Small Story 261.

Small Story 261. Sweet Affection, Sugarless Tea Ram, after finishing his regular morning walk, stepped into the familiar setting of his beloved group—a gathering of friends he had been meeting for over three years. Their warmth and camaraderie were always accompanied by sweet tea, served faithfully by the nearby restaurant. Despite his diabetic condition, Ram often accepted the tea, not for its taste but for the affection behind the gesture. The tea was brewed in bulk, sweetened beforehand, and served from a common flask. While Ram hesitated to speak against it, he also couldn’t ignore the thoughtful hospitality of his friends. One day, however, things changed. Upon noticing Ram’s quiet reluctance, several group members decided to act. They approached the restaurant staff with a heartfelt request: could they prepare a separate sugarless tea just for Ram? After repeated appeals and genuine persistence, the restaurant—honoring the long-standing presence of the group that had gathered there for over two and a half decades—agreed to change their policy. Ram was deeply touched. The gesture was more than a cup of unsweetened tea—it was a symbol of thoughtful affection and respect. Holding the warm cup in his hands, Ram smiled and said, “I’m lucky to be part of this group.” K.Ragavan 30-5-25