Small Story 65 Chiklavadi Dhuruv

Small Story 65.ChiklaVadi Dhuruv. In the small village of Chikalavadi, nestled far from the bustling city of Mumbai, life flourished under the watchful eye of Ramchand, a successful businessman and philanthropist. After decades of building his wealth in the cotton and textile industry, he and his wife, Amritha, decided to leave their city home in Dadar and settle permanently in their ancestral village. Their good friend, Srikanth, a retired postmaster, welcomed the couple’s decision. Ramchand’s only son, Adhitya, had moved to the UK for higher studies, marrying a woman Ramchand disapproved of. Years had passed without a word from Adhitya, leaving Ramchand with a heavy heart. One evening during a walk, Ramchand and Srikanth met a young boy named Dhuruv, who was searching for a medical shop. Upon learning that his mother, Vasanthi, was in the hospital, Ramchand’s compassionate nature shone through. He offered Dhuruv assistance, insisting he join the local school and stay in their outhouse until his mother recovered. Days turned into weeks, and soon Vasanthi was discharged from the hospital. Grateful for the kindness shown to her son, she shared her story with Amritha. Vasanthi had been a bank employee in Pune, but after losing her husband in an accident, she sought a new beginning in Chikalavadi. As the monsoon rains poured one day, Dhuruv accidentally spilled some cough syrup while trying to retrieve it from a shelf. In the chaos, Ramchand noticed a familiar face in a photograph—Adhitya’s. Vasanthi revealed that Dhuruv was indeed Ramchand’s grandson. Adhitya had married her against his father’s wishes, and after two happy years, tragedy struck. Tears welled in Ramchand’s eyes as he realized how misjudged his daughter-in-law had been.Also amazed to notice the reflection of his story Dhuruv inAdithya's child hoodto his son. The warmth of family flooded back into his heart, and Amritha beamed with joy, seeing traces of Adhitya in Dhuruv. Srikanth, witnessing the reunion, praised Ramchand’s decision to return to Chikalavadi. In this little village, the bonds of family and kindness forged a new chapter, connecting the past with the present, and breathing life into the future. K.Ragavan 2-11-24