“Krishna, big, black eye!”

And Krishna burst into peals of laughter.

My cheek was against his and I peered into his eye. His comically huge, shiny, black side eye.

My eye must have looked even more hilarious, and he laughed loud and long. For the first time in 6 long months of silent withdrawal, suffering, and pain.

Yesterday, the scent of neem flowers and green mangoes ushered in the new year. And Krishna’s laughter hopefully ushered in a new phase in our life.

Post his dental surgery last Thursday, Krishna has been slowly recovering. No wild meltdowns, no self-hurting, no behaviour that would tempt medical practitioners to suggest psychiatric hospitals.

He is exploring his comparatively pain-free life with cautious hope.

And he laughed in surprise and relief.

It was afternoon. The heat was rising in dry, breathless waves. The sun was pitiless and the sky such a searing blue I couldn’t open my eyes while looking out.

And when Krishna laughed, it was like the first rain that gentles and soothes the burning summer heat.

We parents of autistic children celebrate different milestones than other parents. Another parent talked to me yesterday, thrilled with their child being chosen for the Math Olympiad. I’m truly happy for them.

I celebrated Krishna’s laughter and felt ecstatic.