MaNan OS - Letters From Father To Son

It was 11.50 and the whole Malhotra Mansion was hush hush as if there is no one in the house, the lights were dimmed and an eerie silence prevailed. A young boy was sitting on his royal king sized bed, he definitely looked like a prince if not king though. And why not he was the prince of his parents' lives, a total mamma's boy and at the same time daddy's pet. If he was a kid for his parents he was a big daddy for his two younger sisters playing ever protective brother and their secret santa.

He was half lying on his bed with the most special guitar in his hand, it was his dad's guitar; his dad's legacy that he passed on to his son on his 18th birthday. His father was none other than Manik Malhotra and he was none other than Arjun Manik Malhotra; the oldest of Malhotra siblings and everyone's favorite. The young Arjun reminded everyone of young Manik Malhotra from his SPACE days before Nandini, Arjun inherited the same features like Manik; he was 6 feet tall, deep chocolaty eyes, razor sharp jaw line, a pointed nose and a smirk to die for but there was one thing where he stood apart from Manik was his music, they say he was a notch up from his father and Manik could never be more proud of his son as nothing beats the joy of the legacy he created being taken over by his son.

Arjun was sitting making a tune when his phone started ringing he saw the caller to be as "mini monster" better known as Pihu Malhotra and ignoring her was not a good idea. He answered the call and before he could speak "bhaiii!" She shouted; "pihu! Kya hua? Are you ok?" Arjun asked all scared when pihu again screamed "bhai come down" and disconnected the call. Arjun ran down only to find darkness and silence. "Pihu.. dad.. ma.." Arjun called everyone but there was no word. "where did they all go. Till dinner all were home." Arjun took his mobile and tried to look around when he suddenly heard " 10..9..8..7..6..5..4..3..2..1.. Happy Birthday" the lights came back and his whole family stood in front of raining confetti and blowing whistles.

"happy birthday bhai.." his two little sisters jumped on him catching him off guard as he twirled both of them around while fab5 and Nandini went all aww on the babies of the group; the rest of the fab4 had kids but for some reason Malhotra kids especially Arjun was everyone's favorite. "thanks you babies." Arjun said as he put down his sisters' and soon Nandini came forward to wish her son. Now how can Arjun leave a chance to tease his mommy dearest; he picked her up and twirled her around shouting "to the best mom in the world." Nandini laughed whole heartedly and screamed "Arjun put me down." While the others hooted and screamed for the mother son duo. As everyone was smiling and hooting there was one man standing and smiling in his tears; he was Manik.

Nandini and Arjun gave him what Neyonika could never give; a glimpse of what a purest bond is of a mother with her son. From the day Nandini realized was about to have Arjun till this day he has been thankful to her aiyappa for giving his kids a mother like Nandini and them a son like Arjun who was everything like Manik was yet he was nothing like Manik was. Manik's trance was broken by Piya's voice "dad we are about to cut the cake." Manik wiped his tears and made his way to Arjun, he side hugged him and said "happy birthday buddy." Arjun winked and said "thanks and I am damn sure you are proud of yourself for creating me." Then he and Cabir laughed out on the pj leaving Manik all red and angry as he shouted "Cabirrr."

"Ok no more fighting guys" Nandini said as he walked in with a chocolate cake; Arjun's favorite flavor. She put in 21 candles as Arjun looked with a smirk and Manik knew he will say something that Nandini will lose sleep over. "dude! Don't you dare say whatever you are thinking." Manik pulled him closer and said. "why are you so scared?" Arjun chuckled; "because your mom she won't sleep neither she would let me sleep." Manik sighed. "what?" Nandini turned and asked finding her favorite boys busy in gossip. "umm nothing ma. I was thinking." Arjun said with a mischief, "thinking what beta?" Nandini asked. "thinking ki what's the legal age for marriage in India?" he asked and Nandini replied innocently "21." "great ma! And which birthday is this mine?" Arjun chuckled as everyone suppressed their laugh. "21 beta." Nandini lovingly caressed his cheek. "bingo! This means I can get you a daughter in law." Arjun said and Nandini screamed "Arjun stop it. Stop bothering me. Manik" she cribbed like a kid and Arjun and Manik hugged her from both sides to cool her and soon Piya and Pihu joined making it a family hug and fab4 just watched and prayed to heavens for their family.

After an elaborate tease Nandini sessions Arjun finally cut the cake and fed the first bite Nandini who fed him back, he then came to Manik and fed him the cake and Manik hugged his son wishing him birthday again. Piya and Pihu were waiting eagerly for their turn and when he fed them cake they both gave him a small box as a gift and Arjun being excited soul about gifts was about to open when they screamed "not now andar jaakar akale mein." Everyone chuckled at the youngest babies of Manik and Nandini. Soon everyone handed over the gifts to Arjun and after a mini celebration fab4 went to their houses while the Malhotra clan retired to their rooms. Though Arjun found it weird that Manik didn't gave him the gift but he knew Manik would have definitely planned something special.

Arjun was busy replying his friends when Manik walked in saying "hey buddy got few minutes." Arjun kept his phone aside and said "dad you never have to seek permission you just order today, tomorrow and always." Manik smiled at his son who has now truly grown up and sat on the bean bag and said "what are you doing tomorrow?" he asked Arjun who frowned and replied "no idea." "well in that case I have planned the day for you we are going on to the yacht for whole day and in the evening your friends will be ferried on to the yacht for the party. How about that?" Manik said and Arjun jumped saying "that's perfect dad. Thanks for the party gift on yacht." Manik smiled and said "son that party is not your gift." He then forwarded a box to Arjun and said "this is your gift. Happy birthday." Manik kissed his forehead and walked out closing the door behind.

Arjun was curious and opened the wrapping paper to find a wooden box with a key, he used the key to open the lock and found few envelops and few pictures.

Arjun looked at the pictures and smiled; the first picture was captioned "Arjun's first day with daddy." And the second as "Arjun's growing up fast"

Arjun smiled widely and kept aside the pictures and took out the first envelop titled "On your 21st birthday - love Dad". Arjun opened and found a letter so he started reading it.

"Arjun, my son..

You must be thinking what weird gift dad has given me today instead of something else. Well let me tell you son you have everything that money can buy so today when you have grown up to a legal age where even the government of this country gives you the right to make choices I am choosing to give you few notes from my years of experience.

You've always joked that how I've always loved your sisters more what to do they have a special place in my heart but you my son are a piece of my heart for you are the first one who made me realize what it is to hold someone whom you gave life. Trust me when I say this I thought the most happiest moment of my life I thought was when I married your mother until I held you; a tiny little baby not even the size of my palms sleeping peacefully in my arms. That feeling I wish I could tell you in words when I touched you for the first time that sense of victory that you are my blood, my son, my biggest possession.

Arjun money can buy us everything trust me at your age I had everything money could buy yet I was the poorest because money couldn't buy me love of a mother, family, compassion, morals and values. This Malhotra Mansion was just a huge Mansion until one day I met with the most beautiful accident where I found your mother. She has been a bacon of light in my dark world since the day she walked in. she gave me the love I carved for, she gave me a family which I was deprived off, she made this house a home.

There could have been no better mother for three of you then her, she taught you the values of family, you grew up with morals which I lacked, you have never hurt anyone and I have hurt many people including your mom but she has always forgiven me and in fact loved me even more.

Arjun you have no idea how proud I feel when people say 'Manik you're son is better than you.' Nothing in this world can give more joy to a father than knowing that he has been beaten by his son. When I see your passion for music I see myself in you, when I see your attitude I see myself in you, when I see you performing on stage I see myself in you, when you fight for your friends I see myself in you.

You are a very intelligent boy my son and there is nothing I can say to you or advice you except that never give up on someone or something you love because the road maybe up hill and the battle could be tough but my son giving up is permanent. So fight for your love, your family and your friends because that's all matters. If you are happy doing what you love with the person you love; you are the richest person in the world. A peaceful mind; a happy heart and home filled with love make them your assets and keep them safe always.

You have made me proud even when you were in your mother's womb. You have given me always the reason to smile, reason to be proud of. You must know that your dad will always love you no matter what. You must know that I will watch over you, protect you even after I am gone because for me you are still my baby.

I LOVE YOU SON..

TODAY.. TOMORROW & FOREVER...

Dad"

Arjun had few tears by the time he ended the letter, kept the letter and pictures back in the box and packed them up and locked it and kept the box in his locker. He jumped on the bed holding a picture in the coffee table where Manik is playing guitar with young Arjun in his lap.

It was 8 in the morning when Nandini walked into Arjun's room to wake him up and he as usual was a tantrum king as he was not a morning person like his father. He put his head on her lap and mumbled "ma bas 5 minute please." "uff Arjun not at least today. Beta we have to leave for the yacht remember? All day and all night long party." Nandini said and bingo the moment he heard they are going to yacht he ran to bathroom shouting I will be down soon, Nandini smiled and walked down.

Few minutes later he joined his family for breakfast where everyone wished him again and he complimented his sisters how he loved their gifts. Piya and Pihu jumped with joy and Pihu being Pihu went on to narrate how they saved money and brought the limited edition Michael Kors for him. Arjun didn't mention about Manik's letter and Manik too didn't ask him thinking he might not have gone through them. Soon the rest of the fab4 joined them and they all went on to enjoy their time on the yacht.

It was fun and family time at yacht with everyone enjoying their own time while Piya was busy with Dhruv learning something new on guitar Pihu was busy with her favorite aunt Alya learning fashion secrets and the birthday boy Arjun was busy with another prankster Cabir planning fun for the evening; Manik was standing on the deck watching his whole family enjoying their time together when Nandini joined him with coffee "what are you looking at?" she asked. "them." he replied gesturing to the hustle of activities "thanks for everything Nandini." He kissed her forehead. She smiled and replied "same goes for you too monster Manik" and chuckled.

Soon it was evening and the boats were ferried to the shore to bring in the rest of the guests to the yacht. When Manik Malhotra parties, he parties in style; that was the famous saying in the town and Manik proved why they said so. Everyone was in awe of the yacht mainly Arjun's friends who just could not stop gushing about the arrangements. Soon it was the time to cut the cake and Nandini gestured the servers to bring in the cake. Soon they wheeled in a beautiful musical themed 21st birthday cake. As Nandini was about to call everyone for cake cutting she heard a voice which made her stop.

"Hello everyone." Arjun said standing next to the DJ's consol "you might be thinking what I am going to do well don't be scared before we kick off the party I want to share something with you all." Manik and Nandini looked at each other with amused expressions as Arjun continued "for every son his father is a hero but for me my father is a super hero and I mean it when I say it. When I was a kid all my friends were jealous of me I thought maybe because I am Manik Malhotra's son but as I grew up I realized they were jealous of me because I had Manik Malhotra as my father; not the rock star but a dad who was present in every big and small occasion of his kids' life. I remember I was 6 years old when my school had a father's race and dad had a concert in Delhi the same evening; everyone tried to reason with me but I was adamant so my dad said if Arjun wants me to race; I will race for him. He raced and won it for me unfortunately he couldn't make it to Delhi due to bad weather but he never complained; for him what mattered was the happiness on his 6 year old son's face and he still hangs that medal amongst his awards and trophies."

"My dad has been my hero ever since, I have always strived to be like you and if I could manage to be even 30% like you then trust me dad I have achieved everything. You have always lived for other and never even acknowledge it dad. You found happiness in mom's smile, your friends' togetherness and in your kids' fun. You have such a big heart that you have no idea; the love you have for the people matter to you can never be measured. You said to me that I got the values of family and bonding from mom true but dad how to maintain them that I have learned from you. I have learned from you on how to be selfless and find my happiness in others'. I learned from you that bowing down for love makes you rise in life; you say you are imperfect I would say you are imperfectly perfect. You say mom and us are you're shining stars but dad you are our whole universe." Arjun said all these looking at Manik who was in tears he then turned to others and said "my dad doesn't know how to express he masks everything with his anger but he has the most beautiful heart one could find; a heart which loves even in hatred; a heart which has a place for everyone."

He again turned to Manik and said "dad I will run out of words if I had to keep on speaking about you but all I want to say is you are my inspiration, you are my super hero. Tomorrow I might go on to become the one who dethroned Manik Malhotra as the music mogul and trust me I will do that soon but I will always take pride in being known as Manik Malhotra's son.

I LOVE YOU DAD.. TODAY.. TOMORROW & FOREVER.."

Every eye was numb there on seeing the father son bond as Arjun walked up to Manik and said "thank you for having me as your son." And hugged him and Manik whispered in his tears "thank you for being my son buddy!"

The End..

Ciao..