The First 'New Friend'

  He was on his way

to find his identity,

to prove himself

Find his own serenity.

But the goodbye was

Not as much good,

As he was expected,

A smile was on their faces

But the pain was,

clearly reflected.

She couldn't bound herself

she had many things to say,

It was so difficult for her,

To sending her son far away

Eat properly, sleep well

And take care in this weather

How she couldn't worry

After all, she was a mother!!

Worried, teary eyes

Heavy emotional heart

Tears were rolling down

and after then crying start 

 However, he stood alone

Seeing all these,

From a distance, 

Containing his emotions

Try not to cry and

Being patient

He tried as much 

as he can

But he was the father after all

no matters,

How much power he was as the man!

I wrote this piece of writing on the train when I was leaving for Mumbai.

What does the word 'Papa' or 'Father' mean to you?

A few months ago, it was just a person I called when I needed money in my bank account, nothing else! However, it was on that day that I had a very emotional realization. 'When something or someone leaves your life, you realize the true value of that thing or person.'

Those were the thoughts going through my mind at that time.

You've been feeling as if my family wasn't understanding me well when you passed your 18th birthday. I did not have many conversations with my father during college. It used to be said that your mother is your everything when you're a child. Once you hit your teenage years, your father would become your best friend. However, I never understood this philosophy, for me, my father is my father! There weren't any clashes, fights, or misunderstandings between us, but it was just awkward to visualize your father as your best friend.

Everything with mom is cool, everything is great and perfect. You can tell her anything but with the father, the big wall between you and him.

As I was leaving, my mother was very emotional and tried everything she could to stop me. However, I was stubborn. Dad, on the other hand, was quiet as usual and cold. 'It's okay if you want to go and that's all!' he said.

When I was leaving and watching the train slowly approach my dreams, I noticed tears in his eyes. There were very few times when I saw tears in his eyes. From the inside out, he is rock solid. On that day, I felt everything his eyes wanted to tell me, so that's how this piece of writing came to be...! It doesn't matter whether it is good or bad, it's just attached to my heart a lot.

Then time passed, and the bridge of relationship between us was quiet and secluded like before. That awkwardness, that weirdness came from somewhere. The wall is getting stronger.

And One early night he called me, "Hello!"

I said, "Yes, dad speak!"

"Your mom told me you were upset about not getting a Job, is it true?"

My mind was blank, I felt like he was going to tell me to pack my bags and go home. At the same time, I was both worried and tensed.

I just said "yes!"

"Beta, Listen, don't worry and try a little harder. Don't lose hope, everybody has struggled in their lives. I am with you, take as much time as you want and don't worry about failure. My shop can earn money more than you will ever get by doing this Job so if you will ever fail, the doors of this shop will always open for you. So, don't worry to fly high in the sky if you will fall down I will be there to save you." Trust me, these were his exact words.

Our relationship was completely boosted up after this conversation. Suddenly, I felt as if my father was holding my hand. I understand the meaning of that word that day.

Dad is a person who would never say I love you to you in your life but he fights every day to prove that. That's the problem with all men, they are not very good to express their feeling like women but they do care!! More than anything in the world. For them, actions are more important than words.

In Mumbai, some fathers never see their child's faces on weekdays, because they work 10 to 10 just to complete all the wishes of their princess or his prince.

Do men cry?
Yes, if he is a father of someone then yes, a true man can fight with anyone but not against them, in front of his child he is Father just a father! He loses everything to see his daughter or son happy.

Then I got a job, which was not related to engineering. I did not know how to say that to him. Because doing a job in the account section, I was not coming here for that! In another side, I wanted to stand up on my own feet. I couldn't lose that job too. I had to pay for my MBA coaching classes and for open mics.

So, one day before when my brother went to Godhra for vacation, I texted him.

"Dad, I don't know what will your reaction but I got a job, In accounts. The salary is quite good. The owner of the company is Gujarati and he has a company manufacturing clothes. I am sorry!"

There was not a single reply from him. Two days after that he called me "We have sent you some snacks, take it from your brother!!" cut down the phone call and the bridge between us.

I received one big bag full of snacks. At night when I was in my apartment opening all these packets and stuff, I saw one box of sweets and something was written on it.

"Congratulation, Lay Shah for the First Job. Here is your favourite sweet ‘Kesar-peda'. Do not eat alone, you must share it with your flatmates and do not tell your mom anything about it, I will handle the situation by myself!"

And that's how I found my first new friend in Bombay.
                                               
                                                                       Fin.