Small Story 116 A Contention Reward

Small Story 116 A Contention Reward" Ramurthy, after ten years, was on his way to visit his aunt Bhagyam in Chromepet. He had not seen her since her husband passed away, and she had recently returned from Singapore, where her son, Bhaskar, had settled with his wife, Lakshmi, and daughter, Suma. Bhagyam, though 68, was still active and well-versed in daily affairs. As Ramurthy arrived at her house, she greeted him warmly, happy to see her nephew. After exchanging pleasantries and consoling her on the loss of her husband, Ramurthy handed her a bag full of sweets. Bhagyam, however, whispered to him, asking why he had brought so much. Ramurthy smiled and explained that it was a token of his affection and gratitude. In return, Bhagyam gave him a big bag with compliments for his wife, Visalam, and their son, Ramu, along with some snacks like peanut balls and murukku, favorite treats from the South. Once they sat down to talk, Bhagyam revealed a surprising piece of news. Bhaskar, her son, had great respect for Ramurthy’s late father, Swamy, who had helped Bhaskar with his studies in Singapore. Bhaskar, wanting to honor that bond, had come up with a proposal: He wanted to marry his daughter, Suma, to Ramurthy’s son, Ramu, in six months. Additionally, Bhaskar’s family was offering Ramurthy and Visalam a permanent home in Chromepet, as they had lived in a rented house for many years. Stunned by the proposal, Ramurthy was taken aback. Bhagyam assured him that this was something Bhaskar and his wife, Lakshmi, were both happy with. She expressed admiration for Visalam’s contented lifestyle and said that it would be a blessing for their families. Although overwhelmed, Ramurthy could not refuse this loving arrangement from his aunt. Months later, the marriage of Ramu, the upcoming famous artist, and Suma was celebrated with great fanfare. Many VIPs from the film industry attended, as Ramu was known for his artistic works and illustrations. The union was joyous, and after the wedding, the entire family visited their favorite god, Lord Balaji, at Tirupati, to offer their thanks and blessings for the new chapter in their lives. In the end, Ramurthy and Visalam remained the beautiful, contented couple they had always been, embracing the changes brought by love and family. K.Ragavan 5-1-25