Small Story 157.

Small Story 157 The Silent Goodbye" Panchapakesan and his wife, Parvathy, visited Bengaluru after a long time to spend a few days with their dear old friend, Kittu. Their time together was filled with laughter, stories, and cherished memories as Kittu and his wife, Visalam, warmly welcomed them into their home. They were also joined by friends like Sekhar, a kind-hearted retired manager, who always helped others and shared his wisdom about life. Yet, amidst these pleasant days spent together, there was an unspoken truth: Kittu had been silently battling throat cancer for six years. He never shared his illness with his friends or even his daughter, Vasanthy, preferring instead to show nothing but warmth and joy. After Panchapakesan and Parvathy left, Kittu’s health took a sudden downturn. When Panchapakesan tried to reach out, he was struck by the news of Kittu's passing in a newspaper obituary. His heart sank as he realized the quiet strength his friend had shown, never allowing his illness to interfere with the love and warmth he gave to others. The story captures the hidden battles people face and the silent strength that often goes unnoticed. It highlights the enduring power of friendship, where love and memories remain, even when words are left unsaid. Panchapakesan and Parvathy could not hold back their tears. Parvathy whispered, "I miss my good brother." K.Ragavan 15-2-25