Kuala Lampur, May 16 -- Each year on May 16, Teacher's Day is marked by heartfelt celebrations - flowers, cards, and touching tributes to honour educators. But for me, it's not just about those in schools or lecture halls. It's also about someone once called cikgu, though he never stood at a blackboard or wore formal attire.

That someone was my father - a former Malay Regiment soldier with a dream of becoming a teacher.

I remember it clearly. During a trip back to our hometown, my father and I were at the market when a neatly dressed man, about his age, greeted him warmly.

"Cikgu Ali! Lama tak jumpa... apa khabar?" They hugged and laughed like old friends. I stood by, confused - my father was never a teacher. He had worked as a soldier...