Astrologer's Days

"This is Chauri Chaura", said the watchman when anyone would enter the streets of town hall. This was the place where the most prosperous markets filled with rich materials. Day and night, vendors and salesman used to sell their products. Lights of red and blue and yellow illuminated the market at night. There were no lights on the streets and the road was guided by the red and blue and yellow street lights at night. Continuous noise of vegetable vendors and bangle sellers made the scenario more prosperous.

Among all of them sat an astrologer under a peepal tree. He spread out all his cards of red, orange, yellow and white in front of him. A broad mustache, chiseled face, thin jawline, big orange turban, long red 'tikka' composed his face. In his hands he wore chains containing many beads. His fingers were filled with multicolored rings. Every day he would sit under the tree and attended people from day to night. At night he depended on the lights of the 'pani puri' and bangle sellers. When these lights turned off the astrologer would pack his things and leave for his home.

At his place lived his wife, his daughter and he himself. His house was designed like the 'old house' similar to those of seventeenth and eighteenth century houses constructed with bricks and straw. Just like a 'Grihastha' he would earn money by predicting future and investing all money in household chores.

It was the day of 'Holi', a festival celebrated in India well known as the festival of colors. A glum faced man came to the astrologer, late evening when the 'pani puri' stall was closed and the bangle seller was packing his stuff. The Astrologer advised the man to reside in the nearby inn and he would attend him the next day. The man replied"I have come from the NORTH, from Delhi and I have specially come to meet you. Please accept my request. "The astrologer said that he would charge him double of fees. The glum faced man said "If you tell my correct past and predict a logical future, then I would give you the desired amount, or else the half of it. "

The astrologer confidently accepted the deal as if he already knew the man's past. He told him to sit down and opened a pack of cards. He started chanting some hymns and counted something with the help of the chain. After a couple of minutes and the astrologer asked the man to show his hand. He followed and within five minutes the astrologer said " A man named Ravi tried to kill you in your sleep with a knife, two thieves tried to rob your jewels, Ravi, twice tried to drop you in the well twice, your friends don't find these true and now they ignore you. You left town and live in a isolated house. "

He handed the man a small packet of ember and said " After this never come due SOUTH in any town or else you'll be dead next time. "The glum faced man fell silent and took the packet. He knew that the astrologer was not a fake one and gave him the double charge.

The astrologer packed everything and returned home. He told his wife he earned a lot that day but his wife saw a kind of depression on his face and asked, "Ravi, why are you so depressed. "He replied "Nothing just a bit tired. "They had their dinner, his daughter slept and they both sat in the verandah. His wife again asked him the reason and he replied, "I met him. He is still alive. "