Small Story 205.

Small Story 205. Vedanth's Great Gesture After returning from the bank, Swamy called his wife Malathy. "I have good news for you. I met Nandhini, who got transferred from Tirunelveli." "Oh, good news! Did she talk to you?" asked Malathy. "Yes, she enquired about you. She will be visiting our house on Sunday," Swamy replied. After having his breakfast, Swamy sat down in his chair. His thoughts drifted back eight years to when he was working in Chennai for the Intelligence Bureau. His close friend, Vedanth, and his family were living in his apartment at Royapettah. Vedanth worked as a manager at a leading IT company, and his family consisted of his wife, Aarthi, and their only daughter, Nandhini, who was studying in the final year of her MBA. Swamy and Malathy didn't have children, so they often spent time with Vedanth's family. They admired Nandhini’s knowledge and behavior. One day, Vedanth called Swamy and invited him on a trip to Tirunelveli, Alwar Tirunagari, and other places. Swamy, who was about to retire soon and was expecting some important dignitaries from abroad, couldn’t join the trip. He wished Vedanth and his family a happy journey. After three days, Swamy received the shocking news that Vedanth and Aarthi had been involved in a tragic accident and had died, but Nandhini was in critical condition. With the help of his friend, Swamy managed to bring their bodies back and got Nandhini treated. After a month, Nandhini had fully recovered and had even secured a good rank in her final-year exams. Vedanth had owned a house in Tirunelveli, and Nandhini wanted to go there to stay in remembrance of her parents. She hoped to be selected for a job at the bank in Tirunelveli. Her wish came true as she was selected by a leading bank and posted close to her family home. For the past five years, Swamy and Malathy had visited Nandhini every year, but due to their pilgrimage journeys, they hadn’t been able to visit her recently. They kept in touch by calling weekly and sending their best wishes on various occasions. Today, Swamy was delighted when he saw Nandhini at the bank, now working as a manager. After reminiscing about the past, Swamy and Malathy invited her over for lunch on Sunday. Nandhini brought along two of her favorite sweets, Jangrey and Mysore Pak, and they shared a beautiful meal together. After a while, Nandhini gave Swamy and Malathy wonderful news: “Before my dad passed away, he made me promise that once I settled down, I would go and stay with you both, to take care of you until your last breath. He said that you two are now my parents.” Swamy, moved by her words, whispered, “Vedanth, you had great love and affection for me, and you asked Nandhini to be our daughter, which we had been longing for.” The very next day, Nandhini moved into their home, becoming the daughter Swamy and Malathy had always wished for. K.Ragavan 4-4-25