Dear Daughter

You are a daughter I am extremely proud of. You have given me ample reasons to be so. You are educated, cultured, honest, generous and successful. You are nothing less than a son to me, by your own rights. You’ve never fallen short of shouldering the responsibilities and given us many occasions to smile. You’ve brighten our lives with your love and laughter. You are our only child because you gave us no reasons to have another.
I still remember the day you were born. Though, my folks weren’t a pleased lot. They said, “Start saving from now on, you have a daughter now.” I wouldn’t deny that I got worried too with my financial situation that point of time. But the moment I set my eyes on you, your beautiful eyes washed my worries. Your smile reflected my soul and I knew you are mine. Your tiny fingers held mine and I promised myself, “I will take care of you like the most cherished gift I’ve ever had.” I couldn’t have predicted the future but I knew I had to educate you even if I had to sell the last drop of my blood. Because I don’t want a life like my mother or her mother, for you. And the only key is to educate you and empower you to write your own destiny.
Your mother had other thoughts, she being a woman, had her own fears. She wanted us to save money for your marriage but I put my foot down. Marriage can’t be the be-it-all for my daughter, I protested. I wanted to give you the best of education and wings to fly. Compete with men and look into their eyes. Show them you ain’t any less, if not superior. And then marry a man who recognizes and respects you for what you are. Not someone who judges you with your skin-colour, looks and wholesomeness. You are an individual first, never forget that. I love the fact that you didn’t disappoint me on this at all. Rather you flew high on the wings I could offer.
Your mother is proud of you too, no less than me. She looks upto you and says the neighbour, “look at my daughter.” She isn’t bothered about your dowry anymore but thanks me for not listening to her. She wishes her dad was like me, so extra brownie point for me, you know how difficult is it to win appreciation from my wife. So, thanks for keeping me in good picture. Any fault of mine gets overshadowed by your conquests and I can bathe in your glory.
My only worry is that the world isn’t getting any better for you. Every time you get late, I get worried. Every time you get busy to not being able to call, I worry a lot. I spend sleepless nights thinking about the intolerance towards daughters like you. Be it the educated or the uneducated, women have fallen prey to inexplicable crimes. I worry every moment for your well-being in this madness of our times. I know you get irritated with my repeated calls and all I say is “be a parent first then you’ll realize.” I trust you the most, my child. But I can’t trust the people around.
You are my real treasure and wish God had given me many more daughters. But then I question myself, “Would I’ve been able to protect them all?”
In a world where daughters are the most destroyed lot, how can a proud father, like me, be not scared? How will this world look without daughters around? Without daughters to warm lives with their touch of care and love?
I pray that day doesn’t arrive, at all. Till then, my daughter, be safe because I can’t protect you, everywhere.


Pic courtesy: Google Images