I was so happy when my dad called me at the office.
We hadn’t had a chance to talk like father and daughter for so many years.
In a joyful mood, he said, “Daughter, I want to ask for your forgiveness.”
I told him he hadn’t done anything wrong.
Our conversation ended on a very pleasant note.
A few months before that, I had spent some time with him and my younger siblings at his second home in Malacca.
I was so looking forward to seeing him again.
Life had been hard for us after my mother passed away and he remarried.
Due to a lot of family drama that I wanted to avoid, I was distanced from my father.
I couldn’t spend time with him like I used to.
All of these hurdles made me vow to leave the country and never come back.
One morning, as I was about to leave for work, my sister called.
She told me dad was in the hospital and asked me to come home immediately.
I fought to stay strong as I drove the long two hours from Shah Alam to Malacca.
It was Ramadan, and he had collapsed at the mosque during Taraweh prayers.
He was in a coma for about three days.
I wanted to stay with him, so I drove back to Shah Alam to get my things.
As soon as I arrived, my brother-in-law called and said my father was gone.
We were shocked even though we had expected it since the doctor had told me he didn’t have a chance to survive.
Looking back, I’m so grateful that I didn’t leave the country.
Had I gone, I would not have been able to see my father on his last day, and that would have been a regret for the rest of my life!
Deep down, I know my dad missed and loved me so much because I was his eldest daughter.
May Allah reward his sacrifice for raising his daughters and grant him the highest Paradise.
Ameen.
Al Fatiha to my beloved Ayah.
Stay kreatif,
Siti
