Last year I wrote a post dedicated to mom on mother’s day. It’s funny I never wrote about dad. The reason being - dad’s presence isn’t glaring but more like a soothing shadow over me. While mom is strict, dad is extremely indulging. Mom has been blaming him of spoiling me and my sis ever since I figured out he was indeed spoiling us :) Your raconteur of this post isn’t only a daddy’s girl [as I keep repeating all the time] but I’m as much mama’s baby.

My sis and I[she more than me] are unabashedly excited about all the “days” on the calendar. So we were today as well. I wished Dad and he retorted with – Everybody discovers me on Father’s day only, no one loves me on the other days, every one loves Mum. Then he pouted peeking from behind the newspaper. That’s dad :D and I love his acts :)

Dad is extremely expressive about his emotions- what he feels- be it through words or simply his gestures but the best thing about him is, he’ll share his perspective about a certain issue and then leave it on me to decide further from there.

There’s a lil boy in him I love to pamper, a friend with whom I can talk for hours, a guardian angel who would go to any lengths to make me feel secure, I have my perfect guy in him.

There are so many things about dad which brings a smile on my face every now and then like after shaving off his stubble he’d rub his cheek against mine. And declare in all his glory - see mine are softer than yours :)

When am upset about something he simply comes and hugs. I have yet not figured out why that breaks me down. I have shed more tears on his shoulder than on anyone else’s in this world.

He’s someone who hates to shop and even more than that he hates to shop for himself. He’d be grumpy all the time, muttering phrases like – “wastage of money”, “as if I don’t have enough clothes already” under his breath. But the next day to work he would wear nothing but the newly bought clothes. And would be bouncy all day about what comments his new clothes gathered at work that day :)

He has zero culinary skills. He promises to mom on every occasion that the first thing he’ll do in his next lifetime is to learn to cook.

I absolutely have a blast when I discuss guys with him. He thinks he’s acting cool enough but his slightly crinkled eyebrows say it all :)

Sometimes dad and I sit together when he tells me stories from his childhood, college life. How he bunked school and went to see Kati Patang. How he fell in a ditch while coming home from school and cried his hearts out till somebody rescued him. Some naughty, some plain philosophy, he bares them all.

I love him when he teases mom and then winks at me [which says now watch the volcano erupt :P]
One thing I probably can never figure out, why he has to read and watch news in every possible language. X-( Once I caught him watching news on some south Indian channel where neither he could read or understand a word. All he did was to stare at the videos being shown for the umpteenth time.

Dad has a weakness for sweets and he overdoes it sometimes. And if I catch him doing that, he innocently bribes me with something I can be tempted with…hehe!

I love his gurgling laughter :) which usually comes after his teasing mission has been accomplished. And my heart just goes awww...

He gets absolutely freaked out if I even seem to fall sick. And then he’ll go on and on about what he said not to do [like staying out in rain/cold/sun etc]. His kids aren’t supposed to fall sick. Period.

I love the way he carries himself. He’s confidence personified. When he delivers some speech, I’m simply awed by his stage presence and booming baritone. I love the way he connects to each and everyone he comes across.

I love the kind of compassion he has for everybody around. If any of our servants is sick he would grant some extra cash without even him/her asking for it. Every year with our books he himself buys the books for our maid’s children, the gardener’s kids and other servant’s kids unfailingly.

I love him for checking up on me in the middle of every night, to see if the AC is getting the room too cold or if I have thrown the blanket off me [I have a habit of doing that :( ] or if I’m sleeping on the edge of the bed, lest I fall down [which has never happened!!!]

Every time he tells me that I do him proud, I wish I would do better and more for him….I wish I can be everything that he is. I wish I can be everything that he wants me to be.

I love the fact that he still does those stupid things for me he used to do when I was a kid. He never lets go of the kid I was, the kid I’m. With every passing year I see him genuinely seeking my opinion on greater issues. I know he values my perspective; he’s letting me be on my own in his way. But however BIG I grow, I shall remain his Lil One forever.

My daddy Strongest!!

Happy Father’s Day Baba :)