Bound by a Promise

Chapter 7 Uninvited Guests

Chapter 7 loading.............
Enjoy.....🤍

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Alexander's Pov

The house was older than I imagined.

Cracked edges of blue paint hugged the cream walls, and iron railings curled like vines on the balcony. The air smelled of wet earth, jasmine, and something deeply nostalgic I couldn't name.

I stood silently as the others stepped ahead.

Taksh adjusted his cuff, Viren nodded toward the door, and Priya looked as if she were preparing for war-but a diplomatic one, the kind fought with words that left scars anyway.

The door creaked open after the second knock.

A man in his forties, simple kurta-pajama, confusion written in the lines on his forehead, stared at us. His eyes landed briefly on me-cold, scanning, measuring.

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*Author's Pov*

"Ha...?" Prakash asked, cautious.
(Yes....?)

"Namaste," Priya said gently. "Tame kanika na mama thav?"

"Ha... Hu Prakash. Tame kon?"

Taksh stepped forward. "Ame Babulal dada na friend na chokara na chokara chiye. Ame ahiya ek zaruri vaat upar charcha karva aavya che agar tamne vandho na hoy toh ame andar aavye?!"

(We are Babulal granduncle's friend's grandchildren. We came to speak on an important topic. Can we come inside, if that's okay.)

Prakash paused, uncertainty flickering like a candle in wind, then slowly stepped aside.

They entered. The house smelled like old wood, turmeric, and prayers-fragments of a lived-in life.

Alexander didn't speak. He never did in meetings like this. He was the shadow-the consequence. Not the negotiator.

Just as they stepped into the living room, another presence entered-an old lady.

Probably Kanika's Maternal Grandmother :

Kamla Prajapati

Her spine was fragile but her eyes were sharp. Generations of resolve stared at us.

"Kon aavyu? Kon che aa badha Prakash?" she asked, eyes narrowing.

(Who is it? Who are all this people Prakash?)

Before Prakash could speak, Priya stepped forward. "Namaste Nani ji. Amne maaf kari do. Ame ek zaruri vaat karva aavya che. Tame ghar ma je hoy ae badhane bolavi saksho?"

(We apologize. We need to speak to everyone present in the home. Can you call everyone?)

Prakash cleared his throat. "Bas ame bav j rahiye che ahiya. Baki koyi nathi rehtu."

(Only the two of us live here. There is no one else lives here.)

One by one Priya introduced everyone.

Soon after the introduction, Viren, Taksh, and Priya exchanged glances before nodding in sync.

They began explaining.

In fluent Gujarati.

Alexander sat on the edge of the couch, he and lorendro were listening like a deaf not understanding a single thing.

Taksh spoke about the contract-how Kanika's grandfather, a deeply principled man, had promised his friend-Alexander's grandfather-that Kanika would marry into the Meadows family if certain conditions were met.

Colour started draining from Prakash and Kamla's face. Confusion rising in the thoughts of their mind.

Viren followed up with hard details-dates, signed clauses, sealed documents. And then came the papers.

The lawyer opened his briefcase with theatrical slowness and handed them to Prakash.

Prakash's eyes flick across each line not believing what was written on it.

His lips moved soundlessly.

"Na... aa su che?" Prakash muttered.

(What... is this?)

"This is real." Taksh said quietly, watching his every twitch.

"Pn papa aavu su kaam karshe? Tame khotu na bolso mari bhani nu jeevan majak nathi. Ane ae toh haju ghani nani che lagan mate." he asked, the confusion now dipping into betrayal, not ready to believe these UNINVITED GUESTS.

(Why would my father do this? Don't you all speak lies my niece's life is no joke. And she still small for something like marriage.)

"We don't know," Priya said softly. "That's why we came here first. Before we said anything to Kanika. And we are not joking around we told you the truth and showed the proof. She is 18+ right?! According to the contract she can marry alexander once she turns 18."

Nani looked stunned. "Koi vaat nathi kidhi mane Prakash na papa ae aa vastu ne layi ne... Aa kyare thayu?"
(He never told me anything about this... When did this happen?)

"No one knows," Viren added. "But this is binding. And it has to be addressed."

"It's not a force," Priya clarified quickly. "Kanika still has a choice. But it was her grandfather's wish, and a promise kept between two men who were more like brothers than friends. A promise Kanika has to fulfill we expect her too. You all don't have a say here. We could only terminate this contract if Kanika herself says no and that would cost Babulal granduncle's reputation. He made a promise for reasons we don't know but it was promise which he gave before he die. A debt only Kanika could pay."

The room fell quiet. The tick of the antique wall clock was suddenly loud.

"She deserves to know," Priya continued. "That's all we're here for. She deserves the truth, and a chance to make her own decision. A chance to keep the promise. A chance to save her grandfathe's reputation and pay his debt off."

There was a pause.

Then Viren scribbled something on a piece of paper and handed it to Prakash.

"This is my number. Please call me when Kanika is ready to meet us. No pressure for when... but this needs closure. We have other things on our side to finish up so we would request if you arrange the meet up really quick."

Viren stood up. The rest followed.

Alexander didn't say a word.

He couldn't.

He was the outcome they were trying to explain.

And the woman this was all about-Kanika- she still didn't know Alexander existed.

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Hope you like the chapter!
Please like, share, follow and comment💕.

Do you think Prakash and Kamala would buy the truth?

Would they tell Kanika about the untold promise?

Will Kanika agree to pay the debt of promise off?

Stay tuned for the answers.

Bye cuties🤗🐧.