Small Story 192.

Small Story 192. A Friend's Timely Gesture Kumar returned from the bank and asked his wife Lakshmi, "Why hasn’t Shyam transferred the money today?" Lakshmi responded, "No transfer, that's strange. He usually sends it on time, and I haven’t received it on GPay either." Shyam, their only son, had been working in the US for over twenty years at a financial company. He had always sent money regularly and visited his parents once every two years. Despite his repeated requests for Kumar and Lakshmi to join him in the US, Kumar, a bit conservative in his views, always declined. Shyam’s aunt, Shyamala, had once hoped to marry her daughter Pankajam to Shyam, but that never happened. Pankajam married and settled in Singapore. Despite these family dynamics, Shyam had always been there for his parents, sending Rs. 40,000 every month. This time, however, Kumar needed Rs. 1 lakh for his cataract surgery and had requested Shyam to send the amount. Kumar had retired from his job at a private firm, and as a non-pensioner, he was managing on the interest from limited savings and the monthly remittance from Shyam. Kumar had spent over Rs. 40 lakhs on Shyam's education, sending him to the US for further studies and making sure he was comfortable. But Kumar never expected anything in return. For the past twenty years, Shyam’s monthly transfers had been enough to cover household expenses. With that money and some savings, Kumar had built a small house in a prime area of Kanakapura Road, Bengaluru, which was now worth around three crore. That evening, Kumar received a call from an unfamiliar number. The voice on the other end said, "Hello, Mr. Kumar. I am Ram, Shyam’s friend. I work with him. Recently, with the political changes in our company, both Shyam and I were asked to leave. Luckily, our visas are still valid. I’m coming to your place at 5 PM today with Shyam's demand draft for Rs. 1 lakh and some items he asked me to deliver in person. Shyam and I both have new jobs lined up with another company, which we’ll join next month. Don’t worry about Shyam. He’s doing fine. He was telling me how much he values your blessings, and that your attachment to the deity helped me get this job." At 5 PM, Ram arrived at Kumar’s house, handing over the demand draft and a bag with chocolates and nuts. Kumar and Pankajam welcomed him with a treat of badam cake and snacks, and they packed a parcel for Ram’s parents as a gesture of goodwill. After Ram left, Pankajam whispered, "You know, the same person, Ram, who brought you the money for your cataract surgery, was also the one who helped Shyam secure his job. Now you can thank Shyam for being so dutiful." Both Kumar and Lakshmi felt a sense of relief from the tension. Kumar was now ready to go ahead with his surgery, scheduled for Wednesday. K.Ragavan 22-3-25