"Manoj, I'm going for a visit to one of my father's showroom. Why don't you come with me?" Karthik came into Manoj's view walking away from the cupboard, buttoning up his white shirt.

"What am I supposed to do there?" Manoj asked, pushing his falling spectacles up.

"Nothing much. A few 'Hi and Hellos' before going for a nice dinner."

"Nice dinner!" Manoj's face glowed on hearing about food.

"Go get ready. We have to be there before my father arrives"

"Are you afraid of him?"

"No, not at all. I don't want him to wait for me. You know I hate to keep people wait for me."

*-*-*-*-

"You look dapper in that suit, dad" Karthik praised his dad as soon as his father entered the showroom. Digvijay Chauhan a known business man who now handles the company his father founded, Panther Watch Company. A company that holds much value than just a mere business. It's the hard work and struggles of Shankarlal Chauhan that has given them this lavish lifestyle.

Digvijay holds a policy of visiting every showroom of Panther for appreciating the staffs for their excellent work and contribution to the company once every two months.

"You look no less than dashing, my son" the father-son went for a hug.

"Dad, this is Manoj. My friend" introducing Manoj to his father, they went on with their formal visiting and later to a fancy dinner.

The dinner was a five course meal and at last, the most awaited chef's specially prepared dessert. With the dinner, Digvijay's official visit came to an end. He made sure every staffs were safely sent back before he was ready to leave.

"It was nice meeting you, Mr. Chauhan" Manoj extended his hand for a hand shake.

"No, formalities please, Manoj. You can call me dad, since you both are the same age that makes you like my son too." Manoj's eyes glistened, remembering his late father whom Manoj lost five months ago.

"Are you alright, son?" Digvijay placed a hand firmly on Manoj's shoulder.

"Dad, you just reminded him of his late father. He lost the battle of life to cancer" explaining to his father, Karthik side hugged Manoj.

"Manoj, no more crying. Please. From now on my dad will be your dad too. Right, dad?" Karthik turned to Digvijay.

"Absolutely! I may not be able to replace him but I can always give my support and care you like a father would do." Manoj was unable to voice out his gratitude for the compassion he received from a man he just met, not even his uncles would have said such  words.

Manoj hugged Digvijay sobbing as he felt his father had come back for him. To heal his wounded soul.

*-*-*-*-*-

Another week had gone by and slowly every extra-curricular activity was kick starting with the registration and the college was bustling with various activities.

Anuradha too geared up for her club's enrolment, going around the college sticking the notice for her club's registration for newbies. Almost done with the notice at her final stop,  she stood in front of her Faculty of Design Innovation(FDI) bulletin. "Hey Gorgeous!"

"Hello, handsome" Anuradha turned to see Cameron taking a piece of his club notice to pin it up on the bulletin right next to Anuradha's.

"Excuse me?" she grabbed his hand before he could pin it. "What are you trying to do?"

"Inviting new students to join my club" freeing his hand from her grip.

"I see that but no advertising here. This is my bulletin" she stood in front of Cameron, spreading her arms wide blocking him from pinning up the notice.

"It doesn't say 'Anuradha's Bulletin', gorgeous" pushing her away, he successfully pinned it up right next to her notice.

Anuradha stared at the two notice that was pinned side by side, with her hands on her hips for a long time. "Cameron! Your notice is overpowering mine" scowled pointing at the notices.

"Seriously, Anu?" shocked, Cameron asked.

"Cam, you already have that 'Big Golden Dragon' with you, why are you going around STICKING POSTERS!" 

Cameron couldn't help but to laugh to the name she gave Karthik.

"Okay, fine. I need to tell you something,." he said flashing his teeth. "I have pinned my notice almost everywhere you have pinned." he spoke in one breath.

"What???!!!!"

"hush... So, to make it an even score for this, let's go and pin it on my faculty's bulletin as well." Cameron spoke putting an arm around her shoulder as they foot it to the Faculty of Music(FM).

"And how does that help?"

"I'm not sure" he shrugged, earning a glare from her. "let's just bet" Cameron suggested.

"Great! I don't know how is this going to work but. If you get more enrollments, I will treat you at the Poppies and you have to share your club members with me. I don't care." she jumped in excitement. 

"Fine......, but I can't bring you to any expensive places. So, ... if you get more that I will get you Churros _"

"with chocolate filling!" Anuradha became even excited on hearing churros. It was her favourite dessert after all.

"Anu, did you really got excited because it was Churros or are you trying to make me happy?"

"Listen up handsome, you don't have to spend a lot to treat me, okay and don't feel small if you have restricted budget to spend. It's okay. One day My Handsome Superstar will treat me at the finest restaurant!" Anuradha spread her hand making a rainbow gesture.

Linking her arms in his, they walked to up his faculty one floor above FDI.

"I'm going in for a while find me there once you are done." Cameron pointed at the faculty lobby before disappearing inside.

"Can you please, please, please play it once for us. Please" a couple of annoying voice caught her attention. Stood outside the faculty, the "Golden Dragon" she thought as she walked inside the lobby.

"Excuse me." Anuradha pushed the two girls to either side making them lose balance on their three-inch heels. "Cameron needs you. It's emergency" she said, catching her breath.

"Where is he? What happen?" asked the worried looking 'Golden Dragon'

"Lobby" she pointed and gestured him to follow.

************

Here's a longer version of the music piece 😘

https://youtu.be/FHFEAdm-Ie8

Please leave your precious comments and hit the star icon if you like what you read. <3

lots of love,

DEVA.