Rehan and I went to New York a while back. The purpose was to celebrate Rabea’s birthday. I hadn’t seen my daughter in a long time. My little girl has grown into a young woman. She’s just turned twenty, finishing her ‘teen’ years.
Standing on the sidewalk in front of the hotel on Fifth Avenue, I’m smoking a cigarette. Waiting to receive Rabea. I’m feeling restless and nervous, but this is the sweetest wait I’ve ever experienced. As soon as my daughter comes into my view, my eyes blur. In a few seconds, I’ve seen the 19 years I’ve left behind.
I’ve made many mistakes in my life, and I still do. But I never regret any of them. I don’t even know why. I guess I’m too lazy to regret. In fact, there are many mistakes that I find sweet. While thinking about these sweet and bitter mistakes, I made eye contact with Rabia.
As soon as our eyes met, Rabia waved. As in a very imaginary movie scene, everything around me faded away. I just stared at my daughter with blurry eyes. My daughter came close and hugged me, and I’ve been waiting for this moment for so long!
Rehan is waiting in the hotel room with a cake. This will be his first meeting with his sister after growing up. He is very excited. The siblings meet. It’s so natural. Rabia is looking for a tissue, so Rehan runs and brings a tissue box. Listening to their conversation, it feels like they just had fuchka and chatpati together yesterday afternoon. I’m surprised and happy.
As I was walking away from the hotel, I slyly took one of my kids by each hand. Rehan, being Rehan, started complaining to his sister about me, saying how stupid I was. Rabea agreed with him! And me? My eyes grew wide with joy. I didn’t realize when I’d gone from a ‘fat father’ to a ‘foolish father,’ but I couldn’t stop smiling.
I wanted to tell everyone passing by, ‘You’re walking past the happiest person on Earth!’ But I didn’t. Just then, I heard someone calling, ‘Dad!’ from one side, and ‘Dad, hey Dad!’ from the other.
I want to be stuck in this cycle for the rest of my life!
Toronto, Canada
