Surya and Karan had been inseparable since kindergarten. Their friendship was like a well-oiled machine, built on a shared love for mischief and fun. Little did they know that a seemingly harmless gift would lead to a series of events that would have the entire school buzzing.

It all started when Karan gifted Surya a shiny new basketball. Surya was over the moon with his new treasure. He couldn’t wait to show it off to the entire world, including his classmates.

One fateful day, Surya decided to take his beloved basketball to school. As he proudly entered the classroom with the ball tucked under his arm, the atmosphere buzzed with curiosity and excitement. However, amidst the joy, there was a looming threat named Prashant.

Prashant, known for his hefty build and rough demeanor, eyed the basketball with ill intentions. He couldn’t resist the urge to puncture it, a move that would soon send the classroom into chaos.

As Surya discovered the deflated ball, his eyes welled up with tears. The class erupted into chaos as Surya confronted Prashant. It didn’t take long before their argument escalated into a full-blown fight, with Surya refusing to be consoled.

Prashant, realizing the gravity of the situation, promised to ask his father for a new basketball as a way to make amends. But Surya was inconsolable, his tears flowing like a never-ending river.

As the school day ended, Prashant’s father waited at the bus stop as usual to pick up his son. Little did he know, he was about to be thrust into a situation he was completely unprepared for.

Surya, still livid and determined to seek justice for his deflated basketball, approached Prashant’s father and grabbed him by the collar. He passionately explained how the basketball was a gift from his dearest friend, Karan, and how Prashant’s reckless behavior had caused him immense grief.

Prashant’s father, bewildered by this unexpected turn of events, was at a loss for words. He couldn’t fathom the gravity of a fight over a basketball. When he failed to respond appropriately, Surya threatened to take the matter to the police commissioner’s office. He claimed that his uncle (a friend of mine), who happened to be a joint commissioner, would ensure justice was served.

Panicked, the school bus driver rushed home and contacted me over the phone, explaining the dire situation. I quickly headed to the pick-up point, knowing that the Commissioner’s Office was the last place a sixth-grader should be.

When I arrived, Surya was still upset and inconsolable. I reassured him that I could easily replace the basketball. However, Surya was determined to have his day at the Commissioner’s office.

With a heavy sigh, I informed my Joint Commissioner friend, who graciously agreed to meet Surya at his office. The meeting took place, and Surya passionately presented his case. When I insisted that they not take a picture together as it might boost Surya’s ego, my friend couldn’t resist a quick snapshot, much to Surya’s delight.

Surya returned home victorious, brandishing a picture with the Joint Commissioner like a badge of honour, his friends duly impressed by his newfound “powers.” The deflated basketball incident became a legendary tale in the school, and Surya learned that sometimes, seeking justice can lead to unexpected adventures and lasting memories.

Through it all, Surya’s unwavering dedication to friendship shone brightly, just like his mother, who had always taught him that true friends are worth fighting for. He also inherited from his mother a penchant for cherishing memories, and the deflated basketball and the photograph became cherished mementos of a unique adventure that reinforced the value of friendship.