MY HERO

BABA ♥

I love my grandfather and so did he. We shared a unique bond that no one can ever know. Whenever our family left to visit some functions, I used to stay at home with my grandfather.

I was his last granddaughter and so he loved me a lot. Whenever we were having visitors at our home, he used to introduce me to them by saying 'My little daughter, Intelligent girl, My princess' and such... He was my father, my best friend, my role model, MY HERO, everything.

Whenever I was mad or sad, he used to sing me a song. Now, when I hear that song, I feel so much pain in my heart.

My grandfather was a law student. His entire family are lawyers. So, he aimed to become a lawyer. But unfortunately, he couldn't become. And now, I want to fulfil his dream. I have a burning desire to become a lawyer.

My grandfather was an incredible history professor back then. Even today his students are very proud of him. Because his teaching skill is very nice that no one can ever forget him. He had taught me about currencies, politics, history, everything. He had even taught me how to play sudoku. I remember those days when he used to teach me the rhymes especially 'Baba Black Sheep'. My grandfather taught me everything except how to live without him.

My grandfather was also a great poet. He had written poems for my mother as my mother was his last and lovely daughter.

One day, I was having a conversation with him. Suddenly he asked, "What's your aim, dear?" I said, "I aim to become a lawyer, baba." And when I said that, his eyes filled with delight. He took my hand in his and said wholeheartedly, "If you want any help, feel free to ask me. I will be very grateful to help you." I'm very proud to have had such a grandfather like him.

I win prizes when there is any competition is going on in our school. I used to show my prizes to him first. He used to feel so pleased and said, "You have become just like me. I'm very proud of you, my dear. God bless you." And now, after his death, when I reached my home holding prizes, I thought that he was there and I was going to show him like always. But then I realised he was gone. That day I cried a lot.

I used to prepare tea for him. When I went to hand him a cup of tea, he used to keep his hand on my head and said, "May God give you good health and good knowledge and bless you with a long life." I miss his blessings, his voice, his sparkling eyes, the feelings when he used to keep his hand on my head. I miss everything about him.

I'm anti-social. I like to be silent always because I don't like talking. So, he used to call me and advised me, "Why are you not speaking to anybody? What's there in your heart? you can share with me, dear. We have to keep smiling and be social with others because these things make us healthy from the inside and out. We have to be social in such a way when we enter a room, everyone in that room should think, 'Ahh... Our girl has finally arrived, who cracks jokes here and there and makes us laugh.' We shouldn't be like some standing water in the hole, where insects are roaming and buzzing. We have to be like the seawater, like its waves, which come and take away all the sadness from other's heart." I miss his powerful bits of advice.

My grandfather was a very strong person. He never got tired by walking upstairs, where his room is. Even though, sometimes I feel tired by walking upstairs.

One day, I was suffering from a heavy fever for the past 7 days. On those days, he also had become weak. That night, I had my dinner early because of my heavy fever and went off to sleep.

In the middle of my sleep, I felt someone was shaking me. I opened my eyes and saw one of my cousins was standing in front of me with tears in her eyes. "Rifa, y-you have to wake u-up. Baba... Baba i-is not breathing." She stammered due to her sobs. And then, I felt that the world came crashing down on me.

I instantly got up from the bed and went outside the room. I saw everyone was crying and when I entered the room, there he was, laying on the bed, lifeless. Seeing him like that, I felt pain in my heart like someone had put the knife straight into my heart. I silently went towards him and sat down beside his legs. Tears escaped from my eyes and rolled down my cheeks. My mind went on that time when we used to talk, to eat together, the way he laughed, everything.

Thinking about that moments, the happiest moments of my life, I feel so much pain. He was gone and will never come back. May Allah grant him Jannah and bless him with full of happiness.

My grandfather was sweet, caring, kind-hearted. One of the best qualities I like in him was that he used to give charity to poor and needy people and cared for others. He didn't care about him.

Whenever someone asks for financial help, he used to provide him with the money without a second thought.

He always said, "I want to help others as much as I can. This is the purpose of my life. We have to help others. This is humanity. This is life..."

Baba, you are gone leaving us all alone. But you will always be alive in our heart...

--Rifa♥