Small Story 764.

 Small Story 764

 An Unexpected Reunion

Swamy received a phone call from his friend and former colleague, Laxman, who requested him to accompany him to visit a doctor. Both of them lived in the same apartment complex on different floors. Swamy readily agreed, as they were close friends and were almost the same age, 73. Both their sons had settled abroad.

A little later, Laxman arrived at Swamy’s flat. Swamy’s wife, Smitha, welcomed him warmly and offered him tea and biscuits. After enjoying the refreshments and exchanging a few pleasantries, the two friends prepared to leave.

Swamy was originally from Chennai and had moved to Bengaluru 25 years ago following a job transfer. He had settled down in the city with his family and had built a comfortable life there.

Soon, both friends left for the doctor’s clinic in Laxman’s car.

The doctor had returned from the United Kingdom two years earlier and settled in Bengaluru. With his professional experience, excellent medical knowledge, and reputation as a good physician, he had established a thriving practice. Many patients trusted him for his expertise and personal attention.

At the clinic, Laxman was asked to enter the consultation room, while Swamy waited in the reception area.

After examining Laxman for about twenty minutes, the doctor prescribed some medicines. As Laxman came out and prepared to leave, he searched for his mobile phone to make the payment. To his surprise, he could not find it.

Just then, the doctor came out of his consultation room, holding a mobile phone.

“Mr. Laxman, you have forgotten your mobile phone! Please take it,” he called out.

As the doctor handed the phone to Laxman, his eyes fell on Swamy, who was sitting nearby. Suddenly, he looked closely at him and exclaimed excitedly,

“Hey, Swamy! Is that really you? It has been 45 years since we last met! Can you recognise me?”

Swamy looked at the doctor carefully for a moment. Then, his face lit up with delight.

“Rajagopal! Of course, I recognise you! What a pleasant surprise! I never imagined that I would meet you again after so many decades,” he exclaimed.

The two old friends shook hands warmly, their faces beaming with happiness. The doctor immediately invited Swamy and Laxman into his consultation room, where they began talking excitedly.

Rajagopal was none other than Swamy’s close friend from his younger days. The two had lived in Tambaram, Chennai, and shared a passion for playing trade games. They had spent countless hours together, completely absorbed in the game, often forgetting the passage of time. Those youthful memories remained precious to Swamy, even after so many years.

As they reminisced about their younger days, laughter filled the room. They recalled their old friends, their favourite pastimes, and the wonderful moments they had shared. Neither could believe that nearly 45 years had passed since they had last seen each other.

Rajagopal had become a renowned cardiologist. After spending several years in the United Kingdom, he had returned to India two years earlier and settled in Bengaluru with his wife. Their only daughter was settled in the United States. Interestingly, Rajagopal and his wife lived in an apartment complex close to Swamy’s residence.

What a remarkable coincidence! Two childhood friends who had lost touch for decades were now living just a short distance from each other without knowing it.

Before they parted, Swamy invited Rajagopal and his wife to lunch at his home the following day. He also invited Laxman and his family to join them, as it was Laxman who had unknowingly brought the two old friends together.

The next day, everyone gathered at Swamy’s home for a cheerful lunch. Smitha warmly welcomed Rajagopal and his wife, while Laxman and his family joined in the happy reunion.

Laxman’s wife, Lakshmi, was particularly delighted. She had often heard her husband speak fondly of Swamy’s old friend Rajagopal and the wonderful trade games they had played together in their younger days. She was happy that her husband’s visit to the doctor had unexpectedly reunited two old friends who had shared such beautiful memories.

For Swamy and Rajagopal, the reunion was much more than a chance meeting. It was an opportunity to reconnect with a cherished chapter of their lives and renew a friendship that had remained alive in their memories despite 45 years of separation.

Sometimes, life has its own unexpected ways of bringing people together. What began as an ordinary visit to a doctor turned into an unforgettable reunion, proving that **true friendship never fades with time, and cherished memories can bring old friends together when they least expect it.**

K.Ragavan

15-10-26