The exams had finally ended, and Mirshad felt an overwhelming sense of relief. His vacation was here, and with it, the hope of traveling to exciting places with his father. He imagined visiting relatives, going on trips, and enjoying every moment with his family. It was supposed to be the best vacation ever. But things didn't go as planned.
At first, Mirshad didn't notice the changes. He was too busy dreaming about the places they would go. But soon, the reality began to settle in. His father, who once promised trips and adventures, was now barely at home. He had lost his job, leaving the family in financial distress. Worse yet, he was in debt to several people after borrowing money for his sister's wedding. It became a struggle just to put food on the table, and the weight of these burdens consumed his father.
Mirshad's dream of a perfect vacation started to fade as his family's situation grew more complicated. The house he had grown up in, the one filled with memories, was sold. His father had no choice but to sell it to cover the debt. The family moved to a small rented house, and with it, Mirshad's hope of traveling vanished. He didn't understand why things had changed so drastically—why his father no longer talked about trips, why they had to leave their home, or why his father was always absent.
All Mirshad could do was cry and throw tantrums, desperate to get his father's attention. He was too young to realize the heavy struggles his family was facing. To him, it felt like a cruel injustice, a broken promise that shattered his childhood dreams. His younger brother, still too little to understand anything, was no help either. The weight of these feelings left Mirshad angry, confused, and heartbroken.
Weeks passed, and Mirshad became increasingly aware that his father was never home. He'd always hear about how his father returned late at night, well after Mirshad had fallen asleep. But he didn't want to hear stories—he wanted to see him. One evening, overwhelmed with frustration, Mirshad turned to his mother with tears in his eyes.
"Why don't I ever see Baba? Where is he?" he asked, his voice trembling.
His mother, exhausted but patient, looked at him with understanding. "He comes home very late, Mirshad. You're always asleep when he arrives. He's working hard, trying to fix things."
That answer wasn't enough for him. He needed to see his father. So, determined not to miss him again, Mirshad made up his mind to stay awake, no matter how late it was. He waited by the door, his small body fighting off the exhaustion. Hours passed, and finally, after what seemed like forever, he heard the door creak open.
His father stepped inside, looking worn and defeated. His eyes were hollow from long days and even longer nights. He hadn't expected to see anyone awake, but there was Mirshad, sitting quietly, waiting for him. His father stopped in his tracks, his tired eyes widening in surprise.
Without a word, Mirshad ran toward him. His father knelt down, and they embraced, the silence between them saying more than words ever could. His father held him tightly, his rough hands caressing his son's back, as if apologizing for every moment he had missed.
Tears welled up in Mirshad's eyes as he felt his father's kiss on his forehead. He could feel the exhaustion in his father's embrace, the weight of his struggles. In that quiet moment, Mirshad understood one thing—his father hadn't abandoned him. He was fighting for him, for their family, even if it meant he couldn't always be there.