My First Glimpse Of My Dad (CONTD)

Mother,s prayers finally paid off., And one day the family received a telegram that Dad is being sent back to India (probably due to the operation).There was great relief in the house. However anxiety and worries still continued as the information came that many ships were being sunk/tarpeoed in the Gulf region. After passing some more anxiety full daye, we received a tellegram from our maternal uncle from Karachi That Dad has reached safely there and within a couple of days would be reaching Lahore . Then there was real relief and joy.
On the arrival day we reached Lahore station. Many relatives and friends accompanied us.Almost everybody had a garland in the hand. The train arrived .Every body rushed towards the compartment. We children and mother stood about 15 meters away, as though every body had more right to meet him than us.. However after a few minutes the gherao cleared ,and for the first times, I saw my Dad. A lean medium height man wearing a military uniform with a big smile stood looking at us (still 15 meters away).Hecarried attractive mouchtashe through which a proud face looked at us.We children almost ran towards him.He picked me up in his arms,hugged me and pastered kisses on my head and face.I kept looking at him. Ican still feel the warmth and breath of my Dad. He did not allow me to get down till we reached home.I do not remember how my mother met him.Those were still the conservative days.Almost 70 years have passed , but I still see myself in my Dad,s arms standind at Lahore raiway station before the railway compartment.The scene still brings in me a sense of joy and pride to be in Dad,s arms.

My First Glimpse Of My Dad

I was born at Paeshwar at a time when dark  clouds of Second World War were hovering over Europe. The
effect of these dark clouds took abiut a couple of years to spread over India and effect Indian,s life.My DAD who was working in Military Engineering Services was posted to Iraq War Front by the British.
I have vague memory , as a child of approx.of 3, my mother visiting various temples and priests and going on long Fasts and donating a lot of money along with many hours of prayers for the safe return of my Dad.
Dad had shifted us to Lahore, our native place before moving out to Iraq. Many relatives and neighbours would visit us to pay lip symphaties. Their talks like,Oh, poor lady, a mother of 5 daughter and a 3 year old son,how would she pull through--would dampen our spirits further. Mother being busy in worship and preyers,the day to day house hold affairs were taken care by the elder sisters. During this time mother was reduced to a skelton due to heavy fasting and worries.
After about 2 years stay iat the War Front, father suffered severe appandicitec pains, and as told later an immidiate operationh had to be performed in a tent on a working table and in the light of a kerosene lamp.
The operation was succesful. As to our good luck,and difinitly due to God listining to our mother,s prayers
a good Btitish surgeon was visiting the front at that time.But the moment Dad regained conciousness , he turned aroud on the table and fell down. the stiches had to be redone .Almighty was again with us.

My First Glimpse Of My Dad