Small Story 640.

 Small Story 640.

Successful Encounter

Ram came running as fast as he could to catch the 5:15 p.m. train at Jayanagar Station, but unfortunately, he missed it. More than missing the train, he was disappointed because he would miss seeing Anuja, whom he had met two days earlier while traveling from Silk Institute.

On that day, Ram had been standing in the train while Anuja was seated. The seat next to her was vacant. He hesitated to sit there, but Anuja smiled and offered him the seat.

She introduced herself.

“I am Anuja, a software engineer. I was working in Chennai and have recently been transferred to Bangalore. I travel to my office in Jayanagar.”

Ram replied, “Nice to meet you. I work in the same company as a Project Manager on the first floor.”

Anuja was pleasantly surprised. She liked Ram’s polite nature and appreciated the respect he had shown by hesitating before sitting beside her. Learning that they worked in the same company made her even happier.

When they reached Jayanagar, they walked to the office together. That evening, they met again and traveled back together. During their journey, Anuja mentioned that she usually caught the 5:15 p.m. train.

Ram admired her simplicity and graceful appearance. In her mid-twenties, Anuja carried herself with confidence and elegance. Ram, twenty-six years old, had a pleasant personality, a good physique, and gentle manners. Over the next two days, they became comfortable with each other, and Ram found himself thinking about her often.

The following morning, Ram met Anuja again at Silk Institute Station. After greeting him warmly, she said, “Yesterday, my parents arranged for me to meet a prospective groom from Chennai. He works in the United States and has come to Bangalore on vacation. I met him at my uncle’s house, where I am staying.”

Although Ram felt disappointed, he remained happy for her as a friend and colleague.

Anuja continued, “When I told him about my company, he immediately asked for your name and phone number. I gave them to him.”

“What is his name?” Ram asked.

“Vijay,” she replied.

Ram was shocked. Vijay was his old classmate from both school and college and had later moved to the United States.

About an hour later, Ram received a phone call.

“Hey, Ram! How are you?” Vijay said cheerfully. “I met the girl my parents wanted me to see. She is beautiful, intelligent, and well-mannered. But I need to tell you something. I already have feelings for a colleague in my office in Nebraska, and she feels the same way about me.”

Vijay continued, “Luckily, I got your number from Anuja. Please tell her that I have already made my decision. I had hoped to meet you, but my company has called me back urgently, and I am leaving this evening. We’ll catch up on a video call later. And Ram, I think you should marry her. Bye for now.”

The call ended.

Ram was deeply moved by Vijay’s honesty and generosity. The fact that Vijay himself had suggested Anuja as a match for him felt like a blessing.

That evening, Ram met Anuja at the station and told her everything. Anuja felt relieved and happy. She admitted that she liked Ram very much. She had agreed to meet Vijay only because of her parents’ wishes, but now the situation had become clear.

Their friendship soon blossomed into love.

Exactly two months later, Ram and Anuja were married in a grand ceremony at the newly built marriage hall near Silk Institute. Their families, friends, and colleagues gathered to celebrate the union that had begun with a simple train journey and a vacant seat.

For Ram and Anuja, what had seemed like an ordinary encounter became the beginning of a beautiful life together.

— K. Ragavan

13-6-26