Just two days ago, the house was filled with joy as Aryan's birthday was celebrated with great enthusiasm. Aryan, who stays in a hostel and is fifteen years old, had his parents working tirelessly to make his birthday special. All his friends came over, and Aryan’s room was filled with unique gifts.
However, a small incident occurred that day. Amidst all the hustle and bustle of the celebrations, Aryan’s mother forgot to serve dinner to Grandpa, who was resting in his room at the back of the house. No one noticed, nor could Grandpa say anything.
Late at night, as Aryan’s mother was unwrapping gifts one after another, she suddenly remembered her mistake. Without saying a word to her husband or Aryan, she rushed to the kitchen in a panic.
Hearing the clatter of utensils, Aryan and his father followed her, and upon learning what had happened, the three of them quietly crept into Grandpa's room with a food tray, like a gang of thieves.
They expected that Grandpa, who usually slept by nine, would either be asleep or upset. The three of them were burning with guilt.
But both assumptions turned out to be wrong. Grandpa was neither asleep nor angry. In fact, when he saw all three of them together, he burst into laughter.
Clapping his hands like a child, he took the plate from his daughter-in-law and said, "See? I tricked you all! None of you could find me for so long. I win!"
Tears welled up in Aryan’s mother’s eyes. She covered her head with her saree and bent down to touch Grandpa's feet. Aryan fed the first bite to Grandpa with his own hands. Aryan’s father quietly returned to his room, feeling remorseful.
The lively, cheerful day turned into a heavy, silent night.
Now, two days later, as Aryan came to say goodbye before returning to his school hostel, he was shocked to find Grandpa sitting on his bed, crying.
He quickly called his parents.
Grandpa kept wiping his tears, but they flowed endlessly, like water from an invisible underground spring.
Everyone asked him what was wrong, but Grandpa couldn't say anything. He just shook his head, repeating, "Nothing, nothing."
Was it because Aryan was leaving?
No, he leaves every time. He’s been studying away from home for seven years now. He goes for his bright future — why would that make Grandpa sad?
Was it some pain or illness?
No, everything was fine. Grandpa himself said so.
Was he recalling the incident from the other night?
Nonsense! Grandpa wouldn’t cry over such a trivial matter — he himself said so.
Was it a bitter or sweet memory haunting him?
No, what memories could trouble him now? He even jokes about his forgetfulness.
Then what was it?
Finally, Aryan held Grandpa's hand and made him swear that he wouldn't leave until Grandpa revealed the reason for his tears. Defeated, Grandpa had to tell the truth.
Wiping his eyes, Grandpa said, "I was sitting here reading the newspaper when I saw a spider climbing up the wall. As I watched it, I thought — if this spider reaches the ceiling without falling, then I, too, will successfully reach your Grandma in heaven after I die. But if it fails and falls, then after my death, I’ll go to hell. I won’t reach heaven."
"And the spider couldn’t make it. It slipped and fell."
Grandpa fell silent.
Now it was Aryan, his mother, and his father’s turn to burst into laughter. The three of them laughed so hard that Grandpa lowered his head in embarrassment.
Touching Grandpa’s feet before leaving for his hostel, Aryan recalled something his teacher used to say:
"Happiness and sorrow are nothing but a matter of choice. A person can smile even in sorrow, and cry even in happiness."
— Prabodh Kumar Govil
