Message from Dad

(Baonghean) - I cried a lot when I read and re-read that last message. Even after that, many times I still think about that message from my father and can't stop myself from crying.

If you draw a picture of a family, the father is naturally the most “hidden” and obscure character next to the mother and child. Indeed, have you ever asked yourself: What is Dad doing?

When looking for something, the first question is always “Mom, have you seen where I put it?”. Why not ask Dad, when Mom and I are usually the most and second most absent-minded people in the house…

Whenever I come home from somewhere, I always ask, “Where is Mom, Dad?” I know Dad often has to go on business trips or stay up all night, but he still wants me to look forward to him…

The whole family went on a trip, mother and child dressed up, took beautiful photos, checked in on Facebook and received compliments from everyone. Dad was busy with the suitcases, or was absorbed in studying the map of entertainment spots, or was rushing to find water for mother and child to drink...

I study far from home, if I call my mother, we can chat for hours, but when my father picks up the phone, he just asks a few questions and then says, "When mom comes home, tell her to call you." Oh, is talking to dad that boring?

The first time I learned to walk and fell, I was bullied at school, I was criticized by my boss at work, I had an argument with my boyfriend, the day I wore a wedding dress and got into the wedding car, when my first child was born... in those happy or sad moments, I cried out "Mom". In fact, Dad was always there, watching and ready to reach out to support me whenever I was weak, even when I didn't call out...

Illustration: Huu Tuan

I have a story about my father that I want to tell you. When I was 15, I went to study abroad. My father was the one who took me to a boarding school. After completing the procedures and buying me the necessary things, he rented a room near my school for a week. During that time, my father did nothing but hang around the school grounds, wait for me to finish school, eat with me, ask me how I felt about my first day of school, if the teachers and friends were friendly, if I was missing anything...

A week passed in the blink of an eye, on the last day before Dad returned home, he called me to talk to Mom. The conversation was filled with tears and Mom's advice - as usual. Dad waved goodbye to me and got into the car. My phone vibrated: A text message. I don't remember the full content of it later, but I remember very clearly one sentence: "Mom, Dad, and your sister are always with you. Dad loves his daughter very much."

I cried a lot when I read and re-read that last message. Many times after that, I still think about that message from my father and cannot stop myself from crying. That was one of the rare times my father showed his affection for me. A strange message but not strange at all, because I know that my father has always been watching over me since I was born, and will always be like that.

Later, when my first child was born, I thought I would still call out “Mom,” but deep inside I had a sobbing voice that couldn’t be spoken. And I knew for sure that Dad would hear it.

Hai Trieu