Serendipity

My cell phone rang as JS and I almost reached the office. "Sir, Murthy here. We have this farewell function.." he trailed off. "I remember Mr. Murthy. I'm almost near the office. I'll be there in the next 10-15 minutes". Farewells at a large office like mine are frequent. Apart from a tea party attended by all the office-members, there'd be a tete-a-tete too with the outgoing staffer with the head of the office. "So she's Manjula right?" I asked Murthy as I eased into my chair, back at the office. "No Sir, she's Mary Mangala". "Oh I'm sorry". I am just 15 days old at this office and it's difficult to remember names, among other things. "We'll usher her in at 4PM Sir". "Fine with me". Soon Murthy placed a profile of Mangala on my table, to help me make a conversation. "She'd sufered some serious health problems sir. That's why she's going out on voluntary retirement" he added for my benefit.

The clock struck 4 and there was a knock on the door. The Accounts Officer ushered Ms Mary Mangala in. Soon the pleasantries were over. "Coffee or tea?" I asked the lady. "Tea Sir". I glanced at Mary Mangala's profile. Her qualification read, 'MSc Botany, Bangalore University, 1980'. I knew I had something to talk. "Ma'm it's nice to learn you've done MSc. Which college did you pass out from?" "Central College Sir". "Did you by any chance have a classmate named Saraswathi? My aunt - Saraswathi - too did her MSc Botany from Central College". "Sir, did she do research after her MSc?" "No". "Then I don't know Sir". I have to find a new thread to talk about, i thought. Suddenly through the conversation Mary Mangala jumped up and asked, 'Sir, had she done BEd before joining MSc?" "Yes that's right". "Is she...?" a few more questions about my aunt's looks etc came tumbling out, all answered in affirmative. "I know her Sir."

I picked up the phone, called my aunt and asked her, "Aunt, do you remember a classmate of yours from MSc..?" I could hear the chuckle before my aunt's response. "Yes, and we used to quarrel quite a lot". And, the two friends were talking to each other after 27 years. I was glad I'd brought an unexpected smile on to someone's face. Sure it's a small world.