It was 7.30 PM when Maanu got into her house. Rajan glared at her, unable to show his anger in front of the guests. Maanu didn't even see her father, but ran her eyes around, only to see a lady talking with her grandpa and dad. She hid her disappointment and ran to Geetha.

"Hello, aunty! I am Maanvizhi!" She touched Geetha's feet.

"Oh, lord! Bless you, dear! That's a beautiful name." Geetha touched her head lovingly and sat Maanvizhi beside her as she opened her bag and pulled out a wallet.

Rajan's eyes softened at his daughter. At least she knows how to behave with elders, he thought. "Your blessings are all she needs. Please, don't!" He told Geetha, who fished out a Rs. 500 note from her wallet to give to Maanu.

Maanu's eyes popped out at Rs. 500. When she was getting ready to take it from her, her father opened his mouth, and this time, she glared at her dad. He is stingy with her. He never gives her more than Rs. 50.

"How can I bless her without giving anything? I didn't know we would be staying here. If I had known, I would have gotten something for you all. Please, don't stop me." She gave it to Maanu, and Maanu took it with a full-blown smile.

"Thank you, aunty! I will for sure tell Anjukka that she is going to get a beautiful, generous, and kind mother-in-law. Where is the 'mappillai (groom)'?"

"Haha, thank you for your compliments. Agaran is in the room, refreshing. He will be here soon." Geetha instantly liked Maanu. Her chubby cheeks, wide eyes, long and naturally curved eyelashes that touch her eyebrows and cheeks whenever she blinks, plump lips, and the dimple on her left cheek- it all displayed innocence. She reminded her of vintage Sneha from the 'Anandham' movie.

"You don't worry, aunty. I am sure your son will be as good-looking as you, with your good character and values. I will help our mapillai to impress Anjukka. I know everything Anjukka likes. She is a very beautiful girl. Of course, you would have seen her in photos. But she is more beautiful in person than in pictures." Maanu was talking to Geetha, and Rajan gritted his teeth.

"Maanu, go and help Kannamma in the kitchen." He tried to stop his stupid daughter.

"Pch, Kannamma athai will take care of the dinner, pa. I will go after I see the mapillai."

"Sorry nga. She is a little talkative. Don't mind her. Anju is nothing like her. Anju is a very calm and kind girl." Rajan spoke with embarrassment.

"Please, Anna. Let her be herself. I like girl children as I have only two sons." Geetha made Rajan relax and turned to Maanu. "I have seen your Anjukka in pictures. But my son hasn't seen her yet. You can play cupid, and I will be so happy if they both like each other. If that happens, I will change the meeting ceremony into an engagement and fix the wedding date before I leave here."

"Consider it a done deal, aunty. Your wishes will all come true." Maanu put her hand up like she was blessing Geetha, and Geetha burst out laughing.

"Thank you, dear!" She said amidst her laughter. Agaran came down the stairs, hearing his mom's fantastic laughter. It's been months since he had seen his mom laugh like that. Every time she meets him, she whines like a child, asking him to come back. His mom's laughter pulled his lips into a small smile.

"What is the big joke, ma?" He asked from behind. Geetha and Maanu both turned to see Agaran. Maanu's eyes widened at seeing the most handsome man she had ever met, while Agaran's eyes fell on her cheeks, lips, and the dimple. It was just a second; he snapped out of it real quick and furrowed his eyebrows. He didn't like this girl who tested his honor.

"Hi, Mapillai. You look so handsome, like Prince Charming. Anjukka will fall flat! I am Maanvizhi, your cupid for the time you stay here." She jumped up from the couch and put her hand out for him to shake. He could not enjoy her compliment because he was too distracted by her bouncing. He lost his smile and gritted his teeth to keep his cool. His jaw clenched, making him look more serious and handsome. His folded sleeve made his arms bulge, showing off his hard-earned biceps. Maanvizhi's eyes didn't miss scanning his features. He looked too dreamy!

"Agaramaran!" He took her tender, soft hand in his and gripped it tightly.

"Aah!" Maanu winced as she pulled her hand out. "They said you are a professor, but your grip tells me that you must be a police officer." She said, looking up at him. "Hmmm, you are too tall. But don't worry, Anjukka is taller than me. She will be your perfect match."

"Oh!" He showed explicit disinterest in talking to her, and Rajan felt it.

"Maanu, go and help Kannamma." This time, he said it sternly. Maanu knew that voice. If she didn't listen now, he would take his walking stick.

"Ok, pa!" She told her father like an obedient child and turned to Agaran. "This house has wifi. Anjukka has all the new movies on her laptop. You will not be bored, because there are so many places in our village that you can enjoy. But if you feel bored, let me know. I will borrow Anjukka's laptop for you."

"Thanks. Password for the wifi?" He pulled out his phone and asked her.

"Hehe, give me your phone. I will put the password." She put her hand out.

"Maanu!" Rajan warned her. "'BeautifulMaanvizhi', thambi. B and M capital letters." He told the password, making Geetha and Agaran smile.

"Appa!" Maanu kicked her leg before running to the kitchen. Agaran's eyes followed her against his will.

***

Anjana was picking out her outfit for the next day. Whenever Anjana comes home, she joins Maanu and her friends to spend her time. She feels like a schoolgirl when she is with them, and she loves it. Maanu said they are going to wear a purple skirt and blouse tomorrow, so she picked a purple and green saree to match the group.

"Anju, Mapillai is looking too handsome. More handsome than in the photograph. Don't roam around with Maanu and her friends. Stay with me the whole time, so that Mapillai and his mom will get enough time to get to know you. They are very rich, Anju. I am praying to god that this should proceed well and end in your marriage." Jyothi was talking to her daughter while helping her match the proper jewelry for the saree.

"Mmm!" Anju hummed with a smile and decided to make an effort to make her look beautiful and appealing.

"Maanu is calling!" Jyothi picked up her phone.

"Maanu!"

"Hey, Jo! Where did you find this mapillai? He is so handsome, a perfect match for Anjukka. I think he is a little bit taller, but that's ok. Is Anjukka near you?"

"She is!" Jyothi said with a content smile.

"Put it on speaker."

"Mmm, tell me, Maanu!" Anju talked.

"Anjukka, you are so lucky; your mother-in-law is so kind and understanding. She is generous. If you need Rs. 500, all you have to do is fall at her feet."

"Hahaha, adi pavi!"

"Yeah, and your mapillai seems a bit strict! But that is how a teacher would be, right? He will be a romantic hero with you, I think! I have promised your mother-in-law that I will be the cupid for you and her son and make this visit a confirmation for your wedding."

"Vaalu! You keep quiet and control your naughtiness; that is all we need to fix this wedding." Jyothi said with a heartfelt smile.

"Ok, they are here to eat. Bye bye!" She cut the call and helped Kannamma to bring the dishes to the table. Agaran fought within himself not to look at Maanu.

Agaran was not sleepy. Maanu was disturbing him way too much. The shame was too heavy for him to digest. He could not understand why this girl intrigued him. Her voice was ringing in his head. Her admiring and scanning eyes on him made him shift in his place. No one, I mean, no one has ever made him feel discomfort before. But she did it with just her eyes! He went to the terrace to spend some time alone when he saw Maanvizhi jumping out of her window and getting down the stairs. She was in a blue cotton pajama shirt and pants. He understood that the silk skirt and blouse she wore today were for the festival. He saw her from behind and shook his head. The cotton pajamas were a little tight on her back.

'Idiot! Doesn't know how to dress modestly!' He muttered under his breath, conveniently forgetting that he was the one who didn't look at her with modesty.

'Why is she going to that house in the middle of the night?' He thought, keeping his eyes on that house. But even after half an hour, she didn't come back. Agaran was astounded by his pounding heart.

'Probably the right time to get married to avoid these distractions.' He thought as he got himself ready to say ok to this marriage with Anjana. But the fact that he didn't like Maanvizhi stayed the same.