Translated from the Original Hindi by–Kanwar Dinesh Singh
“Today is the day for making a decision; but I do not understand what to do and how to do it!” Karamchand is engrossed in this thinking. He has got a match for his daughter. Everything looks fine ― age, stature, good looks too. Even the reports about the groom’s education and salary, received from his neighbour, Chawla ji, are good enough.
Both the husband and the wife are discussing while sipping tea ― how to go with it? It’s the first proposal for their daughter.
Reena said, “Thank God, everything is okay. I think now we shouldn’t delay it any more. Just once you meet Pt. Ramprasad. He had checked the points of compatibility; he must examine it closely once again. Then we may take the next step.”
Karamchand said, “The boy’s parents have got the horoscopes matched and said that everything is perfect — I think that’s sufficient. You know well, we don’t believe in these things.”
“Look, this is the first proposal. It’s about a lifelong relationship. There should be no doubt in the mind,” Reena said while extending the platter of biscuits to him.
Even the daughter had said the same thing to both of them.
Karamchand got into thinking. Even Sardars (Sikhs) do not match horoscopes, but they are doing very well. At times, all points of compatibility and horoscopes become worthless.
He said to Reena, “You know well, our neighbours behind us had brought their daughter-in-law after duly matching the horoscopes, but still got divorced. Tell me what the point in matching the horoscopes is.”
Reena too immediately said, “He must have got the horoscopes read by some inexpert astrologer. Ram Prasad is a renowned one.” She had said this after taking the last sip of tea, “You must go at once. It will take only half-an-hour from here.”
Today is the day for making a decision. Karamchand continues to think; this is the most difficult thing for him. Till today, he has been opposing it by calling it hypocrisy in society. If he meets someone known to him, what would he say to them? How difficult it is for him! The match is perfect; why then to read the horoscope?
When he reached the astrologer, he was surprised and also happy to find no crowd there. After saying hello, he gave him the horoscopes of both the boy and the girl and sat down with folded hands.
Pt. Ramprasad turned the papers for some time and then started counting on fingers. In the meantime, his daughter brought a glass of water from inside. Karamchand was stunned to see her in white clothes.
“Pandit ji, what is this? Your daughter was married only last year!” Ramprasad was shaken with pain, “You are watching. Who can ever change the destiny of a person?”
Karamchand got into thinking over again. He was confused about what to say and what to do. He started scratching his head. Then he got up and said, “Pandit ji, return the children’s horoscopes to me.” Taking the papers back, he came out of his house like an arrow.
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