/> Asin's devoted dad refuses to get surgery done in spite of the acute pain. Joseph Thottumkal currently in hospital has been attending to all of his daughter's business calls from the bed.

"He is on drip. No food allowed. Na ghar ka na hospital ka...and still he's constantly on the phone discussing and confirming my prior engagements. He's very clear on one thing.

Under no circumstance am I supposed to let any of my commitments suffer because of his hospitalization, " says the proud devoted emotional and slightly bereft but strong daughter unwilling to show her emotions.

As her father prepares to go under the knife for an appendectomy, for the first time in her life Asin has to manage her life and career without her father.

To compound her distress Asin's mother who's a doctor is also spending as much time with Josaph Thottumkal as possible, leaving Asin with no choice but to fend for herself in the house.

"My father was in pain for sometime. He tried to play it down, took painkillers. But then it got worse. And we were unable to go to my native place in Kerala to cast my vote for the Lok Sabha elections.

For the first time in my professional career I found myself traveling alone to Bangalore for a commitment. It felt.... different. But one has to manage. I'd like to believe I'm quite a capable girl."

Asin returned from Bangalore on Sunday and rushed straight to the Kokilabhen Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital where her father had been admitted. "It's quite near to where we live, yet seems so far away...."

Though she puts up a brave front it isn't easy. "That's why he has been avoiding getting into the hospital. He felt if he was off his feet my work would suffer. But this time I'm determined to prove him wrong.

I'll continue my work in his absence. In fact I'm going to be shooting for an ad today, Tuesday. Will I miss my dad? He has taught me to be a strong girl."