Who wins your praise?

Ramu had been living in the house of Suren since his younger days. Suren knew that he was on orphan hailing from his village to whom his rich father had taken kindly and kept him under his care. Ramu was brought up like the other children in the family and had received the same education up to the college level.Ramu on his part did the master proud by studying well and topping the college. A bright and honest chap he had endeared himself to one and all in the family by his pleasant behaviour and smiling face.

Over the years he had grown into a tall and handsome man who can put to shame even the matinee idols. Suren’s father asked the youngster to oversee the servants in the house and its management. Entrusted with the running of the household, Ramu was scrupulously honest, sincere and hard working. Suren’s father liked him as much as any other member of the family and trusted him blindly. When the old man died suddenly, Suren who had also a soft corner for Ramu allowed him to continue as before.

Things were going smoothly till Suren’s only daughter Vaishnavi who was a college going girl fell for this handsome man’s good looks and strong physique. She too was an exceedingly beautiful girl, intelligent and fun loving. When the girl started making advances to him and indicated her love for him, Ramu did not take advantage of her yearning for him. Knowing his position in the family as a servant and aware of all the affection shown to him by Suren’s dad since his young days, he never encouraged her. He kept a safe distance and even indicated to her his lowly position, his antecedents as an orphan and the likelihood of him being accused as an ungrateful wretch. He advised her that she choose someone befitting her status in life and leave him alone.

But the girl madly in love with him just would not allow such talks to dissuade her. She made him drive the car for her to be dropped in the college or when visiting malls and thus chose every opportunity to be alone with him.Ramu was in a quandary. He too liked her but resisted such thoughts to engage his mind.It was when her pleadings to return her love became persistent and she started holding his hands or putting hers on his shoulders, Ramu decided to put an end to this. He was afraid that he in a moment of weakness he may be tempted to accept her love. His loyalty to the family and sense of gratitude overcame his personal predilections.

He tactfully mentioned to Suren his predicament and asked him to relieve him from his duty. He also said he had spoken to none about this. Suren was touched by his sense of loyalty and his act of self denial. He wondered what any other young man would have done in a similar situation.He had a private discussion with his daughter though it is not known what transpired in the discussions. The girl seemed to accept the logic in his advice and kept away from Ramu.

Suren removed him from the household making him his personal secretary in his big office. He made him stay in an independent accommodation. He sent him for training to different institutions and made him work in several departments for short periods. Given his talent, hard work and innate intelligence, Ramu became indispensable and a Vice President in the office in a matter of few years.Suren found that Vaishnavi’s affection was not a mere infatuation but an abiding love that withstood the long lapse of time. He was willing to do any thing she wanted and what greater thing can there be than in entrusting her to the person she loved most. Ramu now had the social status and matching charm as that of Vaishnavi.Suren possibly kept the word he had given her while discussing the issue initially.

Who wins your praise in this episode? Is it Ramu or Suren or the girl who bided her time to win Ramu’s hand?