Two days ago...

6:30 pm, Q Label Studios, Bandra West, Mumbai.

"So, what do you think? Will they give us the contract?" I asked Cabir as I stepped outside the studio.

"Are you kidding? Of course, they'll give us the contract! We absolutely killed it in there! Right?" Cabir exclaimed with the utmost confidence.

That's what I liked best about him. He always knew what to say to give me a feeling of assurance, when I was in doubt.

"Yeah, Manik! Why are you so worried, anyway? This attitude doesn't suit you!" said Alya, as she caught up with both of us.

"No reason..." I said, in a soft voice.

"Manik, main tujhe do din se dekh rahi hoon...you've been in such a bad mood! Kya hua hain tujhe?" Mukti asked as she made her way outside the building, along with Dhruv.

"No, it's nothing...bas aise hi..." I said, trying to hide the reason for my low spirits.

"Buddy, please share your worry with us! After all, we're your family!" Dhruv requested, in the most sincere tone, placing one hand on my shoulder.

I guess I would have to tell them at some point, so why not now?

"Guys, my twenty-fifth birthday is coming soon, and Dad wants me to take over as CEO of the Malhotra business." I said.

"But Manik, all of us already know this, so what's the big deal? It's good news, right? After all, you have been preparing for this for the last two years." Mukti said in a neutral tone.

"This business is Dad's dream! It's the most important thing to him! That's why I agreed to train, in order to take over the company...so that it remains in the family. And believe it or not, I actually started to enjoy learning about the business..." I said, as all my friends looked at me curiously.

"However, I had agreed on one condition...that I still get to pursue my one true passion-music, at the same time. After all, my role in the company would only be supervisory, so I thought there was a chance I could fulfil my dreams as well as his. He agreed at the time, but two days back, we had a huge fight about this." I said, with a sigh.

"What happened Manik?" Cabir asked.

"He said I'd have to quit music in order to take over the company!" I said, in a hurt voice.

"What??" all of them shouted in unison.

"Yes! I argued with him for hours, but he was adamant! Even I wasn't ready to budge, so he gave me an ultimatum..." I said.

"What did he say?" Mukti asked, unable to bear the suspense.

"He asked me to choose one- the business or music!" I said, in a stressed voice. "Actually, scratch that-he asked me to choose between two of the things I love the most in this world- between him and Fab Five!"

"What? That's so unreasonable of him!" Alya said. "What was your answer?" She asked, in a fearful tone.

"I tried to convince him, but it was of no use! Ultimately I had to choose...so I chose music! And that led to a screaming match between us at the office!" I finally let out the truth. "I haven't spoken to him since then...and he's obviously very upset with me."

"Manik, you Malhotras are so hot tempered! All of us know, that you'll never be happy if your relationship with your father is in such shambles!" Alya exclaimed in a determined voice.

"Manik, not talking to uncle will not solve the issue! Jaake unhe pyaar se samjha...I'm sure he'll understand. After all, I'm sure he loves you more than anything else!" Dhruv said, in a calm voice.

"Manik, go home right now and speak to uncle! You know that he's been stressed lately because the Singhania group got their hands on the heritage property that he so desperately wanted to acquire! This might have been just a temporary outburst due to stress! Nothing is lost! You can still convince him! This silent treatment will only aggravate the current situation." Cabir advised.

Were they right? Could I still convince Dad to give me another chance? I felt my hopes rising.

"Manik, go now!" Mukti egged me on, handing me the car keys. "And if you need any help from us, we'll be there in no time!"

I smiled at her remark and accepted the keys from her.

"Okay, let me give it a try!" I finally said, seeing smiles on their faces.

I took a step forward, but retreated immediately. I had forgotten something very important!

I dragged the four of them into the tightest group hug and all of them squealed in annoyance.

After I let them go, I said-"You guys are the best!"

"Ahem...Manik, ek aisi baat bol jo hame pehle se pata na ho!" said Cabir, straightening his collar, making everyone laugh.

"Bye, everyone!" I shouted as I entered the car.

I drove off as I heard Mukti shout "All the best!" Her good wishes brought a smile to my face.

A few minutes after I began driving, my phone started to ring. I looked at the caller ID. It was Dad!

Why was he calling me? Did he want to make amends as well? Had his anger subsided?

I hesitated for a few moments before I finally picked up the call.

"Haan Dad...tell me..." I said, in an uncertain voice.

"Manik, I need to talk to you..." He said, in a neutral tone. After all, as a businessman he had learned to hide his true emotions from the world. However, the uncertainty and regret in his voice was something that only I recognized.

"Toh boliye..." I answered.

"Not like this. Please come home! Then we can relax and have a chat. Manik, I'm sick of this discord between us. We can't continue like this..."

"Hmm..." I said, as I thought of a suitable response to the statement.

"Manik, I'm sorry for having pressurized you in this manner. We need to have a mature discussion about your future and maybe we can actually work something out...are you willing to do that?" he asked, in a hopeful voice.

"Yes, Dad!" I said, breathing a sigh of relief because he had finally seen reason. "I'll be home in half an hour or so. We can talk then..."

I was about to cut the call when I heard him say. "Manik, I just wanted to tell you something. I know I've been absent for most of your childhood and adolescence, but trust me I've always loved you from a distance! Manik, you're a good son! And I'm proud of you! And no matter what happens, you know I'll always love you, right?" He asked.

I was surprised to hear his words. He had never been so verbal about his feelings before. I was speechless, for a few seconds before I finally answered-"Yes Dad, I know..." in a lost voice.

"Good! Now come home soon!" He said.

"Yeah...see you soon Dad." I replied. I wanted to tell him that I loved him too...but something about our present strained relationship prevented me from doing so. Instead, I settled for a formal goodbye.

His call had given me faith that everything could still be made right. My spirits lifted immediately as I thought of the prospective talk that we would have.

As I coasted along, the breezy Bandra-Worli sea link, my mood changed completely. Looking at the sea, had always given me peace! Today, the relatively calm ocean, seemed to mirror my inner feelings. My friends were right! I couldn't give up like this.

It took me about thirty-five minutes to reach home. Malhotra mansion was the principal residence of India's leading businessman-Shrikant Malhotra, so it was situated in one of the most upmarket localities of Mumbai-Malabar hills. It was a luxurious property that sprawled over a massive two acres-a palace in a city that was infamous for its shortage of space. To me however, it was an embodiment of my father's hard work. Every inch of the mansion, had been built with his blood, sweat and tears- something which I reminded myself of often. I had some amazing memories attached to this house-jamming and playing with my friends, partying, etcetera. This house had become a part of me, and if all went well, soon enough I would be the official owner of it! I was excited and scared at the same time!

I parked my car, in my designated spot, and went up to the entrance to ring the doorbell.

However, I was shocked to see that the door was already left ajar. What the hell? Why was it open? Where the hell was Ram Singh? And why wasn't the security team from the main gate here already?

I slowly made my way inside and realized that the power was out. What was wrong with the staff today? Our house had twenty-four hour power back-up. There was absolutely no way it could fail!

"Dad?" I called out, to see if he was in the main drawing room, but I heard no response.

"Ram Singh? Bilas Ram? Kahan hain sab?" I questioned in frustration.

Finally, I took out my cell phone from my pocket and put the torch on to obtain at least minimum illumination. I hated to admit it, but I wasn't particularly fond of darkness!

I could see that the entire hall was empty. Maybe there was some serious problem with the generator, and the entire staff was looking into it.

I then made my way to the study. Dad had lived in the ashram, for the last ten to fifteen years, but whenever he came to visit me, there was always one place where I would find him- the study.

I peeked into the study and saw that his chair was empty. Where was he? I had just spoken to him sometime back.

I finally decided to give him a call. When the call went through, I could hear the distinct ringtone of his cell phone, inside the study.

So, had he left his phone there? I wondered to myself.

As I entered the study, I saw something that made me stop short in my tracks.

A feeling of dread washed over me as I saw a trail of blood, leading up to the main desk in the study.

I followed the trail of blood, to see a foot protruding out from the back of the table. When I reached the backside of the table, I was stunned to see my father's lifeless corpse staring back at me!

For a few seconds, I was unable to believe my eyes! I felt paralysed! Blood was gushing out of his chest, through a supposed bullet wound. This couldn't be happening!

"Dad?" I asked in a choked voice, as my eyes clouded up with tears. I bent down, and shook his arm in an attempt to wake him up.

"Dad, please wake up! What happened? Please talk to me! Dad!" I screamed as I shook his motionless body. His blank eyes looked back at me, giving me the impression that they would never blink again!

I took a deep breath and checked his pulse.

Nothing! There was no heartbeat! He was gone!

When this realization dawned on me, I crashed on the ground and let out a cry of grief.

I felt absolutely gutted. He was gone forever, and I never even got to say goodbye! I never got to apologise for my mistakes!

I buried my face, in my hands and continued to sob inconsolably.

A few seconds later, I heard the distinct clacking sound made by a pair of high heels. Exactly the kind that...she wore!

I looked up and saw that my suspicions had turned out to be right-she was here! Nyonika!

She casually entered the study and stood before me.

I abhorred the sight of her! But, I was too shocked to even speak.

After, a few seconds I finally found my voice and asked, rubbing my tears, "What are you..."

She cut me off in the middle, and said in a mock tone of worry. "Poor Manik! Abandoned by your precious father..."

"Nyonika, I have no time to listen to your bullshit..." I said, in anger.

"Why Manik? I've just come to take credit for my master plan!" She said, in a satisfied voice.

"What plan are you..." I was about to ask, when I realized what she had just said.

My grey cells finally began to work, and her words made me think about who could have done this to Dad.

I hated to think it, but was Nyonika responsible for his death? What had this witch done?