Notes of Love

when music calls

Manik's decision to leave Malhotra Industries had been simmering for months, even before the fight with Nandini. But now, with the distance between them, the ache of unmet expectations, and the pressure of living a life that wasn't his own, he couldn't ignore it any longer. Every part of him wanted to just go after what he truly wanted, music. 

It had always been his escape, his joy, but it had always been put on the back burner for the sake of other people's dreams. He couldn't do it anymore. He had to be true to himself, even if it meant turning his back on the future his father had envisioned for him. 

As he sat at the kitchen table, sipping his coffee, his eyes wandered to Nandini. She had just come out of the bedroom, wearing a yellow kurta that made her glow, her hair still slightly damp from her shower. Manik's heart skipped a beat at the sight of her, she looked as beautiful as ever. He wanted to talk to her, tell her about his decision, but he was torn. They were in such a fragile place right now, and he wasn't sure how to bring it up. Their last conversation still felt raw, and he wasn't sure if he should add to her worries with his own.

Nandini caught his gaze from across the room, her eyes lingering on him for a moment before she looked away, as if pretending nothing had happened. She noticed he was in casual clothes, not the usual attire for work. Was he not going in today? She wanted to ask, but the words felt stuck in her throat. She wanted to say so much, but it didn't feel like the right time. The ache of the silence between them made it harder for her to even look at him for too long, yet she couldn't stop. The distance between them was unbearable, but she didn't know how to bridge it. Was it even possible anymore?

Manik tried to shake off the hesitation. He had already decided. His heart ached at the thought of confronting his father, but he knew it was something he couldn't avoid. He needed to make the choice that was right for him, even if it meant disappointing the people who loved him. 

When Manik finally walked into the Malhotra Industries office that afternoon, he felt the weight of the decision pressing down on him. He had never been one to shy away from hard conversations, but this was different. This was his future, his happiness at stake. He needed to tell his father, Samir Malhotra, the man who had shaped so much of his life that he was done with the corporate world. He wanted to be an artist. He wanted to follow his passion for music, something he had buried for years. 

Samir, ever the sharp observer, immediately noticed something was off with his son. As Manik walked into his office, Samir put down his papers and leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowing in concern. "What's wrong?" Samir asked, his voice laced with worry. It wasn't often that Manik seemed this distant, this unsure.

Manik hesitated for a moment, the words heavy on his tongue. Finally, he met his father's gaze and said, almost like a confession, "I don't want to be the successor of Malhotra Industries. I just... I can't do it." He paused for a moment, collecting his thoughts. "I want to pursue music as my career, not this."

There was a long silence before Samir spoke again. His face, usually calm and composed, seemed to stiffen, his eyes narrowing with a mixture of disbelief and frustration. He had known this day might come, but hearing it out loud felt like a punch to the gut. "I know you sing well, Manik," Samir said after a beat, his voice measured, trying to keep his emotions in check. "But that doesn't make money. You have to be thinking about what's right for your future. You have to be responsible. Be a man. Did you speak to Nandini about this? Is she okay with this?"

Manik's throat tightened, his fingers gripping the edge of the chair he was sitting in. "I will work hard," he said, his voice stronger now, determined. "I will make this work for us. But I just can't go on pretending that I like this job. It's not me. Maybe one day, I will come back and handle the business. But right now, I want to at least try my luck in something I love. Music is what I've always wanted to do. It's my calling."