Madhivi sighed in contentment as she saw her daughter smiling at her daughter.

Her Ruhi.

"What happened, Amma?" Raman asked his mother-in-law seei g her standing far from the small crowd.

His eyes followed hers and settled on his wife and his 8 year old daughter who were busy in lighting the candles on the cake.

No it was not anyone's birthday.

Adi won 200 meter race in school and the mother and daughter decided it called for a celebration.

So both the family, Iyers and Bhalls were gathered, waiting for their main guest to enter with his trophy.

"Nothing. Just admiring my daughter's smile." She muttered to him.

"What's there is too admire? She is always like this. Always smiling. Nothing special." Raman added shaking his head a bit "Amma, are you sure her all nuts are in right place? Who smiles this much?"

Had the person infront her dared something like this, 2 years ago, She  would have slapped him already.

But she giggled to herself listening his complaints.

Because she had seen him, carrying random flavours of ice-cream for her daughter's one smile.

Cancelling numerous meetings, so that smile does not leave its place.

Lying multiple times but to get that same smile in return.

Hiding chocolates from everyone to get a small hug along with the same bright smile.

Doing anything to everything so that her daughter's smile never dims.

"She had always been like this. Always smiling hiding her pain." Madhivi turned toward her son-in-law before added "But after you three entered her life, her smiles reach her eyes."

As Adi entered the hall, all the attention shifted toward him.

And Madhivi missed how another set of lips tugged upward with her comment.

*****

Regards
~Gia