It was a breezy sunny evening , one of the better days of pleasant
weather in Chennai. The dad and daughter combo slowly embarked on their healthy
journey towards Elliotts beach , also
popularly known as Bessie beach.
Preethi was not pleased with her dad, pushing her successfully to
walk with him. He had won another battle , like he always did with her. She had
thankfully inherited her mother's petite frame - one which would make a yoga
trainer proud- yet she still gave her dad company. For among other things , he
was an ideal candidate for replacing yo mama as the heavy icon and had the
potential to make the yoga trainers very rich.
While she was brooding about her dad's obesity , he was wondering
how to broach the subject of her marriage. He built up his courage and asked ,
" Can you please do me a favor , dear? "
She had had enough , " I cannot jog for you pa , because that
is impossible"
"I know that dear. That's why I didn't ask you. But can you
get married this year for me? That would cure me of all diseases!" he
cheerfully proclaimed after the initial stumbling .
The reply came back in rocket speed . With such spontaneity that,
you could swear without knowing that ,she had already given the topic a lot of
thought , " a) that will cure none of your diseases dad .In fact it would
worsen your health. b) Me running for you is more possible than my getting
married for your sake"
Daddy sighed so deeply that she thought he had an asthma attack.
But then , she was not going to care anymore. This was where she drew the line
. Her marriage was her choice. If not the groom , the timing atleast.. She
didn't want her dad to get hurt but and so she chose to not get married. Long
run always topped short run.
Somehow he never understood that. Impulses ruled and controlled
him to such an extent that it could potentially destroy him. He always HAD to
get what he wanted. The latest longer iPhone , another sip of his favorite
drink , the next series of bmw ... the list elongated to eternity and she
didn't want to be a part of his checklist. No sir. But she knew he always got
what he wanted. Eventually at least.
For he was a man of style, this Venugopal Iyengar. Only Dumbledore
could beat him in a swag contest. And the knowledge of his own powers relaxed
him. He didn't need to coerce preethi . Because she knew he wouldn't . And
because she knew he loved her .
Sometimes love needs to be stated over and over again. Such
relationships are at best superficial. Venu never needed to tell Preethi that
he loved her. Few dads ever have to . He never bought her things to satisfy her
wants and buy her love. Few dads try that. He wasn't a great believer of
spending 'quality time with the kids' , true . They watched cricket matches and
movies every Sunday . That was about it.
Dads have their unique ways of showing their love. The unnecessary
over protectiveness while dealing with all male elements of her life , the side
glances of affection when he thought she wasn't looking , the casual hand over
her shoulders and the best of it all -the feeling of his soggy hands
holding her hands firmly and assuredly whilst crossing the road was when it
strikes her how much he loves her or at least how much she loves him. She
belonged to somebody – somebody who would put himself to danger to protect her.
Thank god she had ended up in his side after her parents
divorced.
What was happening?! She couldn't wake up from her reverie of
affectionate thought. She couldn't go back to the great road leading to Elliotts beach where her dad was calling out to her.. whispering with his usually deep voice " pree...thee.." "pree...thee" . Sounded like he
wanted her to pray for him. Pray thee! Why is dad using archaic English? Why is
he whispering? Why is he sweating so much? This was all but a bad dream. But
wait.. she could feel his soggy sweating hands hold her tightly. Grasping her with
such desperation.
Then like a thunder hitting the tree the thought struck , but she
pushed it out of her mind. The usually cool venugopal kept moaning “pree..thee”
She could feel a crowd forming around them. Something was very wrong. All were
senses were screeching at her . But she couldn't come back to the great grand
road leading to elliots beach. She could be floating with the stars.
What was the last thing which happened before she jumped into this
never ending train of thought?
Oh shit.
Her dad was most probably having an asthma attack or worse -a
cardiac arrest! She could feel his soggy strong grip and his face..tears were
raining down his cheek. She had never seen Venu appa cry. Not even when their
mom left them. There was a legend though that he had cried when she was 2 and
had broken her head. Cute baby face full of blood was what it took to make the
man cry. She was getting lost again.
She must face the problem. Drop back to reality. Do more than hold
his hand and most importantly save him.
Forming words seemed like an alien task. Her parched dry mouth was
forming the words and she was pretty sure that she was talking. But she couldn't hear a thing of it. Screw it! Her weak body and emotionally inept brain must
have gone into shock. Her dad was probably dying and here she was dillydallying
with shock.
Finally she could here it “ I am here daddy!! Someone save him
please. Someone call for an ambulance!”
Yippy . The devoted daughter has finally spoken.
Thankfully some random aadmi must have already called for an
ambulance. She could here the sirens. The cute paramedics were coming fast with
their stretchers towards them. She held venu’s hands very tightly , “ Don’t
worry daddy. I will take care of you. I will
marry for you . I will run for you. Heck , I will even cook for you “
He was crying alarmingly now , bringing her hands close to his
chest. He must really be in pain. His face was full of sweat and tears. Like
her , he couldn't form any words . only tears .
The paramedics finally came and lifted her off the ground. “Not me
you idiots! My dad is in danger. I am only suffering from shock” she said with
true horror and dismay. Stupid paramedics they have these days she mused -cute
but stupid. Being the lawyer she was , she vowed to sue them after this mess
got cleared. “Where is my dad?” she wailed. That was when the needle pricked
and reality finally hit.
“……truck out of nowhere doctor. PLEASE SAVE HER…. daughter. She is
the only thing I love in life doctor” ha and you’re the only man I will ever
love , dad. The drugs are reallly starting to kick in lol
“…..miracle ....... she being....... still conscious”
The siren kept shrieking . God!,Why can’t they just shut it off?
And he did shut it all off.
