One of the things K Divya Varshini misses most about her father is seeing him faithfully waiting at the door whenever his children returned to their village.
Her 74-year-old father, V Krishnan, is among the Malaysians who remain uncontactable following the devastating floods that struck the Nepal-Tibet border on Aug 26.
Divya, 29, said her father would never go to sleep until all his children had arrived home safely. He would even prepare their beds beforehand so they could rest as soon as they arrived.
“Whenever Appa (father) knew his children were coming back to the village, he wouldn’t sleep until we arrived. He would wait for us at the door and make sure all the beds were ready so we could rest.
“I want to see Appa waiting at that door again. I just want Appa to come home. We are all waiting,” she told Sinar Harian.
Although Divya is now 29, she said her father has always treated her like his little child and remained deeply caring towards her.
One memory that particularly touches her is how Krishnan would check on her while she was sleeping at night, straighten her legs and tuck her in.
“Even though I’m 29 years old, I’m still Appa’s little child. In the middle of the night, Appa would come and see how I was sleeping, straighten my legs and cover me properly.
“I want Appa to come and check on me while I’m sleeping again. I really, really want to hug him,” she said.
As the youngest child, Divya said her father had always given her the freedom to express whatever was on her mind and in her heart.
Family members would often joke that she was the first child brave enough to raise her voice at her father. However, Divya said Krishnan himself had given her the space to speak openly.
“There is nothing to be proud of about that, but it was actually Appa who gave me the freedom to say whatever was on my mind and in my heart.
“No matter what, Appa would listen to me. A father’s love is truly the backbone of his children. Sometimes we may not see or hear it, but that love is always there,” she said.
Divya also recalled a special term of affection her father used for his children. Krishnan would often call them “amma”, which means mother in Tamil.
She said the affectionate nickname was his way of showing love towards his children.
“Appa always called us ‘amma’. That was his affectionate name for his children and I really miss hearing it.
“I want to hear Appa call me ‘amma’ again,” she said.
Divya also admitted that she remains haunted by regret over allowing her father to travel to Tibet.
“Appa, I miss you more than I can put into words. I often wish I had never allowed Appa to go. I just want Appa to come home.
“I want to hug Appa again. I miss and love you so much. Please come home, we are all waiting,” she said.
Krishnan, from Sungai Siput, Perak, was previously reported to be among the Malaysians who lost contact with their families after massive floods struck the Nepal-Tibet border on Aug 26.
He was taking part in a 14-day religious journey to Mount Kailash in Tibet and was scheduled to return to Malaysia tomorrow.
In the latest development, DNA samples from Krishnan’s family members were taken last Wednesday to assist with the identification process as authorities continue efforts to locate victims.
Meanwhile, the Malaysian Special Search and Rescue Team (SMART), comprising 11 officers and personnel, departed for Nepal on Saturday morning to assist in search and rescue operations in areas affected by the disaster.
