Today, as I lie down on the bed,
I see the empty space and the pillow where my daughter rested her head and dreamt of so many dreams-some I know and some may lay hidden in her heart.
She has gone to fulfill her dream of becoming a doctor, the dream she has been cherishing for many years.
Her smile on the photographs, her text messages with emojis are now my constant companions and I adore them to fill my empty spaces.
There was a time when I was busy and she had ample time, but now the game is different.
I wait for her messages and miss her cuddles when she hugged me on my days of exasperation.
She is my pillar now, my friend, my guide who fills me with strength and courage in my despondent days.
As I look around the rooms, the walls filled with formulas, the doors with her schedules and her desk with her books, I feel to touch her, move my fingers on her soft flesh and tell her again that she is the most wonderful person in my life- a blessing, a boon I was endowed with for all my good deeds.
And when my heart chokes with her separation, I remind myself that one day she will be a boon for many unprivileged.
Sacrifice and patience are the two best companions to groom one's life and so the tree endures it all.
It takes much time for the tree to bear a fruit, but when it is full, it's boughs become heavy with fruits laden.
Such is the joy of the tree that it dances with pride for its bounty and the farmer who plucks it cherishes all for its exuberance.
It has never been easy and will never be easy for us but God who has always been with us will show us a day when the separation brings in union, and a time ushers in for victory and ecstasy.

Prasupta Roy