Bas Ek Pal Note pg.61 [08/09] - Page 3

Chapter Two

He carried his luggage to the main door and rang the door bell. The Walia Mansion didn't seem to change one bit, although it did look a little dull as if lifeless. He remembered his childhood in this mansion, being pampered by Masi his father's sister and being disciplined by his father the great business tycoon who owned the Walia Industries.

The door opened with a sound and there stood the Walia Mansion's oldest and most loyal servant Tony. He greeted Jai with a faint smile and Jai came in shutting the door. "How was your flight sir?" Tony asked. "Fine," Jai replied as he looked around the house.

"How is father now?" Jai asked as Tony took the luggage. "His health seems to be deteriorating," Tony told honestly. Jai was about to respond when he saw Masi coming down the stairs. He greeted her and she took him in a hug as her eyes became moist seeing him after so long.

"You've lost weight," Masi laughed touching his stomach. "You weren't there to make the food," Jai smiled. "Well if you were here you would daily eat my delicious food but instead you decided to go to America leaving me," Masi frowned. "Masi.." Jai said to be cut off by her.

"We have time to talk later Jai right now you're father must be waiting for you impatiently," Masi uttered as she signaled Tony to take Jai to his father's room. Jai nodded and went the path Tony was guiding. Jai thanked Tony and stepped into the room alone.

There in a hospital like bed with machines attached to him lay Jai's father, Uday Walia. There was a nurse attending him at the side of his bed. He turned to see Jai and smiled weakly at him than he asked the nurse politely for him to be left alone with Jai.

Jai sat down on the chair beside his bed and didn't know what to say. "So you finally have come?" Uday muttered. Jai nodded and looked down not knowing where his voice disappeared. Uday took a breath, "I'm sorry." "For?" Jai asked after a few moments.

"When you left for America I overreacted and also said some things I shouldn't have said. I didn't understand why you would leave such a high class lifestyle and go to America to start from nothing when everything was already here for you. But now I know you wanted to get out of my shadow and create a status, a position for yourself. I am sorry I never understood you son," Uday said genuinely.

"I'm also sorry I left without your permission and never tried to contact or resolve this matter with you," Jai said guiltily. "There's also some other reasons I called you here before I die I want…" Uday said weakly. "Don't worry you have a lot of time," Jai reassured.

"No I don't and I know I'm dying slowly. So I don't know if I have a right to ask you for some favors but I hope you will keep in mind it's a dying man's last wishes," Uday said. Jai nodded, waiting for him to continue. "After I'm gone there will be no one to take over the Walia Industries, no one to make decisions and lead the company to success. It may sound selfish but I am also thinking about the thousands of people who work for us and if no one steps up to take leadership than I'm afraid they're going to lose their jobs," Uday said.

"You're not suggesting I…" Jai asked in a confused tone. "Yes I am, I want you to take over my position and stay in India after I die to become the owner of the Industries." Uday stated. "But I just can't leave everything I have in America my life, job…," Jai said. "I know but you're responsible, honest and hardworking the right qualities you need for the job and also think about the people Jai they will lose their jobs," Uday begged.

Jai ran his fingers through his hair in utter frustration. "There is one more favor I ask from you," Uday sighed. "You remember Bani right, Nishikant's daughter. Nishikant passed away two years ago and she became an orphan with no one there for her, so I took her in because she's like my daughter. I promised Nishikant that I would care for her and be a father figure to her. Before I die I want to see her married and that will be my last duty as a father but for that I need a caring man who will treat her right." Uday paused.

"I know this is already too much to ask for but will you marry her?" he asked gently. "No, I can't and I won't," Jai said angrily and with that he walked towards the door. "Please don't say no, think about it before you make a decision," Uday pleaded. Jai walked out the door.

Jai tried calling Pia's phone for the fifth time. Finally at the third ring she picked up. "Where were you?" Jai asked in frustration. "Jai it's you, sorry I couldn't hear I'm at a party right now," Pia voiced. "It seems you're always partying," Jai alleged.

"Jai what's the matter why are you so angry did something happen to your father?" she asked. Jai took a deep breath and told her what his father requested from him leaving out the part where he asked him to marry Bani. After a long silence Pia spoke, "So what are you going to do Jai?" she questioned.

"I don't know. If I don't take over the Industries than it will most likely be shut down meaning thousands of people will lose their jobs and I don't want that to happen because my dad started this business with much difficulty and struggle," Jai said. "But what about us?" Pia exclaimed.

"That's the other part if I leave my life in America than that means you and I won't be together anymore," he sighed. "Maybe there is a way, you could come to India and live with me," Jai assured. "No Jai I can't leave everything and come running to India for you," Pia mumbled.

"What are you suggesting than?" Jai was almost afraid to ask. "Listen Jai I will put it as simply as I can it's either your father's business or our relationship," Pia gave him an ultimatum. "Pia try to understand it's not just my father's business there's more attached to it," Jai said.

"Fine I guess that's your final decision," Pia said angrily and she disconnected the phone. Jai was shocked to see her reaction and couldn't believe she would end their relationship so easily. He slammed his cell phone on the ground in frustration seeing it shatter and become pieces. Than he looked at the pieces, "Crap that was gifted to me on my birthday."

Hey guys, sorry if you thought it was a boring part! I will make it more interested in the upcoming chapters! Will be looking forward to read the comments,

Maro😛