Small Story 196.

Small Story 196. "Sweet Encounters" Ram and Vijay are twin brothers who lost their parents at a young age. Raised by their grandparents, Desikan and Lakshmi, they grew up with strong family values and traditions. After completing their degrees, Desikan, a civil engineer by profession, wanted the boys to continue their studies, but they were more inclined to join him in the family business—Home Links, which had been thriving for decades. Home Links was famous for its delicious sweets, papads, pickles, and other household items, especially items like Mysore Pak and Badam Cake, which became iconic in the Gandhi Bazaar area under the brand name "Keshav." The business was further enriched by the expertise of their cook, Ambujam, whose culinary skills were well-known throughout the region. As Ram and Vijay joined their grandfather in the business, it expanded to export to several South Asian countries. One day, Desikan was working in their spacious office when a large car pulled up in front of it. Vishnu, a popular contractor who had built numerous buildings in the heart of Bengaluru, entered the office. Desikan recognized him from various events and greeted him warmly. After some tea and fresh Badam cake, Vishnu brought up the purpose of his visit. "Mr. Desikan, I've heard about your brand through my wife, Nandhini, for many years. We love the quality, taste, and value of your products. My two granddaughters came back from the US last week, and they, too, enjoyed your products. They've studied catering and are interested in venturing into the business with you." Desikan was taken aback by this unexpected development, but he agreed to consult with his grandsons, who were his only family. Vishnu continued, “I also have another proposal for them—giving my granddaughters, Vasanthy and Revathy, to them, as per their parents’ wish. They studied with Ram and Vijay back in school.” Desikan, still surprised, agreed to visit Vishnu’s house with his family the following Sunday. The two families met, and a discussion was held over a video call with the parents of Vasanthy and Revathy, who gave their approval. Ram and Vijay found themselves liking their respective partners, Vasanthy and Revathy. Two months later, the weddings of Ram and Vijay were celebrated with much fanfare, attended by VIPs, builders, and thousands of loyal customers of Keshav. What Desikan didn’t know was that the secret behind Vishnu’s visit was that his granddaughters and his grandsons had been classmates in school, a detail that led to this sweet, unexpected union. K.Ragavan. 26-3-25.