My Character, My Father...

The character in my story is a young boy of 10. He is the youngest one of many brothers. He just had a sister, and his eyes are twinkling with joy. The news of the little pink feet has elated him. He runs around the neighborhood announcing the arrival of a baby girl, his little sister, with pride and jubilation. The revelation of what truly makes a home complete, sets in. The promise of a girl, the celebration of complete. This is my character’s defining childhood moment.

And then the character turns 15. He goes to a government school. He learns English in Urdu. It’s fascinating to see his ustad use the urdu alphabet and the diacritics, zer, zabar and pesh, to improve his pronunciation. With absolutely no sense of deprivation or need for more sophisticated resources, he wins a scholarship to pursue his higher studies. The scholarship money sets him above the rest, in status, in ability and in opportunity. This is my character’s defining teenage moment.

Next, I carry my character through his 20’s. In this phase, he experiences the diversity and the immense possibilities of life whilst studying at a prestigious college in Lahore. He studies engineering and graduates. The humility that comes from within, guides him through and he makes some life-long friends. He is able to afford a motorcycle, which makes him an eligible bachelor. The motorcycle introduces him to his life partner. He enthusiastically volunteers to pick and drop her, making those first simple, nervous and capturing conversations. It doesn’t take him long before he decides to marry her. His love marriage is his defining youth moment.

The 30’s are marked with children and the blessings they bring in life. He becomes a father of two girls and two boys. With every arrival, life opens new paths and opportunities with a promise to sustain the ever-growing needs. The career, as an aeronautical engineer, takes off and the growth comes through responsibility, trust and acknowledgement. The travel expands his horizons and perspectives and leads him to many respectable positions. He keeps studying, for self-improvement and every step forward, blesses him with a promising opportunity.

My character enters his 40’s. He is anxious because his eldest is getting married. There is such a lot to do. So many arrangements to be made, and the heaviness of bidding farewell to his first-born daughter. Through the festivities, comes the bare moment, when he holds her and cries like a helpless child, understanding the changing dynamics of a set life, one that everyone had gotten so used to. He crosses this milestone, to become ever so grateful at the birth of his first grand-daughter. His 40’s make him a Nana.

Following my character through his 50’s, we see him being lauded for his great achievements and commitment to his field. He buys a house and starts to plan his retirement life. He is a romantic, and plans his evening tea in the garden, he pictures the rain and the garden swing with his life partner, and looks forward to planting seasonal flowers along with her. He creates a picture of them waiting for their children to visit them, with the kids enjoying their grandparents treats.

The 60’s is a different emotional ride. He is faced with the inevitable. The departure of his first love, first bike-mate, and life companion. The journey is so rich, that despite the emptiness, he resolves to keep the truth alive. He moves into his house, with the garden, the swing and the flowers and makes it a home, for all his children to visit and love. He is seen making new friends, enjoying the changing seasons, reading books and sharing poetry. He craves for moments when his children can get together at home. He captures them in his camera, but more so, in his beautiful heart.

My character experiences life as most would, defined by age and cultural norms. But what makes my character larger than life, is his undying spirit that ‘something good will turn-up, if you keep moving forward’. He experiences all emotions with great honesty and embraces his fortune, with renewed faith. 

My character finds his success in life, following his heart.

My character, my father. 

(Happy Birthday Abba! I love you!)