Love... Never Dwindles ! (Completed)

55 - Obligation

"How could you make that announcement papa?" Amit asked Manoj furiously. "Why didn't you even ask anyone of us?"

"Gina knew about it. Also Mr and Mrs Tandon knew about it... I assumed that you would be happy as well. This is what we wanted and wished for since many years right?"

"Gina?" Amit chided at his wife.

She explained herself. "I just overheard papa and Mr Tandon's conversation regarding fixing Rohit and Myra's alliance before the party. I had no idea that papa was all prepared to make the announcement... Papa." Gina looked at him. "What was the hurry?"

Amit, Gina and Manoj were in the study. All the guests had left after the abrupt announcement made by Amit to end the party early. Amit and Manoj were standing at the window quarreling while Gina was seated quietly at the table on the cushioned chair listening to the brawl between father and son.

"Yes papa? What was the hurry. You have made a huge decision... you should have asked Rohit atleast. It is his life afterall."

"I have taken this decision for the betterment of his life only."

Amit raised his voice. "How do you know that?"

Manoj looked surprisingly at his son as he raised his voice. "How can you speak to me like that where are your manners?... Look at your age? Is this a way you speak to your father?"

"Yes. This is the way to speak to a selfish father."

"Selfish?" Manoj scoffed. "How can you call me selfish? What about this house, this already set up business, this name and reputation you and your family are enjoying? All of these luxuries you and your family have been living with... How can I be selfish?"

"Papa, these all possessions have been passed on by you only by obligation. As it has been happening over generations."

"Yes. So shouldn't you be thankful for it?" Manoj questioned.

"How can I be? When you have just ruined my son's life!"

"What is the matter with you Amit?" Manoj was surprised at the accusation made by his son. "I just took one decision to get my grandson married to a pleasant and lovely girl. Rohit should be happy with my choice..."

"Your choice." Amit taunted. "Hasn't it always been that way. You make decisions not just for yourself but also for everybody and then you just impose them on us... You don't even give a minute of thought over the implications your decisions would have on others, on their lives."

"As far as I can see the implications on you all's lives has been very fruitful."

"That is from your point of you. But you do not see the compromises made to just fulfill your decisions."

"I cannot believe that one day I had to listen to my son speak in this manner to me. After all I have done for him... And what compromises are you speaking of?"

"Since childhood you have been planning and making decisions in everyone's lives. What will ma do or what would didi do? And me, right after school, in college you made me take up business subjects in my academics." Amit turned and took a few steps away as he continued. "Followed by that as soon as I was finished with college you summoned me up at office and immediately shifted the control in my name... I was not ready then, I needed time... To go through the system, to understand the departments... You can never understand the pressure I faced. From our relatives, the board, employees and most importantly you... And finally when I had settled down in this business and understood my way around you came up with another new activity to shake up my life once again. You decided for me to get married... Once again, you very well knew that I was not ready. I had point blank put forth my views before you... But when have you ever listened to anyone but yourself."