The Smile that said everything (901 words)

Ramanathan was close to eighty. Age had bent his back a little, but not his spirit. His eyes could still spot a fallen pin, and his ears could catch even a whispered conversation in the next room. He had been blessed in life—three sons, three daughters, a comfortable home, enough savings to keep worries at bay, and a steady stream of children and grandchildren dropping in and out of the house.

His wife, Saroja, however, had begun to slow down. Long years of managing a household had finally caught up with her. She tired easily, and her knees troubled her with recurring pain. Ramanathan had fixed a maid who comes at 9 am to help her with the chores

Unfortunately, Ramanathan was more active, making constant requests to his wife.

“Saroja, where are my glasses?”

“Saroja, can you bring me some hot water?”

“Saroja, did you keep my newspaper somewhere?”

From morning till night, he called out to her frequently, adding to her frustration.

By seven every morning, he would usually have wandered into the kitchen at least ten times, asking whether the coffee was ready.

“Is the decoction done? How much longer would it take?”

 

But that morning, there were no footsteps, no questions, no complaints. The house felt strangely silent and empty.

Wondering whether he had overslept, Saroja walked into their room with coffee in a dabara and tumbler. He did not utter a word but gulped the coffee at one go.

Ramanathan again rested on the bed, staring at the ceiling and then at her.

“What happened today? Are you angry or what, or are you unwell? Why are you looking at me like that?” she asked, her voice trembling.

No answer. He slowly turned and looked straight at her. Nothing else, even as she shook him. Fear gripped her heart.

“Mangala! Call the children at once!” she shouted.

Then she began muttering to herself.

“As if my headaches weren’t enough, now this old man has decided to lose his mind! Even when he was healthy, I could barely keep up with him. What new predicament is this?”

One by one, the children arrived.

The eldest son bent over him. “Appa! What’s all this drama so early in the morning? Say something.”

It was met with Silence. Thinking he could no longer hear, the son dropped a metal tumbler onto the floor.

Clang!

Immediately, Ramanathan turned toward the sound.

“Ah, he can hear!” everyone exclaimed.

But the old man simply looked at them with the same blank expression.

The youngest son came closer and asked gently.

“Appa, are you in pain? The doctor is coming. Just say one word. Everyone is worried.”

He continued to stare. Saroja began to cry.

“What will I do alone? Where will I go? Why is God testing me like this?”

The daughters-in-law quietly looked away.

The doctor arrived and examined him thoroughly. Everything seemed perfectly fine.

Finally, the doctor removed his spectacles and sighed. “I honestly don’t know what’s wrong. Let’s wait for a few days and observe.”

After he left, the daughters looked at their brothers.

“Amma can’t take care of Appa alone anymore. What do we do?”

The eldest son cleared his throat.

“I live in a two-bedroom flat. The children already share a room. Where is the space?”

The second son shook his head. “My in-laws are staying with us. You know the situation.”

Someone mentioned the youngest son in Mumbai only to invite a comment that he barely has room for himself.”

Their sisters sighed.

“I’ll have to ask my husband. It’s not easy. “The second one nodded in agreement.

The youngest said, “I live in a small rented accommodation on the second floor with no lift. If there is a compelling need, I am willing to consider moving here and take care of the parents.

 Silence filled the room. Nobody spoke

Then the eldest son spoke again. “Let the status quo continue. We will come daily by turn. I think we should meet a lawyer.”

Everyone looked at him.

“We don’t know if Appa has written a will. We should sort these things out. “The younger nodded thoughtfully.

Throughout the conversation, Ramanathan was simply looking at them silently.

Two days later, only his eight-year-old grandson sat beside him. Saroja had fallen asleep in the adjacent front hall

The little boy climbed onto the bed.

“Grandpa,” he whispered, “will you talk only to me? I like you very much.”

For the first time in days, the old man’s face softened.

He pulled the child close and kissed his forehead.

“What would you like to talk about?” he asked gently.

The boy nearly jumped off the bed.

“Grandpa! You can speak! But Amma told Auntie you’ve gone mad!”

“Shhh…” Ramanathan whispered, smiling. “Don’t tell anyone. Only now have I understood who everyone really is and their nature. Don’t worry. I will turn normal soon.”

Just then, Saroja walked in.

“I thought I heard someone talking.”

The boy quickly replied, “It was me, Grandma. I keep asking Grandpa questions, but he doesn’t answer at all.”

“My fate…” she sighed, tapping her forehead, as she left

The little boy turned toward his grandfather.

And there it was. A quiet smile with a mischievous wink!

Not the smile of a man who had lost his mind— but the smile of a man who had finally found the truth and an accomplice.