The Gentle Dentist
By: Ruchi Thalwal
Tags: Life Lessons, Real Life Stories, Healing, Life, Short Story

A few days back, I visited a dentist and was waiting in the reception area. I could see a few people already seated there, talking amongst themselves.

My attention went to one lady. Something welled her eyes up.

She expressed to the other, “I cannot take anymore. Everything is going haywire. My mother’s condition is deteriorating. My husband does not understand my situation.” She took many pauses while speaking. Her eyes were wet.

Her husband was sitting next to her.

Image by Gary Ross from Pixabay

My naughty mind said, “Have I come to the right place? Is it a dental clinic or a psychotherapy ward?”

Amused by my words, I put on my headphone. Also, I did not want to snoop.

5 minutes later, I could see Dr. Roohani, my favorite dentist approaching, all packed and ready to leave. Her duty time had ended 30 minutes earlier. I understood that Dr. Zakir would be attending the other patients and me.

I lowered the volume of my headphone. I greeted her as she approached the waiting area with her usual big smile. She greeted me back.

As she was about to exit the waiting area, she saw that lady, who was now on the verge of tears.

She approached her and said, “I hope you are okay.”

That lady nodded her head, eyes still wet.

Dr. Roohani asked, “If you don’t mind, would you stand up for me?”

That lady looked puzzled but obliged.

Photo by Morteza Yousefi on Unsplash

Dr. Roohani spread her arms around her. The lady also hugged her warmly. I was taken aback.

The lady cried, and she cried her heart out.

That dentist was holding her in her arms. She caressed with her gentle hands as if trying to tell that everything is okay and she could rely on her.

My heart also wanted to join them and hug them, but I kept sitting in awe. My feet didn’t move. There was stillness in the moment, love in the heart.

That hug lasted for at least 10–15 minutes. To my amazement, lady seemed so much relieved and fresh.

Now tears were rolling from the dentist’s eyes.

No conversation happened between them, apart from that hug. Yet I could see the best form of communication there.

It amazed me to see true empathy and healing right in front of me.

Dr. Roohani left, saying nothing. The reception area became silent and peaceful. When I went inside, I asked Dr. Zakir whether Dr. Roohani knew that lady.

Dr. Zakir, “Oh no. She is new here and doesn’t know anybody. The patients came late today, so she was late for more than half an hour”

The attendant jumped in, “Also, she had to go someplace important today.”

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash

I was more surprised that how could she knew a hug would relieve that lady.

Even after getting late, she patiently hugged her for so long, waiting for the other person to be okay.

She made herself available to the fellow being with such an open heart that she started crying too, but silently went away as soon as she knew she was okay.

That day I could appreciate that every being is important, even if we know them or not.

Everybody has their struggles and taking out little time for them is the most valuable thing we could do.

Just our presence and loving heart matter the most. I didn’t talk to that lady. But I am sure she must have felt the same.