Daddy's Little Girl

“Finally, I'm coming home,” the soldier smiled. As he stretched his hand across to ring the doorbell, his very being pulsates with happiness. Never before had he felt so euphoric.

A little girl excitedly ran towards the door to welcome her hero. The hero picked his little princess up and swirled her round and round for an entire minute. Coming to rest only after giving her a huge kiss on the forehead. Their joy knew no bounds. Meeting each other after an entire year, they had missed each other so terribly that the little girl wouldn't leave his hand even for a single second.

She sat down peacefully on his comforting lap. Her keen eyes observed a long scar running down the entire length of his arm. Worriedly she asked, “What happened to you, Daddy?” “Nothing my darling, it's just a scratch,” he replied. His mind went back in time. How could he tell her? The grenade that tore through his flesh down to the bone, leaving nothing but a burning hole. The Nightmares etched deep in his mind came back to life. The memories of tragic and wretched events made his head throb. He couldn't endure the pain anymore. Just as everything was about to go dark again, the light of his life came running to his rescue.

“Daddy, are you okay?” she anxiously called out. “Now I am my dear, now I am. She was his anchor, she was his joy. It was only the memory of her that kept him going. She was all he had and even she had no one but him. Their mother had left them long ago for heaven. Thus, they knew grief and suffering, but, they were fighters, surviving through it all.

An entire year, the soldier had been away from his bundle of joy. Fighting at the border, he kept the enemies at bay and saved so many lives. Yet, it felt like he was losing his own. He had seen the evils of this cruel world, he couldn't let his daughter see them too. She was just a sweet and innocent child, a lamp in the dark. He was going to protect her from the darkness. He was going to be there for her. Always. Today, he had come to fulfill that duty. How are you, my love? I've missed you so much!" "I'm fine," she replied. "Look! I've grown so tall!" She stood beside him and compared their height as he sat there on his knees with a priceless smile on his face. "I almost come up to your shoulder!"she exclaimed. It felt like an eternity since the soldier had smiled with such glee. 

The soldier had to take care of just one last thing. Then, he would never leave her side, ever again. He would play with her and braid her hair and they would never have to experience sorrow. He hugged her tight, his broad chest against her fragile body. He wrapped her tiny hand inside his own and kissed her goodbye. "Wait up for me, I'll be back tonight. I promise." "Don't go Daddy. Please, " she whimpered in fear. But, he had to leave her alone, just one last time. 

Quickly he made his way to the Army's office and resigned as the Lieutenant. He would take the salary and go far away with his daughter where they would already be happy. With the letter in his hand, he was leaking for ecstasy. Finally, he was free. He sped towards the direction of his house. Towards love, warmth and happiness. 

Until suddenly he felt something tugging at his left leg. He turned around to see a howling dog - fur singed and ashes all over the body. The dog looked up to him with fear and panic, but also a glimmer of hope. Pulling his legs, the dog led him to a burning house. The soldier could feel the anguish of the poor soul trapped inside. Unable to breathe and burning in the merciless fire. He had absolutely no obligation to save the people of that house. No reason to save them by riding his life. But he was a selfless and noble soldier - a braveheart. So, into the burning house, he ran. 

There was smoke all around him. Each breath was a challenge in the choking air. The thick smoke engulfed him and he could barely see a thing. With great difficulty, he followed the faint voice of the poor child trapped inside. A little boy was in the floor, choking and gasping for breath, smoke bellowing all around him. Immediately the soldier picked up the child and ran as fast as he could towards the door. Just as he reached the doorway, the ceiling gave in. With every lady but of his strength, he succeeds in getting the child Out of harm's way and himself was crushed under the burning embers of the falling debris. 

That night, with the sun, went down a majestic warrior and with the moon came out the cries of Daddy's Little Girl, sitting near the door in her pyjamas, clutching her teddy bear and waiting for her Daddy who would never come back.