The Father

I was just on the edge of finishing my work. My further plan was to go my hometown to meet my Mom. I got the bus just some steps away from my office. It was mild winters and the bus was looking like flying in cool air.

I got a window seat but was shivering of cold as window glass was stuck due to my x-seat owner. He must have chewed a gum and finally entrusted it to window. I was feeling like shit for the fellow but finally I accepted minding it my fate.

A lady with little gentle face was there on a seat next to me. She was having a cute infant along with her, even after wrapping him in blanket baby was fighting with cool winds. She was staring at me at a constant interval. Analyzing the kid’s situation I was thinking, "Why people carry such little babies with them while travelling.” The gentle lady turned to me and said, “Why don’t you close the window, can’t you see baby is shivering with cold?” I was about to show her the gum stuck in window but my lips didn’t respond and my hands were fighting with gum and the open window.

Gum was having too headstrong temperament. I gave up after a while & started inspecting the running behind scenes outside. My sight stopped on my fellow traveler he was a 50 year old man, struggling with his own emotions. His cell phone was travelling to and fro from his hand to his pocket. His old brown coat was describing his situation, having sleepers in foot. It was like he just ran without having time to prepare for anything. His half bald grey hairs were dancing on the tune of that opened window.

Bus stereo was playing several new songs suddenly an old 60’s song was played in that playlist, it was Everly Brother’s” Crying In The Rain”. There was a spark in his eyes. He turned to me and said, “Child, you know, this is my daughter’s favorite song. She used to sing it at home. My wife taught her the song. ” I was looking at him with lots of questions in my eyes. I was feeling like, “What should I do if his daughter likes this song.” “My wife passed away 5 years ago and it was my daughter who gave me strength to get over. She is a great child. I am proud of my daughter”, He kept talking about his wife and daughter & I was just seeing his emotionless face and wet eyes. Some droplets were trying to topple from the barrier of eyelids but old man’s wrinkles were fair enough to stop them.

Suddenly his phone rang. His hand was trembling, he picked the call. I was just hearing ‘Yes’, ‘No’ and ‘OK’ in this conversation. After few seconds of conversation call was cut and he started looking in great discomfort. I turned to him & asked, “Sir! Anything serious. Can I help you?”

“Son”, he started, “Will you follow if I’ll give you just a little suggestion?” “Yes Of course, why not?" I replied. “Dear it’s my humble request that always respect women and womanhood.” I was astonished with the advice. “Did I do something wrong? He must have saying because I ignored the urge of that gentle lady with baby. But It was not my fault that x-traveler stick down that gum to window and this old man is giving me the preach.” I was full of anger. My brain was swimming in lots of thoughts.

To clear my situation I turned to the old man but he was on door smiling and shaking his hand to me. His smile was asking lots of questions to me. I put my hand beneath on the seat and there was a 2 days old newspaper. Some news was highlighted from red marker. For me, it was a matter of curiosity, I was pretty interested. It was news of a 25 year old rape victim girl. She was fighting with death in hospital. I collected news on internet about that girl and found the girl was dead a few minutes ago.

I was shocked and my hands were shaking with some strange vibes. I just said, “He was a father.”