Smile: A Page From My Memory

I love smiling faces surrounding me. But I am a greatest fan of heart melting smiles of actresses Madhubala, Madhuri Dixit Nene and Asha.

You must be wondering about the third name : Asha.Yes, actually her smile is still dwelling in me as the sweetest , the most innocent and the loveliest smile of my life.

No..No. Don't bother your memory.She was not at all an actress. Asha was hardly known woman even on my road. She was a short , wheatish woman with no visible sanity.She used to roam around in our area, especially on our road and ate whatever she could find or if someone offered.

Frequently I used to see her. I never understood during my teenage life that why I was attracted towards her and why I used to observe her while going to college. Whenever I missed to see her on the road, my eyes used to keep searching for her. Actually, I had a curiosity. Her hair used to be neatly cut after regular intervals. I wanted to know that who was doing this hair cut and how? She carried a shabby doll with her and many times I saw her talking and scolding and loving that doll.

Once, a group of boys were in mischievous mood and they tried to snatch that doll from her. It was kind of coincidence that that was the exact time for my college. I saw that she was screaming wildly and was trying to save her doll. Boys were in devilish mood and one boy snatched it and threw it far away. She started yelling and crying.Suddenly, her face changed. She grabbed stones from the road and started throwing on those boys .One boy was seriously hurt on his head. He fell and Asha jumped on him with a big rock in her hand. Cruelty was seen in her brown eyes. Frozen with fear I just stared at the scene becoming dumb witness. Fortunately people came and saved that boy.Others had already flee away.

From that incident , I created fear for her. Whenever I used to see her, I would cross the road. Who knows madness once again could ride her mind and stones were lying everywhere to hit me !!

After some days again my curious nature started driving me nuts about Asha's haircut.I asked one of the vegetable vendor from whom my Mom purchased vegetables.He gave me information about her neatly cut hair that a man is coming regularly to keep watch on her. His visiting day would never be regular. He came any time in fortnight and for few hours Asha won't be seen anywhere. After few hours when she would be back, her attire and haircut everything would be neat and clean. I was amazed that who could be that man!! I very sweetly pleaded to "Bhaji wale Chacha" to bring me information and lied to him that I am trying to gather a story for my study. He agreed. Few days later he called me,"collige vali bitiya" and I stopped near him. He informed me about Asha. She was from middle class family. A man who took care of her was her brother. She was raped at a very young age and became pregnant. She was not ready to abort her child but family was helpless in front of social taboos. She was forcibly aborted. Tender age and traumas scattered her from inside. She could not control the balance and became mad. Family loved her but she was not controllable as they had aborted her child and she wanted to become mother. She again and again broke away from her home. After death of parents and brother's marriage, it was impossible for the brother to keep track of sister and above all he never wanted her to be chained in mental asylum.

He let her wander (please, don't ask me about sanity of the brother!!). Regularly, he visited her and took what ever little care he could take. That's all I came to know about Asha. My heart felt mixed emotions :Anguish, confusion, pity, doubt ....

Many months passed. Almost each day we met. Sometimes I felt that her eyes sparkled with recognition. One day I was heading towards market with my three year old niece, Piyu. I was holding her hands tightly as she wanted me to let her go to catch tiny puppy on the road. I wanted to purchase something from a shop. Holding her hand and almost distracting her from her mission, I entered the store. Everything was under control. For few seconds I released Piyu for payment. After payment I searched for her. She was no where to seen. I came out of the shop.Oh...the scene on the mid of the road brought me a panic attack. Asha's doll was on the road and she was carrying Piyu !! I ran to release her from an insane woman. Without thinking I grabbed a stone from the side of the road to save my little one. I shouted on Asha and threatened her with stone. She just throw a broad smile at me showing her ivory teeth and two sparkling hazel eyes !!! I saw it as an evil smile of a mad woman. I rushed towards her shouting for help. She kissed Piyush lovingly on cheek, looked at me with same smile and came near me. Merely with her action she convinced me and asked me to take away Piyu. With little fear I went near her and carried Piyu. Some people were witness of this incident. One uncle came to me and said, "Chokri (girl), today Asha has saved this child. She was after a puppy and about to be crushed by a car. Asha grabbed her and saved her. You should be thankful to Asha". I was speechless and looked at Asha. She was once again with her doll and asking her doll to say bye to Piyu. She went ahead and suddenly she looked back and gave me a smile....the most beautiful, heart catching, unforgettable smile.

Her smile had everything:pain, love, care, advice and divinity.

Do you think I can ever forget that smile?