Letters to Papa

Another Dream...

Dear Papa,

I'm really sorry for not having written to you in all these days. I know that saying I was busy and caught up with some things, is a lame excuse. But what more do I have, in my defense? I did well in my exams, passed, and went to the next grade. My vacations have started. I forgot to tell you that Di has gone for an audit to Malaysia. She had to do so much to get a passport. But in the end, she got one, and finally went to Malaysia. The first few days had been real fun for her. She went to all sorts of rides and tours, and sent me the pictures. To be honest, I'm really jealous of her, and I swore to Mamma, that one day, I will travel the world too, to be precise, I'll go visit Paris (the City of my dreams). :P

Filmy, right?!

Well, a few weeks ago, Mamma and I cleaned the whole house, and now it looks squeaky clean. Now, that's not important. That night, I was really really tired, and I slumped myself onto the bed. We are sleeping at Mama's place these days. Early next morning, I woke up cause' I heard someone talking, and fell asleep again. That's when you came in my dream. I was feeling so elated. In my dream, I was sleeping, while you came and lied down beside me. You began stroking my hair. And I woke up. When my sleepy eyes met yours, I almost jumped out of joy. I grinned at you, and said, "So you're finally back, Papa" and you just kept smiling. At that moment, I felt perplexed. I didn't know if I was hallucinating, or it was happening in real. I just kept looking at you. All I wanted, was for you to stay right next to me. You said, "My little Alu did a lot of work yesterday, didn't she. You must be really tired... aren't you?" And like a puppy reunited with her master, I smiled at you. Only if I had a tail, you'd know how happy I was, to see you and listen to your voice again! :P I nodded, and made a puppy face. You laughed. Oh how I had missed your ringing laughter Papa! I laughed along too.

Just then, Naani came to wake me up. You began to get up from your place. And I desperately wanted you to stay. So I said, "I wanna sleep with Papa." She said, "Who?" and I sulked. I said, "Papa!" I pleaded, "Papa, please don't go!" And you said, "Alu, you have to wake up. It's time. I have to leave." I sat up and cried out, "Please don't leave Papa! Please...." But you had already gone. Vanished into the thin air. I began crying. I kept mumbling, "Papa, went away. He came and he went away..." Maasi had come and she found me crying. She shook me back to reality, and I found myself back at Mama's place. She asked me why I was crying. And I kept mumbling sleepily, "Papa went away.." She began crying too, and said, "What can we do, beta? Papa was a wonderful man! But destiny had something worse in store for him. He had to leave us and go." Then I told her about my dream.

I am still confused, if you actually came in my dream. If you were so pulled by my love for you, that you had to speak to me through my dream, or it was just another stupid dream of mine. Whatever it was, I will treasure this dream of mine, for a lifetime. I love you Papa! Always have and always will! I promise I will write to you soon enough. :P

Yours ever lovingly,

Alu <3 <3