On the Run

Chapter 16 : Unexpected Grief

Two days ago...

6:30 pm, Q Label Studios, Bandra West, Mumbai.

"So, what do you think? Will they give us the contract?" I asked Cabir as I stepped outside the studio.

"Are you kidding? Of course, they'll give us the contract! We absolutely killed it in there! Right?" Cabir exclaimed with the utmost confidence.

That's what I liked best about him. He always knew what to say to give me a feeling of assurance, when I was in doubt.

"Yeah, Manik! Why are you so worried, anyway? This attitude doesn't suit you!" said Alya, as she caught up with both of us.

"No reason..." I said, in a soft voice.

"Manik, main tujhe do din se dekh rahi hoon...you've been in such a bad mood! Kya hua hain tujhe?" Mukti asked as she made her way outside the building, along with Dhruv.

"No, it's nothing...bas aise hi..." I said, trying to hide the reason for my low spirits.

"Buddy, please share your worry with us! After all, we're your family!" Dhruv requested, in the most sincere tone, placing one hand on my shoulder.

I guess I would have to tell them at some point, so why not now?

"Guys, my twenty-fifth birthday is coming soon, and Dad wants me to take over as CEO of the Malhotra business." I said.

"But Manik, all of us already know this, so what's the big deal? It's good news, right? After all, you have been preparing for this for the last two years." Mukti said in a neutral tone.

"This business is Dad's dream! It's the most important thing to him! That's why I agreed to train, in order to take over the company...so that it remains in the family. And believe it or not, I actually started to enjoy learning about the business..." I said, as all my friends looked at me curiously.

"However, I had agreed on one condition...that I still get to pursue my one true passion-music, at the same time. After all, my role in the company would only be supervisory, so I thought there was a chance I could fulfil my dreams as well as his. He agreed at the time, but two days back, we had a huge fight about this." I said, with a sigh.

"What happened Manik?" Cabir asked.

"He said I'd have to quit music in order to take over the company!" I said, in a hurt voice.

"What??" all of them shouted in unison.

"Yes! I argued with him for hours, but he was adamant! Even I wasn't ready to budge, so he gave me an ultimatum..." I said.

"What did he say?" Mukti asked, unable to bear the suspense.

"He asked me to choose one- the business or music!" I said, in a stressed voice. "Actually, scratch that-he asked me to choose between two of the things I love the most in this world- between him and Fab Five!"

"What? That's so unreasonable of him!" Alya said. "What was your answer?" She asked, in a fearful tone.

"I tried to convince him, but it was of no use! Ultimately I had to choose...so I chose music! And that led to a screaming match between us at the office!" I finally let out the truth. "I haven't spoken to him since then...and he's obviously very upset with me."

"Manik, you Malhotras are so hot tempered! All of us know, that you'll never be happy if your relationship with your father is in such shambles!" Alya exclaimed in a determined voice.

"Manik, not talking to uncle will not solve the issue! Jaake unhe pyaar se samjha...I'm sure he'll understand. After all, I'm sure he loves you more than anything else!" Dhruv said, in a calm voice.