His Marriage

Chapter One - Argument

In a grand size office room, a tall man in his early sixties with a subtle jawline, fair complexion and salt pepper hairline was pacing.His mind was occupied by several thought but then a knock on the door stills him.

A man in his late thirties entered wearing a formal suit holding a file in his hand "good afternoon sir. Manik sir's flight will land in an hour, and I have sent the car to pick him up from the airport"

The man looked at him and gave a nod. He is Raj malhotra, the president of the  Malhotra Industry, one of the top business industries in India. They had business almost all over the world. His only son manik who is in New York City, was doing masters in Business. Other than any important matter he never visited his home. The only times he was in India when his father would forcefully call him. Today
also he came due to his father's pressure.

There was another sudden knock on the door. Raj Malhotra turned his attention and said "come in"

On getting approval, a girl in her mid-twenties wearing professional  attire entered inside. She was a fair complexioned beauty with a brain. She is nandini, Raj's assistant.

"Very Good afternoon sir. It's your lunch time sir. What would you like to have today?"

"Nandini, as you know, today Manik is coming so I will have my lunch with him. Reschedule today's appointments again, ask Rohan to get my car ready. I will be going home"

"Okay sir. May I take my leave now sir"

"Yes, you may" Raj nodded.

"Good day sir" with that Nandini left the room.

After some time nandini informs him that his car is ready.He leaves for his mansion. The car enters a huge place surrounded by a beautiful garden, a huge fountain can be seen in the middle, surrounded by beautiful benches. The grass was freshly trimmed. The car stops in front of a huge gate engraved with beautiful carvings reminding of some palace.

As soon as Raj get out of the car he was greeted by his butler" Good afternoon sir"

"Good afternoon, has Manik arrived?" 

"Yes sir, manik sir has gone to freshen up" the butler nodded.

"I am also going to freshen up and will have lunch with Manik." Half an hour later the father and son duo meet. Manik took his father's blessing. After the exchange of little pleasantries between the two, they arrived at the dining room. All the favourite food of manik has been laid off on the table. Dal Makani, Paneer butter masala, steamed rice and butter roti. They ate their lunch in silence. After eating manik excused himself as he was suffering from jet lag and the time difference was taking a toll on him.

It was late dusk when he woke up. He stirred from his sleep and took a few moments to register where he was. The realisation kicks in that his father must be waiting for him. He went down quickly but only greeted by silence in the main hall.

The butler Rakesh was coming from outside and when he saw Manik he smiled greeting "good evening young sir"

"Rakesh Uncle have you see dad?" Manik asked. He has know Rakesh since he is a kid and was always respectful towards the older man.

"Yes, he said he will be staying in study. If you want you can meet him there" Rajesh replied.

"Oh, okay" Manik didn't wait for the butler to reply and directly walked towards the study room.

Inside the study Raj sat on the chair and was gazing at the photo frame on the table. It was a family photo and taken when his wife was still alive. The smiling woman in the photo looked beautiful with a toddler in her arms and Raj was standing beside her with his hand dropped on her shoulder. It was a summer day and the people in the photo was a happy family. It was still happy one until the tragedy happened and the woman in the photo was longer around them.

Thinking about it Raj felt pain in his chest. He couldn't forget his wife even if she was not here anymore. The days he spent with her was the magical one and he will cherish it as long as he live.

"I miss you so much my dear" he traced the figure in the photo while his eyes were slightly wet. His trance was broken when he heard a knock on the door. Raj straightened his body and put a normal expression before saying "come in"

Manik pushed the door open and walked in.

"Are you feeling good now?" Raj asked.

"Yes dad I am good" Manik nodded and sit down on the chair.

"Now that you have completed your study what are you planning next?"

"I was thinking to join the company" Manik replied.

"It's fine, you are going to take the position anyway. I am not going anymore and want to retire from all these works"

Manik looked at his father's tired face. He looked like his days were not peaceful anymore and couldn't give his body a bit of rest.

"Dad why are you stressing so much. If you want to get away from the work load just leave it to me. I will handle it" Manik frowned.

Raj chuckled "saying the one who never bothered to ask me how I am"

Manik rolled his eyes "dad please, you know me. I can't give myself a time too. I had to take the projects and learn more to get maximum experience in business"

"Is it all about work?"

"Of course" Manik nodded.

"I am not young anymore Manik. And this time the purpose is much bigger. I want to retire from the work but I also want to get some peace" Raj said.

Manik frowned again. He couldn't catch what his father was saying. He thought it's all about business so he nodded "you don't have to worry about the work dad. As I said, I will handle it"

Raj shook his head. He knows that Manik couldn't get his point "it's not only about work Manik, it's about something else"

"Something else what?"

Raj looked at his son "I want you to settle down in your life and lead the business"

Manik who was listening stunned for a moment. Settle down? Means to get married?

"What are you saying dad?"

"You are smart then why can't you get my point Manik. I am already old and want to see my grandchildren before I die. You can't want me to die without knowing the pleasure of having grandchildren" Raj shook his head.

On the side Manik clenched his fist tightly. If the it was for Raj, he would have shouted. But he couldn't do that to his father. So he calmed his rage and looked at Raj with blank expression.

"Dad, I can deal with these business thing but about other thing, I can't do that"

Raj frowned "why? Are you planning to stay bachelor all your life Manik?"

"Dad I am still young to settle down" Manik refuted.

"Young? Manik you are already 26, how long you want wait to get settled?" Raj burst into anger. Whenever the topic of marriage come Manik would avoid it like a plague. He really could not understand it.

"Dad, it's only 26, who settles at 26?" Manik retorted.

"This is the right time to get married. You are not young anymore Manik and everyone get married at this age" Raj started to point out.

"Dad, can we talk about it later? I am tired already and tomorrow I need to take a trip to the company" Manik said avoiding the topic.

Raj sighed "fine, this matter is not over. This time I won't take any excuses of yours"

Manik got up and said carelessly "whatever dad" then he left the study room.

Raj sighed and leaned on his chair before looking towards the photo frame again "only if you were here"

Another sigh fell in the silent room.