Small Story 59 A New Chapter

Small Story 59. A New Chapter Franklin was astonished by the decision his daughter Nancy had made. “You really took this step?” he asked, disbelief etched on his face. “Yes, Dad,” Nancy replied with a determined nod. She had just decided to transfer to India for her job as a quality controller at a leading pharmaceutical company. This choice came shortly after her marriage to Chander, her colleague, who hailed from a traditional Hindu family. Despite knowing the cultural differences, Nancy adored Chander. His intelligence, charm, and strong values had captured her heart. Franklin, affectionately known as "Frank" among his friends for his open-mindedness, didn’t object to Nancy’s marriage. He had recently lost his wife to cancer and didn’t want to face life alone. Yet, he felt a twinge of worry about his daughter leaving him behind. Nancy also wrestled with the thought of leaving her father alone. However, Chander's mother, Ranjitham, was battling cancer herself, with doctors predicting only a few years left. This weighed heavily on Nancy’s heart, but she chose not to share this with her dad, wanting to protect him from the pain. In her mind, Nancy envisioned a solution. She had a colleague, Sheetal, a widow in her fifties, who possessed strong values and kindness. Nancy hoped to encourage a match between Franklin and Sheetal, thinking it could bring comfort to both of them in their loneliness. The next day, Nancy invited Sheetal over for tea, eager to introduce her to her father. As the three chatted, Franklin and Sheetal found common ground, engaging in lighthearted conversation. Days passed, and to Nancy’s surprise, her father expressed his willingness to marry Sheetal. Nancy couldn’t believe how quickly he had made this decision. A week later, Franklin and Sheetal were married in a vibrant Indian ceremony. Shortly after, Nancy and Chander moved to Bengaluru, where both had received promising job offers. As they settled into their new lives, Nancy reflected on how swiftly everything had unfolded. The secret behind her father’s quick acceptance remained undisclosed, known only to Sheetal, who had mentioned Ranjitham’s condition during their conversations. Franklin didn’t want Ranjitham's fate to mirror that of his late wife, and this realization led him to embrace the marriage wholeheartedly. In the end, all were grateful for this unexpected twist of fate. What began as a daunting new chapter transformed into a journey of companionship and shared strength. K.Ragavan 27-10-24