It’s 6 A.M. Vikram wakes up before the alarm goes off. He has a long day ahead. Silently he tip-toes in his daughter’s bedroom, covers her bare toes and heads to the kitchen.
Each morning, he remembers his wife and misses the enticing aroma coming from the kitchen that would absorb the home when he used to wake up. So much had changed since the past one year. It’s difficult to be a single dad he wonders as he boils milk for his daughter. But then his daughter comes and gives him a big hug and a peck on the cheek. ‘Good Morning Papa, I love you’ she says. Embraced in a bear hug, Vikram forgets his miseries and happily gets back to making his daughter her favourite breakfast.
Back after dropping Ria to school, Vikram gets to check on the emails. Giving up a high paying job to be a stay at home dad and to work from home was the toughest call he had to make. But Ria deserved it after losing her mom at the tender age of 10. She needed him and Vikram thought it was the right decision for him to take at that time. Thinking about how much he enjoyed having his morning cup of coffee with his office colleagues he gets on to check his emails.
The washing machine is whirling in the background as he answers the doorbell. Thankfully the maid has arrived today and he will have more time to concentrate on building his business.
After having lunch with Ria once she arrives from school, Vikram helps her with her homework. He thanks his stars that Ria is a bright and independent child so he can manage to raise her single-handedly.
Evenings are the most fun times that Vikram spends with Ria. They visit the club for a swim or visit the library.
Both of them love reading books and look forward to bedtime reading time together after having dinner.
He pretends to be asleep each night while reading the book as he treasures this moment the most. Ria removes his reading glasses, tucks him to bed, kisses him and says sweet nothings into his ears just as her mother used to do to her before going to her room to sleep. As she leaves, a tear settles on his cheek and he awaits a silent sleep.
I am taking part in the Write Tribe Festival of Words #6 and dedicate my post for today to all the single dads. It is my first attempt at writing a story, please provide me with your feedback on it. I will really appreciate it as participating in this challenge has been a huge learning experience for me and I aim to improve my writing skill through this attempt.
Featured image courtesy: Pixabay
This is beautiful and quite heartwarming. I can never imagine how a single parent manage everything in tough times. Maybe, the love of kid is what keeps the zeal alive. Loved the piece, Aesha! Beautifully written ?
Thanks a lot for reading. Yes it’s difficult for a single parent.
How nice that your single dad became a single mom instead. Not many fathers would do that – infact they would probably go on being dad and farm out a 10 year old to a boarding school….
Its a fictional piece. I feel single dads are acknowledged much so used the prompt to write about them for the writing challenge by Write Tribe in August.
Very beautiful and touching story and the emotions can see in each and every word. Single parenting is difficult for both mother and father and you show how dad take care of his daughter very lovingly. The story left me with tears.
Thanks Minakshi for your wonderful encouraging words. Single parenting is sometimes heart breaking.
We hear so many stories of single moms. High time we all start acknowledging the hard work that single dads or in that case any dad pits in. Lovely read!
This is such a touching story dear . You definitely have a way with words. Single parenting is very difficult, I think for both for a parent and for the child ..
Life of a singl parent whether mother or father Is difficult! Kudos to them who do it all for their kids
life of single parent is tough I was never this emotional before But seriously I wish to stay on this earth till my son is a responsible adult and this story made me sentimental
I loved your story. You do not need any suggestions to improve your writing style as you are too good at it. I always look forward to your write-ups .
That means a lot Vidhi. Thanks
This is a lovely post. How important a dad is in a child life is truely reflectd from here. Thanks for sharing
Thanks for reading
It was a lovely read. We need to appreciate dad more often
Posts like this make people recognize the unnoticed efforts that dad’s make to grooming and nurturing kids. It’s lovely to read ..
THis is such a such a sweet write up! Intrigued to know more though 🙂
Beautifully expressed . Although I want to know more. What happens next. It’s just a day of their life’s.
Thanks Danisha. It was for a writing challenge but many readers expressed to know about what happens next so I should build the story further I guess. Thanks for reading.
Aesha, I could feel your words. Nice flow, with a touch of warmth you have given to the story. You certainly have lot of potential to write stories. nicely done job..
Thanks a lot Alpana … This means a lot.
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Lovely read 🙂 Struggles of a Father.
Beautiful story aesha..keep writing..
Thanks Priya
I have a friend raised by a single father. People talk so much about single mothers and not much has been highlighted about the everyday struggles of a single dad. I am glad you chose to write about this. Thank you for sharing!
Yes that is true. Single dads should be acknowledged. I am glad you liked the post.
Very touching. Brought tears to my eyes. ?
It is a huge compliment that my words moved you.
Please do write more fiction. You certainly have the gift of story-telling! Enjoyed reading this.
Thanks Sreedeep. I will now write certainly. I am grateful to write Tribe members for motivation
We’ll all be there to cheer for you always! 🙂
Lovely story. Such a nice take on the prompt. Keep writing more stories 🙂
Thanks Reema. I am more motivated to do so after attempting this challenge
Aesha, this is a good take on the prompt. You have deeply touched the emotions of single dads.
Thanks Geethica. I really appreciate your feedback on my post.
Nice read. Heart warming and fuzzy 🙂
Thanks a lot.
Loved your take on the prompt. You should write more fiction 🙂
Thanks Zainab. That’s encouraging.
Being a single parent is never easy. The ending is so heartwarming. Beautiful write.
Thanks Rajlakshmi
Awww I just Loved it , especially when he pretends to be sleeping , this is real love story
Thanks a lot for reading
Very touching story n very well written.
Keep it Ayesha.
Looking forward for such lovely stories.
Thanks Snehal.
I loved this story..it resonated with my life…My dad was a single Dad who raised me single-handed after my Mom passed away..I could see my Dad in Vikram..great post..
Thanks Balaka. Kudos to your dad.
What I loved most about reading this post is that it talks about a father and his morning. I see a few fathers who do the same because their wives have to go to work. So these daddies stay at home, work from home or whatever is true for them. The ending where he pretends to doze off and his daughter winds up moistened my eyes quite a bit.
Thanks Anamika. I felt the need to write a post on dads . They also need to be acknowledged. I am glad you liked the post as it is my first attempt to write a story .
Thanks Anamika. I am glad you liked my take on the prompt.
Its beautifully written. I like that the single dad pretends to sleep. It brings out his emotions. Good one.
Thanks Lata.
This has been done so beautifully Aesha, loved how you choose the prompt to talk about a day in the life of a Dad who is the primary caregiver.
This means a lot Akshata . I was very apprehensive attempting to write this but this challenge has really been a big morale booster for me and I wanted to write something different as I had already shared my personal stories. Thanks a ton dear friend .
Poignant read Aesha. Loved it 🙂
Thanks Natasha. First attempt. It’s raw but I am happy I tried.
I think it’s nice?