Small Story.625.

 Small Story 625 

No Expectations

Mukund signed the last letter prepared for dispatch by Clerk Rangaswamy. After signing it, he silently prayed that the contract mentioned in the letter would come to his company.

Mukund was a Regional Manager working for a leading electronic distribution company dealing with many top brands. The company supplied products to distributors across India, Sri Lanka, and Africa.

After finishing his work, Mukund walked to his car to drive home to Adyar. Though it was only a five-kilometre drive, the traffic was usually heavy. But that evening, the roads were surprisingly clear.

As he reached home, he smiled softly and whispered, “Home is home.”

His wife Nandhini greeted him warmly.

“Shall I bring you tea and biscuits?” she asked.

“Thank you. I had tea just half an hour ago. Has Supraja returned from office?” Mukund asked.

Nandhini replied, “Today is her friend’s birthday party. She said she’ll be a little late.”

Mukund nodded and went to wash his face.

Just then, Nandhini’s mobile phone rang. It was her friend Shyamala.

“Hey, how are you? Are you at home? Arjun has gone to his friend’s party and will return late. He said if I am nearby, he’ll pick me up. I told him I would wait at your place.”

“Come over,” said Nandhini happily.

Within ten minutes, Shyamala arrived from the next street where she lived in her independent house.

The two friends spent time reminiscing about old memories while enjoying snacks prepared by Nandhini.

Soon, Nandhini received a call.

“Mum, I’m on the way to aunty’s house,” said Arjun.

Ten minutes later, Arjun arrived along with Supraja.

Supraja laughed and said, “Mum, I never knew Arjun was Shyamala aunty’s son! We met at the party through a mutual friend.”

Shyamala looked at Supraja with admiration.

“What a charming girl your daughter is! Whoever marries her will be very lucky.”

Nandhini smiled proudly.

“Yes. My husband’s friend’s son, Suhas, is going to marry her. He is a plastic surgeon in Singapore.”

“Oh, that’s wonderful,” whispered Shyamala.

After a while, Shyamala and Arjun left.

While driving back home, Arjun said softly,

“Mom, I know you’re disappointed… but I am not.”

Shyamala looked at him quietly.

Arjun smiled gently.

“Because I do not expect anything.”

Shyamala nodded in silence.

“Yes… that is true.”

K.Ragavan

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