A phone Call

The day dawned bright for Diljeet and his son, Arjun. As Diljeet embarked on his workday, his son Arjun, along with his friends Justin, David, and Daryl, took it upon themselves to elevate Arjun's college experience. They indulged in a shopping spree, adorning Arjun with stylish attire, including clothes, shoes, and accessories, all funded by Diljeet's generous credit card. With his newfound look, Arjun became the center of attention, garnering admiration from his classmates.

Despite Arjun's protestations, his friends insisted on enhancing his image, emphasizing the importance of appearances in today's world. As they strolled into the college lounge, Arjun's confidence soared, attracting the attention of many, particularly the female students who eagerly sought his attention.

Amidst the admiration, Daryl remarked on the superficial nature of society, reflecting on the materialistic tendencies prevalent in the world. Nonetheless, Arjun's transformation marked a significant moment, highlighting the power of perception and the influence of external factors on one's social standing.Meanwhile, Diljeet continued his philanthropic approach by offering job opportunities at $25 per hour, much to the skepticism of his managerAs the manager expressed concern over the hiring expenses, Diljeet chuckled lightly before responding, "I have enough money to waste. Besides, I see it as helping out students and young folks trying to earn a living."

The manager, taken aback by Diljeet's nonchalant attitude towards expenditure, nodded, acknowledging his boss's generosity and unique perspective on business practices.As the day progressed into the evening, inundated with calls from admiring girls, his frustration evident. "Why did you guys give my number out?" he grumbled to his friends, irritation lacing his tone.

His friends, however, simply chuckled in response, with Daryl quipping, "Well, looks like you're quite the catch now, buddy."

In an attempt to shake off the day's stresses, they decided to unwind by attending an ice hockey game featuring the Vancouver Canucks. Despite their enthusiastic support, the Canucks fell short, much to their disappointment.

"It's alright, guys," Arjun reassured them as they left the arena. "There's always next time." With that, he bid farewell to his friends, dropping each of them off at their respective homes before heading home himself, ready to retire for the night.

As Arjun stepped through the door, weary from the day's events, he was greeted warmly by his father, Diljeet, who had prepared dinner with care. Embracing his son, Diljeet inquired, "How was your day, Arjun?"

With a sigh, Arjun replied, "Vancouver Canucks lost, Dad, so not so good."

Diljeet smiled reassuringly, "Don't worry, son. They'll bounce back stronger. And those new clothes look great on you."

Sitting down to dinner, they shared not only a meal but also stories of their respective days, reminiscing about Arjun's late mother along the way. Despite the loss they both endured, their bond remained unbreakable.

After dinner, as the night drew close, Diljeet and Arjun retired to their rooms. For Diljeet, sleep had become a sanctuary, yet remnants of his past haunted him in his dreams, a reminder of the journey that had brought them to this moment. As the clock struck 1 am, the eerie silence of the night was shattered by the persistent ringing of Diljeet's phone. At first, he groggily ignored it, the warmth of his bed beckoning him back to sleep. However, as the calls persisted, an uneasy feeling settled in the pit of his stomach, compelling him to answer.

"Who is calling me at this ungodly hour?" Diljeet muttered, his voice thick with sleep and irritation.

The voice on the other end was unmistakable, sending a chill down Diljeet's spine. "Labu, is that you?" he questioned, his tone shifting from annoyance to concern.

"Yeah, it's me," Labu's voice crackled with urgency, the gravity of his words cutting through the night like a knife. "Listen, Diljeet, I know we agreed to go our separate ways, but something's changed. Parm is coming.

Diljeet's heart skipped a beat at the mention of Parm's name, his mind instantly flooded with memories of their shared past. "What do you mean, Labu? Parm was like a brother to me."

Labu's voice grew solemn, each word weighted with an unspoken dread. "Parm has crossed a line, Diljeet. He's taken out two dozen police officers, and now he's after us. Kamal is dead, and our families are in danger."

Diljeet felt the color drain from his face as the severity of the situation sank in. "But why? Why would Parm do this?"

Labu's response was filled with bitterness, the truth too bitter to swallow. "Because we killed his brother. We underestimated him, Diljeet. Now, he's coming for revenge, and your son could be next."

Fear gripped Diljeet's heart as he listened to Labu's words, the weight of his responsibility as a father bearing down on him. "What do we do now?"

Labu's voice hardened, the resolve in his tone sending shivers down Diljeet's spine. "We go after him. We end this once and for all. But if you're too scared to face him, then hide, Diljeet. Hide like a coward."

With those chilling words, Labu ended the call, leaving Diljeet trembling with fear. The reality of their past coming back to haunt them was a sobering reminder of the darkness they once embraced, threatening to engulf them once again, even in the safety of their Canadian haven.