Last night, you were angry. Mad at me again. Yes, I know that look in your eyes. One that means business. Damn serious one. ‘No fooling around‘, I say to myself. And then the cold stare. How bloody angry! And it wasn’t the first time. But it also wasn’t the first time I’d returned home late. Late enough for half the world to be asleep. I dreaded the moment. I knew I was at fault. The house was engulfed by creepy silence. All were sleeping but not you. The minute I saw you, a fear crept into my veins. My head yelled, ‘Now face the consequences‘. You looked at the clock. I followed your sight. Half past one. Oh God! Was it really that late?
“Where were you?“ Not a question that demanded answers. Calm but hostile. I couldn’t look up. Couldn’t muster the courage to reply. I stared at the floor. “Look at me“. I did. I don’t know what I saw there. Fear. Anger. Pain. Resignation. Hopelessness.
I dare not argue. Like I always do. It was just the other night. I can see that youβre growing tiresome with my stupid stubbornness. Endless arguments and debates that I commence. But tonite, it annoys me to know that you wonβt give in. I fix my gaze on the floor again.
And then the endless stream of questions.
Where were you? Out with Friends. What friends? Silence. Why are you home this late again? We were partying. Kevin’s promotion bash. Dinner and Drinks. So you drink? No. Not me. And this is when you plan to return home – 1:30 in the morning? Silence, anger is building up. Did I not ask you to be back home by 10, no matter what? Angrier. Answer me?Β And then the outburst. Shouts. Yells. Back-answers.
I wonβt stand this in my house. No,Β means NO late-night parties. But all my friends go. They all stay. Except me. Their fathers never restrict them. Why just me? No more questions. I shout, I don’t take it. You canβt do this to me.Β Then I’m forced to ground you. Noooooooo.Β I make rules around here, not you. And they are for your own good whether you like them or not. Slow heavy sobs. But I got a life too and I wish to live it my way, not anyone else’s. Silence. I’m your father. Silence. I tried getting you to understand politelyΒ but you don’t seem to get it. Please. This is final. Anything else? Yes, I hate you. I so hate you for doing this. I never will talk to you again. I turned to go and looked at you. You looked, paralyzed. Did I smile inside? Heartless, I thought. I walked away. Not realizing, it was me who was heartless not you.
You were the first I laid my eyes on when I first opened them. The first who
held me in your arms. And I know I am your sweetheart, your little baby. Have always been. I know. I can see how much you love me. I can see it in your eyes. Even though you never say it in so many words.
So many years have passed and I’ve grown up before your eyes. With every passing year, your love for me has nothing but grown. When I was little, you held my tiny hands firm, tight within your grasp. After all these years, you still want to hold me secure, close to your heart, within your sight is where you always want me to be. When Iβm gone, it makes you restless to not know when Iβm going to be back. What with the cruel hideous crimes happening around. You keep worried like all fathers do. I continue being carefree like all daughters do. You’re being protective and while I continue to resist. After-all what father would want his daughter to have the fate the other unfortunate girl did. Abused. Tortured. Raped. Abandoned. Dead.
All I do is care. Yes, that was the look in your eyes last night. My self-defensive stubbornness made me see only your fallen face. The dejection in our eyes made me feel victorious. But how blind could I get? Thinking about it now, I know I’d pierced your heart with my harsh words. Iβd left you bleeding inside. I’d said I hated you but do I really? I showed I didnβt care but do I really donβt care? How I wish I could take those words back!
I was angry too, dad. Thought youβre being unfair. Being suffocatingly over-protective. I pretended to not understand. Unwilling to accept your concerns. My doggedness didnβt let me see reason. I donβt hate you, dad, how can I ever?
And it was anger that made me say what I did. I did not mean it. What I didnβt say is, I know you care for me and so do I. I love you dad. I always have. But I didnβt say this. I said something else instead.
~~~~~
© Asha Seth
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This would be today’s last. How many times will you make my eyes tearful in one single day, Asha? *innocent face*
Loved this crafted art too. β€
You have been so good since your start itself. Amazing. π
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Wow for you it might have been made up but for too many people this is reality …captured real well.
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Thank you for your kind words. It means a lot.
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Thank you for sharing. I didn’t realize you had been blogging for some time and I have been reading your older post. I am enjoying them a lot.
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Asha I’m glad I thought to have a look around your blog today. I have two young daughters I care for full time and work too, so this was very touching for me to read.
I hope that as my beautiful girls grow older and become more independent that they will know, whether or not I’m still alive, how much I have loved and cared for them. That they remember how I held their tiny hands and kept them safe.
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Peter, I’m so happy to know that the prose touched you in a manner unanticipated while being written. I am sure your lovely little daughters love you as much as you do, and maybe more. π
So very pleased to see you stop. Keep coming. And to feel secured is a bliss, but gone are the days and makes me feel sad to think why are those moments restricted to childhood days alone.
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Hi dear Connor, I’ve lately gotten into the habit of replying late. Lazy me!
How are you? And so good to see you stop here and spare your valuable time.
Yes, its a story common in almost every family, atleast in India, from where I come, since the crime’s on rise. So wanted to share it.
Keep coming!
-A S
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Well-written, I enjoyed it. It’s a play on common theme, and it certainly strikes a chord.
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This was nicely portrayed. It’s been long time since I stopped by to read blogs that I follow (in fact I haven’t updated mine since November π ) and I’m glad that I ‘read’ a good one. π
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Oh! How have you been in that case? Hope all’s well!
Glad you stopped around here and pleased to know you approve of the idea behind it. Thank you for ‘read’-ing. π
-A S
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Hello, Asha.
How are you doing? I just want to inform you that I nominated you for THE LOVELY BLOG AWARD. I hope you don’t mind. Feel free to check it out at: http://bookmavenpicks.wordpress.com/2013/02/02/book-mavens-picks-receives-the-one-lovely-blog-award/
Take care always.
Best,
Jhobell Kristyl
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Thank you Kristyl and congratulations on winning the same. π
Shall do a credit-post soon!
-A S
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Very well written…
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Thank you sir!
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Powerful, I keep rereading it. Not often that happens.
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Thanks dearest J. π
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This is very touching. The confessional stylistic prose reminds me of the letter that Gandhi wrote to his father after some mischievous deeds he did when he was teenager. The letter brought his father into tear, and now yours has brought mine too. Well done, Asha. π
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Yes, I still remember that prose. We had in lower school grade.
And happy to know you approve of it. Keep coming.
-Asha
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Imagination for you but reality for many others.. Very nicely portrayed!!
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Yes, I guess this must be true for many households.
Glad you stopped to look around. Keep coming, Neeraj!
-Asha
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