How is someone's life? When one of their parent is not being around for most of their life. I know it's a terrible feeling, and I feel it every single day of my life. My dad is a recently retired soldier and had been posted in Afghanistan for last 17 years. He is someone for whom his duties, responsibilities and his Country always came first. He left for his duty when I was just 2 months old. I grew up without my dad being around me as he rarely visits us. However, my mom tried her best to provide me with everything.
I had all the things I wanted in my life, except my dad's love and care. He would visit us only once a year and that also for only 4 days. In my childhood, I was very upset with him for not staying with us. I started hating him for that reason. But with time, I grew up, and so did my maturity, and I started understanding things from a better perspective. My dad's situation started making more sense to me, and I realized what I had been doing with my father.
Three months' back, it was finally my 18th birthday. I was happy and was very much excited about my birthday. I don't have any friends, so I cannot celebrate by birthday with anyone except my parents. My dad promised me that he will be coming for my birthday, but he didn't. I really became sad and was really hurt by him. He has always done that, first he would make promises, and then he breaks it. I had to spend my birthday all alone with my mom. She also lost the excitement for my birthday, and it was the worst day of my life.
Last month, my dad told us that he has completed his tenure, and is coming back to live with us forever. The news made both me and mom happy and joyful. All my anger for him melt just like an ice in sunlight. My mom started decorating our home for his return. My dad is 38 years' old now, but being an army personnel, he was fit and muscular. He had a long face with an edge cutting jaw. He seemed much like a Hollywood star. I was really excited that finally I would be able to get my dad's love and affection.
Finally, the day of his arrival came. My mom and I went to the airport to receive him. He was waiting for us in the airport's cafeteria. That day my mom and I were also looking like some hot Hollywood chicks. We wore the best dresses from our wardrobe. I entered the cafeteria while mom was parking her car, and saw my dad standing there. I went from behind and gave him a tight hug. He turned towards me and lifted me with his strong arms, and hugged me. He kissed on my cheeks and said,
"How are you my little princess?" releasing me from his arms.
I looked him in the eyes and said, "I'm not at all good. I missed you so much."
He replied, "I missed you too, dear"
After sometimes my mom arrived in the CafΓ© and rushed towards him. They hugged for a long time and both started crying in each other's arm. We left for our home, my mom and I were very excited to show dad the decoration we had done for his return. I knew that he would like it, as he and I had same liking.
Soon, we reached home. My mom told me to stay in the car with him, and enter the house only when she told us to do. I put a blindfold on him and then took him inside. He opened his blindfold, and saw a gorgeously decorated house. My mom had made a special Chocolate delight cake for him. We sat together and ate the cake, listening to his war stories. He was really brave, and would always be in front field during a hazard. We listened to his awesome experience, and then he and mom went to their room to spend some good time.
My mom is not the prettiest woman in the world, but she had a quite good figure. My dad and mom are together for last 22 years, and I never saw them having a fight with each other. I cannot say if it is their love, or it's because they hardly spent much time together. Whatever the reason it maybe, I was very happy for them. I went to my room, and started making paintings, It's one of my favorite pastime.
Suddenly, I heard some noises coming from their room. It's seemed like they were having a heated argument over something. I went near their room and tried to hear the conversation more clearly. It was something related to him and mom's sexual life. I thought it was not a good idea to hear their talks, so I went back to my room and put my headphones on. I was really tensed about what had happened between them.
Likewise, I came out of my room in the evening. It was nearly dinner time. I was starving, so I directly sat on the dinner table. I heard the sound of vessels clanking from the kitchen. It meant that the food was ready. Soon, mom came out of the kitchen with serving bowls. She kept the serving bowls on the table and started serving our plates.
I asked her, "Where is dad, mom?"
She said in a sad voice, "He has gone out for dinner with his friends, and will come home late."
I felt anger and shouted, "Can't he spend some time with his family? He could have met his friends tomorrow."
Mom broke down, and tears started falling down her eyes. She whimpered, "No Ashley, it's not his fault. I made him angry this afternoon."
I asked in a confused but strong voice, "What happened in the afternoon mom? Actually, I heard some noises from your room."
She controlled her tears, and said, "It's a personal matter dear, and I don't want to drag you in our personal problems."
I went to her, and while moving my fingers through her hairs I said, "Come on mom, I am eighteen now, and can help you."
She softly said, "That's very nice of you, but I think me and your dad can manage this by ourselves. I love your dad, and he also loves me, so you don't get worried about all this."
Saying this she took her plate and went to the kitchen. I somehow finished my dinner, and went to help her with washing utensils.
I was feeling terrible about her. She was so excited for dad's return, and now he was treating her like shit. I knew that he won't be coming to home that day. I asked mom if I can sleep with her in her room. She said yes, and I joined her in the bed. She hugged me tight, and cried in my arms. I held her close to me, and helped her sleep. I just wanted her to be happy again, and I was ready to do whatever was needed for it.
The next day when sun was shining bright in the sky. I had already woke up and was making breakfast for all of us. Mom was not feeling well, so I told her to get some extra sleep. I also had made up my mind to ask dad why was he treating mom like this. It was both anger and my concern for Mom. I heard the main door unlock, and it was him. Dad came straight to the kitchen and asked me about mom.
I said, "Mom is not feeling quite well, so I am preparing breakfast for us."
He asked in a tensed tone, "What happened to her? Is she all right?"
I replied sarcastically, "Oh dad, so you don't know what has happened." He seemed confused, so I went straight to the point, and said, "Haven't you been treating mom roughly?"