Small Story 623.

 Small Story 623 

Sweet News

Ram and Apparao entered their usual meeting place to meet their friends. Apparao and Ram lived ini the same apartment complex. Both had retired from the Income Tax Department with good reputations. Apparao lived with his wife Brundha and daughter Aruna in the flat next to Ram’s apartment.

Ram and his wife Suganthi were alone in their large apartment. Their son Rakesh worked for a leading advertising agency in Mumbai. At twenty-eight, he was smart, friendly, and well settled, though he was still unmarried. He visited his parents whenever he found time.

As soon as Ram and Apparao arrived, their friend Vasu welcomed them warmly and offered sweets.

“My son got engaged yesterday,” Vasu announced proudly. “The girl is his classmate from Mumbai.”

Everyone happily tasted the delicious Mysore Pak and Badam Cake.

Apparao smiled and said, “That is wonderful news, Vasu. I hope Ram will also distribute sweets soon.”

Ram laughed softly. “I too wish for that day. But whenever I bring up the topic of marriage, Rakesh refuses and shows no interest.”

One of the friends comforted him. “Don’t worry. When the right time comes, he will agree.”

After spending nearly forty-five minutes discussing various topics ranging from sports to films, the friends dispersed happily.

When Ram returned home, Suganthi greeted him with excitement.

“Good news! Apparao’s daughter Aruna has got a good job in Bengaluru. She will join tomorrow. Brundha sent this Badusha sweet for us.”

Ram smiled happily. “Wonderful! In the morning, we celebrated Vasu’s son’s engagement, and now Aruna’s job. Sou many good things are happening.”

Suganthi sighed gently. “Yes, good newsu everywhere. I wonder when good news will come to our home.”

Just then, Rakesh called from Mumbai.

“Mum,” he said, “my senior manager advised me not to postpone marriage and suggested that marrying at the right age is important. He sent me a photograph of his relative and asked me to share it with you and Dad. I respect him a lot for his advice. Also, I have been transferred as manager to our new Bengaluru branch.”

Ram’s face lit up with joy. His son would now be closer to them in Bengaluru. Curious, he opened the forwarded photograph. To his surprise, it was none other than Aruna.

Before Ram could recover from his excitement, Apparao entered the house holding his mobile phone.

“I came to show you the photograph sent by my relative through Rakesh’s senior manager,” he said eagerly.

Both friends looked at each other in amazement. Ram smiled warmly and said, “Apparao, your words have come true. Without even knowing it, we are going to become sammandhis!”

The two families shared sweets once again, this time celebrating a beautiful relationship destined by fate.

K.Ragavan

27-5-26