It was one of the colder Sunday mornings of December, and we were supposed to be meeting up at Mocambo, Park Street for a lunch where we would discuss our possible plans for a trip to Bombay next month.

Excitement was in the air, and so was the festive vibe of Christmas.

We had a bit of time to wander around, and so we did. A bit of strolling and a quick stop at Nature’s Basket led to me spotting a Flamin’ Hot Cheetos in one of the aisles in Nature’s Basket. And if you have ever been inside of a Nature’s Basket store, you would know how expensive they are.

We would playfully shuffle around the aisles, looking at items way beyond our affordability, and jokingly listing what we would be buying in a decade when we have our own cosy home. I somehow spotted a small packet of Cheetos, in the Flamin’ Hot flavour - one that is not easily available in the Indian markets, but something I had been interested in trying for a long time. There had been a time during my week-long stay at Abu Dhabi a few months prior when I had bought a big bag of the same variant, only to end up never opening the seal. Dona knew about this.

As we were about to leave, I saw Dona queuing up in the checkout section.

In her hand, a small packet of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos.

Unannounced.

Perfectly curated surprise.

In the subtle silence.

Sneaky? 🌚