A Man of Few Words

"My father is a man of few words. When he came to the airport to drop me off, he did not say anything. Just kept looking at me. I think mom mostly spoke on his behalf - to be good and to eat well. My relationship with dad has never been estranged, but I have never been close to him either. When he arrived in the US for a visit, I went to pick him up at the airport. His demeanor was the same. I leaned in for a hug with my dad but as I would have expected he instantaneously extended his arm saying ‘how about we shake hands instead?’ I think my dad and I have always been comfortable with our equation. We know that we care for each other without necessarily having to change anything about it. In the coming days, it was interesting to see how the roles had reversed, my parents needed me and my sister as they navigated a new place. It was like we were the parents and they were the kids. I saw a new side to my dad. He was highly inquisitive and sometimes I would be tired of answering his questions. I also understood his questions came from culture shock and the language barrier. His questions were innocent - “why do people have to pick up after their dogs’ litter in the park and just not let it be?” or “how many liters in a gallon?” and “why do food and vegetables have no taste here?”. I was happy to see dad asking all these questions. It was new to me. I have always felt that he knew everything because he is my dad. After 4 years, I am back in Kathmandu and I am happy that my parents, especially dad, have given me freedom. He has not brought up marriage and is still asking me if I have pocket money. I find comfort in them knowing that I shall always be a kid in their eyes. Recently, I received a mention in a newspaper article with my photo. Dad handed the newspaper to me and said: “I hope you are going to save this paper”. It made me smile. Although it was not a big deal, I think he was proud of me. This lockdown has been the time that I get to spend around my dad including my family. My dad is not perfect, but him trusting me with taking control of my own narrative in life is more than what a daughter can ask for right? After all, I have not been a perfect daughter either."