SELVi’S SWEET SURPRISE

"Tea Kaapppiiii! Tea Kaapppiiii!' Idli Vade, Idli Vade!'" Loud calls from vendors woke Selvi up.

- Ramya Ram

"T"ea Kaapppiiii! Tea Kaapppiiii!" Idli Vade, Idli Vade!'

Loud calls from vendors woke Selvi up. The sun had set and their train had just entered Tirunelveli Junction.

"We've reached, Appa!" Selvi climbed down from the top berth she was sleeping in and joined her father at the window. Appa's face lit up and his eyes were twinkling.

Selvi was eager to see her grandfather, whom she called "Thatha'. Thatha always brought murukku and other snacks from Tirunelveli, whenever he came to visit them in Chennai. However, he hadn't visited them for a whole year now, and therefore for Selvi's Pongal holidays, Appa had decided that they would visit Thatha. "Selvi, I'm here!" Thatha said when he saw them.

"Thatha! I'm so happy to see you," Selvi squealed and jumped into his arms.

"How are you, my sweet dark halwa?" Thatha asked.

"Ah Thatha, you still remember that pet name you gave me!"

"Of course, little one. You are sweeter than Tirunelveli's best halwa!' Thatha laughed and gave her a small newspaper parcel.

The parcel was warm. Selvi opened it eagerly to find another banana-leaf packet inside. A sweet aroma rose from the packet and tickled Selvi's nostrils. She knew what was in it and her mouth started watering.

"Can I eat it here, Appa?" she asked her father, who was getting down from the train with their luggage.

"Not here Selvi, it is dusty and crowded here. Wait till we get to the car," Appa replied.

"But it will get cold!' Selvi argued.