Surprise ****

Maran was extremely depressed. His children were so busy with their careers and their own families that they seemed to have no time for Maran. But he didn’t mind that so much. What tore his heart was seeing the hurt in his wife’s eyes. Valli has struggled all her life for their children. She was tired and worn out. And she had gone completely blind.

It was Valli’s 55th birthday. Maran had made it as memorable as possible for her. They went to the Temple early in the morning. Then to the restaurant for her favourite breakfast – pongal and vadai. She glowed in happiness. But to her, nothing could make up for the missing children. None of her children had even bothered to call. She looked blankly with her unseeing eyes out of the car window as they drove back. Maran could not see it, but sensed the tears streaming out from her eyes.

He stopped the car outside their home and helped Valli inside, to her favourite armchair.

“Take your medicine dear,” Maran slipped the pills into her mouth, ignoring her outstretched palm. He quickly put the glass of water to her lips, washing the pills down quickly. Valli slumped back in the chair. He looked at her sad face for a moment. Next he slipped a pill into his mouth, downing it with a gulp of water. And then he sat back, closing his eyes.

Suddenly all the lights came on and Prem and Suresh with their wives and children all trooped in, shouting, "Surprise! Happy Birthday amma. Happy Birthday paati"

But Valli and Maran were already dead.