Small Story 227.

Small Story 227. Sweet Surprise – A Bond Beyond Friendship Pramila was expecting a call from her friend Rama. Rama's son was traveling to the USA the next day, and she had asked Pramila if she could send some homemade eatables for her daughter, Suganya, who lived in Boulder. Pramila’s grandson Akshay, studying in his final year in Boulder, lived nearby. Normally, Pramila never asked friends to carry things for her family abroad, but Rama was a close friend—and this time, she made an exception. She agreed to send a small box of her homemade badam cake, Akshay’s favorite sweet. Rama’s son, Rajesh, frequently traveled to the USA for official work and had agreed to hand it over to Akshay. That evening, Rama came all the way from Anna Nagar to collect the package. Pramila thanked her warmly for taking the trouble. Two days later, Pramila received a call from Rama. She informed her that Rajesh had to cancel his trip due to the ongoing crisis involving student migration issues and new tariff policies. “But don’t worry,” Rama said, “Akshay will still get his sweets tomorrow—Rajesh has sent them through DHL courier.” Pramila was stunned. “Why take all this trouble?” she asked. Rama gently replied, “No trouble, Pramila. Akshay is like my own grandson. Rajesh wanted to surprise him.” She hung up before Pramila could say more. Pramila sat there, moved and amazed at how deep their friendship had grown. In unexpected times, friendship, too, can turn sweet. She nodded to herself and whispered: “I’m truly blessed to have Rama’s friendship.” K.Ragavan 26-4-25 ---