An Arranged Journey To Forever

109

London had given them much, taken even more, and left them with memories both cherished and regretted. Some moments had been a blessing, while others should never have happened.

"Hello," Manik sighed, his voice heavy with exhaustion as he collapsed onto the bed after a grueling day.

"Manik, we have a meeting scheduled for tomorrow. It will be held online. Would you prefer to attend from home, or will you be coming to the office?" asked Nia, his newly appointed personal assistant.

"I'll come in, Nia. Home doesn't feel like home these days," he replied, glancing around his dimly lit apartment, devoid of warmth or charm.

It had been seven years since he had moved to London. The initial days had been a struggle—lonely, challenging, and filled with uncertainty. But over time, he had carved a path for himself, slowly yet steadily climbing toward the life he had envisioned. Today, he was exactly where he had dreamt of being.

"Alright, I'll message you your schedule. Goodnight, Manik," Nia said before hanging up.

Years of trials, setbacks, and relentless effort had transformed Manik into a man of substance. The challenges life threw at him had molded him into someone stronger, wiser, and more compassionate. The once arrogant and brash Manik Malhotra had learned that kindness had a way of returning when least expected.

Dragging himself toward the refrigerator, he retrieved a bowl of rice and curry. Heating it in the microwave, he set it on the table, eating in silence while scrolling through Instagram. Another day had ended, and like every night, before turning in, he meticulously ensured the gas was off, the lights were out, and the door was locked. Habits ingrained in him by someone he dearly missed—his daughter, Amayra. His little princess. His heart.

She had been his anchor, his reason to smile even on the darkest days. The emptiness of the house became unbearable at night, when she was not there to snuggle into his arms and drift off to sleep. His longing for her grew stronger in those moments of solitude.

Lying down, he unlocked his phone and stared at his wallpaper—a picture of his happy family, frozen in time. If only he could go back, even for a moment, to change what had happened. If only he had not let them leave without him that day. Perhaps then, he wouldn't be left with just memories and regrets. A single tear escaped the corner of his eye as he closed them, hoping that, for once, sleep would claim him without the haunting ache of what was lost.

The alarm buzzed at 7:00 AM, but he did not wake—not because he was too tired, but because he had never truly slept. His family had spoiled him with love, and now, without them, he found himself struggling to navigate life alone. But he had no choice. He had to move forward.

Pushing aside the weight of his thoughts, he folded his blanket, straightened his bed, and stepped into the bathroom. The cold water washed away the lingering exhaustion, but not the emptiness in his heart. Dressed sharply in his formal coat and trousers, hair neatly set, and laptop bag in hand, he left the house—but not before checking everything one last time, as he always did.

Work, at times, felt like a curse—demanding his constant presence, pulling him away from the ones who truly mattered. It was the reason he hadn't been there that day. The reason he had lost what he could never get back. Pushing the thoughts aside, he focused on the present.

Half an hour into his office routine, a knock on the door interrupted his work.

"Come in," he called, turning to see John, the supervisor manager, step in.

"Good morning, Manik," John greeted him with a hesitant smile.

"Morning, John. What's the matter?" Manik asked, setting his pen down.

"I know today's meeting is crucial, but my children have their annual day at school. They're receiving an award, and they're adamant that I be there. I can't bear to disappoint them. If it's okay, can I leave early? I promise to follow up on the meeting afterward—"

Before he could finish his explanation, Manik cut him off with a warm smile.

"Go."

John blinked in surprise. "Really? You're not upset?"

Manik shook his head. "You don't need permission to be with your kids, John. And you're lucky—you have the choice today. You can set work aside for them. Don't take it for granted. Cherish these moments while they last, because once they're gone, you'll regret every time you weren't there."

John nodded, gratitude evident in his eyes. "Thank you, Manik. This means a lot."

As John left, Manik glanced at his watch. 10:45 AM. Fifteen minutes until the meeting. Taking a deep breath, he reached for his phone and dialed a number, his fingers lingering over the screen for a moment before pressing the call button.

Some wounds never healed. Some regrets never faded. But life did not pause. And so, Manik carried on—one step at a time.