Small Story 114. The Unexpected Reunion

Small Story 114. *The Unexpected Reunion* Shyamala entered the newly opened apartment, her heart filled with excitement, but also with a sense of confusion. The security guard greeted her with the news that her friend Rekha was out of the country. Shyamala was taken aback, as just yesterday Rekha had told her over the phone she was in the country. Both Shyamala and Rekha were childhood friends, and despite Rekha’s frequent travels as a project manager for an event management company, their bond had remained strong. Shyamala, a housewife from Kumbakonam, had traveled all the way from her hometown to Chennai to invite Rekha in person to her son Hari’s Upanayanam ceremony. However, with Rekha's sudden departure, Shyamala felt uncertain about what to do next. She could not call Rekha because she didn’t know which country she had gone to, and the time difference made it all the more complicated. She thought of going to visit a relative, an uncle who was near Royapettah Hospital, but she didn’t have his contact details. The tension in her mind grew—she wasn’t familiar with Chennai and didn’t know where to go. Just then, her phone rang. It was Rekha. She explained that she would be traveling to Dubai for a program and would return next week. Rekha advised Shyamala not to worry, offering her a solution: “I’ll message you the address of a friend of mine who lives near my apartment. You can stay there and go to the station in the night.” Within seconds, Shyamala received the address. She asked the security for directions, and after walking for a while, she reached the destination. When she rang the bell, a European lady named Sophia greeted her warmly. "Hi, I’m Sophia. How can I help you?" she asked. Sophia invited Shyamala inside, and Shyamala was stunned by the elegantly decorated hall. After explaining her situation, Sophia reassured her, “Don’t worry, you can join us for lunch. We’ll have sambar, rasam, and rice, just like you like.” Shyamala was taken aback. “You know my food preferences?” she asked, surprised. Sophia nodded, and they sat down at the dining table. Sophia explained, “Rekha is a good friend of mine. We moved here two years ago. My husband works for Philips. What time do you usually have lunch?” “It’s about 10 now, but I can wait until 11:30,” Shyamala replied. At 11:30, Sophia’s husband, wearing a dhoti, came in. He was introduced to Shyamala as Arthanari. When Shyamala heard his name, her heart skipped a beat. "Are you from Kumbakonam?" she asked, her voice filled with wonder. Arthanari confirmed, “Yes, I am.” “I’m Raman’s daughter,” Shyamala said. “I have not met you before, but my dad always spoke of his younger brother who moved to Holland. I’ve been trying to get in touch with him for years.” Arthanari’s face softened as he heard the familiar name. “Oh, my God, I’ve been longing to see my brother. Despite many emails and calls, he never responded.” Shyamala explained, “My father is no more. I’m the only daughter, and I’ve come to invite Rekha to my son’s Upanayanam.” The revelation hit Arthanari hard. Despite the long estrangement between him and Shyamala’s father, the bond of family could not be erased. Arthanari, who had no children of his own, was moved by the occasion. He agreed to grace the Upanayanam ceremony as the only elder left in the family. The ceremony went beautifully, and Rekha,, made it a grand event. The reunion of Shyamala with her long-lost uncle Arthanari added an unforgettable layer to the occasion. In the end, it was more than just a celebration of Hari’s Upanayanam; it was a heartwarming story of unexpected family reunions. K.Ragavan 3-1-25