Short Story: A Rare Reunion

Dr. Goutam Bhattacharyya’s story explores the universal longing for connection and the bittersweet interplay between memory, nostalgia, and the rediscovery of companionship. 

The aroma of filter coffee and the morning newspaper were Prakasham Pillai’s usual companions. That particular Tuesday, however, a ping from his WhatsApp group, and the following message was seen on the screen: “Chennai Ratnamani High School Alumni, Centenary Celebrations,” which diverted his attention. The message, an invitation to the reunion, stirred a deep-seated nostalgia. Prakasham, a widower and recently retired from the Reserve Bank, hadn’t set foot in his old school in the last 45 years. The prospect of revisiting those hallowed grounds, of walking down memory lane, was a rare and tempting offer. He announced his intention to go, the thought of familiar faces, albeit aged, filling him with a quiet anticipation.

His granddaughter, Yamini, was now settled in Canada. After completing her engineering degree, she had secured a position in Bangalore, where she worked for three years before finally fulfilling her long-cherished dream of moving abroad. Of all his many relatives, she remained one of the few with whom he stayed in regular contact.