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I had taken sick leave to rest. My family was informed about my condition - my parents and in-laws that I couldn’t speak. They were instructed that all calls at the door and landline should be answered by anyone but me. So, Silent Me was managing stuff quietly until faced with challenges.
Challenge number 1
I was in the living room, seated next to the landline, which started to ring. Otherwise, I would have answered the phone, but today I had a problem; I couldn’t speak. Three, four, five times the phone rang, but no one came to answer the phone. I was unable to call out to get the attention of my FIL (remember I couldn’t speak), who was the only person at home other than me. Fortunately, he arrived in time.
Answering the phone, or getting someone to answer the phone, could be a challenge that was unimaginable until I experienced it firsthand.
There are so many things that we do effortlessly without realising that they are a culmination of many tasks. One weak link can change the game. Like answering a call.
Challenge number 2 (FIL having a conversation)
I was seated on the sofa watching TV when my FIL arrived, speaking to someone on the phone.
“Yes,
Mangesh has gone to office.
Yes, she is home.
Yes, but she can’t speak.
Ok!”
And he handed over the phone to me and left the room. What am I supposed to do? I was unable to speak.
His actions actually left me speechless!
With no means to convey my difficulty, I put the receiver to my ear to realise that my mother was on the other end of the line. She very well knew............... that I couldn’t speak. Ahhh Moms are moms!!!
Me & Mom Conversation
Mom: Hello!
Me: Bha (Hello)
Mom: Hello, will Mangesh come home for lunch?
Me: Bha (followed by) O!
Mom: Ok, you will come home for lunch, right?
Me: Ah, A!
Mom (with a pressuring tone): You will na?
Me: (With great effort) Ss!!
Mom: I am preparing dal and rice for you, is it ok?
Me: (Helplessly looking at the walls, she had many questions to ask, today)
Mom: Hello!
Me: (with more effort, I managed to say) As!
The conversation came to an end, both of us presuming what we could assume individually.
Our conversation left me thinking: Mom could have messaged me, but no!
Handling parents at times is a challenge. Isn't it, since childhood.
Challenge number 3 (One more conversation, face to face with FIL)
FIL: Our neighbour (waiting for my response)
Me: Nodding
FIL: Our neighbour’s father (again waiting for my nod as if I had difficulty understanding)
Me: Nodding with more energy this time
FIL: Room number (and he gestures a zero, three, ten, four, later trying to draw the room number in the air, leaving me perplexed.) I thought to myself, I am unable to speak, but I can very well listen and understand. Why is he using sign language?
Me: (this time with great effort and expression, pointing towards my ears, I said) I an ear.
So he delivered the message in the next 10 seconds.
What began with sign language that took almost a minute was over in a few seconds.
Hilarious, these three instances occurred back to back in an hour’s time. I was fortunate that I temporarily suffered loss of speech. Only to realise the importance of being heard. Not only when we speak but also when silent. Whether we can’t or won’t speak, we have tonnes of emotions/opinions to express.
To be heard is as important as to be able to speak. Whether it’s a bedridden patient, a child in a corner of the room, a colleague, a vendor, or yourself, being heard is truly a blessing; think about it.
If you have experienced situations where you were unheard or you couldn't express yourself, you know how it feels. We can't change the past, but we can attempt to hear the unheard.
Maybe on a day like today?
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