The time of arrival had been confirmed. One-thirty it was. I didn't have any work to do in the morning so I decided to spend the morning in my cabin. End of holidays finally – I had been thinking. As I sat on my bed and looked out from the window at the sea, my palms were together and I was in a state of unknown tension. The last week had been quite fruitful for me and it was indeed a holiday as I spent this week away from any family or business tension. I am really thankful to Brian and Caleb for making these days pass extraordinarily for me. After all, it was not only the ocean but also the true friendship of Brian and Caleb – Brian, with his smile, and Caleb, with his words of wisdom – that made me feel refreshed and filled me with determination.

The road had been smooth yet but the path ahead was rough. After I would climb down the ship, I had to go through some official process at the harbour and then rush to a lodge and then to my new office. I would have to work till midnight again, try to bring the company on its feet in Singapore as soon as possible and also deal with Aly meanwhile. Tough job. Had I still been reluctant on divorce, this would have been a little simpler with the lawyers to handle. But now I had to win her back.

It was at around twelve when I finally gave out a long sigh, decided to face everything that may come, whatever may be the situation, and most importantly – never give up till end. Nothing's over yet, and I am not going to let anything take Aly away from me this time.

At one, we all lined up over the deck. Brian was with me. We could see the coast now which was slowly seeming larger and larger as we were approaching closer. There were some technical difficulties because of which the ship was taking time to station.

"It was really nice meeting you, Mr. Brown", Brian said to me amidst the excitement.

"Likewise, Brian... You don't call your friends 'Mister', remember?"

"Ah, yes. I was just trying to be formal". He smiled.

"You're going to have a busy day too?", I asked him.

"Nope, I will go and have a nap at my house, take this day off and then rush to my errand tomorrow... It seems you will have quite a busy day. You took a holiday amidst business crisis. That can make anyone go 'Wow'." I nodded and smiled. What I had done was probably one of its kind.

"Is it possible we ever get to meet again?", I asked him.

"I'd love to, George. I had given you my number, right?". I nodded. I was looking at the port as the ship was slowing down, preparing for a halt. "I always love coming here. Singapore, I mean. Is it your first time?".

"Yes, it is".

"I will text you a list of good restaurants and pubs then. You'll love to visit them".

"Oh, that would be a great help, Brian".

"But there's this awesome restaurant I always like to have my dinner whenever possible. The South-east Fusion it is. Visit it someday".

"I'd love to". I was getting impatient now.

It was fifteen minutes later when the ship came to an eventual halt and the anchors were dropped. My bulkier luggage had been handed over to the crew for disembarkation and I was carrying two backpacks with me. When the custom officers announced of the debarkation, people were divided in groups to avoid a stampede. Brian had to leave before me. As his turn came, he turned around and embraced me.

"I am never forgetting these days and forgetting you is never an option", he said to me.

"You have been a great friend to me, Brian. I apologise if I ever hurt you in these eight days".

"No apologies, George. It was fun... all the time. Just remember one thing – no matter what happens, never lose hope and never let your guard down, okay?"

"All right... Now go. Your group's leaving". With this we parted. He turned and gave me his smiling glance as he reached the gangway. Gonna miss your smile more than anything – I thought. It was his smile which played the first fiddle in my... Rehabilitation?

Ten minutes later, at around two o' clock, I descended down the flight of stairs and proceeded to the docks. I collected my luggage at the baggage counter and was about to turn when someone called out to me. The voice screamed at me actually. "Daddy!", it was. At first, I was startled. And then I was surprised. I knew it was my daughter's voice.

Even before I had turned around, I could hear footsteps running at me. And as I looked over my shoulder, I saw Nancy, in her swaying frock, running at me. I turned and knelt down as she jumped onto me and hugged me. I was overcome with delight and surprise. One could see both excitement and curiosity on my face as I kissed my girl's forehead and looked at her. I couldn't believe Nancy was here with me.

And then I saw Aly walking up to me, with a faint smile on her face.

"Hey, big girl, you are going to get enough time to talk to your daddy. Now, get seated in the car while we come with the baggage".

"But mom!". And then Aly showed her eyes. Poor girl trotted away to the car. I could not see any point behind Nancy leaving for the four-wheeler before us.

"Aly? What are you guys doing here? Is everything all right?", I asked as Aly got hold of my baggage.

"Yes. Alex had called me that he needed my signature on some papers as your attorney. Some documents that were necessary to be attended by both of you. He said it was important and had to be done as soon as possible. As you would be late, he asked me to come over and sign those papers on your behalf. Hence, we arrived two days ago and I got your papers approved. Nancy insisted she wanted to meet you so we are staying back for two more days with you". I was so glad to hear that! "Moreover, you are not going to work today. I have spoken to Alex". Oh Alex! What are you, my messiah?

"Here, give it to me". I handed over three bags to her while I myself held four. She seemed strange today. I was unable to grasp what. But now I was thanking God for giving me an opportunity to talk to her in person. It was as if it was all happening like a sign from God – to help me convince her.

"I am so glad to see you, Aly". She looked at me. Now, I could see her face clearly. It was not anger. It was sadness, perhaps. "I want to talk to you. I have waited for this so bad!", I said to her. It seemed she didn't want to talk to me. She had grabbed the bags and was about to turn. "Listen to me, Aly". She stopped and looked at me. I put down the bags and held her arms as she dropped the bags on the floor.

"I know, honey—".

"I don't want to talk about anything".

"No. You have to listen to me. You have to give me a chance!". She sighed and nodded.

"I know. I know I have let you down, let us down. But nothing's over yet, Aly".

"There's nothing we can do now. I've made my decision".

"Oh, have you?". She looked at me dubiously. "Was it only Nancy for whom who came here? Really? Don't you fool me".

"Oh, come on! Don't make a scene here now!". She was about to go but I clasped her hands.

"Alright, alright. Just listen...". She rolled her eyes. "I know what you have always wanted from me is time. And I swear now I am going to try my best to be with you and Nancy. To bind our family together as it used to be. I understand my errand had blinded me after all. Yes, I was earning for us, but then I was never prepared to think of you by putting my business at stake". The anger, the frustration and the sadness in her eyes were fading. I could see she could understand my realization now.

"I have made mistakes, Aly... and to be honest, both of us have". She was about to give me a stern look when I continued. "You never told me what you needed from me but you had your expectations. You know I am a slow learner! Professor Winston also used to say that, remember?". She smiled but then hesitated. "You never told me but then you pounced on me with divorce". I wasn't rude at all. She gulped and scoffed and then glanced at me again. Her eyes were damp. "All I ask from you is give me a second chance. I have made some decisions – for us, and for our family. I will try hard to bring things back to normal. I can't promise you I can give you all my time. But I will try my best. You know what I am and what I have been going through, hon. Just—just you need to—".

"You say no further, George". I was scared. She sniffled. "I am sorry".

What?!

She continued. "I had been selfish. I had my faults too, yes. Back then, when I mentioned to you about our divorce, I didn't really know in what situation you were in. It was not until you told me about your plan of restarting. But it was too late for me to back out. My ego had taken over, I guess. Truth is – I can't see you in such a state, George. I don't want to leave you alone when you need us the most. And yes, I love you. I love you a lot... I am sorry for what I told you in anger. It was purely frustration and ego, George. I am sorry. I am really sorry". She started weeping. I took her head into my chest. She hugged me tight and broke down further. I could see people looking at us. Some laughing, some embarrassed, some admiring. But it didn't matter to us.

"No, you need not apologise for anything. It's marriage, Aly – a relationship too complex to carry on your arms. We need to hold it together. If one hand slips, so does the marriage. It is our job to grab it before it crashes and breaks. And we can still be together. Nothing is gone. I am here... You are here. There's nothing that can separate us. I have loved you since we met and I will love you to the day I die"

"If it's all about a chance... let me say it – I will never leave you. Let divorce fuck itself. It was just the negativities that had been surfacing my mind but I know how much you love me". She looked up into my eyes as I let her loose. "Let's start again, George".

I was laughing and crying at the same time. She held my face in her smaller, softer palms. This time it was my warm tears over her hand. I nodded fiercely. "Yes. Yes. We will... We will, Alyssa Brown".

And with this, we embraced each other, crossed our arms over each other tightly and cried together. As I opened my eyes, I could see Caleb, at the departure gate of the docks. He was looking back and smiling at me. He took off his hat and raised it to me in respect and admiration. I nodded back and showed him a 'thumbs-up'. His smile broadened as he turned around and left. I was charmed by the elegance of this man.

"We should not keep Nancy waiting. I don't want her to come back here and see us crying", she said. We smiled, carried the bags and set forth to the departure gate.

"I wonder why you sent her before us?", I asked her.

"I knew you would talk to me. Honestly, I had my mouth too but I don't think I could talk back to you unless you started. I fear we would have really separated".

"I was not the one who started". It was a healthy tease. She gave me a comic glare.

"I knew you would begin anyway—".

"And you were stopping me from speaking".

"—and I also knew you would talk to me anyway". We cackled as I shifted my bags to my right arm and rested my other arm over her shoulder.

"By the way...". She looked curious.

"Hmm?"

"You never told me what compelled you for a voyage. You had never done that, had you? Also, at times when you had to reach here fast. I am so confused still!"

"Ah, well... That's a long story".