A LETTER TO MY FATHER WHO IS IN ARMY

Dear Papa,
Happy Father's Day. I hope this letter finds you before this very significant day. We remain in touch through phone but I feel nothing can beat the essence of a handwritten letter as it surpasses every other means of connection I believe. Papa, like other fathers I don't find you near me everyday, but that never made our bond weaker. It fills my chest with immense pleasure when I confess to everyone that my father is a soldier, he is serving the nation like none other. But as much as you are patriotic, you are equally a loving father. The calls you make daily no matter in what situation you are in reflects your commitment towards your family. From such a long distance, caring and panicking for me and even scolding me for the little cold I catch is something only a father can do. You keep our needs before yours, no matter how much you are struggling to survive in those snowy mountains, you make sure we live a comfortable life. You save money so that we can spend it. You not only fulfil my needs but also meet my demands. Every year on my birthday, you send me my favourite thing even before I ask. God knows how you always come to know about my inner wish without me expressing about it. But I am waiting for the day when you will gift me my favourite thing with your own hand. You seldom share your problems with us, I understand the internal conflicts of the border are confidential and can't be discussed but the conflicts you carry inside you also find it difficult to reach us. May be every father is like this only. They act as a shield for their children but never show the scars they have to carry in the process. I know like any father, you can't express how much you love me but papa, your actions speak for your feelings. Generally we bond with our mother more because they are more expressive and they let us know each and everything about their emotions but fathers continue to wear a smile infront of us even in times of distress so that we don't break down. But the one who can break this invisible wall a father creates to hide his emotions can only understand what is the meaning of being a father is and what a father's heart cries for. You come to meet us only once a year but that period of time feels the best time of my life. After battling throughout the year in those borders, you could have sought a relaxed and restful time when you come to home but instead you make sure to do everything possible a common father does daily so that I don't feel anything lack in my life. A father is the most selfless warrior who even sacrifice his own life to protect his little one for whom he is fighting against all odds. I miss you a lot at times and my heart feels very heavy by not getting you by my side in those moments but then I see our photograph where you and me are smiling looking at each other and that ease my pain for I know wherever you remain, in any corner of the world, your blessings are coming to me continuously through vibrations of well wishes. Now that I am writing this letter, tears are rolling down from my eyes but these are not the tears of pain, these are the tears of contentment that I have a person in my life with whom I can speak my heart out and can share anything, who will always keep his hand about my head no matter what. For every girl, their father is their first hero but for me you are my super hero as the entire nation also salutes you for your heroism. I am so proud of you papa and I look upto you, I hope your daughter becomes as brave as you are after growing up.
Papa I shared everything my heart was whispering inside me, hope this will make you feel close to me. I will wait for your letter too where you will share your hustles, your little moments of happiness, about the family you have made there with your colleague friends. I know the life of a soldier is very different than that of a common man. Here we that is maa and I still have each other for support but there you strive to win the obstacles all by yourself. The people of the nation can enjoy and celebrate peacefully because they know that the shield of patriotism of the soldiers is protecting them day and night. We buy colours to play holi once in a year but you all play holi with your blood for the entire year. And this Holi of blood sometimes makes the life of some soldiers and their family members colourless introducing them into a world of black and white where someone lost their father, brother, son or husband. I believe every soldier should be equally blessed in life with precious moments of enjoyment with their family. I dream to make you proud of me one day and I promise I will give every happiness a common man craves for after your retirement. It's true that somewhere deep inside, a fear always lingers about your safety but I keep faith in God and my inner voice reassures me that my prayers for your well being will not go in vain. I hope you will come in the next vacation papa. Your little daughter will wait for you. I love you, take care.
From,
Purba, your gudiya rani.