Why does good news come in whispers….!!!

Well, have been part of a very patriotic family. And on the eve of our Republic Day, I finally feel like I belong to the nation. Well this particular piece is solely dedicated to my dad.

The day began with its usual monotony. There was something about the air though. I got to office and started the Friday morning with a bang. Felt like finishing off work, as it kept coming my way. I got into a meeting and then a discussion. It suddenly felt like a Monday morning. I felt like people just suddenly came to know about my existence.

Suddenly my mobile rang and I felt really irritated as I was too occupied to answer calls. But then I realised it was my dad. I am not used to getting calls from my dad. Am not used to getting calls at that hour from my family either. So many thoughts kept running into my mind and most of them were negative. I sceptically took the call and meekly said a hello. My dad sounded stern as ever but there was a sense of excitement in his voice. A sense of enthusiasm, a sense of content as well. He asked me “do you want to hear good news?” and my obvious answer to it was yes. Well to kill the not so building suspense for you guys, he had been given the vishisht sewa medal. I was elated but at the same time suddenly everything seemed to make sense. Everything looked worthwhile. I felt so proud of dad. Suddenly all those parent’s teacher’s meets without dad made sense. Suddenly my summer vacations without my dad disappeared. The sense of regret, complain and all those things I would otherwise have rattled out had just been erased. It made me proud to feel that dad was there for not just me but also for those millions of people who were part of the country.

My dad has been a hero figure for me all my life. He has set examples that I would love to follow. If today the country has recognised him, I feel good. I feel good to see a tear in his eye (which he tried very hard to hide!) for himself. It is a tear that shows the happiness when one has achieved the worth of one’s life. Suddenly my corporate life seems pointless. Money or no money, my dad has achieved a height I am proud of.

And time and again a question creeps into my soul…will I ever be like him? A promise I make today is that they way a child celebrates her father’s success, a child tomorrow should celebrate mine. I share my dad’s life today. Its been always for the country and probably will always be. I compete with the country for my dad’s attention. Alas! I always loose!