Manik's POV
After a hectic day at work, with back to back meetings, I came back home, all fatigued and exhausted. For the past one week, I'd been working continuously for the deal with Goenkas and all my time, was spend in the conference room of my office. When I came back, I hardly had any energy to move an inch, but I'd promised Mom to take her out.
I slowly slumped and tried ascending the stairs. After tripping almost twice, with the fatigue taking a toll, I finally reached in my room.
"I'm so tired", I whispered loosening my tie. I laid down on my back on the bed and watched the ceiling and thought about my life.
Unknowingly, my eyes closed.
Half an hour later, I woke up and all three of us were ready.
I'd already booked the table for three of us, and knowing who I was, things went in a smooth flow. There was a separate cabin given to us in that seven star restaurant and it gave a vivid look of the entire side of the place. It was a beautiful and pleasing atmosphere, with dim lights adorning his glamorous aura. The place was perfect for dinner. Besides, it directly faced the calm seas in front. In and all, the restaurant was giving me peace.
I looked at Mom Dad and saw them smiling at me. "Manik, there was no need for this"
My face gleamed and I replied back, "Dad this was needed"
There was a sudden silence, until Dad decided to rupture it. "We need to talk, son"
I sensed the seriousness in his voice as he called me son instead of my name.
"Hm"
"Manik", Dad hesitated and his tongue stuttered, "Shanaya"?
I didn't want them to recall her. As I said, she was a beautiful memory and I want to bask and cherish her like that. Crying everytime for the misery will trigger my heart and will create a bad impact over it. I couldn't want that.
"Dad, can we not talk about this?", I balled my fists and stopped them..
"Son, we're not talking about her. But.. ", Mom abruptly desisted and I looked in her eyes, where I could perceive slight tears.
"We want you to move on", dad said dropping a hot brick over my head. He just said it and mom complied to him.
"What?", I asked them, still my mind racing with shocks.
"Yes. You're a young man. You've your whole life ahead. What's gone is gone. Shanaya was indeed the best daughter in-law and the best wife. But the reality cannot be changed. I can't see you suffering your whole life. I know you need time. Take as much as you want, but think about it. Because the axis of the world has to move on. We cannot stop living", Mom explained and Dad was keenly hearing her.
"Mom, but so soon?", I asked in staggeration.
"One day it had to be one. Why not sooner? I'm not asking you to move on in a day. Take your time. Besides, Shanaya was like my daughter. I know she always wanted you to be happy, regardless of what. She wouldn't be really happy seeing you turned cold, robust and stoic because of her. Live her memories and give space to make it more fonder", the conversation was heady serious. I'd no words, and I sat there with a numb face. I didn't want to talk about it, that moment.
My face went blank and I guess dad saw that. He immediately changed the topic, "Are Bhai. Yeh Rona dhona toh chalta rahega. Kuch chicken - shicken mangao. Hum Toh Punjabi khane ke liye jeete hai"
I laughed and immediately the atmosphere lightened around. That was my Dad. A warm, generous and the man who knew, what it meant to give all. He had achieved infinite wisdom, richness and wealth, yet he knew where the line was to be drawn. He knew where to stop and how to make others happy. His personality radiated shades of positivity and perpetual optimism.
