Gift – Part 2
I was able to attract the attention of my fellow co-passengers with this single comment – they were all staring at me. The man sitting in the middle of the opposite berth was evidently more agitated. ‘What did you say?’ he demanded while rising angrily. His booming voice had attracted even more attention to the section in which we were seated. I could feel being a cast of the over the top soap operas which are bombarded on our idiot box throughout the day.
‘I said she has a beautiful face and has a very bright future ahead.’ I replied calmly.
‘How dare you?’ he snarled. There was a growing murmur and I anticipated a rising support for the angry man and the beautiful lady. I had to do something and that too quickly.
‘I was just stating the facts. There was no malicious intention. She is beautiful’ I paused for a second as she turned crimson again ‘and as far as her future is concerned, she would redefine success. I can bet anyone of you on this.’
‘And how are you so sure of her future?’ asked the old man sitting on the side berth. The earpiece of his music player was now lying by his side as he became an intent participant of the entire drama. My words had brought the desired effect – simmering ‘mob fury’ had given way to a genuine curiosity.
‘I have been trained to do so. Have you heard of Pandit Rohit Sharma of Varanasi?’
‘The famous astrologer?’ asked a few.
‘Yes’ I replied ‘I am his son Mritunjay Sharma. When I commented on her future, I was not passing a general remark for fun. She definitely has a ‘Raj Yog’ but one cannot achieve one’s destination without following the path of ‘Karma’. I was trained by my late father. And I can tell a lot about her or for that matter anyone just by reading the face.’ I could sense a building excitement as the passengers from other seats started gathering around our section.
‘Well, then say something about her. Let us see if this is real.’ I clearly identified the tone of sarcasm associated with the comment. I looked at the challenger. He was a stout man with a balding head – he reminded me of the principal of my school. I passed a reassured smile at him before starting ‘Her name starts with G.’
‘Ah!! That anyone can tell by having a look at the reservation chart.’ said the man in the middle of the opposite berth who as I said was apparently a relative of the girl.
‘Even I know her name. It is…’ came a voice from the crowd. Surely, he had also perfected the art of assimilating the information on the chart for ‘bird watching’. The girl shifted uncomfortably in her seat. Obviously, she did not want to be the part of this ‘game’.
‘I am not referring to ‘Geeta’… I am talking about her nickname… Is it Gudiya?’ I asked the girl.
Startled, she looked at her relative. Her face bore a mix of surprise and fear as she looked back at me. The face of her relative had turned pale. The gathering knew that I was correct.
‘You could have heard me calling her by that name.’ said the relative.
‘Well, I did not. But even if that is the case, then how do I know that she is in a government service… just joined probably in the rank of officer?’ I waited for the reaction. The duo sitting opposite me were startled and were growing uncomfortable while the crowd just loved it. I then added a punch ‘You have lost your dear ones in an accident some years back. Isn’t it true?’
There was a moment of disbelief on her beautiful face. ‘How do you know?’ she asked. This was the first time I noticed her voice. It had a certain musical quality in it. The crowd had more or less believed my claims and I could hear a few claps too.
However, before I could answer her, I was accused by her relative ‘He is a stalker. There is no way he could have known it otherwise.’ He yelled at the top of his voice.
‘No, I am not.’ I defended myself. ‘Every incident of your life leaves a mark on your existence and since face is the most expressive part of human body, it is etched there. One just needs to be trained to read those marks. Bring anyone in front of me and I would refute your claim that I am a stalker.’
The couple sitting next to me volunteered. I pointed out some instances from their lives which startled them. With their verification, I was vindicated. The gathering cheered with each of my observation regarding them. Mobiles were out of the pockets of few, who were clicking my photographs and a guy was even video recording the entire episode. I concluded a session with a few pointers to their future. Content that I have proved my point, I looked at the duo sitting opposite me. The man was still looking angry. The girl was a little pale, subdued and was looking at a magazine placed on her lap. I cursed myself for robbing the radiance from her face.
I wanted to apologize but before I could say anything, I was flooded with the requests of fellow passengers who were eager to know their future. I have this problematic trait – I cannot say ‘no’. So it went on for next three hours in which I was analyzing future and suggesting remedies related to family problems, heart breaks, business deals, health related issues, aspirations and what not. In between there would be some enthusiast who would want my business card or even my autograph!!!
‘You should charge them for your services.’ suggested the man sitting next to me. His wife nodded in agreement.
‘Then I will have to charge you first.’ I said with a smile.
‘We are willing to pay you.’
‘No, No!! It is not my profession. I am an entrepreneur. It is just a coincidence that I was forced to use my training today.’
There was still some time to dinner when I got rid of people citing exhaustion. Though I was fatigued, there was a sense of satisfaction. I had placed an order for a vegetarian dinner from the pantry service though there were many tempting offers made by fellow co-passengers of sharing their dinner (which I refused politely). I was sitting with my eyes closed when I heard a gentle ‘excuse me’. I opened my eyes to identify that the voice belonged to the man sitting at the window seat of the opposite berth. ‘Yes?’ I asked.
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