Vikky walked into his father's room with determination. He had prepared his whole speech, practiced it trice. He knew he had it all settled. His buddy had to agree. Vivek saw him come and opened his arms for him. Vikky rushed to hug him.

"Utar gaya mere bache ka gussa?" Vivek patted his back gently. Vikky pulled back with a smile. Vivek ruffled his hair. He was relieved to see the smile back on his boy's face.

"Khaya?"

Vikky bobbed his head.

"Chal coffee bana deta hoon."

"Actually, maine coffee bana de hai. Chaley pete hai."

Vivek was taken aback, "tune coffee banaye?"

Vikky bobbed his head. Vivek checked his temperature to make sure he was alright. His child never went into the kitchen voluntarily. He loathed kitchen work, though he was well aware of the basics.

"Ho gaya to coffee pe le, thande pad jayege" Vikky drawled. Vivek smiled and walked out with him. From experience he knew his boy acted extra sweet only when he wanted something. He knew vikky will not be able to hold back for long. Very soon he would be pouring out his heart. He had only to play the waiting game.

Vikky made him sit at the kitchen table, where he had set everything ready. Vivek looked at the snacks at along with the coffee and was taken aback. His father was in no position to cook. Which meant Vikky made them.

"Tune banaya?"

"Nehi mere bhoot ne, khake batao yaar. Mere teen ghante ke mehnaat hai." Vikky dumped the chicken fries into Vivek's plate. He wanted his buddy to relax and loosen up before he could bring in his demands. That was the reason why he prepared the chicken fries, his dad's favorites.

At that moment he knew for sure that his son wanted something.

"What exactly do you want, Vikky?" He leaned against the chain and gave him a knowing look.

"What makes you think, I want something, buddy?" Vikky gave him an annoyed look. His plan was falling flat despite his best efforts.

Vivek stared at him till Vikky huffed and looked away.

"If you want something, just ask, bacha." Vivek spoke softly. "You don't have to do all this. If it is the right thing for you, I will never say no."

Vikky sighed. His buddy knew him very well. He should have known that his plan would not work. Vivek caressed his face gently, "Bata na, kya chaye? Naya phone?"

Vikky shook his head.

"Naya bike?"

Vikky shook his head again.

"You want to go a trip with your frinds?"

Vikky shook his head again.

"Naye...."

"Pehle khalo aap, phir batata hoon, mughe kya chaye."

Vivek sighed. He could feel Vikky's nervousness. He did not understand why his child had to feel apprehensive to ask anything of him. He humored him by having the snacks. The moment he took a bite, his taste buds protested. Vikky had forgotten to add salt, the fries were heavy on spice, even taking a bite was a punishment.

"Kya hau ache nehi bane?" Vikky frowned when he saw his buddy's expression.

Vivek shook his head and forced  a smile. "Bohot ache bane hai, infact they taste yum. You have some more?"

"Itna kafe nehi hai hai?" Vikky shot him an annoyed look.

Vivek shook his head. Vikky dumped his own fries in his buddy's plate. "Khalo. I am not hungry anyway."

Vivek looked at the heaps of fries and cringed inwardly. If he ate so many he would end up in the hospital, but Vikky had put in hours of work behind the food he could not disappoint him. He sent a quick prayer to his guardian angels and ate.

"How was your day?" 

"Good. Yours?"

Vikky shrugged his shoulders, "Are you going back to the cafe, now?"

Vivek nodded his head. He run a successful cafe in the town. Evening was the busiest time for them. He had come to check on  his father.

"Are you performing tonight?" Vikky's eyes sparkled. Vivek nodded his head as he forced another bite. Vikky smiled. Every Friday night His buddy performed in the cafe every. It had been doing it for 16 years now. His pops had told him how his buddy had joined the cafe part time as a waiter. It was a summer job for him. His dad loved music, and took part in the Karaoke night one evening. The applause was so good that the owner offered him a permeant spot on the team provided he agreed to perform every Friday night. His buddy took the job gratefully. Since then, every Friday night he performed in PCCH (Pasty Coffee and Conversations Hub). When the owner's children shifted to another state, he wanted to close the coffee, his father offered to buy the cafe. Vivek had been 22 then. Too young to manage business, but he believed in himself. He had just finished his MBA from a top notch institution. He could have easily snagged a job from any corporate he choose, but he wanted to make a difference.

His pops invested in his buddy's dreams. The first few years were difficult. They did not have the funds to support a thriving business. His buddy was always at the cafe, so much that he designed the back room into a fully functioning nursery. The better part of his childhood was spent in that room. He had waited tables there, cleaned the mess, worked in the kitchen, did everything his buddy did. Dignity of labor was something that he learnt from his buddy. Vivek treated his staff fairly and with respect. No job was big or small in his books. Vivek never forgot his humble beginnings and he made sure Vikky remained grounded. Their cafe had huge turnover now. They could easily afford a bigger home, a better car, a more luxurious life style, but his buddy preferred to stay in the home that their pops had inherited from his grandfather. Vivek Malhotra was the most down to earth person in the world, and that made Vikky love him even more.

Vivek waved his hands before him putting an end to his thoughts. 

"Kaha ho gaye sir aap?"

Vikky shook his head, "Kahe nehi, khao aap jaldi se, mughe kuch baat karne hai."

Vivek put the fries down and looked at Vikky, "Why so nervous, bacha? You know you can ask anything right?"

"You will not like this." Vikky whispered under his breath but Vivek heard it.

"Not like what?"

"Pehle khalo aap, please."

"Pehle tu bata, kyun parehsaan hai itna? Kya chaye tughe?"

Vikky sighed. He could not delay the matter. "Aapko pata hai na ke char hafto me mera convocation hai? I would have to leave the town once I get my results. There are no good music schools around this town. I need to go to college soon."

Vivek felt a pang in his heart but smiled. Music was Vikky's passion. He had the talent in him to make it big. There was a time when he wanted to become a rockstar, life did not give him a chance. He could leave a child home with his parents and go around the world giving shows. He had to choose between being a parent and being a Rockstar and he opted for being a dad. Vikky would never have to make sacrifices. Not when he was around.

"I know, bacha. We discussed this already. Its a four years degree, we will get thought it."

"Buddy you are not getting it, once I leave home, I will be visiting only once a year. Pops will come with me. You will be all alone here."

"Vikky, I have a business here, beta....."

"But you will be lonely, dad,"

Vivek looked at his son. He could read the agitation in his eyes. "I am 34 Vikky, you don't have to worry about me bacha....."

"I would not have to worry about you if you had someone to take care of you."

"Its only 4 years, Vikky, we discussed...."

"Pops was so healthy, buddy. He came down with a stroke, life is unpredictable."

Vivek sighed. He could understand Vikky's fear. His fathers stoke must have scared him.

"I have a very tough heart bacha. Trust me it will be a long time before it tries to bolt on me....."

"I am not in mood for your sick jokes dad. I will not go to college, if you have to stay here alone. You either agree to relocated with me, or I will withdraw my application from the college."

Vivek was taken aback. "What are you saying, Vikky. The college is your dream..."

"And you are my reality, dad. I will not leave you behind."

"Vikky...."

"I cannot leave you behind dad, but I was sure that you had someone to look after you, someone who would take as good care of you as I do, I will go happily."

"You want me to get a housekeeper?"

"I want you to get a Bride dad." Vikky yelled in expiation, "stop acting dumb. I want you to get married."

Vivek stiffened. "That topic is not up for discussion, Vikky?"

"Why not? All these years you put us off saying you were not ready. I get  that you were worried about me. You did not want to get me a step mom. I get that completely. But i am no longer a child dad. I would gladly accept any woman you choose and I do not need a mother....."

"I do not need a wife, Vikky" Vivek rose, "This topic is closed for discussion. Stop thinking about this nonsense and focus on your career."

"I won't dad. You want to act stubborn. Fine. I will withdraw the application form. I will look for colleges nearby. What difference does it make...."

"Demag kharab ho gaya tera? Tughe pata hai us college me admission milna kitna muskhil hai? It is the best college in India. The fact that they accepted your application is a proof of your talent. You want to toss the opportunity away? You are refused to go to NYCM and I agreed. I will not agree to this. "

"I told you my condition dad. If you want me to pursue my dreams, give me the assurances I need...."

"Do not test my patience, Vikram. I will not let you play with your career."

"And I cannot let you throw your life away. All your life you have sacrificed everything for me dad, you gave up your dreams, your ambitions, your youth, for me. You put me first. It was not a favor, I will agree to that. You fulfilled the responsibility of a parent, now let me do my duty as a son. I will not leave till I am sure that you have someone with you. That is my condition."

"You do not have a choice Vikram. You will go to NDMC."

"Will you force me dad?"

Vivek fell silent. He could never do that.

"All my life you have respected my choices. Be it a toy, school or career, you let me make a choice. Now you want to take it away?"

Vivek cupped his face gently, "I love you bacha, I want the best for you. Please don't throw your dreams away. Please....."

"Then give me what I want. Agree to get married. Find someone you like. Someone who will take care of you much more than I can ever do. Someone who can heal your broken heart."

Vivek looked away.

"Seventeen years is a long time to hold on to someone, dad. A very long time. She must have moved on. May be she is even married, has children of her own. Why do you have to remain single? Why?"

"You are too young to be talking about such matters, vikky..."

"At my age you were raising me dad. I am the one responsible for your looniness'" Vikky voice was laced with pain.

"What are you saying, Vikky...."

"Truth dad. If I was not born your life would have been different. You should have gotten rid of me when you had the chance dad, mom should have killed me when I was inside her. At least both of you would have been happy."

Vivek did not realize when his hand shot up in anger. Vikky felt the sharp sting on his face and looked up shocked. His father had never raised a hand.

"How dare you say that, Vikram. How dare you?"

Vikky's eyes lowered. He could not face his father when he looked so upset with him.

"Your mother fought the world to give you a chance. I agree we made a mistake, but for us, you were never a mistake. You are the gift of our love. I agree that we should have been careful, I agree we overstepped our boundaries, I agree we should have been judicious, but I will not agree to you being a mistake. A child can never be a mistake. If your mother did not want you, if she regretted having you, if I regretted it, then you would have been a mistake. The whole world judged us Vikky, they only saw our mistake. My dad saw the love, you think we were not advised to terminate the pregnancy? That is the first advice anyone gives when they learn about a teenage pregnancy. We hated the advice, but were kids. Helpless. Your mother agreed for the abortion. Her parents took her to a private clinic to get it done. She wanted me by her side. The doctor performed a preliminary scan to check the status. That is when we heard your heartbeat for the first time. Till that moment you were not real for us, Vikky. You were just a report on a paper, a scary consequence, but the moment we heard your heart beat, you became our reality. We were scared, Vikky but we knew we wanted you. You were our child, our love. Not a mistake. Not a thing to get rid off. I was seventeen, she was 16 but we were your parents. I can take it if the whole world accuses us, but if our won child......"

Vikky hugged Vivek to silence him. The pain and anguish in his voice was unmistaken. He had said that in impulse, he had not meant it all all.

"Sorry dad, I did not meant it that way. I am really sorry. I know you and mom wanted me." He pulled back and looked at him, "I am sorry, I did not mean it that way. You could have a normal life without me....."

Vivek closed his eyes to drown the pain. He did have a normal life, but he also understood what Vikky was saying. If it was Vikky in his situation, as a parent he would share the same concern. A child in teenage was a big responsibility. He never blamed their parents for pushing them for an abortion. He would never blame any parent for protecting their child's interest. He made his own choices, he did not regret them. He learned to live with them.

"Dad, I am really sorry....."

Vivek nodded his head. Vikky held his ears and pleaded, "Really sorry dad. I did not mean it. Please maaf kar do."

Vivek sighed and gently pulled him into his embrace, "Kuch baatey dil ko chubh jate hai beta. Don't use them ever, please."

Vikky bobbed his head, he would never again say anything like that again, ever. The sheen of tears in his dad's eyes, shocked him. He never wanted to upset his dad.

"I am sorry I raised my hand......."

Vikky shook his head, "I was being stupid. You did the right thing. Lets not discuss that please."

Vivek caressed his cheek gently. He felt guilty. He made sure never to raise his hand, because Vikky did not have another parent to console him. He was all he had. He gently embraced his child.

"I love you beta, I was upset...."

"Shadi karlo dad, please."

Vivek stiffened. Vikky held his hand, "zidh nehi kar raha main, request kar raha hoon. You want me to be happy right?"

Vivek nodded his head, "This is what I want Dad, aaj tak maine jo bhi manga aapne deya. Give me this last thing dad, I will never ask anything of you again."

Vivek looked away. Vikky's eyes filled up, "I want you to be happy dad. As long as you stay single, I will always live in guilt. Mughe aise he lagega ke aapke zindgi mere wajah se barbad ho gaye."

Vivek closed his eyes in frustration. Vikky hugged him and buried his face into his warmth, "Please dad, mana maat karo. Please."

"No one will want to get married to a man like me, Vikky. She would have to accept you...."

"I am not a child dad. It's okay if she does not accept me...."

"It is not okay for me, bacha. You are my world. If I have to share my world with someone, it should be with a person who can respect me and my choices. You may not need a mom, but I do not want a step mother for you."

"What if someone was ready to accept me and you? What then?" Vikky pulled back. His father had always shut down the topic of marriage, for the first time he was giving in. He could not let go of the opportunity. he just could not.

"No one will, Vikky."

"What if we do?" Vikky insisted.

"Vikky...."

"If you find a woman like that, will you marry her?"

"It's not that easy...."

"Come on buddy, its not that hard. If you find such a woman, will you marry her?"

"If she is ready to accept you and dad, if she is ready to accept a man like me, I would not have an objection."

Vikky's smiled bloomed.

"But women like that do not exist bacha. It is not fair to expect such things form a lady...."

"Woh sab aap mughpe chod do. Pops always says that god makes someone special for everyone. He would have made someone special for you too. I am sure, we just have to find her."

Vivek gave a sad smile. God did make the best for him, sadly she was lost to him forever.

"I will go tell pops, he will be so happy. You agreed for the wedding dad. I am so happy" Vikky was bouncing in joy.

"I did not agree Vikky, I just said...."

"Come on buddy you agreed, now don't back out. I will find the perfect bride for you. Then you can not say no."

He ran into his pops room to share the news. Vivek rushed behind him. Vikky was not ready to take no for an answer.

"Pops, dad agreed. He agreed to get married."

Vedant looked at his son shocked. He could see that Vivek was not comfortable with the idea.

"Vikky I did not agree..."

"Chup karo aap. Mughe clebrate karne do. Pops we have so much to do. Ladke dhoodne hai hume. She should be pretty, young, sweet, gentle, caring......"

Vivek pulled him up. He was not listening. "I do not want a bride, Vikky."

"But you said you will get married if you found the one who will accept us."

"Vikky...."

"At least meet a few girls, buddy. Decide for yourself if you like her."

"Vikky listen...."

"Woh sach he keh raha hain na beta. At least give your self a chance." Vedant pleaded. "Humare khatir he sahe haan keh de?"

Vivek looked at his father and son. Both wanted the same thing, but he could not give in.

"Okay, let me make you a deal buddy. You agree to give yourself a chance, and I will take the admission in NYC Music collage."

Vivek was taken aback. he had been trying to convince Vikky for a year now. The boy never agreed. He refused to leave him and go to another country. 

"Really?" Vivek looked at his son with hope. NYCM was the best music school in the world. His child's life would change forever. It was a golden opportunity.

"Really Mr. Malhotra. So now do we have a deal?

"Did he say, yes?" Vibha and Vishal spoke together. Their eyes wide with exactment.

"Bolo big-b" Vish shook him up, "Did the prince say yes?"

"You think the brat would take no for an answer?" Vikky smiled.

The twins hooted in joy and did a victory dance.

"That is what I call a happy ending" Vibha smiled.

"Well that was just the beginning, princess."

"What? Vibha looked shocked. "Kahani abhi bake hai?"

"Kahani abhi shuru hue hai, Vibha. You have only heard the Prince's side of the story, what about his Princess.?"

"Oh!" Vish sat down again, "So here she comes. I am sure she was a damsel in distress who needed rescuing by the prince. All princess are the same. Lame." Vibha whacked him hard.

"Ruk abhi mumma ko uthake batate hoon. Phir bol na yahe bakwas unke samne. Lame??? You are the only lame one here. No princess needs saving, she can fight her own battles. Hai na big-b?"

"I don't know about all, Princess" Vikky spoke gently, "But the women i met in my life are all warriors. They never needed a champion in life. Be it you or mom! You fight your own battles. You do not need a man to do it for you."

"See?" Vibha shot vish a disgusted look.

Vishal sighed and gave up. If his mom heard his nasty comment she would skin him alive and ground him for life. It was a dumb statement to make anyway. He was cursed with a unruly mouth.

"So was she a warrior big-b? Did she fight her own battles too?" Vibha looked at Vikky, hoping for the answer.

"She was many things, Princess. But to know her better, you would have to know about her story first."

"Oh! We are ready big-b tell us about her......"

"Not today." Vikky got up. It was already late. The twins had school in the morning. If they got up late and his mother found out that hew as the reason, she would roast him alive. He was not taking the risk.

"Finish your pizzza and sleep. I will tell you about her tomorrow. Goodnight" He placed a warm kiss on her forehead. He could be more happy that she turned out to be their mothers image. He needed women like them in his life. Women who refused to take nonsense. Who defined tradition to do the right thing. Who made the world dance to their tunes. He hoped one day he would be lucky enough to find a woman like her himself, but he knew nothing in life came easy. His father did have his happy ending, but the journey to the happy ending was anything but happy. It was not a happy tale but he wanted the children to know it anyway. It taught him valuable lessons in life, he hoped it would do the same for them!