Small Story 63 ADeepavali to Remember

Small Story 63.A Deepavail to Remember Trichy was bustling as Deepavali approached. The streets were alive with shoppers—young and old—eager to buy clothes and crackers. Pankajam, accompanied by her 12-year-old grandson, Gautam, took an auto from Srirangam to the Teppakulam area, excited for their outing. They visited several shops in search of the perfect crackers, but none seemed to satisfy Gautam. Finally, in a quaint shop, he spotted the old Lakshmi Crackers, drawn to its nostalgic sound. His eyes lit up with joy. Pankajam smiled, pleased to see him happy. After that, she picked up a new T-shirt for him, a saree for herself, and a dhoti and shirt for her husband, Aravumudhan. Their total came to ₹3,450, but Pankajam only had ₹3,000 from her husband. She decided to use her daily savings to cover the rest. On their way back, Gautam suggested taking the bus to Srirangam, a thoughtful choice to save money. Pankajam admired his maturity. After losing his parents in a fire accident during a wedding six years ago, Gautam had grown up quickly. Pankajam’s family were known cooks, skilled at preparing dishes for festivals, but that tragedy had left them with nothing in terms of compensation. Aravumudhan ran a small but successful tiffin room, and they managed to live a simple yet fulfilling life. His monthly income hovered between ₹10,000 and ₹12,000, but they cherished their values over material wealth. The next day, on Deepavali, their neighbor Komala came to pay her respects. Dressed in a stunning new Kancheepuram silk saree that cost ₹25,000, she brought a large bag filled with sweets and clothes. A “Pankajam mami, I’ve come to seek your blessings,” she said warmly. “Komala, ever since I became your neighbor, you’ve been so generous. I don’t have relatives here, but I consider you family. Your husband helped me in a time of need; I’ll never forget that,” Komala replied, her voice thick with emotion. Years ago, Pankajam's husband had found her fallen husband on the street, cash bag in hand, and brought him home safely. That act of kindness had led to a promotion for Komala’s husband, now a sales manager. Tears welled in her eyes as she recounted the story. Gautam listened intently, then piped up, “Patti, every year we celebrate Deepavali in a grand manner because of our Rangan!” Pankajam gazed at the tall tower of the Sri Ranganatha temple, filled with gratitude for the blessings in their lives. Despite their struggles, the love and support of their community and family made every celebration worthwhile. K.Ragavan 31-10-24