Muskaan

I can see your face so clear,

making me happy,

the world must understand..

~ From The shadow of your smile by Marvin Gaye

Way back in 2006 I logged something to the effect of - If a guy's charm doesn't knock me off, his smile surely will. Very little has changed since that first admission. I suppose I can now generalize the confession towards both genders and say with absolute certainty that I notice gorgeous smiles and refuse to forget about them. Facial features, physical gestures and gait usually register in my memory with minimal effort. Not much of consciousness there but then I find myself remembering contours and lines, especially around the lips and eyes. There are a few faces that come to mind now, as I think of their beautiful smiles and recount the details of those moments.

• I poked you with my index finger (gently?) and you turned to look at me with an expression .. an expression that was memorably sweet as you said Hi!... I had to turn away in a split second, but your smile lingered in my mind as I stood in line and it left me rather surprised that I hadn't noticed you before. In retrospect, I am sure that you didn't expect me to appear so suddenly from the other direction, because I've hardly seen you react with that expression. A moment's chance but I'm so glad I caught it - the fine lines near the corners of your eyes (Eyes - I discovered soon later they are the shape of almonds), the arched ones around your lips and your teeth that showed a little because of the fullness of your smile. You brightened my mood on that chilly morning and inspired me to write this post, so take a bow.

• Dear girl behind the cash register : I hope you never come across this blog, even by mistake. I don't want you to get conscious of the fact that I sometimes look forward to that short walk from the class to the bus stop with a simple and tiny hope that you'll look up at me from your table. And if that happens, you acknowledge my presence and then, as if so naturally, I decide to buy a candy even if I don't want one. You are beautiful and I mumbled that once in a fleeting conversation.. I didn't however elaborate that your gentle face adorns the prettiest smile I've seen in ages. While you're busy clicking keys, I catch a few stares to take in details. Among other things I find not an ounce of make up , not even kohl on your tall figurine. Only a hastily tied pony tail, your hazel eyes and a lazy fringe to frame the picture in my mind.

• How many people have been floored by your great looks? Perhaps you don't care much to keep a count off-late. Yes, you are all of attractive as attractive can get. However both of us know that I am no stranger to the mischievous side to your personality, as much as I am aware of your deep vulnerability and immense strength , all in that tiny package. So - like many other days, I will talk of your smile that has an uncanny knack of illuminating the darkest room in the hallway. I watch you tilt your head full of brown wavy hair that is in nice contrast to your pale skin. And when you smile , your green eyes light up and twinkle for a while only to gently reduce in size moments later. Those eyes almost shut by now, but just enough to warm spirits. It's hard not to cheer up with that kind of infectiousness.

• This is by no means your most celebrated introduction , but cousin I cross my fingers and fervently hope you don't get succored into believing the insults they keep throwing at you. Your life is taking strange turns, most of them not the ideal kind. But today I want to compliment you for what should be an excuse to celebrate, and even so win a rare acknowledgement from the sensible few at home. Observation tells me you've inherited that brilliant grin from your mother's genes. I really don't want to feel this when I am supposed to be talking of smiles, but every time I recollect memories of you I can only distinctly remember you getting into trouble. For one reason or the other. I will not blame you like the rest or worse still point fingers at the influences. Instead, I choose to attribute it all as the outcome of your environment and experiences that you had little control over. The last time we met, there was hardly any time for sensible conversation. Oddly enough, I don't think you had much to smile about then. It makes me angry that you just might turn into the colossal failure that everyone is shamelessly predicting about behind your back. However, I hold in my heart enough optimism to consider all of them liars. Let me also tell you that unbeknownst to the elders, there are many black sheep in the family, but certainly only a single dark one who bears a smile as spectacular as yours.

The shadow of your smile

When you are gone

Will color all my dreams

And light the dawn..

~ From The shadow of your smile by Marvin Gaye