Chapter 8 :Who is he ?
802 Words
The old man lowered his head.
Kamlesh finally spoke.
"Who is the grandson?"
Krishna hesitated.
Then answered.
"Arjun."
The name hung in the air.
Diya had never met him.
Kamlesh had never heard of him.
But somehow the name already felt like an enemy.
"The families have remained in contact for years," Krishna continued.
"They are expecting an answer soon."
"Soon?" Diya laughed bitterly.
"That's funny because nobody asked me."
The old man winced.
Kamlesh could see the conflict in Krishna's eyes.
This wasn't a villain.
This was an old man trapped by his own honor.
But that didn't make it any easier.
"Does Arjun even know about this?" Kamlesh asked.
Krishna nodded.
"Yes."
"And?"
"He has agreed."
The answer hit harder than expected.
Somewhere out there was a man who believed Diya already belonged to him.
Kamlesh's jaw tightened.
A dangerous possessiveness flashed across his face.
Diya noticed immediately.
So did Krishna.
The old man sighed.
"This is exactly why I was afraid."
Kamlesh stepped forward.
"With respect, sir..."
His voice remained calm.
But the storm inside him was growing.
"Diya is not a promise."
"She is not property."
"She is not a debt repayment."
The words filled the temple.
Krishna remained silent.
Kamlesh turned toward Diya.
His eyes softened instantly.
The contrast was startling.
One moment fierce.
The next completely devoted.
"She chooses her own future."
Diya felt tears return.
Not from sadness.
From love.
Pure, overwhelming love.
For years she had doubted him.
Rejected him.
Misunderstood him.
Yet here he stood.
Not fighting for possession.
Fighting for her freedom.
The realization made her heart ache.
Krishna watched them carefully.
And for the first time...
He truly saw it.
Not obsession.
Not infatuation.
Love.
Real love.
The kind that survives rejection.
The kind that survives oceans.
The kind that survives death itself.
But love wasn't the only thing at stake.
Honor was involved.
Promises were involved.
Entire families were involved.
The old man sighed heavily.
"There is something else."
The words immediately raised everyone's anxiety.
"What now?" Diya asked.
Krishna looked directly at Kamlesh.
"The promise wasn't the only reason."
Kamlesh frowned.
"What do you mean?"
The old man's expression became troubled.
"Raghavan's family knows about you."
The temple fell silent.
Kamlesh's eyes narrowed.
"How?"
"They investigated."
"Investigated?"
Krishna nodded.
"They know you publicly declared your love."
"They know about the tattoo."
"They know about the pilgrimage."
"They know everything."
Diya's stomach twisted.
Something felt wrong.
Very wrong.
"And?" Kamlesh asked carefully.
Krishna hesitated.
Then finally answered.
"They believe you're dangerous."
The accusation exploded through the temple.
"What?"
"They think your devotion is unhealthy."
"They think you're obsessed."
"They think you'll bring disgrace to their family."
Kamlesh froze.
The words struck deeper than any insult.
Because for years he had wondered the same thing.
Had he gone too far?
Had his love become something frightening?
Had waiting four years made him look insane?
Diya immediately stepped beside him.
"That's ridiculous."
Krishna raised a hand.
"I'm only telling you what they believe."
Kamlesh looked toward the rain.
For the first time that night...
Doubt entered his eyes.
A tiny c***k.
A dangerous c***k.
Diya noticed instantly.
Without hesitation she grabbed his hand.
Then placed it over her heart.
His eyes widened.
"Look at me."
He obeyed.
"You waited four years."
A tear rolled down her cheek.
"You prayed for me."
Another tear followed.
"You changed your entire life because of me."
Her voice softened.
"Nobody has ever loved me the way you do."
Kamlesh stared at her.
Unable to breathe.
Unable to speak.
"So don't let strangers define your love."
The c***k disappeared.
Completely.
His fingers tightened around hers.
A small smile appeared on his face.
The first real smile of the night.
Krishna watched quietly.
Something inside him shifted.
Because deep down...
He knew what was coming.
War.
Not violence.
But a war between promises and love.
Between tradition and choice.
Between duty and desire.
And standing at the center of it all would be Diya and Kamlesh.
Suddenly a vehicle's headlights appeared beyond the temple gates.
All three turned.
A black luxury SUV rolled to a stop outside.
The engine shut off.
The driver's door opened.
Then the passenger door.
A tall young man stepped into the rain.
He carried an umbrella.
He wore an expensive black suit despite the storm.
Confident.
Elegant.
Wealthy.
The stranger looked directly toward the temple.
Toward Diya.
Then smiled.
"Looks like I'm not too late."
Krishna's face drained of color.
Diya's heart skipped.
Kamlesh's entire body went rigid.
Because somehow...
Without needing an introduction...
They all knew exactly who had arrived.
Arjun.
The man who believed Diya was promised to him.
to be continued...........
- Writer
