Mary's imperfect tea

As an Asian Dad, Ramzan loved tea. He loved it so much that it disturbed his sugar levels. But tea couldn’t forsake him, nor could he forsake it.

He didn't just love tea. He loved many other things in his life. On the top of the list was his Daughter. He loved his daughter above everything. He would consider her as a best friend—treated her like a best and closest friend.

His beloved daughter, Mary, was an excellent cook, renowned within the family for her famous pulao. In addition to that, she excelled in the arts. Her teachers often told her father, “Your daughter is an all-rounder.” Although her teachers would always that she was good at everything, they would often say that she was not paying full attention to her studies.

Mary was not a dull student. She was indeed a lazy one. But still, by the grace of God Almighty, she would always pass the exams with grades that were a lot for herself and her father. Her 1st 'Parent-Teacher meet' in her college during 1st year was something unreal! Her principal ma'am was astonished too, that day.

On her PTM day, she, along with her father went to collect remarks and results of the first month's test from her teachers. Her computer teacher was chill as Mary was already a master of that absolutely pissed-off—100-year-old data in her book. English teacher gave the best remarks. But there was his physics teacher, ready to have a word with her father. He was all spiced up to set all the complaints of her physics result. But as a reaction, her father laughed at his complaint and told him to relax. Mary couldn't control her tiny laugh at that moment. He explained to the teacher how he wanted his daughter to be happy and to study only as much as she felt comfortable. All her teachers were surprised and the principal said she hadn't seen a single parent reacting that way!

Everything was perfect in her life. Only she knew how imperfect she was. Her father would always make her feel that she was the best! But she knew that she wasn't. There was a lot that Mary lacked. A lot . . .

She was just an ordinary girl like any other. She could always see the 'Lacks' in her personality, the deficiencies in her soul, the empty spaces, and the afar goals that she needed to achieve. She knew she wasn't a step closer to 'great' —'perfect' didn't stand a chance. She never wanted to be perfect. And that's what her father used to tell her, that she was better the way she was! She didn't need any perfection. Yet, she never felt alone. And sad? There wasn't a chance.

But there was another side too; Mary usually used to cry alone. She cried with a heavy heart. She cried when she thought 'if there would be any other person in her future who would love her even a bit as compared to her father. She could never express to her father in words what he meant to him! She would wonder and cry thinking whether she deserves her father or not. While knowing the answer that he was a great blessing of God for her and she didn't deserve such an angel. She would feel hopeless just to imagine what she would do without him. She would cry in the dark to measure the grief when he'd be gone. She would tremble to see the fathers of other girls compared to hers.

Her Biggest fear was to lose him. She would pray to God to take her soul when He would be taking her fathers.

As much as Ramzan loved tea, Mary wasn't good at making it. And she knew that. Even if someday she thought that she did a good job she would spill a little in that tray. Spilling tea was her usual act. But every time that happened, she knew that the person she was presenting the tea wouldn't be offended but would be thanking her.

One day, she asked her father, "Papa, I feel like I'm way too careless when giving you tea. Tell me honestly! Does it bother you when I spill it in the tray?" To which his father masterly replied, "My princess! You're an artist and this is your art. I love your tea and the spill." She laughed at his response but internally she was even more deeply touched.

There was no reason for her not to worry about the fact that they won't be together forever!

Mary was an imperfect girl with her imperfect tea. Her father was everything for her. And the only person she loved the most in the world!

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At present, Mary doesn't feel any different. Her love for her father is beyond words.

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Author's note;

I love you Papa <3

Mary is ......

Do you have such a person in your life that you fear losing? A person who is every reason for your smile? Let me know if you have an emotional connection like that.

Thank you for sharing your precious time to read it.