ASTROLOGER
By Vijay Medtia.
Unshaven in over a week, the young man reluctantly entered Pandit Motiram’s house. He took off his sandals and walked into the front room. Incense sticks were burning to either side of a large statue of Lord Ganesh, next to which sat the portly figure of the Panditji. He was talking on the mobile, and he motioned the young man to sit down with his left hand. Panditji was wearing a white silk top, and he had a bright red mark in the centre of his small forehead.
The ceiling fan gave little relief from the stifling heat and it blew the pages of the almanac in front of the Pandit.
‘Yes, yes. Thank you,’ said Panditji into the mobile with a smile. ‘It’s all God’s grace. I have nothing to do with it. How is everyone else in America? Fine. Good. Good. Here? The same. In India, everything is the same. Okay, God bless.’
He shook his head as he flicked the mobile shut.
‘People are calling me from America these days. I told him his business would improve about now. That was a thank you call. Now, how can I help you? What is your name?’
‘Arun.’
‘Do you have marriage problems, financial, health issues or girlfriend complications?’
‘Financial. I am out of work.’
‘Let’s have a look. Birth date?’
‘18th June, 1980.’
Panditji flicked through the almanac, chubby fingers covered with several gold rings encrusted with different gem stones. He took his time to caress the pages.
‘Ah yes, yes. Stars are unfavourable. It’s not your fault. Saturn has entered your tenth field, giving you problems these past three months.’
‘But Panditji, I have been out of work these past six months.’
‘No matter. Things will improve in one month only.’
‘How?’
‘We have to perform a pooja. It will take me three days. You have to wear a silver ring. The pooja will cost three thousand rupees.’
‘Panditji, I have no money!’
‘You expect you troubles to go away for free?’
‘No, but how will I manage the cost?’
‘Don’t worry. That’s what I’m here for. The money lender is a good friend. He will pay me the money to perform the pooja. You can repay him when you get a job.’
‘And this will work?’
‘You must have faith Arun. Didn’t you hear that call? All the way from the U. S of A, my reputation is spreading.’
‘Yes, yes that’s all fine, but I heard that you told Ramu that he would get married three months ago. He is still unmarried.’
‘That’s not my fault! Ramu didn’t do the pooja properly, and besides he smells. I told him about this, that he should improve his hygiene. Which girl will marry a smelly fellow? Any way if you have doubts, why don’t you go somewhere else? I don’t deal in small things any more. I get calls from the U.S of A now.’
‘All right Panditji. I’ll give this a try; everything else has failed.’
‘Good. All will be well, have patience.’
After three months the Panditji by chance bumped into the young man on the street.
‘Oh ho Arun, how are things with you? Did you get the job, are your worries over?’
Arun turned on him with a frown.
‘Panditji, before I came to you, only the stars were giving me trouble. Now the money lender is giving me trouble as well. He’s taking me to court!’
THE END.