When I was 5, my father ironed my kindergarten uniforms and showered me before sending me to the kindergarten. I remember he would hold my hand and walk me to my classroom and bid me farewell, telling me to learn and explore things at the same time have fun with my friends. After my lessons, he always made sure of buying an Apollo bun for me and kept it in the dashboard. If it wasn't there, I vented my anger by slamming the dashboard so hard. Knowing that there's no other way to persuade his daughter, my father used the plan B which was to get me my favourite ice cream. But still, I pulled off my sulky face. However, when he tore the ice cream wrapper for me, a smile etched upon my face.
When I was 7, I remember my father was terribly late to fetch me from the school which was 7.5 km from my place. I panicked and started to cry. I took my school bag, flung it over my shoulders and began to walk home. I took the route which my father used to pick me up from my school. Every step I took forward I was hoping I could catch a glimpse of my dad's car but to no avail. I screamed my heart out " PA!! PA!!! " Then I saw a blue mirage bobbing towards me. I looked closely on the road and saw my dad's car. Blimey, it soothed my heart like the broken heart of a mother was mended when reunited with her long lost child. I got into the car and my father didn't utter a word. The next day, he consulted with the authorities of one of the nearby schools in my housing area so that i could transfer to that school on the following year.
When I was 12, my brother and an acquaintance of my mother's came to my school to fetch me. I didn't understand what was going around. " Where's Dad? " The question was pondering in my head. " I'm gonna tell you something but don't freak out. Dad is in the hospital," my brother said in a worried voice. Weeks went by and my father was still in the hospital. On a particular occasion, the nurse who was attending my father told him that it was time for his lunch but he refused. She was dumbfounded and out of words. My father deciphered the perplexed look on her face and kindly told her " I want to see my daughter's face first. Then I'll eat " The nurse left the ward without saying a word.
Pa, do you still remember how it felt when my small hand was clutched into yours when you led me to my classroom? I do. I know your heart was smashed by an invicible sledge hammer when you saw your 7 year old daughter walked towards your car with swollen eyes, mucus running from her nose and a stream of tears from each eye on her face. And I know you won't forget that forever because you put the finger of blame on yourself. But it wasn't your fault, Pa. I didn't cry when Jeevan told me you were in the ward because I knew you were, and still are, a determined man with a strong will to continue the journey of your life with your family. I knew you wanted to see your children achieve great heights in their lives. I knew you wanted to be in Mom's arms through thick and thin. I knew you would do it for your daughter. " You are more important than I am to me " You constantly tell me that. Pa, you are the same to me too. If I were to born again in the next birth, I want you, your wife and sons to be my family, the foundation of my life. You are my hero, Pa. My father. I love you endlessly. You are more important than I am to me.
Happy Birthday, Pa!