The hardship of her father ceased all the descriptive words to convey the unfiltered emotions that often were curtailed behind his cheerful smile. Not a single sign did the wretched heart let upon his wrinkled skin that was drooping with time. His eyes had their own vocabulary. If only somebody could care enough to understand the polished happiness.
Sometime during 1997
The state government refused to release the salaries of its employees. Reason(s) remained vague.
An off colored pair of brown formal shoe he wore to office everyday. Saturdays fall into the weekday category in India. Especially, for the government employees
"The employees are again planning for a strike tomorrow. The government has not yet reacted to the previous strikes. I am not hopeful about this one either. It is sick of them to be witnessing so much disdain among public and yet taking no action at all", he sighed to my mother while I watched him disentangle the shoe lace slowly.
"It was in the news paper today. I can only pray to the almighty to fix things up as soon as possible. But I beg of you to keep yourself away from all this as much as possible. Last week one of the employees from the Electricity board was abducted and..." I could see the fear piling up on her face. It was not easy. It was not easy for a man. It was not easy for his lady.
"It's been 6 months already since they released my pay cheque. It is disturbing our budget."
''Everything will be fine..soon", my mother cleared up her throat, gathering courage.
Frequent power cuts are not so surprising in India. Infrequent are. I really loved that part of summer evenings. Darkness brought a myriad of lessons and advises and visions and countless beautiful dreams along with it. I'd cling on to my father's lap and listen to him for hours. The fireflies barely chose to miss it, too. He'd often talk about the reality and possibility, From You are to You would be, in a very sorted and gentler way; as easy to inspire me. Amidst, he'd crack silly jokes to check if I fell asleep. To put it otherwise, he'd give me a gest of all that life is about. The amazement lied in everything that we discussed. I was too young to comprehend all that he said, but having been so attentive back then pays off today. Time was mystic then. It is so now.
"Stop sulking, Meera. It's just 10 rupees! Take it as a lesson, not disappointment. Here.", he offers me a 100 rupees note. I stood jaw dropped.
"100? I don't deserve this, Papa". It was so foolish of me to be losing those 10 rupees. I wanted to buy a gift for you this birthday"
Ït's not for you to decide what you deserve, unless the very thought itself makes you happy. Alright? The universe, in time, will have you encounter with people who do and would love you so dearly, Meera. Love is all that you deserve, my little warrior. Believe. If you've got to choose between a diamond and someone who loves you with all their might, go for the latter. Always.
"Why, Papa? Certainly, Diamonds would make me happier" My curiosity raised to an extent of disappointment because I could not understand why would I choose people over a stone, something that's unlikely to betray.
"You'll know it very soon", he laughs
"It is more pleasing to know of your intentions. Money is definitely something, Meera. But it's absence should never break you down. Life is too wonderful to be lived solely to fill pockets. Come on now. Get your hands dirty in the garden. We've got a hell lot of work this spring"
I was at ease, like always, I admit. How easy it was to commit a mistake, learn from it and just let it pass. His support has been more than just a shelter to my flaws, realization and improvement. Smartly with time he's been nurturing and preparing his little one to face the predictable unpredictability of life courageously.
Gratitude. Honesty. Optimism. Courage.
Earned.
Thank you, Papa
I Wish you a very Happy Birthday and a healthy wealthy life ahead
Sometime during 1997
The state government refused to release the salaries of its employees. Reason(s) remained vague.
An off colored pair of brown formal shoe he wore to office everyday. Saturdays fall into the weekday category in India. Especially, for the government employees
"The employees are again planning for a strike tomorrow. The government has not yet reacted to the previous strikes. I am not hopeful about this one either. It is sick of them to be witnessing so much disdain among public and yet taking no action at all", he sighed to my mother while I watched him disentangle the shoe lace slowly.
"It was in the news paper today. I can only pray to the almighty to fix things up as soon as possible. But I beg of you to keep yourself away from all this as much as possible. Last week one of the employees from the Electricity board was abducted and..." I could see the fear piling up on her face. It was not easy. It was not easy for a man. It was not easy for his lady.
"It's been 6 months already since they released my pay cheque. It is disturbing our budget."
''Everything will be fine..soon", my mother cleared up her throat, gathering courage.
Frequent power cuts are not so surprising in India. Infrequent are. I really loved that part of summer evenings. Darkness brought a myriad of lessons and advises and visions and countless beautiful dreams along with it. I'd cling on to my father's lap and listen to him for hours. The fireflies barely chose to miss it, too. He'd often talk about the reality and possibility, From You are to You would be, in a very sorted and gentler way; as easy to inspire me. Amidst, he'd crack silly jokes to check if I fell asleep. To put it otherwise, he'd give me a gest of all that life is about. The amazement lied in everything that we discussed. I was too young to comprehend all that he said, but having been so attentive back then pays off today. Time was mystic then. It is so now.
"Stop sulking, Meera. It's just 10 rupees! Take it as a lesson, not disappointment. Here.", he offers me a 100 rupees note. I stood jaw dropped.
"100? I don't deserve this, Papa". It was so foolish of me to be losing those 10 rupees. I wanted to buy a gift for you this birthday"
Ït's not for you to decide what you deserve, unless the very thought itself makes you happy. Alright? The universe, in time, will have you encounter with people who do and would love you so dearly, Meera. Love is all that you deserve, my little warrior. Believe. If you've got to choose between a diamond and someone who loves you with all their might, go for the latter. Always.
"Why, Papa? Certainly, Diamonds would make me happier" My curiosity raised to an extent of disappointment because I could not understand why would I choose people over a stone, something that's unlikely to betray.
"You'll know it very soon", he laughs
"It is more pleasing to know of your intentions. Money is definitely something, Meera. But it's absence should never break you down. Life is too wonderful to be lived solely to fill pockets. Come on now. Get your hands dirty in the garden. We've got a hell lot of work this spring"
I was at ease, like always, I admit. How easy it was to commit a mistake, learn from it and just let it pass. His support has been more than just a shelter to my flaws, realization and improvement. Smartly with time he's been nurturing and preparing his little one to face the predictable unpredictability of life courageously.
Gratitude. Honesty. Optimism. Courage.
Earned.
Thank you, Papa
I Wish you a very Happy Birthday and a healthy wealthy life ahead
