At the gate, in the morning, the security guard on duty grunts, “Namaste, Madam…”
No smile…

At the hospital reception, the person in charge of scheduling appointments grumbles, “Be seated, I will call you…”
No smile…

The person next door with whom you share a wall, who even plays old Hindi songs that you like, walks past you, as if you’re invisible…
No smile…

The person who picks up the phone at the popular pizza joint grunts, “Thank you for calling —Pizza”.
No smile…

Traffic cop on duty, when asked for directions to an apartment, “Straight, take left.”
No smile…

The child returning from school jumps down from the school van and up to his Mother’s arms.
Smiles that make you smile…

Chaywaali at the corner of the street, on seeing the child, “Paapu, come, I’ll give you chocolates!”
Smiles that make you smile…

The World could do with more smiles…

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