Small Story 722.

 Small Story 722

Life Is Beautiful – 67

The next day, Ram reached the Channel office as usual. He settled into the chair allotted to him by Atkinson and began sipping the cardamom tea that was served to him.

A little while later, Atkinson called him.

“Good morning, Ram. I will be there by 10:15 a.m. Sulaiman is coming at 10:30.”

“Fine, Mr. Atkinson. I am already here,” Ram replied.

Atkinson arrived at the office as promised, and Kathambari soon joined him for the meeting with Sulaiman.

Exactly at 10:30 a.m., Sulaiman entered the office. Dressed in his traditional Arab attire, he looked elegant and dignified. He warmly greeted Atkinson.

Atkinson immediately called Ram into his cabin.

“Ram, please come in.”

Ram entered the cabin and, on seeing Sulaiman, greeted him respectfully. Sulaiman warmly returned his greetings.

After tea was served to Sulaiman, he began the conversation.

“The demise of Madhavan is a great loss to me,” Sulaiman said with emotion. “He sent me an email just two days ago telling me about you and the blogger Ram. I went through your blog and was very impressed by your writing and the subjects you cover.

“I have therefore come today with a proposal for a long-term relationship between my publishing company and your Channel. We can work together on publishing books and blogs, with Ram providing his guidance and creative inputs.

“Furthermore, we can create an online platform offering courses on blogging for many aspiring writers and bloggers. We could also conduct interviews with various personalities and introduce fresh ideas and programmes to make the Channel more vibrant and attractive.

“This association can continue in other locations as well, provided the war situation does not worsen. If the situation becomes unfavourable, we can always review the arrangements and take appropriate decisions. I believe this can become a safe, mutually beneficial and long-term association for both of us.

“I would like to consider this as a preliminary understanding between my company and your Channel.”

Atkinson listened carefully and then said,

“First of all, Sulaiman, let me thank you for visiting our Channel and for bringing forward this new proposal. It certainly appears to offer mutual benefits. Let me discuss the proposal with our overseas parent company and get back to you within a week.

“This is a new concept for our Channel. Through such an initiative, many talented and aspiring people may get an opportunity to associate themselves with us.”

Atkinson then turned towards Ram.

“Mr. Ram, what is your opinion?”

Ram smiled and replied,

“I think it is a very good and practical suggestion, Mr. Atkinson. It is a valuable proposal coming from an experienced publisher like Mr. Sulaiman. I sincerely hope your Directors will consider it positively. From my side, I am happy to endorse the proposal.”

Sulaiman smiled appreciatively.

“Thank you, Ram. I am confident that together we can create something meaningful and beneficial for many aspiring writers and bloggers.”

They continued their discussion for a few more minutes. Before the meeting concluded, Atkinson introduced Kathambari to Sulaiman. They exchanged warm greetings, and shortly afterwards, Sulaiman took leave of them and left the Channel office.

Ram remained thoughtful after the meeting. He had never expected that Sulaiman, without having met him personally, had taken the trouble to read his blog and form such a positive opinion about his work. It made him genuinely happy and humbled.

The day's work continued as usual, but the meeting remained fresh in Ram's mind.

While returning to the guest house in the car that evening, Ram looked out through the window and silently reminisced about the day's unexpected developments.

So many things had happened in such a short time. Madhavan's sudden demise had brought sorrow, yet, in an unexpected way, it had also opened a new door of opportunity for him. The meeting with Sulaiman, the proposal for a long-term association, and the possibility of reaching aspiring bloggers through new platforms all filled his mind with thoughts about the future.

Ram smiled to himself and whispered,

“Life is really very beautiful!”

Tobe continued

K.Ragavan

3-9-26