Birthday Gift

Tia heard soft sounds coming from the next room—it sounded like packing, maybe.

- Meenu Tripathi

No, not maybe, definitely. Tia thought this with her eyes closed and smiled.

Tia’s birthday fell during the summer vacation. Just yesterday, she celebrated it. She received plenty of gifts, but the most unique gift was from Dadu. He promised to take her to Kullu-Manali—on the third day after her birthday.

At first, her parents and Dadi were surprised by Dadu’s gift. But soon, they were pleased with his plan.

Tia was puzzled as to how Dadu managed to come up with a plan all by himself that made everyone so happy.

When she asked Dadi about the trip, she replied, “Look, Tia, since your Dadu has planned this trip for you, it’s best you ask him.”

When she asked Mummy, she said, “Whatever he’s planned is wonderful. Why do you need to know? Just enjoy wherever he takes you.”

When she asked Papa, he said directly, “Tia, it’s not right to ruin someone’s surprise. Still, if you’re so eager, why don’t you go and ask him yourself?”

Dadu simply laughed and said, “Leave all the worrying to me. You just play.”

At the mention of playing, she picked up her phone and thought, Why should I worry about planning? Tickets, preparation, packing—all that is the grown-ups’ headache.

Feeling relaxed, she immersed herself in a video game on her phone. A little later, Dadu came in. Tia expected him to scold her for playing on her phone. But, seeing her playing, he smiled, patted her head gently, and went out for a walk.