The Hero

Part 1:

Its most innovative technology every built and my father is the lead working on it, young Zian was beaming with pride when he was speaking in school, about his parents.

Studying in 8^th grade in a prestigious school, Zian was good in studies, sports and theatre club. He had heard stories of his great grandparents moving from Karachi during partition without any money, settling in a northern India town, making their livelihood by selling sweets and snacks.

 Zian’s grandfather continued family business but ensured his son Parth, studied well and got him admitted to prestigious engineering college in the country.

Joining the emerging IT Industry, Parth quickly raised the corporate ladder with high value projects, client exposure, awards, foreign travels and perks.

Zian had seen all these from his babyhood and was always proud of his father’s work, and dreamt to be like one in future.

In fact, he had spoken about Parth’s work in his school and among his friends, describing him as HERO and model for him.

Though he didn’t know exactly what work they do in Parth’s company, he knew his father is having high responsibility, hence spent long hours in office, late evenings in calls and burns midnight oil closing pending tasks.

Though Parth was affectionate towards his family, there was strict unwritten rule that when he is at work no one should disturb, even knock the home office room and allow him to be on his own.

Parth ensured to devote his weekends with family, taking Zian on trips, restaurants, movies and spend on shopping.  Occasionally he was speaking on his project at high level, technology he works and how innovative it is. He always spoke positive on the work and talk about him as a valuable team member for his company with high responsibility and authority.

No doubt, Parth was Zian’s Hero... a highly respected leader working on cutting edge projects, connecting with people across the continents.

Part 2:

Do you have any sense? A voice from laptop was shouting at Parth. What is the point of you being a leader when you can’t close things in deadline? This is highly irresponsible behavior.

Parth had joined this company as Project Head few years ago, owning to the latest technology he will work and yes, huge money he will earn.

With big wallet came bigger ambitions, new car & villa and higher EMI’s

Parth tried explaining that the timeline of project was too short and there was dependency on many stakeholders but the other side was not ready for any conversation, it was monologue went on against Parth & his team, in hardest words.

This was routine for him to hear such things in various internal forums, a secret which he never disclosed at home. With EMI’s in front of him, he was adjusting to such things.

Part 3:

In midst of a summer night, Zian was not getting proper sleep. Waking up for water, walked across to kitchen when he saw his father’s office room lights were on and he had not closed doors.

Curious to know what work he must be doing, Zian walked slowly towards the room, when screaming of office superiors was heard, humiliating his father.

Parth, had closed his eyes while listening to the usual scolding’s he gets in meetings without realizing the door was kept open that day and his son stood nearby.

Zian was shocked, his hero was getting questioned, humiliated and not allowed to speak. His imaginary figure started to shake and eyes became moist.

When the call ended, Parth opened his eyes to see his traumatized son standing near door with stunned looks and tears rolling down the cheeks.

Pappa, you are still my Hero, exclaimed Zian.

Drops fell on the laptop keyboard, from Parth’s eyes.

Disclaimer: All the incidents, characters, names are fictitious and any resemblance to anyone or events is pure coincidence.