Small Story 589.

 Small Story 589.

 Mango Encounter

Rathna never expected an invitation from Anupama, whom she had met just three months earlier at a theater while watching an old Kannada movie of Shankar Nag. They had struck up a quick friendship, and Anupama, a Chemistry professor from Vijayawada who was in town for a relative’s wedding, had taken Rathna’s phone number before leaving.

Now, to Rathna’s surprise and delight, Anupama had sent an invitation to her son’s wedding, which was to be held in Bengaluru the following month.

One afternoon, Rathna received a parcel. It was from Anupama—inside were ten large, ripe mangoes. Rathna immediately called her to thank her for both the invitation and the thoughtful gift.

“These mangoes are from our farm in Vijayawada,” Anupama whispered warmly. “We’ll meet at the wedding next month.”

“Certainly,” Rathna replied with a smile.

That evening, Rathna’s husband, Ramkumar, returned home from the hospital. As soon as he entered, he noticed the sweet aroma.

“These must be from Andhra Pradesh,” he said. “Did you buy them?”

Rathna laughed softly. “No, remember I told you about my friend I met at the theater? Anupama from Vijayawada—she sent them. And she’s invited us to her son’s wedding in Bengaluru next month.”

Ramkumar smiled. “That’s impressive. In such a short time, you’ve made a good friend—and even received famous mangoes along with a wedding invitation.”

Rathna smiled back. “That’s the advantage of studying psychology—I understand people well.”

Ramkumar nodded in agreement. “True indeed.”

K.Ragavan 

23-4-26