My Dad

Dear Dad,

I was just kidding. There is usually no such salutations as"dear" before Dad. It is always Dad! This and This or Dad! I am here and here or Dad! Can you this and that.

Let me tell you a sappy story about my Dad. My old man. He is 50+ (Age is always a secret so respect that , I mean I friggin know how old he is, just that I don't want to publicly DISCLOSE it here)

He is pudgy and you can imagine how people always associate pudgy men with having loud laughter and free-wheeling life. Yes he is just one of those kind.

When I was 6 years old, he told me "I am such a maths whiz, if you need any help with Maths, ask Ayah (dad)" Being a baby child, I turned to him with EVERY SINGLE problem sum (screw those in my younger days!!!) that I can't solve. He patiently helped me and over the years, I got older, and I realised...he spent less time teaching me maths. I wasn't hurt, I just turned to be independant afterwards, but only when I was slightly older, I realised the reason why he stoped teaching me Maths, is because of his limited knowledge in Maths.

I mean, no my Father is not some a Maths genius, but gah you know how reeeeediculous those Maths questions can be rrrrihgt? Right.

He has always been there for me. In instances like: -

• 3rd in class Award Ceremony cum Performance (Kindergarten 2 - I had to perform with the 1 little 2 little 3 little Indian Song kinda racist right this song?)
• Story-telling competition, (Primary ONE -got 1st place for that because he made me practice Storytelling million times infront of him),
• Good Progress Award (Primary 3 and 4, I was a slow learner la, now I know that this Award is not really that REPUTABLE), 
• Bursary Award (Primary 6 -Best in Malay and top 10% for PSLE Malay Language; he thought me Malay Language well), 
• Band Competition (Secondary 1 - He brought a spoilt camera and insisted that it works darn well to take my band performance)
• O Levels E maths's exam (I was ALMOST late but he called the school to say I had diarrhea) 
• University application and funding is WHOLELY settled by him.

Honestly, what else can this girl ask for from her Dad? Well, different Dads show their love for their children differently. For me personally, he showed his love for me by literally being by my side throughout my education.

The only instance he chided me was when I turned up late and made him WAIT. He told me he cannot comprehend "how an undergraduate like [me] is so irresponsible and can possibly be late" I cried after that, because

1. I am an emotional freak.
2. It means I disappointed him

I never wanted to disappoint him. I never meant to but you know crap happens and it was just one of those lousy days.

I am who I am today, thanks to his neverending sacrifices. And no, never once he grumbled about being tired. The only time he said the T word was when Mother accused him of lazing around the couch.

The more I think about the future, the more it worries me if life would still be possible, if one fine day, he won't be there for me anymore.

Love you Dad. Happy Father's Day.