May 31st, 2018.
The best day of his life, he thought, a quiet smile tugging at his lips. Three years of bone-cracking training, finally culminating in this: his commission.
Standing before him, a man nearing retirement, Rear Admiral Anant Murthy, had said, “You’ve made me proud today, son. I have firm belief that you surely have a bright future ahead. You're one of those hundreds officers who could make Indian Navy proud one day!”
Manik’s smile widened. He remembered his father, Late Commodore Malhotra, a martyr of the Indian Navy. Murthy continued, “Your father might be the proudest today!!”
Murthy had been one of his father’s closest allies. After his father died, Murthy became Manik’s idol, the man he looked up to. For Murthy, Manik wasn’t just an officer—he was something akin to a son.
Murthy had always worried about this quiet, reserved man standing before him. He loved Manik immensely, but he’d never managed to break through the wall of maturity Manik had erected around himself. Murthy believed, though, that one day Manik would let that wall crumble for someone… someone who would manage to reserve that special place in his heart, a place Manik hadn’t given to anyone.
Seeing Manik smiling brightly, Murthy patted his head. “Stay like this forever. God bless you, my son.”
Even two years later, those words were fresh in Manik’s mind as he prepared for another day of service. His confidence swelled as he donned the pristine white uniform, white cap emblazoned with the Indian Navy logo, and white shoes.
Manik was a favorite among his seniors for his spirit, confidence, and loyalty to the Navy. It attracted envy from his coursemates. They whispered that Manik was favored—as a cadet, and now as an officer—because he was the son of the late Commodore Malhotra and because he was close to Rear Admiral Murthy. Manik barely noticed the whispers. He didn’t need the approval of others. He was content with those close to him.
Manik rarely opened up to anyone, a trait that made him a big-time introvert. When he did, it was to someone who held a place in his heart—and that circle, he thought, was very, very small. It included Mr. and Mrs. Murthy, his childhood friend and fellow coursemate, Lieutenant Cabir Murthy, and, of course, his parents. These were the people he’d treasure for a lifetime, people he’d never let down, knowingly or unknowingly.