Life was always exciting to the core when my Dad was alive and kicking. I recollect he was a man of action despite being a public sector employee ( Indianoil Corporation ). He proved a point that life is a journey, enjoy the drive.
Some of the action stuff he undertook were amazing, once he bought a caravan, I mean a trialer type of vehicle. We were surprised to find a French couple were invited to stay at home and spend a few days. The Frenchie gave us good lesson of playing chess, they stayed with us for 4 days and as guest, of course they slept in their caravan for privacy and safety of their belongings.
Once he got my brother released from being caught by the cops for rash driving and without license. He had to apologise on his behalf to the ACP and from that time onwards my brother was known as Always caught by the Police ( ACP )
He was a mentor for me to the core, taught me the basic principles of safe car driving, saved me from embarassment with one Hardcore HR from BEL for uttering word like yeah, which was termed offensive, whereas dad considered it as Yankee doodle style of current generation. Under his tutlege I was initiated to social drinking beer @ KSCA club house. He sacrifised his outing on car and gave him his vehicle on Sundays for taking my friends to play cricket matches, He used to silently come and watch me play cricket on his bike and push off from Gymkhana as soon as my batting was over. He never encouraged any partiality unlike my mom, he was considered our needs on merit. At the same we ( self and sister ) never asked him anything out of turn. I remembered he gave me 10 k loan to buy a bike but instead I spent it on upkeep of the car for him to use after retirement.
I remember he gave me wonderful company when he was retired and I had met with a minor accident. I would have been bored to death but for his company. He was excited to watch Benson and Hedges in 1996, which saw the dawn of Jaysuria and Kalu with their pinch hitting. All my colleagues used to visit our place and enjoy a drink.......and he never minded except that it was trouble some for my wife to cook. He used to say you are troubling my Dil ( daughter in law ) too much. Last but not the least his parting words " You are late by 3 decades to his ex girl friend " was the icing on the cake for a sportive dad. I owe it to you Dad forever.
R.I.P K.N.DEREBAIL ( 1931 - 1996 )
