It was 2 in the morning and I had my mathematics exam at 9. I was studying for it while fending off the beautiful embrace of slumber when suddenly, my stomach started growling badly; it’s feeding time!!!
So, I got up and went to the kitchen, and started hunting for something light to eat. I took out a packet of ramen noodles, put them in a saucepan, and started to prepare my midnight snack. When my noodles were ready, I took them out in a bowl and was about to start eating when my dad appeared out of nowhere; I nearly choked on my ramen. Before he could ask me why I was awake at that hour of the night, his eyes suddenly caught the sight of my noodle bowl; it was at this moment, I knew my dad was going to act like himself, and I was not in the mood for it.
Dad (out of nowhere): what do you call a fake noodle?
Me: I don’t know; we just call them noodles.
Dad: No, no, there is a name for fake noodles believe me….
Me: Ummm dad… I have a….
Dad: Come on… guess, please?
Me: Dad, I have my exam in the morning and I don't have enough brainpower left.
Dad: It is called an im-pasta, (and then he started laughing at his joke harder than he should have).
Me (couldn’t help but facepalm): Oh, dad! I thought you were going to be funny for once.
And then, there was silence for the following few seconds…… Awkward silence….
Dad: Okay, let’s check how well you are prepared for that exam tomorrow….
Me: Dad, I scored the highest marks in mathematics in the whole school.
Dad: Yes, I remember. So, I need to ask you something related to math… tell me how many lips does a flower have?
Me: Flower doesn’t have lips.
Dad: Wrong. You don’t know the correct answer, that why you are saying flowers don't have lips.
Me (sigh): Fine, tell the right answer?
Dad: It's Tu-lips.
Me (chuckling): That is too stupid to not laugh at. But nice try dad, still not funny….
Dad: come on, it is funny (going back to his room) also, try to get some sleep so you are well rested for your exam, not that you have much time left for it anyway…. But still….
Then he went into his room. A minute later, he was out again….
Me: what now dad? I was about to go myself….
Dad: I forgot to say goodnight.
Me: OMG!!!! Ok, fine… Goodnight, Dad.
And then we both went to our rooms…. He’s a laugh and a half, but I can't let him know that; it will fuel the goof inside him.
In the morning, my dad woke me up telling me that I am going to be late for the exam and I started panicking left and right, but as you will soon discover, I wasn’t getting late. My goofy dad had read the clock wrong.
He went into the kitchen and quickly fixed me some breakfast, he has a very caring nature that I love. He always makes my favorite, egg mayo sandwich whenever I am having a bad start to a day or have an exam.
We got done ASAP and I quickly got ready and rushed out, still carrying a few bites of my sandwich in my hands to eat it on the way to school. My dad did me the courtesy of driving me to school. While we were on the way, he kept motivating me with words of encouragement;
Dad: Don’t worry, you will do good in your exam, you have studied hard for it.
Me: Thanks dad, but Mr. David always surprises us by giving us something difficult in the exam (while taking the bite of the sandwich).
Dad: Well, if you have a sound grip on the topics, there is nothing for you to worry about. Just stay calm and focused on the exam. I know, you can do it!
On the way to our school, we were passing by the dinosaur statues we see every day.
Dad, while looking at the Dinosaurs statue started smiling, and I knew, he was about to let the classical dad inside of him come out.
Me (Annoyed): Dad, we see them daily on our way, why are you smiling like that? Focus on the road, please.
Dad: I know dear, but can you tell me what do you call a dinosaur when he smacks his car?
Me (oh boy): How would I know, dad?
Dad: Oh, I think you might, you just have to think a little harder.
Me: I don’t know, only you know stuff like this.
Dad (Smiling): They are called…. Tyrannosaurus wrecks (and then he started laughing like a lunatic fresh out of an asylum).
Me (couldn’t help but facepalm): Oh, Dad!!!
I decide to take out my journal to have one last look, on a spur of the moment, I realized that I forgot to bring my calculator with me.
Me (almost about crying): Dad, I forget to bring my calculator with me.
Dad: What? How can you forget your calculator when you have a math exam to take? How will you do the math, the addition…and the multiplication….. and, and the other stuff????
Me (almost crying): What do I do now?
As I said, my dad is a softie, so he decides to help me out yet again….
Dad: Don’t cry, sweety. I will make this right, just you watch….
He stopped at a nearby 24/7 mart and bought me a new calculator.
Dad: Take this one and do your best in the exam, and please stop crying… daddy is always here for you (kisses my forehead). We’re at school now, so go out and do your best.
Me: You know, you are the best. Thank you…
Then I left the car and went towards the school. It was at this moment that I realized that we were early, almost 1 and a half hours early. The school doors were shut and the clock read 6:30. Now that we knew dad had read the clock wrong, all he could say was;
Dad: Hey, you can never be too early, right?
Me: Oh Dad!!!!
We spend the rest of the time on the other side of the road, waiting for the school to open. I kept studying my notes and my dad, of course, fell asleep.
When the school opened, I was the first student in, which was a new experience for me.
When I was done with my exam and went out, I saw my dad standing outside the main gate, waiting for me. I was about to get to him when I noticed that he was wearing his pants inside-out and everyone around him was giggling. I started chuckling too and when I got to him, I brought it to his attention:
Me: hey dad, you are wearing your pants inside-out, just to let you know.
Dad: (despite his embarrassment) yeah well it’s fashion, look it up, sweetie. (looking at his pants all embarrassed, knowing that everyone around him was now laughing out loud).
Me: (Making fun of his inside-out pants while getting back to the car). Dad, at least check before you wear your pants to save yourself the usual embarrassment.
Dad: By the way, it was an accident. I didn’t do it on purpose you know, and I am embarrassed, and I am also sorry for making you uncomfortable in front of your friends. Although, everyone did laugh, including you, so I see myself as a source of joy and happiness for a lot of people.
Me: Yes, Dad. It’s a good thing that you make people laugh, but that doesn’t mean you give them a chance to make fun of you, right?
Dad: Right, I will be careful about it next time.
Me: Thanks, dad….
When I was done with the final exams. All of my friends made a plan to hang out somewhere to celebrate. All of us gathered to decide a place for the event. We finally decided to go to the beach. After I came back, I told my dad about our beach plan.
Dad (in a bit worried tone): You are too young to go to a beach alone. Can I join you guys (while laughing awkwardly)?
Me: Daddy, seriously? What are you going to do with a bunch of teenagers?
Dad (with a big smile on his face): I’m young at heart too, so I might become one myself.
Me (anxiously): Um, I don’t think it is such a good idea.
Dad (Laughing out loud): I was kidding. Of course, I won’t be going with you girls.
Me: Thanks, Dad. I was worried that either you were going to tag along or not let me go.
Dad: You know me better…
Me : Dad, How do you come up with all the jokes you tell?
Dad: They come naturally when you become a dad (with a big smile). Besides, You take care of yourself at the beach. I might be worried about you here.
Me (In a hurry to go for packing): Yes, Dad. I will.
Dad: I just like to make you smile kid, that’s all….
Me (Smiling): Can I go and pack the essentials for the beach?
Dad (nodding): Yes, you may and Hey, listen, don’t be too late.
After the conversation with dad, I went to my room and started preparing my backpack for the day. I completed my packing and got done with the preparations for the party we were going to have the next day.
I left early in the morning along with my friends after saying goodbye to my dad with his instructions for staying safe and sound.
We had a lot of fun at the beach with friends; from barbecuing to singing and playing games like volleyball, it was a fun day. One of our friends could play the guitar and we sang together. I also told my dad’s silly joke about the ocean waves upon which one of my friends said, he was right. I nodded and said yes only if we try to feel it.
We pack up our stuff and got back to our homes. My dad was waiting outside for me, sleeping on a chair in the garden. It was a little cold, so I get inside to get him a blanket. When I came back with the blanket, he was awake. He was looking at me with his half-opened eyes and smiling, asking me about my day.
Me (Nodding my head): We had a lot of fun. It was a good day with friends after such a long time.
Dad: Great. Good to know.
Me: Let’s go inside, dad. It is a bit cold outside.
Dad: Yes, we should am a little chili myself, get it, chili…
He never cares for himself, but for as long as he is telling me his weird jokes and being goofy all around me, I know he’s doing fine.
After saying goodnight to dad, I came to my room, change my clothes, and went to bed. I was laying on the bed and scrolling through my Facebook where I saw an emotional quote regarding fathers that says “When a daughter says ‘Daddy I need you!’ I wonder if she has any idea that I need her billion times more.” – Stanley Behrman. I couldn’t stop staring at that quote because whenever I needed help, my dad always had my back. But he never asked anything from me in return. I don’t even know how much he might be needing me for anything… or everything. Besides, I had made no time for him for the past few months and he still managed to make some for me daily. The quote motivated me to give some of my time to the only person who made time for me no matter how busy he was. So, I decided to spend the following day with him where I planned on asking him about things he would like to do. Then perhaps we would plan a trip together to have some quality father-daughter time.
Got up early in the morning before the daybreak and started fixing some breakfast for both of us. then my dad got us and came to the kitchen with expressions of delight on his face.
Dad (in a surprised tone): Wow, you got up before me today? And what are you doing in the kitchen?
Me: Well rise and shine sleepy head, I am making breakfast for us (taking out toasts from the toaster).
Dad: oh… wow…. Let me just brush my teeth and stuff…. (he left with a surprised yet delighted look on his face)
Me: Sure.
While having breakfast together;
Me: Dad, what are your plans for the rest of the day?
Dad (again in a surprised tone): Why? Is everything okay? I am getting a bit worried now. First, you woke up early, prepared breakfast for us, and now asking me my full day plans (with a tone of surprise).
Me: Nah, I don’t have anything going for me today. I just want to spend some time with you.
Dad: Sure. I have nothing special to do today either. I just have to go grocery and have some clothes for laundry and there is a cricket match I might watch today.
Me: Ok, we’ll be doing it together.
Dad: We will go grocery shopping after we’re done with breakfast.
Me (after getting ready with full energy): Let’s go dad.
When we got to the grocery store, it took us around 1-2 hours to get the groceries. On our way back home from the grocery store, we saw a new movie banner, it looked like some sort of imprisonment movie. We were discussing the theme of the movie when suddenly, one of my dad’s random joke clicked his mind and he went:
Dad: Do you know why a picture was sent to jail?
Me: Why??? (looking at him blankly)
Dad: Because it was framed (and then he started his famous monster laugh).
Me (facepalming): Oh, Dad!!! (I couldn’t help but laugh myself) I swear my grandparents must have been clowns or comedians…..
Dad: It runs in the family baby. But you still don’t have the humor like your dad (giggling).
Me (in a funny tone): Yes, my dad has the best humor in the world.
When we get back home. We had another task waiting for us. Dad and I went into the basement for laundry. We were just setting things up when he asked me:
Dad: Do you know how to make holy water?
Me: No, I cannot make holy water.
Dad: Yes, you can by boiling the hell out of it.
Me (although I was a bit annoyed, today was his day, so….): Oh, Dad!!! I think I should start taking classes from you on lame jokes (laughing).
Dad: Hey, I am always up for this. But I don’t think if you will ever take classes from me (in a sad tone).
Me: Daddy, you never know. I am your daughter (giving him the expression that I can be goofy too and thinking in my mind that it is in my genes).
After we got done with the laundry, we went into the kitchen to prepare our lunch. Once we were done, we sat down with it to watch the cricket match my dad wanted to see. During lunch, dad asked me;
Dad: I think you ought to know the famous cricket hero, right?
I started to think of the names of the best cricket players we have.
Dad: Think about it. Who is the one with the most sixers hit?
Me: I think Chris Gayle or Alaistair Cook.
Dad (smile on his face): No, that’s batman.
We stared at each other’s faces and started laughing uncontrollably. Oh, Dad!!!
Me: Dad, I am thinking if we can go on a trip this vacation?
Dad: Where do you want to go? You know your school will be opening soon.
Me: Oh, no! I don’t want to go on a long vacation. However, it can be for 2-3 days or even for like a day only if you have time then because I am only free for a few days and then, it will be all back to the usual routine.
Dad: Umm…
Me: C’mon, dad. We will have fun together.
Dad: Sure, but it will be for only 2 days because I can’t take long leaves from work right now.
Me: 2 days will be fine.
Dad: But where do you want to go?
Me: I am thinking of going camping in the forest. What do you think?
Dad: What do you even know about camping in the forest?
Me: Nothing in particular, but….
Dad: What do you know about the royalty of Forest?
Me (in a confusing tone): Umm what now?
Dad: I mean, I want to know, can you trust in forest royalty?
Me: No.
Dad: Why? (with a surprising tone)
Me: Because they’re always lion (chuckling)….
Dad: You got me this time (laughing)….
Me (smiling): Yeah well, I do learn from the best.