Superhero

He never probably held you close, he never wiped your tears, he never asked you where Rs 100 was spent. But indirectly maybe, he always taught you life’s lessons, some over a short drives, some over  lunch time, some from live experiences. He is that person who you as a girl always thought was perfect. He is the cumulative of all the super heroes you once admired. Literally.

Each wrinkle on his face is the mark of experience that he has been through. Chiseled by experiences, carved by circumstances, shaped by world’s forces in the best possible way, he is the encyclopedia of how this world behaves. He is the one who ensures that you grew like a princess and blossomed like a flower, saving you from every storm that he had to face. He stood like a tree in the afternoon sun, only to make sure that you thought it was still cool outside, when inside him there ran squalls of despair and sometimes also rivers of tears. You cried when you were tensed about your exams. But he faced more practical exams in life with so much at stake and never even let you feel the heat. Didn’t he feel like crying it out? Of course he did. But he did not. For you. He is the unfathomable ocean of tears, experiences and hardships. But will cover it all up only for you.

He didn’t cry when his princess had to go away from home for studies. Maybe he cried a river inside then. But he chose to conceal it. Not because he is afraid to do so, but because he knows he has to absorb her tears too. While leaving the house, you hugged her, and when it came to him, you touched his feet. But every time you touched his feet, in your heart you felt his arms embracing you. He never said the words yet always ensured that you took care of yourself.  He never asked you if you were alright, but always made sure that you were. He never asked if you need anything, but always gave it to you.

As a daughter/son, you approached him only when you wanted something. And without a question he approved everything and she always played the flow control valve. It was just through that ‘yes’ that he could shower his love. Cause he never really cared about wording the feeling out.

He wants you to scroll up the heights of success and not plumb trenches he once had to. He wants you to be happy and safe and strong. You wish you could be like him. He is THE superhero of your life. He loves you. But he could never say it to you. You love him too, but you express it only by touching his feet every time you leave your house.

You are clueless what commotion his heart will be subjected to, when one day his princess, who loved him silently like he did, the flower he so long cared for, will be plucked from his plant to embellish the life of another. With an aching heart and oozing tears, he expects his princess’ happiness, her safety and the new man in her life to love her like he does. Care for her like he does. Be the world to her like he was. Be the superhero of her life.

Love you, Papa.

Goodnight/day