When I look at my father, no one compares to him. Growing up for me; it’s embedded in my memory as if it happened yesterday.
He was my first love, the man I’d never compare anyone to. The person who is always there for me no matter what I’m going through.
He was there when I took my first step, when I said my first word and he has always been there since then.
Dad came and still comes home every day after work. When I came to age, I would wait up till he came home no matter how late it is.
That I still do to date. Ours has not been the best father-daughter relationship but it’s perfect the way it is for me. We argue, disagree, fall out but nothing keeps us apart.
Reading and journaling have been part and parcel of my life from a young age. When I showed interest in reading, dad took it as a green flag and made it a routine to bring me a storybook each evening on his way home from work.
I’d always be eager to lay my hands on a new book each night. After reading it, I had the obligation of explaining it to him and discussing the vocabulary as well as stating what moral lesson I derived from it.
It used to hurt like hell whenever he came home empty-handed with no storybook. He’d always try to explain but I wouldn’t get it at times.
“Mamaa, papa was tired and forgot to grab the book from under his desk on his way home. I promise to make it up to you, okay sweetie?”
I’d nod and tell him it’s okay though tears would be running from my eyes. I’d then run to mom’s lap and have her cradle me to sleep. Good old times.
Surprisingly enough, I still have my home library to date. From the first storybook, he ever bought me, to comics, to novels: all in one piece. One thing I know that is definitely in my heart is that no man will ever take his place. Not my boyfriend, not my husband, not even my son… As special as they might all be, they would never be a match for him.
That man has seen me in my lowest and in my highest moments. From crying when my pet cat died when I was 3 to crying when my cat died when I was 19. From being happy for graduating into lower primary to making it into medical school. To him I am still his little princess, and as he puts it, no matter what age as long as he is alive, I am daddy’s girl to him.
He is and will always be my superhero. The one person I will always run to no matter what. I might suck at showing it but let it be known to him that no other king will ever sit on his throne. It’s him, always going to be him. And that is Karani. Call me by my surname, it makes me more than happy.