Dad My Hero

A notice was pinned up on the school notice board inviting students from class IX to class XI ( Senior Cambridge) to enter an essay competition. Sister Stella, Irish Nun, and English teacher would be judging the competition. Someone who went through literature homework with a fine-tooth comb, checking and highlighting even the slightest error in grammar, punctuation, and content. I don't think, any paper submitted in her class was returned without her remarks, even if all else was correct.

Dad is a voracious reader and writer, encouraged me to enter the competition when I shared the news with him..."go on, give it a shot. Nothing lost, nothing gained, but at least you can test the waters to gauge where you stand in a competitive environment", he patted my back and said. I told him "but I hardly stand a chance with senior students participating". He smiled and reiterated "try for once my girl...if you don't make it, I will not be disappointed at all. Rather proud that you made the attempt". That made me make up my mind.

Now, Dad was my hero and his opinion mattered so I took up pen and paper and wrote down that essay, chewing over every word, checking, rechecking to satisfy myself all was correct and the story read well. No, I never had the courage to ask Dad to read it or correct mistakes. That would surmount to cheating. The essay was submitted and forgotten.  

On the day the results were to be announced, I didn't have any butterflies in my stomach, as is usual when expectations run high. I had zero expectations! Sister Stella stood on the podium holding Mike on her right hand and results on the left. Pin drop silence as she announced "The winner of this competition is..." she paused and continued "Snigdha Banerjee of class IX Section A". My thoughts must have been elsewhere, as my classmates broke into loud cheers elbowing me to walk up to the podium to receive the prize.  

I still have the prize book "Wuthering Heights" with Sister Stella's handwritten congratulatory message. Was Dad surprised when I broke the news to him? Not at all. "You'll do much better" was all he said. His words still ring in my ears!