Dad is forever busy with either running errands or his work. Although he is always delighted to see me, he doesn’t like to change his daily schedule unlike mom who would banish the world and worldly matters to spend some exclusive time with me. His mornings are not very early but he will be up and at it by 8. After filling his staple cloth bag with ‘makki ke daane’ for the birds he will be off to his morning walk to the city forest near by only to return by 9.30. Our entire family has always laughed about the fact that there is no one in this world who can direct timings and timelines to Dad. That is his single most reason to be self employed so he doesn’t have to report to anyone J Dad is adorable in his own way. We have shared many conversations, some utilitarian, some philosophical, some about the fun of living but only towards the latter part of me growing up. He was pretty busy while we used to go to school. There would be days when we would long to see him and even if he returned at 10 in the night my sister and I would jump in our beds. He would then come into our room and have dinner there only. Knowing my little sister’s love for food, he would offer her a ‘mini meal’ too. Those were dad’s hay days at work. He is not so busy now and hence has dedicated a big chunk of his mornings to fitness. And then his leisurely bath that can never happen before his stress busting habit of many years! Guess what? ‘Polishing his shoes’ Lol!!. Since the time I remember dad’s mornings his immense love for polished and shiny shoes is so strong that we as children would never have to bother about our school shoes being clean as they would be much more than that. In fact, with Dad, the shoes would be sparkling a night before itself! Beat this… he had tips on polishing shoes as well!! Did you know that if you apply only polish on your leather shoes a night before and then rub it in the shoes the morning after with a muslin cloth, they would shine so much that u may have to wear sun glasses? That’s Dad’s love for shoe polish! Trust me, our shoes shined more than Cinderella’s glass slipper!
There is one more thing about Dad which is brilliant, his candid sense of humor. There is no one on the roads who would be spared a joke when Dad is driving. In fact, driving down anywhere with Dad is an experience. Ever since work started becoming less, Dad decided to enjoy himself by taking almost a picnic basket to work. One big cane tokri which will have one huge khaane ka dabba, home-made dahi and some fruits, of course, he wouldn’t forget his Times of India! I remember once I went to his work place with him and while on road the 33 km stretch (yes he travels this distance every day), he asked me to pull out the cane basket from the back seat. With much takleef I got it in front and from there he took out a guava and a knife and instructed me to cut it in a specific manner. Putting only slits in the guava enough to put the chat masala which was carefully packed in a newspaper. Yaar, I tell you I was fully impressed. Full picnic facility!! I love Dad’s spirit. Off lately, he has become a lot quieter but I can say that he is the one who has exemplified the way to live life for me, ‘king size’ and absolutely fearless. No matter what be the situation, Dad has only one line ‘Tension na le, koyi Goli nahin chal jayegi!!’ Love you papa!
