Daddy

“Daddy I must go” Minakshi said as she tossed her thick black plaits away from her face and adjusted her uniform, as she set off for school. “I may be the only one not going”, she cried, as she opened the door to leave. She had already cried incessantly the day before and last night. Anand knew it and kept trying to explain to her that it was just not possible. She was always this stubborn when she wanted something. And she always wanted something. Till some years ago, she was obsessed about joining a dance class, which he had refused. Now this school trip! How would she know how difficult it was for him to keep the family going on his meagre salary, that never seemed enough to stretch till the end of the month?

How do you explain such things to a child? He felt so inadequate telling her that he could not really afford it. He was trying his best to educate his three children in the best possible manner. He did have a fairly good job working as a purchase executive in a very prestigious firm. His salary just wasn’t enough to meet all the demands of his family. And to add to it all, there was the court case his father was embroiled in. He had to chip in financially and also make frequent trips to his native place where his parents lived. Every night he slept badly. His boss’s words came to taunt him. His boss wanted him to start taking bribes and it seemed so normal for many employees to do so. But somehow he just couldn’t. It seemed like he would fall into an abysmal black hole and never be able to come out of.

Last week she declared she HAD to go on this overnight class trip. And however much he wanted her to go, had refused her. Last evening she was inconsolable and said, “I am never going to forget that you didn’t let me go for this trip. This may be the last time we all get to go on a school trip. Next year are our board exams and we will be studying hard for them. “ She pleaded her case again and again. But he stayed unmoved.

“Anand Sir, please pass the order. We will give you your cut. It will be a substantial amount.”, the voice at the end of the telephone kept hammering inside his head. “No I cannot. Your product is sub-standard,” he kept repeating and finally slammed the phone. He needed the money to make his daughter happy. And what about his father? He needed money to pay the lawyers. And his younger son Ajay? He had been asking for a cricket kit.

He sat down dejected and defeated. “What happened?”, Asha, his beloved wife asked. Did she want something too now? He could not remember the last time when he had bought her a new saree.

But she smiled and said, “I know what you are thinking. You don’t want to break Minakshi’s heart. But she will understand, if not today, some day. You just don’t do anything that you don’t want to.”

“But I’m killing her dreams, she will never forgive me for this.” he exclaimed.

“She is young and she will heal. So better leave for office or else you will be late.” Asha assured him.

“Daddy I have to have a new dress for my annual day!” he heard Minakshi’s voice, all upbeat after a month. He cheered up.

“We’ll see …” he replied, as his face broke into a smile. All was good. Minakshi turned around, saw the smile on her father's face and felt a glow within. Did she really want the new dress?