Yesterday, my mother-in-law called me. I saw the call, but I didn’t pick it up.
There was no urgency in me to respond. Maybe it was the silence of the past 40 days sitting quietly inside me. I let it pass.
Today, I called her back.
She answered like nothing had happened. The tone was casual. The conversation started normally, like how any regular day would sound. For a moment, it almost felt like those 40 days didn’t exist.
We spoke about a few general things. Simple, everyday topics. No tension in her voice. No hesitation either.
Then, somewhere in the middle of the conversation, she apologised.
She said sorry for what my father-in-law did.
There was no long explanation. No details. Just that one line.
I listened.
I kept my response simple and polite. I spoke for what she spoke. I didn’t extend the conversation beyond that. When it came to the apology, I said what I felt—I told her they can’t take me for granted, and it’s not something I can easily move past.
I didn’t raise my voice. I didn’t get emotional. I just said it as it is.
I also made one thing clear. I said I will respond when they speak, but I won’t initiate conversations or go the extra mile.
There was no argument after that. The conversation continued for a bit and then ended, just like any other call.
What stood out to me was not what was said, but what wasn’t.
There was still no call from my father-in-law.
I don’t know what they are thinking. I don’t know what changed after 40 days. I don’t know why the call came today.
But today, there was a call. There was a conversation. There was an apology.
And there were still questions.
AnandNataraj 