Heroes

     In the world full of billions struggling to make their mark somehow, there are only handfuls that succeed. Businessmen, actors, athletes, artists and others become exemplary beacons of triumph for the less fortunate of the masses. They're touted as heroes, idols, and inspire many more to at least come close to, if not achieve the same amount of success as themselves. Half of everyone's life is spent searching for that one perfect idol to call their own. I consider myself exceptionally fortunate to have been born in the same house as that of my idol – my father.

     I've modelled my career path keeping him in mind. I've grown accustomed to a certain lifestyle now, and I hate to admit it but if I've to maintain it, I need to toil harder than I possibly can. Luckily I've my idol guiding me, scolding me, and as a bonus, loving me, in my own house. I've seen him struggle, I've seen him fail, but eventually rise with renewed vigour. He doesn't talk tall, doesn't lace me with big words, but inspires me with his actions instead, more than any words can. I've seen him lead a life of opulence, and have learnt many a valuable lesson from him – Keep your loved ones close, Don't stop believing in yourself, The darkest night is the one that just precedes the dawn, and all of these have kept me driven.

     I've been to his workplace just thrice. He's a hotshot in the chemical business, but there isn't one bit of a braggadocio about it in his talks. He's blunt at times, consoling at times, rude at times, but honest and true to his work at all times. His vices are too puny to overshadow his virtues, and he's every bit of a perfect father any son could hope to be born to.

     Why the sudden outburst of verbose adoration for my father you ask? You got me. I visited his new office yesterday (There's another new office coming up next year so brace up for another eulogy then) and I mentally wrote this piece whilst seated on his rexine couch. Even at this high a post, he's one of the first people to come to the office every day. He has his name on a spot in the parking lot that was vacant at the time we arrived. I gaped in awe as I watched my father sign papers, make calls, switch his advanced computer on. God knows what happened to me, but I started talking to him choosing my words very carefully. I fatuously asked him what he does first on arriving in his gargantuan cabin. He lovingly replied that he reads the business newspapers.

     As I surveyed his plush cabin, with the smooth oak floor spreading right from the translucent glass door till the huge windows, I was enthralled more and more with every passing moment. I stopped to see the various certificates he has won, the glazing trophies that adorned all the shelves, and his black ebony table. He looked like a powerful businessman seated behind the table, his computer stood to his left, and he already had a glass of water ready for him on his right.

     The pillars of his cabin had his pictures with the who's who of the industry, in addition to some light-hearted ones of him vacationing in Thailand. As I started feeling more and more disconnected from him because of the unfamiliar things I saw, a few objects he had brought from home became the saving grace. A vase with artificial flowers that I thought we had chucked years ago, three laughing Buddhas I had forgotten we even had, and to top it all, a picture of me and my brother from when we were kids sat proudly behind him. He has had this picture in all of his cabins ever since he got his first cabin.

     As office hours began, a horde of people entered his cabin. He proudly introduced me to them and they graciously smiled at me. I looked at the two big chairs on the other side of his table and wondered how many nervous candidates must have sweated their guns out whilst seated on them. When it was time he led me into the rotund conference room, and as he walked he was greeted respectfully by everyone who passed him by. I'm immensely proud of my father but yesterday I got a million more reasons to idolise him.

     We read and hear stories about big people earning money using wrong means, doing wrong things, and being in contact with wrong people. They're a hundred times richer than my father is, but I'm sure, at least the humane ones among them must not be getting a content sleep every night. And well, my father surely is a man with a clear conscience – his myriad tones while snoring are a testament to that. He gets exhausted on coming home, and has every reason to be. There are a few times when we go out as a family, but with two working parents and grown up children that's hardly a possibility now.

     I've been disrespectful, belligerent, and unnecessarily rude to him, but he hasn't stopped loving me even for a single second. Even with his worn-out sigh, he teaches me a life-lesson to work as hard as I can, not to run behind money, but to work in a pursuit to keep your family happy, because, as corny as it sounds, in the end, when all else fails, there's family.

      Whenever things go bitter between you and your parents, visit their workplace (if you're allowed to). You'll see them don a new robe; you'll become cognizant of a side of them you'll obviously never see at home. I guarantee you that your views will change then. Never stop loving your parents, because they'll never stop loving you. Never give your parents up for anything, because you never know how many things they have given up for you.

     I seem to have drifted from my title here but that's what happens when you start writing about someone you've known for life. My father is my hero, my idol, my inspiration, and my saving grace when I start doubting myself. He's emotional and I'm not; that's possibly the only difference between us, and I'm glad he's found life partner with a totally opposite personality in my mother, who keeps him grounded and supports him when he needs it the most. But more on her later! I'd never thought that a mere visit to his workplace could do this to me. When I need to look for afflatus, I'm lucky that I don't have to look very far from home!