“But I’m happy with my job.” Ashif feels as though he’s pushing against a boulder, one that will soon give way and flatten him.

Mansoor swirls his empty glass absently. His son has so much potential and the gumption, yet his drive seems to wax and wane like a penny stock. He’s seen this behaviour before. Just when Ashif is winning a race, he wants to slow down and rest. Makes no sense. He needs to push him harder.

“Do you know that the average CEO makes one hundred and four times—that’s right, one hundred and four times—more than the average worker? Read that in Fortune 500. The benefits of being on top are endless. First and foremost: everyone knows your name. That’s when you have real power.”

“I make enough money.” Ashif drops his arm under the table to steal another glance at his watch. Don’t say anything more and prolong the torture. I’ll be out of here soon.

Mansoor keeps a smile on his face but the vein in his forehead is throbbing. Look at the smug look on Ashif’s face. Bragging to him about his salary. Who does he think he is? If Mansoor had said such a thing, his father would have given him a thrashing. When his father entered the room, the children stood up in unison, as if they were greeting an army officer, welcoming a king. They never made direct eye contact with him, not only when they were young, but well into adulthood, even after they were married and had their own children. They were still his children. It was his right to demand their respect and they gave it to him unconditionally. No talking back. No disagreeing with him. No questioning him. It was a form of insolence and met with force. Meanwhile, Mansoor has never even laid a hand on Ashif. Even when he deserved it! He decided long ago to veer away from his father’s brand of parenting. He wanted to be a modern father. He would never strong-arm his son. Instead, he would discuss things with him. Rationally and coolly. But who would stand for this level of disrespect? Still it won’t do to lose his temper. He breathes in deeply and calms himself. He needs to win his boy over.

“Look, son, all I am saying is, why settle? Take the example of world-class athletes. You think Gretzky got to the top by sitting on his laurels? How about Tiger Woods? Even the women these days are making the A-lists. Look at Serena and Venus Williams. Just put your mind to it, and before you know it, you too will be rocketing to the top. Business is in our blood.”

“Yes, Pappa. You’re right, Pappa,” Ashif says. He’s knocked out. As if he’d been in a boxing match. There’s only one way to deal with his father: keep your mouth shut.

“Excellent, son,” Mansoor says. He knew a sports analogy would work. A knockout punch! Sports and business are, after all, the universal language of men. “That’s all I wanted to hear, son. Just give it your all. You can do it.” Mansoor wants to add that if it wasn’t for the sheer determination and drive of those young athletes’ fathers, it’s doubtful they would have amounted to anything. Look at Walter Gretzky, Earl Woods, Richard Williams. They were the ones who set the course for their children, pushed them to their maximum potential.