Friday, June 20, 2014

Father's Day...

My day began by reading awesome heartfelt messages from dutiful daughters to their fathers on FB. I enjoyed reading those messages fromJyothe RaoTripti DwivediZsofia PrakrritiAnuraag MisrarajDeepti Pantand many others fellow travelers.

My day ended with the message below:

"Happy Fathers day Dad. Thanks for being with me when I needed you. I love you Dad!"

I can explain...

The writer of that message is 24 years old now. She is a convent educated graduate in Psychology and a practicing professional in that field. The period she is referring to by saying " standing with me " happened some 20 years ago.

I vividly remember, when a friend of mine had mentioned this family that needed my help in a certain way. I was not ready for it. I was FOB from USA ( Fresh of the boat that is..LOL) and my moral compass had no margin of errors. I refused to give that help on the grounds of ethics and morality. Also there was an untimely death in the family. We were devastated.

The night we recited Quran ( Quran Khwaani), this friend informed me about the favor, which I had refused. This time he said that "family is here, why don't you meet them? I was like "NO WAY...its wrong and un-ethical and I won't do it"....My friend pointing his finger behind me said " oh they are here".

I turned to see a man and a woman with this 4 year old girl. They said salaam and as a courtesy I went towards them. The cute girl was standing between mom and dad. I bent down to touch her chin and asked her name.....she responded with a big smile.....and that innocent cute smile blew away all the principals of ethics and morality in a hurry. When I stood up, I told them " Okay, I will do it!"

That night she called me "Dad" for the first time....Next morning, I did whatever was expected of me ....all went well. Everyone was happy and there was celebration!!

I went back to the US and lost touch with them except for an occasional calls here n there. Wahtsapp connected us again....and this message showed up on my whatsapp!

Still enjoying it.....

ps: When kids grow up they become best friends, so I promoted her to a friend and asked her to join me on FB. She calls me dad on FB....you will recognize her!

She is my daughter!!

Sunday, June 15, 2014

Chashmah....


Subah Hote Hi Chasmah Mera Toot Gaya
Aaj Paas Agar Tum Hoti to
Aaj Ka Ye Din Main 
Tumhari Nigahon Se Dekhta

Subah Ka Akhbaar,  Email, Phones, Football,
Aur Din Bhar Chadte Utarte 
Tumhari Aankhon Ke Woh Khwaab
Tumhare Chere Ke Naqoosh, 
Tumhare Honton ke Woh Rang
Rotiyan Banate Waqt Maathe Pe Aayi Hui
Paseene Ki Woh Boond
Ya Bheed Main Gaadi Chalane Par
Tumhare Peshaani Pe Fikron Ki Lakeer
Aaj Sab Tumhari Nighaon Se Dekhta Main

Aaj Ka Din Khatam Hone Se Pehle
Tum Ye Zaroor Jaan Jaatin Ke
Kiya Kiya Dekhta Hoon Main?
Jab Tum Kahin Aur Dekh Rahi Hoti Ho!

(c) Shahid Parvez Sayed, June 15th, 2014 at 11:00 am