"Both the mother and baby are healthy," informed the nurse.

"And?" he asked, eagerly.

"Oh yes! Congratulations! It's a boy," she added.

He smiled and thought, 'Looks like I lost the best. Anyways, it's your health that matters the most.'

"When can I see them?" he asked.

"You need to wait for some more time," she requested.

Giving a nod, he waited, drowning in a string of thoughts. 'I had made a promise that I won't be like my father.
I won't be a coward like him, running away from my problems. I will face them.
I won't burden my son with some unrealistic expectations and our unfulfilled dreams.'

"You can meet them," the nurse informed, breaking his reverie.

Trudging to the room, he saw his wife resting on the bed. In the cradle was his son, in cheerful spirits. As he looked at his son, playing in the cradle, he pondered, 'I will try to be a better father. Yet, I know that my shortcomings will help you grow as a person.'

As he lifted his son, he felt the burden relieving.

***

Wrote this piece 2 years ago but never posted it till now.

Thank you for reading.