes. She isn't going anywhere."
The family laughed.
"And enjoy the attention now, Krithika," Peddamma added with a wide smile. "After the babies come, you won't get this much attention. Everyone will only look at them."
"I am just watching the process, Peddamma," Siddanth replied smiling slightly.
"He is making sure we don't push the bangles too hard," Krithika's aunt joked from the line. "He is already a very strict father."
Siddanth did not argue. He stayed where he was, as watched every bangle go onto her wrists. He made sure the glass did not pinch her skin.
The photographer quietly moved around the room, capturing the smiles and the colors.
The line continued. More women came forward.
With every new set of bangles, the stack on Krithika's wrists grew larger. The red, green, and gold glass covered her forearms almost up to her elbows. The clinking sound became constant with her every slight movement.
After all the women had offered their blessings and bangles, the line ended.
Suma looked down at Siddanth sitting on the floor. She smiled.
"Siddu... your turn," Suma said softly.
Siddanth looked up, slightly confused. "Mine?"
Suma nodded. "You are becoming their father."
She held out the silver bowl of akshinthalu. Siddanth rose from his place. He reached into the bowl and took a small handful of the yellow turmeric rice.
He moved closer to Krithika. He looked down into her eyes, which were shining with quiet happiness and gently sprinkled the rice over the top of her head.
He leaned in closer.
"Come safely," Siddanth whispered.
His voice was so quiet that only Krithika heard it. Her eyes softened, and she offered a very small smile.
Siddanth sat back down on the floor. Then, the final part of the ritual began.
It was the presentation of the Sare.
Suma and Sesikala brought forward a large silver plate.
Krithika spread the pallu of her green silk saree over her lap.
The mothers gently placed the items from the silver plate directly into the folded cloth on her lap. They placed fresh fruits, betel leaves, betel nuts, a dry coconut, and traditional sweets. Finally, they placed a folded new silk saree on top of the pile.
The weight of the items in her lap was heavy.
Siddanth reached out. He placed his hands under the heavy silk fabric of her pallu. He took the weight of the fruits and the new saree into his own hands, lifting the burden off her legs while the ritual was completed.
Krithika looked at him and offered a small, grateful smile.
The women of the house stood together. They began to sing folk songs meant specifically for the Seemantham. The songs praised the mother and offered prayers for healthy children.
The singing lasted for twenty minutes.
The ceremony concluded.
Siddanth stood up. He took the heavy items from Krithika's lap and handed them to Anjali.
He held Krithika's arm and helped her stand up from the low wooden plank. The glass bangles on her arms chimed loudly as she moved.
"The food is ready," Vikram Deva announced to the guests. "Please move to the dining hall."
The family walked toward the large dining area. Sameer, Arjun, and Feroz followed behind, talking quietly among themselves.
The long wooden tables were covered with fresh, green banana leaves. The guests sat down on the chairs.
The feast was massive. It was a strict, pure vegetarian menu designed for the festival and the ceremony.
The servers walked down the line with heavy steel buckets. They served steaming hot white rice. They poured thick, yellow dal over the rice, followed by a spoonful of melted ghee.
Next came the special items. They served Pulihora, a tangy and spicy tamarind rice. They served Garelu, deep-fried savory lentil donuts. There was a variety of vegetable curries, including potato fry and a mixed vegetable stew.
Siddanth sat on a chair next to Krithika.
He did not eat his own food immediately. He looked at her banana leaf.
"Are you hungry?" Siddanth asked her.
"I am," Krithika said. "But the smell of the heavy spices in the curries is making me slightly nauseous."
Siddanth understood. Pregnancy aversions were common. The rich festival food was too heavy for her right now.
"Wait here," Siddanth said.
He stood up and walked away from the dining table and went into the kitchen.
He found a clean ceramic bowl. He took a scoop of plain, soft-cooked white rice from a separate pot and added a large amount of fresh, cool yogurt to the rice and mixed it thoroughly.
He went to the pantry and took a small piece of mild, homemade mango pickle and placed it on the side of the bowl.
He carried the bowl back to the dining hall.
He set the bowl of curd rice down in front of Krithika and moved the heavy banana leaf with the spicy curries slightly to the side.
"Eat this," Siddanth instructed softly. "It is cold and plain."
Krithika looked at the simple bowl of curd rice. It was exactly what her stomach wanted.
She picked up a spoon and took a bite. The cool yogurt settled her nausea instantly.
She looked at him. Her eyes softened. "Thank you."
Siddanth sat back down in his chair and began eating his own food from the banana leaf. He ignored the knowing smiles from Subba Rao and Vikram Deva sitting across the table. He just made sure she ate her meal comfortably.
After lunch, the house entered a quiet period. The heavy food made everyone sleepy.
Krithika returned to the bedroom to rest. She carefully took off the heavy green silk saree and changed into a loose, comfortable cotton dress, but did not take off the glass bangles. She lay down on the bed and slept for two hours.
In the late afternoon, the guests began to leave.
The uncles and aunts packed their bags, said their goodbyes, and got into their cars. Subba Rao, Suma, and Anjali also prepared to leave.
Suma hugged Krithika tightly near the front door.
"Take care of your health," Suma told her daughter. "We will come back when the due date is near."
"I will, Amma," Krithika promised.
Subba Rao patted Siddanth's shoulder. "Call us if you need anything."
"I will, Mamayya. Drive safely," Siddanth said.
The black Mercedes drove out of the estate gates. The other cars followed. Sameer, Arjun, and Feroz said their goodbyes shortly after.
By sunset, the farmhouse was quiet again. The floral decorations still hung on the living room wall, filling the air with the scent of jasmine, but the crowds were gone. Vikram and Sesikala went to their rooms to rest.
Siddanth and Krithika walked out to the back patio.
The evening air was cool. The sky was turning dark.
Siddanth sat down on a comfortable reclining chair. Krithika sat down on the chair right next to him.
They did not speak for a long time. They just enjoyed the silence of the estate.
Krithika rested her hands on her stomach. As she moved her hands, the dozens of glass bangles on her wrists slid against each other.
Clink. Clink.
The gentle, melodic sound of the glass broke the silence of the patio.
Siddanth turned his head and looked at her wrists. The green, red, and gold bangles stacked up her arms caught the faint light from the patio lamps.
"Do they feel heavy?" Siddanth asked, looking at the large stack of glass.
"A little bit," Krithika admitted, resting her arms on the armrests. "But I like the sound. Pinni said the babies like the sound too."
She moved her right hand slightly. The bangles chimed again.
A few seconds later, Krithika let out a small, sharp breath. She looked down at her stomach.
"They are awake," she murmured.
Siddanth leaned forward in his chair. He reached out and placed his right hand gently over her stomach. He waited.
He felt a distinct, strong kick against his palm. Then, another movement slightly higher up.
He kept his hand there. The babies were highly active tonight.
Siddanth moved his hand slightly. He brushed his fingers against the glass bangles on her wrist, making them clink together softly.
He felt another kick from inside, right after the sound.
Siddanth smiled. He leaned back in his chair, keeping his hand resting gently over hers on her stomach.