"Dad! Mom!" I shout out loud.

"Master! Are you okay? Why are you shouting?" The elderly maid asked with a look of worry in her eyes.

"Where are everyone?" I asked the maid, getting worried. I hope dad was okay and at home. "Is dad fine? Are they home? Or in the hospital? Where are they?"

"Do not panic, Master. Sir and madam are in the backyard taking a walk. Sir is doing well than before but his sickness is wearing him off lately." The maid said as we walked together towards the lawn.

We passed through the back door, talking about dad's illness and how his health is deteriorating. Everytime that I hear about my dad's condition I feel my heart is going to split. I was angry that mom and dad never told me about it and everyone else knew about it, even the maids.

At that time Ashna's words replayed in my mind. "Fulfill your father's wish, Roy...." I was going to forget everything and focus on my future plans. Only two weeks are left.

I will prove myself.

"Master, would you like some cookies? I've baked them this morning." The elderly maid asked.

"Sure Mona." I smile cheekily at hour elderly maid. She blushed pink and she looked adorable with the pink blush on her wrinkled cheeks.

Mona was delighted as she scurried off to the kitchen.

Mom and dad have a special bonding. I mean they are married but their relation is more than that, it's a bond of true friendship, teasing, flirting, joking and love above all. Their relationship has a mix of both young and old love. It is an inspiration for people like us who can't decide what they feel for their better half or how to treat them right.

I wish I have a relationship like them. I wish I could hold my wife's hand and walk and talk like this while walking in our own house.

Mom kissed dad on the cheeks, I wish Ashu also kissed me so lovingly when we walk in our backyard.

Ashu...?

"Dad! Mom!" I called out to my loving parents. They stopped and turned to look at me.

"Son." Dad said in a weak voice.

"Roy." Mom came to hug me. I kissed her cheeks gently and dad sat down on the lawn chair.

He looked weak and worn out. My dad was always so energetic and cheerful but today he greeted me only with a small smile.

"Are you okay, dad?" I asked with a worried tone. "Do you need something?" I rushed to his side.

Before replying, dad coughed and smiled again. "I'm fine. Don't get so clingy, son." Mom chuckled. I could only fit a small smile in my face.

I know they don't know that I know. But should I tell them that I know? Ashna told me to prove my worth and fulfill his wishes but should I tell him that I know about his illness? I don't know. Maybe, I should tell him.

"Dad, you're not well. Why are you out? You should be taking rest in your room." I scold him.

Dad eyed me and then back to mom. Mom was staring at me. I know what they were thinking.

"Dr. Rahim told me." I ran my hand through my hair and dad sighed heavily. "Why didn't you guys tell me?" I asked in a calm tone.

"I'll help Mona in kitchen." Mom said and walked inside the house to give us some privacy.

"Your mother wanted to tell you but I stopped her. I didn't want you to lose your focus from your goal. You don't need to worry for your old man." Dad said and smiled.

I pointed my finger at dad and said, "this old man is my father. You're no one to deprive me from the right to look after him, especially when he needs his family the most." I'm not the one to get emotional but here I'm as always unpredictable.

"Sorry kid. Stop being an emotional mess. I'm not gonna die soon. And I already have to handle your mother's tears." Dad said and chuckled lightly. Only dad can be so cheerful at this time of his health.

"Okay. You're still not forgiven, though." I sigh.

"What about my daughter-in-law? When are you bringing her home?" Dad asked, changing the subject.

"What?" Why is dad so forward?

"Did you propose her yet?" He asked.

"Nope. She just forgave me for my....bad deed." I couldn't find an appropriate word.

"You mean a crime. Right?" Dad corrected. I rubbed my face with my hands.

"If you call it so." I muttered.

"Nevermind, son. Shit happens."

"Dad where did your sofistication disappeare?" I frowned at his language, mine is worse though.

Dad chuckled.

"I was never a sofisticated, good boy." He said.

"Right."

"When will you propose her for marriage?" Dad is not going to leave the topic of marriage alone.

"I don't know."

"What do you mean you don't know?"

"Maybe after I prove myself worthy." I said.

"Yes, only two weeks you've left and so do I." Dad muttered the last part. But I heard clearly. Now it's clear this was all planned.

"You knew this would happen, didn't you?" I couldn't help but ask.

"What would happen?" Dad feigned innocence.

"Everything. You giving me time to prove myself worthy and the rest that follows with it." I said. I don't know how I'm keeping my patience when I should be angry with my father.

"Yes. But Ashna wasn't a part of my plan." He laughed but ended up coughing severely. I got up immediately and patted his back and giving him a glass of water. "Are you okay, dad?" I asked in concern.

He took two sips from the glass and seemed to relax a bit. "I'm fine."

"You should take rest." Concern was clear in my voice knowing but I tried to suppress it as much as I can, knowing that dad hates someone showing concern for him. I know he will never admit that he likes it.

"We are still talking, Roy. I'm not finished yet." He said and motioned me to sit back down.

I kept quite for him to continue. "What have you thought about the deal?" He asked in his usual business tone.

"What deal?" I ask.

"You know damn well what I'm talking about." He glared at me.

"I'm thinking what to do. Truly, I've seen more money than that in a week and I spent more money than just 5 lakhs in my outings but now someone made me realize that I'm living on your money but I'm missing out the fun that gives when I make my own money and spend it on myself." I smile, though my explanation was confusing, it was true.

"Who is this someone?" Dad asks, catching onto that one point.

"Ashna. I mean just look at her dad, whatever she is now it's because she earned it herself. Without even thinking she spends huge amount of money for her family and friends. Did you see Avery? She clearly adores her. That love can't be deciphered. I want to be like her, dad. I want to earn everything by myself."

"Son, you're in love." My dad chuckled. "Do you hear yourself? I'm so glad that you found a woman like Ashna. Avery, our soon to be grandchild."

"Dad." I whine. "I don't know if I'm in love with her or not. She is just too good for me."

"Don't be stupid son. She clearly loves you. And you love her too. You're in denial right now. You'll pass the phase and understand soon." Dad said and takes a deep breath. "I knew it in the Masquerade Ball, the way you both looked at each other it was pure love."

When I don't say anything, dad continues, "all this money that I've earned-this mansion and the other houses in different contries, the industries and everything is yours, son. When your mother married me I had nothing to give her in our wedding. I had no money. That day she asked me to promise her something, that is our son will never face financial crisis and he will have all the luxuries in life.

We had you when she was 30. We spent our life to bring you up to what you are now. And we are glad to have a son like you. Very lucky we are. That is why we want you to prove that you are a good person because that is what matters. All this wealth and fame will come and go, important is how wise you are and the way you keep your family and people around you happy and the way you follow in bettering your life." Dad coughed after his long and heart warming speech.

"Ashna said, for proving myself worthy I don't have to do some business or something. Infact, she said the same thing that you said. It will prove me worthy if only I can prove that I'm a good person." I said remembering Ashna's words.

"She is a wise woman and she is right." Dad closed his eyes and smiled.

He continued, "I don't have much time, son. Do what you're supposed to do. Yes, I want to meet my daughter-in-law before I close my eyes forever and you know the deal." He chuckled. I joined him as well.

Mona and Mom brought in some baked cookies and cakes. They tasted delicious.

"Our daughter-in-law will visit us soon, love." Dad said to mom and her face was bright like the sun. I scoffed.

"Dad!" I snort.

"Really? Who is the girl? Not that Natasha, I hope?" Mom crinkled her nose in disgust. I laughed.

"No mom." I said chuckling at the same time.

"It is Miss. Kapoor." Dad said while I stared at them blankly.

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