highest high

Two years ago, a little more than that, was when my first baby was born. Minutes later, a phone call asked me, “ Brother, how does it feel ?”. The words that automatically came could not have said it any better. “ I have had a lot of happiness in my life, but at this very moment, I think I’ll never be more happier in my life than now.”
Before the baby was born I had planned to click her growing every day, every week, month and year. But it could not be, except for a few occasions.
But, I still remember the first flicker of recognition, her first step towards touching me, her first smile, her first memory of the lullaby I sang in the night, her first utterance… all are tucked safely away in the best part of my memory.
Trust me, the number of new things that I have learnt after her must be more than what I had learnt in the last decade.
I am a calmer person. I can handle emergencies better than before. I have begun to prepare for the rainy day. I am trying to be more braver and less panicky.
I was always a giver, but the pleasure of every small little thing I give her is unimaginable.
I am reliving my childhood along with her.
My first memory of my self was a pair of black shiny buckles, my father had bought for my tiny feet.
My dad taught me to read and write. Reading helped me enjoy the different flavours of nature, different countries, their people, their history and their geography.
Today, my baby ritually wakes me up, she knows all the places where my spectacles land before sleep catches up with me. She holds my finger the same way I held for her when she began her steps. She walks me and shares with me her favourite Tom & Jerry re-runs. She points out the crow, the sparrow, the cow, the moon and appreciates it when I get it right.
She loves the rain as much as I do. She loves to travel as much as I do. She loves the song and the dance as much as I do.
She has taught me priorities. She has taught me that everyone needs to be left alone at times. She has reinstated the fact that we should not force our likes and dislikes on our children.
I am trying my level best to be a better person. When I come back home from a depressing day, I just wish that she is up and awake. The magic words Papa aaya!

And everybody lives happily ever after.