Varun got a message on WhatsApp, on his private account, which he rarely gets. The message was -
'When someone's having a bad day,
a smile could go on a long way
so make sure to put one on
and keep it until the day is gone.'
When he checked who the sender is, he smiled, shaking his head, 'This girl sure knows how to grab every chance.'
He just shared his WhatsApp account with her for settling payment, and she took it as permission to message him anything.
At Night
Varun was sipping his coffee while checking something on his phone when he got a phone call from an unknown number.
He somewhat has a photographic memory. Even if he doesn't have it, he still won't be able to forget this number because it was his Neighbor Hooligan's number.
He sighed but still picked up the call, and as expected, a playful voice greeted him.
" Hey, Mr. Beauty! It's Miss Cutie here!" and she started giggling.
He smiled, but as he was about to lower his head out of habit, Somya asked him, "Hey, are you smiling? If yes, then don't hide it by lowering your head. Although I never saw you smile, I can tell you must look good when you smile. So don't hide it. It's good for you as well as for your beauty."
Varun can't help but ask, "How do you know?"
"If I won't notice, then who will notice. Most people think that having a beautiful face is all needed to be beautiful, but only a few people understand that true beauty lies in a smiling face. I am one of those, and I noticed that you lacked it.
So express your smile as openly as you express your anger."
"..and why should I listen to you?"
"because I m saying this for your own good. Why do you want to waste your good looks by making an Angry Young Man's face all the time?
If you don't know how to smile then you should ask for help rather than destroying someone's day.
Listen here, Angry Young Man, next time when you meet me, don't show me that expression again. I am afraid your angry nature is contagious, and someday you will pass it to me."
Varun let out a hollow laugh, "Contagious...?"
"Yes, contagious. Did you never notice? If you met someone, who had a spoiled mood, then their mood will affect you sooner or later if your subconscious mind is not strong enough. "
Varun doesn't know when he reached his balcony window while listening to her non-stop chirping.
There, he saw her under the moonlight, pacing her balcony with her phone in her left hand, and her dupatta* on her right hand.
She is wearing a plain sky blue suit* with a white dupatta, she lets her waist-length hair down, and they are floating with the air. Under the moon, standing with a white ball in her hands (her dog), she is looking.... beautiful.
'What! Did he just praise her?
No! that can't be the case. He rarely or never praises anyone.'
"....hello? Are you still there? Huh, Angry Young Man?" the voice broke his stance.
"Hmm."
"Oh...if you are still there, then do reply. Is this your favorite game?"
"...hmm?"
"Playing mute!? Tell me what's your motivation behind being the 'conversation killer.'"
"You tell me first. Where did you get the motivation to be an 'all-time muttering squirrel.'"
"From my insides. It's my real nature to be like this."
"Then it's the same with me."
"Nah....liar!! You are clearly struggling inside. If what you are saying is true, then why are you not happy."
"Who told you that I am not happy. "
"Your eyes, they are beautiful but still dull and blank. They told me that you are still missing something and trying to find it desperately."
Varun didn't reply, but he weighs her words. He doesn't want to accept, but she is right. He is clearly not happy and struggling. But what can he do? It's the way his life has been for the past 4 yrs.
"...You lost again?"
"...No"
" Okay, so it must be my bad network."
"..hmm.."
"So...what do you think? "
"..hmm"
"Say it."
"I don't know what you are talking about."
"Shut up and say yes or no."
Varun pondered over his thoughts before finally saying, "Yes."
"Hurrah! I knew it!"
"Is this your so-called friendship? to be happy on your friend's unhappiness?"
"Awwww...my dear buddy is hurt.
Listen here buddy, the first step towards treatment is to accept the fact that you are ill. Now when you have passed the first step, then the further treatment won't be hard."
"Who told you I am ill?"
" I told myself that you are ill and badly need a psychologist. Although I am not a qualified doctor, I have still studied psychology. You can rest assured as I am not a qualified doctor, I won't charge you. So you only have to follow my instructions."
"It's obviously you here who needs a psychologist," Varun responded, feeling annoyed.
She is the one who dances stupidly every day on the balcony with her broom.
She is the one who can't stop talking until someone puts tape on her mouth.
She is the one who loves to go her way every time.
Then how the hell can she say that HE needs a psychologist!
Isn't this girl a little too gutsy!
~Making someone smile
You don't know what this deed
Could do for a friend in need
It might save them from the pain
Of a sadness, they cannot contain
Don't ask what a smile can do
Because I am sure, it once helped you too~
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