If you were here...

India has just entered the Semi-Finals of the World Cup after a nail biting match against Australia. And more importantly all set to play Pakistan next.

Strangely enough this match took me back to the World Cup of '96. India played Australia at Wankhade and I remember Dad taking an off from work and even i had bunked school to watch that match and sadly we dint win that match. And I very clearly remember him saying in his peculiar style 'Chutti leke kuch phayda nahin hua'

I miss my dad.It's been 14 years today since he's gone, and now I realize I do miss him.Miss him a LOT.

I wish i could have some more memories with you. I wish was big enough to understand what you were going through. I wish you were here with mom when she is about to start her retired life. I wish a lot many more things....

Maybe it's because I try not to think of this too often. or else I don't know how will I handle myself then.

Never quite thought how would it had been to hand him over my first salary cheque.
I'm not quite sure what he would have made of my career choices, something like a BMM ?( i can imagine him grinning at me right now) Yes,not stopped there. I am still trying for my MBA. Hope to succeed some time soon and get through a good college :)

Wonder what he'd have thought of my life as I live it now. I doubt or rather i know he would surely issued an ultimatum by now :) and even Mom wouldn't have been able to help me out in that case.

I am not sure if you would have sent your daughter away from you to some other city for her job posting. But she is doing amazingly well :) (She has already been to the UK and US) and I am sure you have loved to see her off and receive her at the airport.

I would have so wanted him to see your Son hold responsibility somewhere in the outside world. You would have loved to see me stand as a President of an organization..or rather the youngest president of my Rotaract Club. I am sure you would have gone and happily told all the people about how you were welcomed as the father of the president at all the club events.

And, then the number of people that I have in my life who never got a chance to meet him. I am sure he must have loved all of them.

Rahul- Soon to be MICAn. More than enough to get my academically inclined dad to start having some awesome conversations. I can actually imagine them talk a lot on cricket, Politics and what not. And I am sure you would have become best buddies with his dad. He is one gem of a person to talk to.

Preeti- She is one girl who can sit and listen and and at the same time make you listen to her talks. I can imagine Dad asking her a lot of questions on her production job profile and even advise her to settle down to something better. But she is equally confident to convince you on what she is doing.Ahh.. I would have loved to see this conversation taking place :)

The gang that we are: Aditya, Sarthak, Swaroop, Alok, Sunny and a few of them.

My Rotaract buddies:Sudha, Aarti, Gautham, Hari, Prashant, Kanak, Mithil, Apurva, Pavan, Arun and a many more..

These people and many more have stood by me and helped grow as a person. I am sure you would have loved to meet each one of them.

14 years of seeing this world differently. And yet, it's only today that I realise how much has taken place in these many years and he has not been witness to them.

The house that you and Grandad had bought 28 years back is soon going to be redeveloped. I am sure you would have loved to see the new house :)

Never felt like this in the past many years. Guess, the emotional side of me is done for the next 14 years I guess.

A cricket match bought back memories Dad. and actually made me cry. and write as well.

Keep looking at me from the top. It helps me.

Love,

Dodo.