1) The document describes gossip at a small bank branch between colleagues about the relationship between Manoj and Sunayana. 2) Ravi tells the narrator that he suspects Manoj and Sunayana are having a love affair, despite their age difference and her being married. 3) At Manoj's wedding a month later, the narrator learns from Sunayana that she had helped arrange his marriage as the bride was her close friend, and she had been frequently talking to Manoj to coordinate the alliance.

1. 1
OFFICE GOSSIP
I was working as an officer in the bank. It was a
small branch with three officers (including branch
manager), four clerks and one peon. Sometimes
gossip among the colleagues would create
misunderstanding without knowing the reality.
Sunayana and Manoj were working in our bank as an
officer and clerk respectively. They became friends
in spite of their vast difference of age. Manoj was
28 and Sunayana was 40. Manoj was a bachelor and
Sunayana was married and a mother of ten year old
son. The other colleagues were closely watching
their movements.
One day at the commencement of the business hours
of the bank, one of the officer colleagues, whose
name is Ravi came to me with latest news.
“Do you know Mr. Balaji about the love affairs of
Manoj and Sunayana?”
I was surprised to hear such a strange and
unbelievable news from him.
“Who said they are lovers? Unless, you know
perfectly do not come to the conclusion. Before
suspecting others, you should think thoroughly.
Moreover, it is their personal matter. You are not
supposed to interfere in other’s private affairs.”
“I know it is purely their personal matter. Being a
responsible person in the bank, I cannot close my
eyes. I am one hundred percent confident by
observing their free movement.”
“I don’t agree with you. Sunayana is older than
Manoj and a mother of ten year old son. She is a
sober and respectable woman.”
He went out without defending his argument.
……… ………….
………….
After one month, Manoj invited all the colleagues
for his wedding on coming Sunday. In the wedding
hall, it was revealed to me by Sunayana that she
took initiative to arrange Manoj’s marriage, as the
bride happens to be her close friend. Sunayana’s

2. 2
husband Rajesh, who is a senior manager in another
bank entrusted the work of matrimonial alliance of
a girl with Manoj. In this context, Sunayana was
talking to Manoj frequently and visiting to nearby
canteen for coffee. Moreover, Manoj and Rajesh
belong to same place and they were maintaining
cordial relationship.
Ravi was busy with other friends. I called him to
meet me outside the hall. He rushed to me and asked
me the reason for calling.
“Sometime back, you told me about Manoj and
Sunayana.”
“Yes sir! I remember and there is no wrong in
suspecting others.”
“Do you know the reality?”
“No sir, I don’t know.”
I told him the reason for her free movement with
Manoj. He became upset and requested me not to tell
others about his suspicion. I further told him to
stop suspecting others without knowing the facts.
If I spread the same news like Ravi to others, what
would happen? Ravi realized his mistake and
tendered apology to me.