The Friday Wise Willow Tree Tales – The Chit

I looked at my Tissot. 11.00 AM IST. Phew! The kitchen, usually my sanctuary, felt like a battlefield today. Pots and pans lay scattered, casualties of the previous night’s guests. I longed for the comforting routine of my usual cooking ritual – the jazz music, the apron, the wine. But today, there was no time for such luxuries. My wife had already rushed out the door enroute to her office, and my son, bless his heart, was looking decidedly under the weather. My daughter was in school awaiting her prized lunch box. The thought of facing the day ahead, with its mountain of responsibilities, loomed large. Dada’s in charge. I will handle everything. Freakin’ coconuts!

I had completed a couple of meetings and a few tasks since the time my wife had left to office. Obviously, I was feeling very satisfied professionally! But personally… I still had to cook the lunch, pack it all up neatly for my daughter the way my wife would. Else all hell would break loose. My daughter is like my little girlfriend who is angry with me many times through the day, advises me on things where she feels I am sloppy, is possessive about me but at the same time, thinks the world of me!

So, where was I? Ah yes, 11.00 AM on the Tissot. I immediately got to work minus the apron, the music and the wine. My son, from the corner of the room, watched my every move with wide, curious eyes.

One hour later, two fragrant boxes of lunch were ready for my daughter – fried rice and crispy okra. But as I packed the third box, a mischievous idea sparked in my mind. I grabbed a piece of paper and scribbled a short note. Folding it neatly, I tucked it into the empty box and closed the tiffin.

On the piece of paper was written ‘I love you, Anaira. Love, Dada’.

A nervous energy buzzed through me as I drove to school. What if she was embarrassed? What if she thought I was being silly? But the thought of her possible reaction, the anticipation of her response, was strangely exhilarating.

Anyways, the wait was long. About three hours later, I looked at my Tissot. 3.45 PM IST. Finally, I heard the familiar sound of her footsteps, light and quick, ascending the stairs. My heart pounded against my ribs, a drumbeat echoing in the silence. The doorbell chimed, and the world seemed to hold its breath.

The door swung open, and my daughter burst through, a whirlwind of giggles and hugs. Her face lit up when she saw me, and her squeals of delight filled the room. She had found the note and had loved what I had done! And heavens was I pleased at that! Apparently, the chit had just changed her otherwise dull day into one heck of a day! She couldn’t help smiling throughout the afternoon.

As I got back to my seat and my laptop, I overheard my daughter telling her friend who was visiting her about what her father had done this afternoon. And I saw her blush as her friend said, "Wow, you have the best father, ya!"

In that moment, I realized that the small gestures, the little notes, and the time spent together are in fact, what truly matter. It's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of daily life, striving for professional success and financial stability. But in the end, it's the memories we create with our loved ones that leave a lasting impact.

We often measure our worth by our achievements and the hours we put into our work. But perhaps the true measure of our success lies in the joy and love we bring to those around us. Time is the most precious gift we can give, and it's in those shared moments that we find the true meaning of life.

So, let's take a step back from the rat race and cherish the simple, beautiful moments with our families. Let's make time to play, to laugh, to explore, and to love. Because in the end, it's these moments that define us and make life truly worthwhile.