When I was in 7th standard we faced a huge loss in our family business. Even managing the day to day expenses became very difficult. At one point my parents had to choose between the school fees and the house rent. So we moved to a small unit house from a huge 3 bedroom individual house.
Life was totally different from what we were used to. We understood that it was a huge loss and our circumstances are not going to change for a couple of years at least. I didn’t want my friends to know that we got downgraded so I ensured to keep them away from my new house.
One day we received a letter from our school about the upcoming 3 days educational tour to Bangalore. The tour fee was INR 1000 / person and a particular date was mentioned as last date to pay the fee.
In my school only cool & rich kid’s pay and go for tour and since 5th standard I have never missed the school tour. I knew I was not that rich kid anymore but with no second thought I threw a tantrum. Dad gave in and asked me a week’s time to arrange the money.
I was all excited and made plans with fellow cool kids. Dad called me the day before the last date. According to me he is going to give me the money. But my dad kissed my forehead, brushed my hair and said in a broken voice that he tried his best but he couldn’t arrange the money. He also promised that when we become rich again he will take me to Bangalore in plane.
Till then I never knew I can shout that much. I shouted at my poor, broken dad.
‘You always say no money, no money. I really wish I had a different father with lot of money than you’
I didn’t wait for his reply. I took my bag and went to the bus stop to board the school bus. To my surprise when I returned home dad gave me 1000 rupees for the tour. He kissed me as always and spoke to me like nothing happened. But my mom didn’t talk to me for a week. Later I learnt from my little brother that dad cried non-stop for quite a long time after I left and it was a hard time for mom to pacify him.
I was emotionless; I never apologized to my dad but i didn't go to the tour. That day mom told me that he didn’t cry even when his mother passed away.
My dad is 50 now. Love towards his stupid daughter is only growing with every passing day.
I still wipe a drop of tear every time I remember this.
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