The Way We Were

Epilogue

(Based on a True Story)

The big screen had faded into darkness. Arnav heard his own voice echo all around, as his original soundtrack of Rabba Ve indicated the start of end-credits.

His phone buzzed yet again and he finally looked away from Khushi, who was hiding her face beneath her hands, peeking at him as if he didn't know she knew he could see her.

I'm going to kill him.

Who? Arnav replied to his Friday woman.

Your son.

Why?

He's not at the office. I had to handle the Mehtas alone, Papa.

Arnav reigned in his anger. Aarav was getting more and more rebellious these days. Did he not understand the impact this movie release would have on their lives?

Before you ask, Ananya ditched office too. Get them married, Dad. It's ridiculous the amount of time they spend with each other.

As the lights came on, Arnav searched the theatre. It didn't take rocket science for him to guess where his son was at. He was his son, after all.

"Khushi, I need the projector room."

"Projector room? Now?" Khushi was confused. "What happened?"

People were getting up and making a beeline for the exit.

"Your son happened."

"Arnav-"

"Not today." Arnav warned as he got up. The faster he did this, the less the damage.

Arnav got up and slowly walked to the pair who were lost in their own world. "Hello."

The couple jumped apart, looking at him in shock. "Nav Uncle-"

"I don't want to hear it. Out you come!" He ordered his son.

Aarav was used to these harsh tones ever since he started college. His father had turned strict for almost a decade and Aarav hated that it was him that received the brunt. Never Arshi. She was his princess. "I just wanted to-"

"Unfortunately, I know." Arnav gritted out. The theatre was almost empty. Arnav could see his friends and family standing near their seats, expecting him to explode. "Out, now."

Aarav sighed as he got up and followed his father.

Aarav did not know how or why he landed in a projector room. His father was pacing the length as Aarav sat, quite apprehensive about the lecture he was expecting.

"Why?" His father finally asked. "I asked one thing of you, Aarav. To wait to see this. Why are you here?"

"I deserve to know Dad."

"So that you can flaunt it to your thousands of followers that you own the Indian economy?"

"I don't-" Aarav was heavily confused. "What?"

"Did you not understand things or are you really naive?"

Aarav felt some scenes, some dialogues screaming at him. An Oberoi and a Malik. Hundreds of trusts liquidated back to the Malik Treasury. Women of India, his mother's sweat and blood.

He had wanted to watch this movie to understand his parents. Not for this information. His body trembled. They owned the Indian economy. "Aarav?"

"I didn't realise..."

"Come on," his father's voice was softer this time, and nostalgia hit Aarav. "You need a drink."

"You're not angry?"