Small Story 421.

Small Story421. A Crush Vanished Out of Respect Dr. Basavanna had just seen the last patient of the day. He was a general practitioner with a well-established clinic in Begur, on the way to Gundlupet. For nearly three decades, he had been serving the local community. Every morning, he left Mysore at 7 a.m. with his lunch carrier and returned home to his Gokulam residence by 7 p.m. After freshening up, he would head to the club to play table tennis—a routine he followed diligently. An old L.M.P. (Licentiate in Medical Practice), Dr. Basavanna had once worked under the guidance of the ace physician, Dr. Kini, from whom he had learned a great deal. At 58, he was still active, deeply spiritual, and often visited Chamundi Hills to seek the blessings of the goddess. During Dasara, he made it a point to visit the Mysore Palace, given his long-standing association with the royal family. That evening, just as he was about to leave for the club, his old classmate, Prabhu Swamy, dropped by to invite him to his son’s wedding. Over tea, the two friends chatted for about twenty minutes before parting ways. Later that night, during dinner, Dr. Basavanna told his family about the wedding, to be held the following week at a kalyana mantapa in Jayalakshmipuram. His daughter, Rohini, a final-year medical student at Mysore Medical College, knew Prabhu Swamy’s son, Rohith. In fact, Rohith had long harbored a crush on her—but he had never expressed it, out of respect for the friendship between their fathers. When the day of the wedding arrived, Rohini attended with her family. After the ceremony, she met Rohith and congratulated him. Rohith smiled softly and whispered, “I used to have a crush on you, but I never said anything—out of respect for our dads’ friendship.” Rohini smiled back. “I understand. I felt the same. Some things are better left unsaid.” Rohith nodded. “That’s the right spirit. Whatever happens, happens by Swamiji’s will. Thank you for coming.” Both smiled warmly—two respectful hearts that had once quietly admired each other, now at peace with how life had unfolded. K.Ragavan 6-11-25