“Mano, do you know when Father’s Day is celebrated?” Ali asked his sister.

“Yes, it is going to be celebrated on June 19 this year. Yesterday me and my friend were talking about it,” Mano replied.

“Do you have any idea how we should celebrate this day and make it memorable for Dad?” Ali asked while thinking.

“Hmm… I was thinking about it too and have some ideas,” Mano answered excitedly.

“What are you kids talking about?” their mum enquired while entering their room.

“Mum, you know after almost one week it is going to be Father’s Day and we were thinking to celebrate and make it memorable for dad,” Mano said intently.

“Oh, I am surprised that my kids remembered the day! Well, I am thinking of cooking the favourite dishes of your father. You both should think of ways to decorate the house beautifully,” mum said.

“That will be great!” exclaimed Mano and Ali together.

“As for now, go and freshen up and then study. We will plan more later,” mum said while leaving their room.

Both of them got up smiling and thinking of hundreds of ways to celebrate Father’s Day. Mum went to the kitchen, and Mano and Ali started doing their homework. But soon Ali noticed Mano deep in thoughts so he asked what the matter was.

“Ali, I was thinking that our parents do everything for us and in return they want nothing. Isn’t it bad that we never think about them and are always concerned about our needs?” Mano replied.

Ali nodded and said, “You are right, Mano. Mum and dad work really hard for us and fulfil our needs. Dad gets up early in the morning and goes to work and, sometimes due to workload, he comes late in the night. Despite all that, he tries to fulfil all his duties as a father.

“You know Mano, he is my hero. He is my strength. He doesn’t only support us financially, but also clears all the obstacles that come in our way. Similarly, mama is always there to give her us her full attention, cooks for us, sacrifices her comfort all day for our well-being. How pure is the love of parents!” Mano’s eyes filled with tears.

“I want to add one more thing Ali, that sometimes we are too engrossed in our lives that we don’t pay proper attention to our parents, especially when they ask something and we give them the shortest of replies, which is absolutely wrong. We should listen to whatever they say properly and answer them well. We must also study hard to take good grades,” said Mano, wiping her tears.

Meanwhile, the door-bell rang. Ali shouted, “It’s Baba!” as their father entered the house smiling. Ali and Mano ran to hug him.

After a little while, their mum said, “Alright all of you, please hurry, the dinner is ready!”

It was a fabulous day for the whole family as they all talked about various things over dinner and later had a good night sleep. From the next day, all three of them, Mano, Ali and their mum, kept preparing for the surprise celebration for the Father’s Day.

Mano drew a family picture with her crayons, Ali bought balloons and candles and was writing a poem which he planned to sing that day. In short, a lot of things were being planned and prepared.

Finally, when the Father’s Day came, both Ali and Mano came from school and immediately started decorating their house. Mum made a chocolate cake and other dishes. Mano decorated a family picture beautifully. So when it was time for their dad to arrive in the evening, they were all set and ready for the celebration. The doorbell rang, it was their father on the door.

All smiled to each other and then, Ali opened the door. Their father entered the house and he was surprised to see beautifully decorated walls with fairy lights and balloons. Ali and Mano cried out together, “Happy Father’s Day!”

Ali took his guitar and started singing the poem that he made especially for his father. It was unexpected for their father. He was so happy and full of emotions that he could not say a word. His eyes just welled up and he hugged them tightly.

While this celebration took place on Father’s Day, Ali and Mano continued with their resolution to be very good kids and pay extra attention to their parents’ wishes and needs — after all, Father’s and Mother’s Day should be celebrated all through the year!

Published in Dawn, Young World, June 18th, 2022