An Unpayable Debt

An unfeigned hollering, with concomitant glinting eyes, animadverting at the infirmary

to woo the dear ones – yeah! That’s how... that is how we all begin our journey (or say life) as an

infant. May be the most joyous moment for parents. This fugacious moment transforms their

whole world at the blink of an eye. Just one touch of soft feeble hands and all the priorities are

changed forever. Thus, parturition leads to the offset of not one but three new lives at the same

time.

You must be wondering, why am I telling you all this? The reason is simple. Have you

ever pondered, what could have been your lives without parents? What could have possibly

happened if no one was there to hold your hand when you had fallen? What could have been

the prospects of survival? Who would have squandered their life to make your existence worth?

Who would have spent umpteen watchful and ungratified nights for you when you fell ill? I have

been cogitating for months and all I can say is... even one day without father or mother, whoa!

It’s horrifying. A shiver runs down the spine. Had not been there my parents, then who would

have hold my hand and taught me how to walk? Who would have impelled me to eat that extra

bite just to make sure that I wasn’t hungry? These countless questions keep on gyrating in my

head every day and night. But to be honest with myself, I don’t want an answer to anyone of

them, because the answers are obvious and crucifying.

Family is the most important thing in the world.

Dictionary says, Family -- A social unit living together. Really? Is that so? I don’t believe

so. If it were just a social unit, then how could it be the most important thing? You don’t outlay

your life for a social unit. You don’t strive for well being of a social unit, do you? Then what is it

that makes this so called social unit ‘A Family’, where your needs and wishes are given prime

importance. The connection remains a mystery for obtuse mind like mine. I consider myself

lucky... lucky enough to have an adorable and caring family. But I wonder how I would pay back

the debt of their love, tutelage, affection & care.

All I am I owe to my father. I attribute all my success in life to the moral, intellectual and

physical education I received from him. He usually says that I am his whole life. He works

tirelessly day and night just to make sure that I get what I want. Well, for me he is no less than a

genie. I don’t know how he does it or why he does it. All I know is, I sleep soundly at night and

wake up gayly in the morning. I make mistakes intrepidly because I know my genie is gonna

catch me whenever I fall. I walk down the road to Damascus blindfoldedly at times because I

know he is there to steer me in right direction.

Papa, thank you for being there. I want to tell you, I love you more than anything else in

this world. I owe you my life. But I can’t repay the debt... for this debt is unpayable.

- Akshay Kaushal