At the beginning of last month, it occurred to me that there was a day of great significance around the corner. I thought I needed to prepare a gift for the occasion.

So much loaded is my schedule that I have no time to spare except 10 minutes before I return to the dorm for the night after evening classes daily. One evening, the moment the bell rang, I tore out of the classroom and hurried into the school shop. There were all kinds of merchandise on sale in there, but none could be of any use to the unique person on my mind. To be honest, I even did not have a clue as to what he liked or needed. Time running out, I was flustered. I had only ten minutes. I ended up picking up a pink heart-shaped card.

Back in the dorm, I started to scribble on the card. Seeing the pink stationery, my dorm mates got curious and asked me, “For whom? For whom?” They all were carrying a wicked grin on their faces. Oh, the girls must believe I was crushing on a boy in our class.

“For the most handsome person in the world,” I replied matter-of-factly, in a tantalising tone. “His birthday is on the way!” I went on writing on the card. The crazy girls all responded with a big “Wow”. My answer strengthened their conviction that I was in love. That effect was what I wanted, anyway.

Saturday came. It was October 22 in the Chinese lunar calendar. After school I ran out of the gate with the gift in my hand. I saw the guy standing there in the cold wind waiting for me.

At a distance, I yelled, “Happy birthday, Dad!” my arms waving in the air.

When I put the gift in Dad’s hands, the pink card plus a hand warmer, I saw many a grey hair on his head. Dad was no longer as young and strong a man as I remembered, but he was still the most handsome guy under the sun in my eyes.

Heart melted by the surprise I had prepared, Dad was all smiles. Obviously, he could not have been more pleased. I was a bit guilty, though. This was his 45^th birthday, but I had never given him any presents or greetings on the previous 44 birthdays. Now a high school student, I am often so tied up by endless homework on the weekend that I do not even have time to talk with him. Dad helps to tidy up my messy room and to sort out my papers, books and stationery, but I seldom say thanks.

A police officer, Dad works outdoors on the beat in fair weather or foul. Exposed to the elements, he suffers from rheumatoid arthritis. His hands and fingers feel stiff on bad days. That is the reason why I got him a hand warmer. On the pink card are the following words: May you have a young heart forever, Dad. White hair does not mean you are over the hill. It is proof of your wisdom and perfection.