I have the lasting image of my father
Prepared for war in uniform
He tried to leave silently at dawn
I knew he would do that
So I didn’t sleep that night

While at the door
I ran and grabbed his leg
He looked down
Becoz I was just 4 years old.
He had watery eyes
He knew it was difficult for him to leave
With me looking
But I wanted to say my goodbye
And hug him
Ask him to come back

We both knew that there is possibility
He may not return
And he didn’t want to leave with heavy heart
When he was going to serve for motherland
Prepared for supreme sacrifice

We were worried that I may ask for
The promise to come back
Which he may not fulfil alive
That why he was trying to sneak out

But I didn’t ask anything
I just kept hugging his leg
He came on his knees
And hugged me tightly
I didn’t say anything
But tears welled up in his eyes
I wanted to have this memory of him
Until next time
When he returns from call of duty

But that didn’t happen
As soldiers do
He came covered in national flag
Without his breath
Whole village came with him
I didn’t see his dead face
I wanted to keep his smile
And warmth of hug
As lasting memory of him

Thirty years later
I can feel what he felt that day
When I tried to sneak out
When my nation called
And my son came running
He hugged my leg
His tears felt through uniform
I went down to embrace him
Wiped his eyes
And promised to come back
Strange how men cries !