Missing You..... [Dadaji]

11. His Sacrifices

Known for his strict rules Dadaji was never polite or didn't ever show any flexibility towards us regarding our duties. But the thing behind all this, no one could notice, was his sacrifices. Why couldn't one notice his soft heart under his harsh behaviour.

He used to wake us up at 4:00 in morning during our studies. In summer vacations we were allowed to sleep for a little longer, latest by the time 6:00 which would be a deadline for us.

"It's enough ! Get up dear." Even today I hear his familiar voice sometimes, he used to say often.

Until it wasn't 6:00, he allowed us to sleep but for the remaining time only.

"Okay..!! Few minutes only."

Moments later-

"A little more, Dadaji !! Please."

"It's 6:00 already. Isn't it enough ? Not more sleep. Now wake up my daughter." And we had to be up right away.

Seeing children of our age waking up lately as much as they themselves wished for, saddened me a little at times but never bothered me, not even a bit. B'coz - first at all, I've always been a morning person. Second, Dadaji always took care of our proper sleep. The way he woke us up in morning, same did he to sleep us early at nights. Last by the 9:00pm we had to turn in. He used to say that famous quote every once in a while-

"Early to bed and early to rise.
Makes a man- Healthy, wealthy and Wise."

On other hand whenever I worked for late hours at night he used to be a witness for that by seeing me oftentimes.

"Didn't sleep yet ?"

"No, I've to complete this."

"Ok..!"

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"What happened. Not done yet ?"

"No, it's a little lengthy."

"Ohh, okay !! Try to do it faster."

"Yeah !"
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....

"Still not ?"

"A little more."

"Leave it now. I'll wake you up earlier than usual. You can do the remaining work in morning."

"No Dadaji, it's about to finish."

"Ok, as you wish."

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