Unforgettable Memories

                Arya wanted to be alone for a while and library was the best place to be. House will be full in a few minutes filled with friends and family. Her mom was busy with the caterers ensuring that everything was in place. She was a perfectionist and was bossing around everyone and was not an easy person to please. Arya knew that this was not the time to interfere in her mom’s business even though she knew she was getting on everyone’s nerves. She choose to isolate herself from the chaos in the house.

                She loved the library ever since she was a child. She always used to come and hide when she was playing hide and seek with her cousins. She knew all the hiding places in the library. Her dad would always encourage her. She always felt she was his favorite. She was more like her dad, who was a man of few words. On the contrary, her mom was an extrovert and very social, hence the anticipation of a huge crowd later that day.

                She picked up the stack of the old albums from one of the corner shelves. It brought back wonderful memories and a gently smile creeped in the corner of her lips. Her dad always loved to spend time with her and her siblings. She was the youngest of the three siblings and there was always someone to take care of her, defend her and to protect her. They both were older to her by five and seven years respectively and she was always the baby of the family.

                Her dad never treated her as a baby, he made her feel special. Gave her responsibilities and she helped him with organizing his files, books, and with many other things. It was a big deal for her at that time and made her feel so proud. He handled civil cases and even though she had no idea what it really was, he used to get visits from many important personnel like politicians, doctors, business owners. He used to introduce her as his little helper. She was allowed to sit in the office and do her homework; none of her siblings had the privilege.

                She came across a picture of her father holding her hand and going on a walk. Her brother had gotten a new camera for his birthday and had taken that picture. That is when he had asked her what she wanted to so when she grew up. She has said she wanted to have lots of money so she can help people. He had said that there are many ways she can help people and she should do what makes her happy. Money should never be your primary objective. If you do what you like you will be happy with what you have.

                Her father had been suffering from frequent headaches and he had spoken with her recently. She had asked him to go see a local neurologist. She was out of the country and had planned to visit him once she was back.  When she got an unexpected call from her mom with the news that her father suffered a stroke and had been hospitalized, she was on the next flight.

Her siblings were there; her aunt was there beside her mom, a full support system and Arya Renganathan now a renowned surgeon, jumped into full gear and was talking to the neurologist, her father’s primary physician, looking at all the test results, calling for a second opinion, checking his charts and doing everything in her power to ensure everything that can be done is being done.

Her dad was slowly slipping into a coma. That is when her mom put her foot down and asked her to stop being a doctor and had said, “He is deteriorating and you know it. He needs his daughter not a doctor. If you don’t spend this time with him you will regret it.” Mom was right, she was always right. Arya's eyes were getting misty. She cherished the last days she spent with her father before he slipped into a coma and passed away.

Her mom came into the room. Saw her looking at the pictures of her with her father. Gently touched her shoulder and said, “Arya, its time. All the guests have arrived. You ready say a few words about your father?  If  you are not I can ask… ”  Before her mom could finish the sentence Arya  reponded, “Yes. Mom. I am ready. Don’t forget I am my father’s daughter and gave a peck on her cheek” and walked out of the room.

Her mom responded, “Yes. You are. More than you know.” and followed her closing the door behind her.