SUPER HERO

A superhero is a type of heroic stock character, usually possessing supernatural or superhuman powers, who is dedicated to fighting the evil of his/her universe, protecting the public, and usually battling supervillains.

But do you know a real life superhero who doesnot need any supernatural or superhuman powers?

There is only one person who could be on your mind right now and that person is a father.

I would like to write about those expat fathers who sacrifice their whole lives for the sake of their family’s happiness and stay away from the country.

 When someone tells that he works in a gulf country we get a picture of lavish and modern lifestyle. But no one has an idea that how many sacrifices they have to go through in order to provide for the needs of a family back there.

When I was a high school girl I was very proud that my father worked in gulf. My friends would wait for my father to come for vacations so they could get a bite of those chocolates wrapped in a very fancy pack. They would even keep those wrappers safely so they could show off among others. I used to look forward for my dad’s arrival in the airport. I could witness that happiness in his eyes when he sees his family after a gap of one year. The most exciting part was when he would open up his luggage and distribute the things bought. He made sure to bring everything which we listed. Those two months would pass away in a blink of eye. We made sure to spend every second with him and make it memorable. The day when he finally had to go back was the most crucial one. We would never be able to hold back our tears but he had a strong power of smiling in that moment also.

 Every night we waited for his call. Those few minutes were enough for him to pass the rest of the months over there. I never knew what he may be going through there. How hard it would have been for him to stay there alone? Finally one day when I arrived as an expat I came to know the pain one has to go through. I saw the way he worked to make us independent and live a life of ease. Every month when he received the salary he would not wait for a minute to reach the exchange office and send it to my mom, who would manage the expenses. They work the whole year just to make their families live a happy and peaceful life. There are days when they break down and fall ill, but never do they complain or let anyone know about it.

This one incident opened my eyes and showed the reality of expat fathers. Once, my dad’s friend had given us a visit. After having a casual chat I came to know that he worked in a hardware shop, he was not paid wages since 6 months and tears welled up in his eyes. That scene just broke my heart. There are a number of people who work under these conditions being helpless. They have a fear that maybe if they went back, there would be no one who would support them financially and emotionally.

Another incident was when I heard a man who was speaking to his fellow mate about how his family always complains about his bad choice about certain things. Whenever he took any gifts they would just thrash it without even thinking that he had to earn really hard to buy those. Some people even say that their families remember them only when they are in need of money. Whenever they ring them up the first thing they would be asking is “ how much you have” not  “how are you?”.

I also would like to mention that some people are expert in judging. When an expat thinks thousand times to buy something for himself there are many who call him stingy. For those people I would say that he is not stingy, he just has a family who depend on his earnings. He is just thinking maybe that money may help his family in any way.

 I have also seen many cleaners and workers who work under the hot sun with great difficulty. The only time they get to rest is when they are home. There are so many who stay hungry so that he can sponsor his child’s education, marriage, home etc. some even though they are unwell work under dire conditions.

On the occasion of father’s day I would like to salute and appreciate those heroes whose sacrifices are unseen. These selfless superheroes never prefer money or material things; all they want is peace of mind and love. When they are back home make them feel good and never hurt them. Never judge a gift by its look, even though you don’t like it, admire it and thank him and always remember he has worked very hard for it. Every family should remember that the life of comfort and bliss which they are living is because of the sweat of an expat. I have heard someone say that, An expat is like a candle, he gives light to the whole world but keeps melting down inside.

I pray to The Almighty to give strength, patience and good health to all those expats and bless them.