It's been one long day for me. Work, kids, daily chores and finally evening descends into night fall. I droop down on the couch and flip through the pages of a periodical publication or gaze at images on the telly trying to make sense of a fanciful flick. As I get enraptured by a momentary fantasy, the background reality is filled with a cacophony of sounds created by the voices of a blossoming teen bullying a younger, not yet a teen, sibling. It's a nonsensical bawl, squall, shriek,clamor and laughter that do not mean much beyond that of a pad echoing with the voices of growing up children, venting their brimming, upbeat energy levels. Suddenly the doorbell rings and before I can even think of getting up to answer that, my ten year old is already there giving a tight hug to the man she fondly calls 'Papa'.
Once Papa settles down on the sofa he's deluged with stories of the day. Stories of school, bus, friends, teachers and even the level attained in Pet Society are continuously drumming his ears. And then there are stories of the latest electronic gadgets and cyber games in store. There's a constant discussion between a dude and a dad where the former relentlessly tries to get the latter into agreeing to buying him the latest PS3 game. I happily sit back and watch the trio locked in a space where nothing around matters to them a tad bit. They are at the nucleus of a world that thrives on this very space, a space where a dad is robbed of his personal space. A space where a man feels like heaven after a long day of being away from the precious extensions of his life. And a space where two evolving lives seek the reassuring warmth and closeness of their friend, philosopher, guide and mentor.
I announce dinner. As the family, gathers around the table and each one hungrily chomps down on the dish of the day, Chicken Biryani it is, my heart knows a warm pleasure as there are outcries of 'Wow!' No one cares to discern what the Biryani is doing at the table when every other day it's a simpler menu. The cards and hugs that have been given to pa at the start of the day seem to have settled in and remained somewhere in the resting zone. In a little while from now we'll have called it a day, but no one yet cares to find out why Biryani tonight, even as they savour every mouthful they ingest. I finally feel the urge to speak out in honour of the man who is the reason for this blessedness. I declare, it's a Father's Day gala tonight. Spoons are forthwith laid on plates and as there is an instant uproar of cheer, I see a relaxed, smug smile below the bushy moustaches of a man who's gifted nothing but happiness to this family.
It isn't a sudden realization that we've developed about ourselves but have been perpetually aware of something that is perhaps taken for granted in every day living. We all know we are here because of him. But not every day we express these feelings of adoration. So, this is the day when the world gives dads their hallmark moment and a man in every home deservedly feels he is as indispensable as the woman who was recently showered with Mother's Day greetings, in his turf.The mother in me fondly experiences the unmistakable contentment of being created by a man who's an able father.
He hugs his children once again at bedtime, and as he puts out the lights in their room, I recall the moments that have gone into the making of a great dad . And I wistfully remember my own dad, who lives in a distant land, and is undeniably endowed with the same capacity to love, not just two but three children all who have flown the nest. There's no one there to give him a hug today, though we are all living in our happy homes, reasons enough for him to be happy even as he is getting along in years. The lights go out in my room, and I sink into a long night of dreams about the two most incredible men in my life who have made a beautiful woman out of me. To them, I wish a happy Father's Day, on this day and always!
Once Papa settles down on the sofa he's deluged with stories of the day. Stories of school, bus, friends, teachers and even the level attained in Pet Society are continuously drumming his ears. And then there are stories of the latest electronic gadgets and cyber games in store. There's a constant discussion between a dude and a dad where the former relentlessly tries to get the latter into agreeing to buying him the latest PS3 game. I happily sit back and watch the trio locked in a space where nothing around matters to them a tad bit. They are at the nucleus of a world that thrives on this very space, a space where a dad is robbed of his personal space. A space where a man feels like heaven after a long day of being away from the precious extensions of his life. And a space where two evolving lives seek the reassuring warmth and closeness of their friend, philosopher, guide and mentor.
I announce dinner. As the family, gathers around the table and each one hungrily chomps down on the dish of the day, Chicken Biryani it is, my heart knows a warm pleasure as there are outcries of 'Wow!' No one cares to discern what the Biryani is doing at the table when every other day it's a simpler menu. The cards and hugs that have been given to pa at the start of the day seem to have settled in and remained somewhere in the resting zone. In a little while from now we'll have called it a day, but no one yet cares to find out why Biryani tonight, even as they savour every mouthful they ingest. I finally feel the urge to speak out in honour of the man who is the reason for this blessedness. I declare, it's a Father's Day gala tonight. Spoons are forthwith laid on plates and as there is an instant uproar of cheer, I see a relaxed, smug smile below the bushy moustaches of a man who's gifted nothing but happiness to this family.
It isn't a sudden realization that we've developed about ourselves but have been perpetually aware of something that is perhaps taken for granted in every day living. We all know we are here because of him. But not every day we express these feelings of adoration. So, this is the day when the world gives dads their hallmark moment and a man in every home deservedly feels he is as indispensable as the woman who was recently showered with Mother's Day greetings, in his turf.The mother in me fondly experiences the unmistakable contentment of being created by a man who's an able father.
He hugs his children once again at bedtime, and as he puts out the lights in their room, I recall the moments that have gone into the making of a great dad . And I wistfully remember my own dad, who lives in a distant land, and is undeniably endowed with the same capacity to love, not just two but three children all who have flown the nest. There's no one there to give him a hug today, though we are all living in our happy homes, reasons enough for him to be happy even as he is getting along in years. The lights go out in my room, and I sink into a long night of dreams about the two most incredible men in my life who have made a beautiful woman out of me. To them, I wish a happy Father's Day, on this day and always!
