When Akash comes back after settling his friends in the guest house, his mother and grandfather are back. His mother hugs and cries seeing him. Akash feels proud while telling everyone that he has scored highest in his institute and has broken all the previous records.
Grandma and Grandfather praised their own genes and said again what they always say 'Our family is the family of geniuses'
But the way everyone is sitting and waiting for something, Akash felt like situation feels a bit strange. Looks like everyone is holding something back from him. His other uncle and two aunts are not yet back from shopping. His youngest uncle, mother, grandfather, grandmother and even his cousins and own sister are all having odd expressions.
He looks toward his own sister and she lowers her head like a guilty party. He looks at his mother and asks discontentedly "Mother! What is it? What do you all wish to ask me? Don't keep the suspense."
Grandma asked him "Grandson! Tell me, do you have any girl you love? Do you have someone in mind you wish to marry?"
Akash felt startled from his Grandma's question and while looking at the curious expression of everyone he felt emotional. He remembered Arushi and felt how easy it would have been for them to be married if she was his girlfriend today. But he kept his own expression calm and said "No. I don't have anyone yet."
After responding he suddenly understood and then asked "Did someone brought some marriage proposal? Which business family are they? "
"No, it is not like that." His grandfather said.
Akash asked impatiently "Then what is it?" He has a foreboding that something is amiss and it won't make him happy.
Grandfather said "Listen patiently then. I have not yet told anyone about this in the family. Everyone has some Idea but not the reasons behind it." He stopped and then looked at people who are looking at him and listening attentively. Akash also took his seat and started listening.
Grandfather continued in a calm voice "There is a family of Ramlal Verma in our village Khirwa of Singrauli district in MP. Khirwa village is the place where we are from. The family of Ramlal Verma was our neighbor and we both were die-hard friends. Your grandmother was also a close friend with his wife. We had only 10 acres of land and farming was really difficult and then we decided to leave the village and come to Pune to try. We tried hard for 10 years in Pune while our kids were in the village. The family of Ramlal Verma took care of our family and farming at that time. They also sent us money and even wheat, rice and lentils when we were going through difficult times in Pune. If we consider that time of 40 years back, that help of more than 10 years cannot be bought by any amount of money. Your grandmother and I are deeply indebted to them."
"Are you trying to say that we have to repay the debt now?" Akash asked with some uncertainty.
Grandfather coughed and said "You see. I visited them in the village about 10 years back with your grandmother. He has a granddaughter whom everyone loves. Your grandmother liked her and asked them to marry her grandson to her. The promise was set and they are waiting for us to visit them and complete the engagement. That girl must be 20 years now. It is not the repayment of debt but to remove any feeling of debt. We do anything for our family."
Akash understood their meaning. His grandfather is also a prideful person and he would definitely wish to keep his promise. There is no chance of breaking the promise because it will be a very dishonorable matter.
Akash looked at his other cousin Arpit who is 21 this year and asked his grandmother "Can you not engage Arpit to the girl. I really do not wish to be caught in all this now."
His cousin cried "No, No, Please leave me out of this. I have already told father that I have a girlfriend and we have decided to marry in future. Her family also knows about me."
Akash looked at his cousin and seeing his expression, felt like he was being played by him but he knows that his grandparents really don't have any expectations from anyone but him.
He feels annoyed and helpless and then asked his grandfather "Do you have the photo of the girl?"
Grandmother smiled and said "What is the use of photo? We will be visiting them soon within this month. Just get ready to visit there."
Seeing the helpless expression of Akash, the grandfather said in a consoling voice "Believe your grandparents. That girl is good looking and well cultured."
Although he was heartbroken by his first love, Akash still had a hope to find some girl whom he would love wholeheartedly and then marry. Now when, he came to know about his own preset marriage by his beloved grandmother, his hope to fall in love and marry his own dream girl got shattered.
Akash looked toward his mother and sister and found them silent. He knows that his mother also respects his grandparents as himself, so even if she does not agree she will not argue on this. This is a matter of promise which has existed for so long and related with pride and honor.
He does not know what to say next so he just gave up trying and stood up and said "Let us talk about it later. I am going out for a walk." He feels frustrated. He walks out of the house toward the guest house. He finds himself in a predicament and a difficult situation which has a no way out.
He feels jealous of his own cousin brothers and sisters. He feels annoyed and depressed and blames the girl he has never seen. He is also afraid that that girl might be some ugly stupid villager and he will become a laughingstock among his friends.