The Life Line

I get to see my dad far and few between. He keeps on travelling. That night I was sleeping, I know he was going to be home late in the night. I was thinking of the promise he made when he left for the last tour. I love walking on a railway track nearby my house and I keep on betting with my friends who can walk long and who can walk fast.

Last time my dad left he did not tell me. I was asleep when he made the move. I was dreaming that my dad was holding my hand to make walk along the track. I was smiling with my cheeks going read and all care of mine on my feet and watching which step lands where. I was able to move quick on the track and shouted dad “Look at this”.. with this shout I woke up by my own voice. I found my mom rushing towards me…

I thought, this time I am not going to let me dream this. I know he is going to be back home and I will make sure he fulfills his promise. I slept holding light blue pillow tight, which is my dad’s favorite one.

I got up before the dawn and rushed to his room to wake him up. I asked in hasty, dad let’s go. Dad told me I am tired, I can’t come out for the walk now. I requested him, and told him “Dad whatever you have to do, I will do it for you, but please come for the walk today. I am all eager for this.” with my lovable force he had to get up and we started for the walk.

While we were few yards away from the track, I asked, “How can I walk fast and still steadily on a railway track?”, dad said with a smile “Always watch your step carefully”. I told him with sheer innocence “Dad, every time I look at my foot while walking here I fell down, how can I watch?”, dad was laughing. I was silent, he said, “you need not necessarily see if you need to watch.” I gave him a confused expression. He understood that and said, fine “I will make you have blind folded walk today”, I screamed “No dad no, I am scared with the very thought.” Dad replied “I am at your side, I’ll guide you along, take the support of my hands.” I could see my dream come true, indeed I was really happy and I thought to myself that I will do this blind folded walk at any cost.

We reached the track, and my dad made me stand on the track and asked me to close my eyes. I did. He asked me to stretch my hands for balance and he supported them with this hands standing at my back. It was little chilly out there and I was able to feel the warmth of dad’s hands. I asked dad “Dad what if I fall down ?” dad replied “I know you won’t”. Though that was a childish question the answer my dad gave rose my confidence. Dad said “let’s walk”.

Initially I had little hiccups tilting to right and sometimes to my left. Dad supported me with his hands and was telling me how to walk properly. Meanwhile I said, “Dad I think we need to go a long way”, he smiled. I was talking to him and he was responding sporadically. At times the answer was a pat and sometimes a smile. I got used to it in few minutes. After certain time I was confident walking over the track, probably the warmth of my dad’s hands was what making me feel it. After some time I said, dad shall I open my eyes, there was no response, I asked again still no response. I shouted dad “dad, shall I open my eyes?”, still there was no response. I shouted and shouted and voice went invalid. He was not responding. I was worried and started, crying and shouting. Suddenly I felt left alone, I was left out and with intensely disturbed thought I had to open my eyes and turn back. Thinking of my dad I opened my eyes.

I was on the bed, still able to feel the warmth of my dad’s hands. opposite to me was the photograph my dad and me on the track me walking on the track line, The Life Line.