DAD.
My memories of us date back to 2000 when you put me on your bicycle and cycled towards school. It was my first day at school ad you insisted that you’d take me. I looked as cute as a button in my blue uniform with my hair combed back like the lady I am. The ride to school was adventurous, being the chatty person I am I, inquired about the clouds and the school will I like it or not? You being the quiet man you are, you responded to all my silly questions. It was my first day at school and you were going to ensure that it was magical.
I remember my 8th birthday vividly. Not because the cake was out of this world but because you got me very expensive chocolate cookies. The cookies were filled with so much chocolate that to date I can’t have any more. You quenched my chocolate thirst for a lifetime. It was also in the same year that I started wearing glasses. You’d take me to Sabatia Eye Hospital diligently and after the rough eye check-up, we would you out for lunch. I looked forward to my eye check-ups not because I enjoyed the constant eye-poking by the ophthalmologist but the lunch dates after. From the cheap gossip to the sound advice I enjoyed my time with my date. My father was my first and most memorable date.
In 2012 you took me out to an enormous shopping spree. I was joining high school and you ensured that I had the best. After the shopping spree, you took me out for lunch. We sat each other as I nibbled on my fries, you laughed and said, I don't know if the teachers can handle you, were huwa an maneno mengi sand (you are too much)We both laughed and continued eating because that, was the teacher's problem and not mine.
In 2015 at exactly 10.30 a.m you picked me from school, I had cleared high school and you wanted to take me home. “I brought you here and now I take you out,” you said as I giggled I was out of jail finally. In the 22 years, I have known you, you’ve ensured that I got the best. Did I lack? yes not because you did not provide but because this is life and shit happens In your mistakes, I have found lessons. In your shortcomings, I have been impacted and in your calm demeanour I have been reminded time and again that silence is golden. Yeah I know I rarely follow this but baby steps, right?
My greatest joy over the years has not been the material things you provided but the fact that when the whole world wanted a quiet girl who toed the line, to you I was more than enough. What more can a girl want?