John entered to announce that dinner was served and together they went for their meal. They were joined by Samaira, Oliver's darling daughter of five years. She immediately ran into her father's lap and looked at him expectantly.
"What do you look at me for?" he objected
"She folded her tiny arms in-front of her and shook her head vigorously."
That was the father's cue and he gasped in disbelief - "I did it again, didn't I? I forgot your present?"
The little girl pouted in disappointment and turned her almost tearful eyes at her father, "You promised." She said in a small voice.
What unspoken agony fills a parent's heart when he disappoints his darling?!! – "I am sorry, darling! So sorry, please forgive me…?" he pleaded.
But what good is an apology to a broken heart which was expecting a pretty doll or a cuddly teddy or even a family of bunnies! Copious tears fell from those beady eyes of little Samaira.
Frank didn't realize when his fork and knife slipped out of his hands, he was so drawn into this dramatic moment. He could feel Samaira's disappointment and he could feel his brother's agony. If only there was a way to salvage the situation!
He looked at Sara for help but was surprised to see her smiling, as if she was enjoying the scene! He was confused. How can a mother be amused when her little darling was sobbing?
That was his cue; he quickly realized that all this was just an act by Oliver to tease his daughter. How cunning of him!
Just then, John entered the room with a huge box in his hand. "Mr. Oliver, where should I keep this?" he asked.
"What is it?" Oliver asked. He was looking at Samaira wiping tears from her cheeks.
"This looks like a gift for little Samaira." John said suggestively,
Samaira looked at her father with wide questioning eyes and then turned to look at the present – a big box wrapped in the prettiest cloth wrap. Joy… what delicious joy lit her eyes! She gave a squeal of delight and jumped out of her father's lap and ran to claim her present. "Open it…open it" - she was jumping for joy.
"Not here, take it to the living room." Sara said.
John, Samaira and the object of delight were all gone leaving behind amused Sara and Frank. Oliver looked at his brother and said – "What do you think, how was my performance?"
"Cunning…"
Oliver chuckled, "I'll take that as a compliment."
They finished the dinner and went to the living room once again. Samaira had opened the big box and took out all the toys. "Look mama, what daddy got for me." She called out. Both Sara and Oliver sat on the carpeted floor and played with their daughter while Frank looked on happily. "What a wonderful family?" he thought.
Soon, it was time for bed. The toys were collected and neatly stashed. Goodnights were duly said and happy feet retired to their respective rooms. Frank took these impressions to bed. It was his first experience of household bliss.
He changed and went to bed. But where was sleep? It was hiding in the happy face of little Samaira. He kept recalling the delicious scene between the father and daughter. What dear joys were these to be surrounded by loved ones! How fortune of him to have adoting wife and the prattling child.
He was invariably reminded of his own cold household. What a stark contrast! In the eight years of his married life, there was hardly a moment when his wife had leaned on him or she looked lovingly at him as Sara did. There was lot of camaraderie and good will between them but no warmth of love, no passion that draws you.
Frank was aware of his own defects. He knew that he had been overly cautious in all his dealings both personal or professional. In his pursuit of wealth and success he had never allowed himself to find love. Love is the luxury only rich can afford – he would tell himself. This attitude of risk-aversion was the greatest gamble he had played in his life.
His determination and diligence brought him success. He had all the wealth in the world but his coffers were still empty. His brother's happy home had woken him to the bitter realization that no fortune could buy such pleasure!
He recalled the day when Sara had left her house and family for Oliver. She had gambled all by sticking to Oliver at the time when their future was bleak and uncertain. But what a gamble it was! What a fabulous turn their life had taken. Both Oliver and Sara were enjoying the fruit of their courage, conviction and their indomitable love for each other.
He searched his own heart: could he have played that gamble? Was he courageous enough? Perhaps not - neither today nor then. His own marriage was a carefully thought-out alliance between two business partners. He had carefully weighed the merits and demerits of the alliance before agreeing to it. That was the core difference between his brother and him.
Oliver never denied himself anything – love, friendships, help – he welcomed everything with open heart. Whereas, Frank had suspended everything until he gained wealth and tasted success. He had traded his heart for wealth and feelings for loud ringing sound of money.
Did he regret it? Not really. He was blissfully unaware of what he was missing until the fateful day he met Lydia. Her tears had melted the ice in his heart. And now that his heart had woken up, it was thirsting for love.
It wanted Lydia – the way she looked at him, the way she trusted him, the way she opened her heart to him – he couldn't help but be drawn to her. As her dependence on him grew, so did his love for her.
Was it love? Was he in love with Lydia? – he did not know. Not until tonight. The charming scene between father and daughter was a revelation to him. He realized that Lydia was to him what Samaira was to his brother. She was the darling of his heart and therefore precious to him. He couldn't see her hurt.
Perhaps this was the reason why he was so desperate to protect her five years back. His reflections brought back painful memory.
Where she was? How she was doing? Has her wounds healed? Was she still carrying the scars? – were the few questions that tormented him every now and then.