An Angel in my Life

My baby is in college now

Samara is now 17+ and she is admitted into a college in southern India .
Samara called me up after her orientation at college, "Dada... I'm so so happy.. I'm in college now.. I'm all grown up now." I replied, "Hahaha, but you'll anyway be a kid to me.. How was orientation??" She replied with excitement and happiness in her voice, "Peeeerrrrrrffffeeecccttttt.. Fabulous... I hate the fact that I'll have to wear uniform.. But I love the place..." I replied, "I'm glad you like it there. ... You stay safe okay... I'll call you at night.. I have a meeting now.." Samara replied, "Okay dada, I'll wait... But call me okay.." I replied, "I promise kiddo."

It became a daily ritual for us to talk evey night.. Samara would tell me about her problems in college, about guys hitting on her, and about one of the many proposals that she'd get each day. About how her classes went and how her practicals were. Everything... And I would tell her about my day, my work and stuff. I would also give her advises on how to deal with a few of her troubles and sort her out.

One evening, Samara called me earlier than usual, I was still at office, and I got worried seeing Samara's name flash on my mobile screen.. I picked up and asked, "All okay kiddo?" Samara replied, "Nooo dada, I slipped on the bathroom floor and hit my head on the sink! I'm bleeding pretty bad!!" there was pain in her voice along with fear.. I felt like hell broke loose on me, I replied, "Baby, how deep is the cut, do you have anyone to take you to the medic, are you feeling okay?? " She replied, "Yes dada, my friend is taking me to the ER." I replied, "Okay, stay safe and call me as soon as you reach back to your hostel okay? And I'll come down if you need me!" Samara replied, "Okay."
I impatiently waited for Samara to call back and let me know how she was...
After one and a half hours Samara called back.. I disconnected and called her up. I said, "Tell me!! Tell me what did the doc say??" Samara replied, "I'm okay dada, just a lil deeper than I thought, I got two sutures though. Now I'm okay.. Just feel a lil weak.." I replied, "WHAT!!! 2 stitches !!! Are you kidding me?? Oh my God! It must be paining! I'm so sorry kiddo!"
Samara replied, "I'm okay dada.. Not feeling any pain right now. Dunno about later though. Dadaaaa.." I answered, "Yes honey?" Samara replied, "I could use your big big hug right now!" I found it hard to fight back my tears and replied, "Darling, sending you loads of hugs..." I kept texting that entire night to check on Samara.

After one year

Samara called home excited and said, "Mum put the phone on speaker.. Speaker speaker speaker!!!" Mother replied, "Okay okay!! You are on speaker now, dad, dada and I can here you." Samara replied, "You remember I was selected by our college to take part in a state level Paper Presentation!" Everyone replied in unison, "Yes!" Samara replied, "Well guess what!" This time I replied, "Welllll!!! What??" Samara replied, "I won.. I won... I'm now going to the national leg of the competition! Yay!!!!" Everyone replied, "Congratulations!! " I said, "I'm so so proud of you kiddo... I know you'll rock this national leg as well... " Samara replied, "Dada, I've no idea how I did this leg.. I'm scared, you know audience and public speaking fear me to death... And there will me far too many better participants and too many people . What do I do??" I replied, "You just give it your best shot.. Your entire effort... Winning or losing doesn't matter... Anyway you'll be getting to learn something or the other. You'll be gaining experience.. So don't worry much about the outcome. Just give it your best shot. We'll be proud of you no matter what... So don't stress much... Okay!!"
Samara replied, "Hmm.." I replied, "What the hell is HMMM!!! It's either okay.. Or not okay!! Hmmm.. Are you a cow or something... Hmmm.." Samara replied, "Okay dada.. Bye now!!"

In exactly after two months was the day of the national leg of the paper presentation...

Samara was very nervous and scared.. She felt like she had forgotten everything that she'd prepared. Just then I called her, "All set kiddo, I know you're gonna rock it.. Just be confident, and answer all the questions the panel ask with utter confidence. Even if you know it's not the right answer, don't panic, answer with confidence. Like you know it all.. And dont just keep looking at your slides and audience. But also the panel. Let them know that you're well prepared and your there to win it... Okay?" Samara replied, "I was scared as of now.. But after this I'm confident.. Win or lose I'll give my best.. Thank you dada." I said, "So are we sorted now hun??" Samara replied, "Yes dada.. And I'll call you after the competition.." I said, "All the best sis. Go kill it." Samara replied, "Thank you thank you dada!"

After a few hours Samara called me up, "Guess What!! Guess what guess what guess what!!" I replied, "I'm pretty sure you won the national leg as well.." Samara replied, "Yesssssss dada, I did it.. And guess what, I'm going to London in a few months for the international Paper Presentation competition... yayayayaay..." I threw my hands in the air said, "I knew it.. I'm so proud of you honey. So whats next.. Tell me all about it." Samara said, "Let's talk at night.. Ain't you working now?? I'll tell you later!" I replied, "Its okay... I can spare a few minutes. Tell me.. Now!" Samara said, " So they are giving me a mentor/trainer to help me prepare for the international leg of it. It'll be held in London.. And guess what!! The royalty will be there as the panel..!! I'm soo excited... And nervous too.. And to top it all... The top five winners are gonna get full scholarship at the University of Oxford.. And the next five are gonna get 50% scholarship at the University of Cambridge... But there are a total of 150 competitors from around the globe.. It's gonna be a tough fight.. But anyhow.. Win or lose.. I'll get to learn.. Right dada.." I replied, " Indeed sweetheart.. Besides I'm pretty sure there's something special in store for you... And I'm really very proud of you.. Okay now.. Let's talk at night.. See ya..." Samara replied, "I love you dada.. Without you I couldn't have done it.." I said, "I love you more kid.. And it's all you.. All your hard work.. Okay.."

In the month of December, Samara went to England along with her mentor to compete in the international paper presentation competition. She was presenting a technical ppt on airlines... She was pretty excited to go to London and present her paper.. She was happy because she was doing it all by herself.. She was also very happy that her family was proud and were fully supportive of her..
In London it was a pretty big deal... She never imagined this competition to be such a large scale one.. She thought it'd just be a few days of ppt and a few days of sightseeing.. But there was much more to it. The welcome dinner for all the participants was a big deal.. It was a gathering of all the big socialites of London, footballers, Royalty, etc. And all the big names of London were present. Samara was stunned.. She couldn't believe her eyes.. It was all like a big big dream for her.. All those people and the royal treatment was something she never even dreamt of.. She felt herself to immensely blessed.. And that all her family's good deeds and prayers were being answered in the form of this night...

The next few days went realy busy with the paper presentation competition and sight seeing. Samara didnt get much time to talk with mom and dad or me either..

There was even a very special moment in those few days. She happily told her family about it (A moment that made our family very proud and honoured).

And when the results were out.. Samara surprisingly had secured the first position. And everyone was very happy for her, as in these few days she befriended nearly all the participants and made a few really great friends.

And after a few days she came back to India.. Back to her college and daily routine..
In just a few days were her final term exams.. So she kept herself constricted to studies..

Meanwhile back home, there were hundreds and thousands of rumours about her.. People were making our family's life a living hell.. But our parents and I stood by her at all times.. And didn't let anything reach Samara, as she was busy with her examinations..

After the exams I personally went to pick her up from college and decided to travel home with her and spend a few days with her at home..

********End of Fifth Chapter********