Frozen!

Bhuvana assumed a tougher stance and talked to her only boy Arun. "See dear! You should not play with those children from streets. Do you understand?".

Seven year old Arun nodded, to please her. he would go and play again with them that evening after she left for work. She knew that too, but did not have a heart to punish him further. He was the apple of the eye to her and was born after a few 'long' years. And he seemed to have a poor immune system. Whatever infection first comes to city, he would be the first victim. When treating him, his paediatrician would joke - "Ah! Its the flu! So, the season has already started. Thanks Arun. I will be prepared!". He had advised Bhuvana not to give too much of any chocolates / ice-creams / candies and many other things.

Arun loved ice-creams and did not really care about whether it is branded or not. Having some pocket money [his dad had spoilt him - Bhuvana's words], he would rush to the ice-cream vendor - an old man who came in the evening. His care-taker would complain to Bhuvana and she would start scolding him. But he did not seem to stop. And his father did not stop giving him pocket money too. As he went out that evening to play, he was expecting the ice-cream vendor eagerly. But to his surprise, Muthu, one of the local boys, came moving the ice-cream cart. "Hey Muthu! How come you are here? What happened to that old man?", Arun asked.

"He is my grandpa. He is not well today, so I came!", Muthu said. As Arun was extending his hand for the ice-cream, Bhuvana intervened and said, "Can't you ever correct yourself? Come! I will give you the imported ice-cream that we have, now!". Both the boys felt sad and Arun mumbled, "Thats never yummy like this!". Bhuvana felt a bit for Muthu too and said, "Come here little one! I will give you some ice-cream too!".

Soon, both the boys had the ice-cream. Muthu was too happy and did not say anyting till he finished it. "Tell me little one! How do you feel now?", Bhuvana asked.

She froze when she heard him say, "Say you what? This is the first time I taste an ice-cream!".

 

Thanks very much for such a nice feedback Shobna. -rgs

 

Thanks very much Sreema, for your touching feedback. -rgs

 

Alas! Thats the state of many, Akila. Thanks for your nice feedback. Besides, I am planning to use these same 3 characters for 2 more short stories. Lets see. -rgs

 

Is that so? Fine. Lets have something else next Tuffyshri. Thanks for your feedback. -rgs