25/07/2025
Yeh le khulle paise”
My father says every time I leave home for work,
Even now. Even though I earn.
“Papa ab mai kamati hu”
I say this every time, he still puts some
“khulle paise” in my hand.
I live away from home for work, and every time I’m about to leave,
my father quietly offers me some loose cash.
₹10, ₹50, ₹100
whatever he has in his wallet.
A few notes wrapped in care, without saying too many words.
I usually say,
“Areyy nahi merko nahi chahiye. Aapko zarurat ho toh mujhe bolna.”
And my mom gently interrupts,
“Jab papa paise de, toh rakh lene chahiye.”
So I take a few notes.
Return the rest.
And he smiles. Every time.
We’re not a hug-each-other, say I-love-you kind of family.
But when he proudly tells people,
“Meri beti kaam karti hai hyderabad mein,”
That moment? That pride in his voice?
It says everything.
Even when things are tight at home, he makes sure I don’t leave empty-handed.
Even if I don’t need it,
I get it now.
It’s not about the money.
It’s about protection. Stability.
Love, just not the kind that’s loud.
My father doesn’t say much.
He’s the kind of man who helps everyone, even if it costs him something.
And when I think about how I learned to speak up, work hard, or just quietly show up for people
It’s him. Always has been.
He taught me that strength doesn’t need to shout.
We don’t talk money.
But every time he hands me a ₹100 note,
I’m reminded:
Sometimes, love is just a few “khulle paise” quietly slipped into your hand.
