Between me and Dad

Growing up in a simple Tamil family, I was also very sober just like amma and appa. After completing my school, I got admission to engineering college.

Appa wanted me to stay with them only. But college life was a bit different. There were people of all types.

I was in the last chapter of my teenage, yet I got fascinated by the glitter around. 

I started lying to patents about parties, movies and so. Even I started borrowing party dresses from friends to jazz up. 

Gradually I was enjoying with my friends. Things went on smoothly. 

Appa is a very orthodox type, he wanted me to live a simple life, with no distractions. But he wasn't aware that I already got one.

My friends planned an outdoor trip to Ooty. And everyone was fascinated to have a chill time. They forced me too. 

I made mom agree on some how stating it to be the college focus trip. All my girls gang going. And so on.

But inside I knew it was party time. There were my friends, and friends of a friend, booze and music.

I was experiencing this age and magic for the first time, un aware that with it there are many after effects to follow.

We were in the resort disco, with a few of new guys who drank a little more and were high.

And as I tasted the bitterness of alcohol for the first time, it hit me hard. The last I know I was dancing with someone. He asked me to go for a walk with him. And I followed him like ducklings follow mother duck.

Soon he pulled me close to himself near a dark area and started leaning over me.

I got scared and wanted to escape from all this.

Soon a man in dark pulled him and hit him hard to recall any further.

Saying thanks to the man, I walked in the light area and he was no one else that appa.

For a moment I got freeze, all the goosebumps of alcohol dropped down.

He asked me to go back to my room, and return home safely.

I was so ashamed, standing in front of him, smelling of booze, with freak out guys around. It was supposed to be my college trip.

Appa only added two things in last, not to mention the incident with any friend and secondly let's keep it a secret from amma.

She trusted you and I trusted her trust in you.

Both of which are now broken.

So let's not make her feel terrible. And appa just walked away.

Whole life, I considered appa as a bossy, arrogant father who hardly cared about the feelings of an adult girl. But all these points seem to be wrong today.

I returned home next day full in guilt, hating myself for lying to parents.

Seeing amma, I wanted to hug and cry. But remembered dad's words.

Appa was sitting silently reading his newspaper pretending nothing happened.