Video by Ritu Anand and Dayan Anand

Daddy O Dad, you spoiled me.

You said nothing when I ran the red light.

Your patience was unbearable.

I wanted to jolt you and ask, “How do you stay a saint in the midst of strain?”

Daddy O Dad, you showed me the art of being quiet in a noisy world.

You kept to yourself when your own yelled at you.

Your silence tattered me inside.

I wanted to go someplace else and question, “How do you tolerate rudeness?”

Daddy O Dad, you loved dressing up in formal attire, no matter the occasion.

You ensured each lur lay flat on your turban.

You slithered into a business suit and inserted a Mont Blanc pen into its pocket.

I often caught you smiling in the mirror before stepping out for gym or temple.

Once, a zealous gym member had videotaped you.

He shared video titled, Man In A Business Suit Seen Walking On Treadmill.

I wanted to know, “How do you remain so carefree?”

Daddy O Dad, you shared with me the importance of having a good laugh.

You’d say, “Reetoo Beta, let’s laugh. Laughing is important for health.”

And we’d laugh, for a long, long, time through the deepening dusk.

With no place to go and nothing else to do, we laughed to hurt our bellies.

I wanted to comprehend, “How do you always make time to laugh?”

Daddy O Dad, you took your sweet time chewing your food.

You finished every morsel, never wasting a bite.

I wanted for you to tell me, “How do you account for each bite?”

Daddy O Dad, you asked every person at the temple how they were doing?

You guided them to stop and smell each flower in the garden of life.

You often quoted the Sufi Saint Fareed, “Do good to those who may have done some bad.”

Like sandalwood, you spread your fragrant love to all.

I wondered, “How large is your heart, tucked in a body as slender as yours?”

Daddy O Dad, you lived with all your principles intact until you shared your last radiant smile with the whole room.

I ache to know, “How did you lead such a beautiful life?