I’m 19 I still hadn’t travelled alone. This was my first time. On my flight from Mumbai to Muscat, my seat happened to be 19B. I had two men on the sides and I didn’t want to be seated that way hence exchanged places and got the outer seat, 19A. The entire flight I was quiet and alert, I didn’t feel comfortable for various reasons but I ignored and tried to read my book and stay awake. Not quite a pleasant experience for a first solo travel.
But on my way back to Mumbai, I happened to sit beside quiet a gentleman, named Mohammed Nabeel, who works in Al Naba, as a helper to the chef. We exchanged words when the turbulence was way too much for a normal no rainy weather flight. And then the conversation unfolded. He started by telling me what made him the last passenger to board the flight. He happened to be flying India for his daughter’s wedding and had excess luggage by up to 20 kgs. He was asked to pay extra but he couldn’t pay quiet that much and had to throw some of his own clothing and accessories, he couldn’t throw anything else as it was all for his daughter, she had asked him to get that from Muscat. He briefed me on his relation with his daughter and how everything she asks him he gets her at the first possible chance. He was expressing how grateful he was to the counter lady as she let him take up to 2 kgs without paying while for the rest he had to pay about 40 Rials and his salary happens to be 95rials. He missed his daughters engagement because the company wasn’t providing leave and he had to make it to the wedding anyhow and caught the next flight. He took a MCT-MUM flight, would then fly to Hyderabad & by bus to Karnataka, Only so he could make it in time for his daughter’s wedding. He showed me photos of his daughter and son; he was happy because every father dreams of his daughter being wedded in a well off family and prays for her happiness. His daughter, Yasmeen is 22 and son just passed his 12th boards with 85% in science (which indeed is worth praising), which he is very proud of. His son wishes to pursue electrical engineering and Nabeel has decided to work harder back in Muscat for another 5 years until his son starts earning. He shared how dedicated his son is and how I resemble his daughter quiet. When the food was being served, I took veg and for/because of me he took veg too (rarely my friends eat veg when out with me and a stranger did that!). And told me, “sweet accha hai, zarur khana”.
I visited Muscat alone, at home it was just me and my dad and my chacha(dad’s younger brother) would also join us on some days. All fathers are away from their kids and family only for the betterment of their kids. No one is happy alone, but they choose that life only so that we kids are happy and get whatever we wish for or what keeps us happy. Even though my dad has an office job he works for 10 hours straight and most days even 12-13, indeed their entire day goes at work but their minds are always at home, thinking if their kids are happy and doing well.
The message is small, they don’t do it for getting anything in return and they do it only for your happiness and wellbeing. When my mom says, “You won’t understand unless you become a parent” I think I know it already what she means. And I’ve felt it already. A man with a family to run is a man who sacrifices his dreams or goals, the most selfless creature on earth. Doesn’t just stop at fathers, even mothers, sisters and brothers who put their life and their dreams behind only for their family members deserve a blessing from above. Thank You for being so selfless and for putting us before everything!
WordsBySRS 