Gnanam told that strong reason to her eldest son.
"I would not be worried if it was a normal time. His natal chart says that this time is not right for him. Astrologer had predicted that Karthi will go through a lot of trouble and his life will be in anger when he is 23 years old. That's why I am worried now. "
Uday said. "Mom, Last year I went to a fortune teller in Delhi. He predicted the past events of my life. I also paid him generously. But his future predictions are yet to happen in my life.”
"That astrologer Panicker is one of his kind. His predictions have happened precisely so far.” Gnanam’s eyes watered when she said this.
Selvarangan also saw the danger in that prediction. If the Panicker astrologer was alive today, he might have asked him for advice again. But he had passed away twenty years ago. Muralitharan Panikkar, son of Parameswara Panikkar is one of the famous astrologer of the city today. But he did not have his father's skill.
Selvarangan first met Parameswara Panicker at a young age when he was wandering around without any education, work or goals. He went with his friend who went to that astrologer to show his horoscope. Parameswara Panicker was fifty years old at that time. His friend insisted to see Selvarangan’s horoscope. Selvarangan did not even have a horoscope. Panicker prepared the horoscope chart with the date, time and place of birth n five minutes. Then it does not take more than three minutes for the Parameswara Panicker to predict the horoscope. Selvarangan smiled when the astrolger told him that his horoscope was Raja Yoga horoscope and that he would definitely go to the highest position.
"Yeah, I don't even have enough money to buy you a cup of tea. Me going to highest position?”
Selvarangan's mockery did not affect the astrologer at all.
“You need not pay me now. Pay me after you reach highest position in your life.” He said with a smile. But Selvarangan's friend came forward to pay the money. He refused and said, "I will get my payment from Selvarangan another time". Selvarangan thought the man was crazy. Because at that time he did not see any signs of Raja Yoga coming. He himself did not believe that there was anything worthwhile.
But time has the power to change anything. It took Selvarangan to Rajathurai, a young politician who had just started a new party. Rajadurai was greatly impressed by the courage and agility of Selvarangan, who became one of Rajadurai's troupe member. When Rajathurai’s faith in Selvarangan grew in some of the work he had done, Selvarangan had found a place in the inner circle of Rajadurai. When Rajadurai offered him the chance to be a member of the assembly in the general election two years later, Selvarangan felt awe-inspired with all that happened to him. Fortunately, he won the election. After the victory, he first went to Rajadurai, took his blessings and went to see Parameswara Panicker. He presented the man with a gold watch and took leave.
Selvarangan had unshakable faith in Parameswara Panicker and he sought the advice of Parameswara Panickert before his marriage and made Gnanam his life partner. Panicker ha predicted that Gnanam will bring all kind of abundance in his life. Panicker did not take more than three minutes to look at Gnanam's horoscope. Selvarangan soon became a minister when Rajadurai became the Chief Minister.
When the eldest son Uday was born, the astrolger looked at the horoscope and said, “The boy will be brave and lucky. Will be coming to politics soon. He will also become a minister”.
He did not take much time to say it. Uday, who was as brave and lucky as he said, soon came into politics and grew up. He is now also a Member of Parliament. The ministerial post is no longer too far away. The opportunity for that is bright.
After the birth of the second child Karthi, the Parameswara Panicker took more time just to see his horoscope. Selvarangan felt the danger when it took more than an hour as the astrologer never needed more than three minutes to tell the benefit.
"What Sir, is there a problem with the horoscope?"
The Parameswaran Panicker did not immediately respond. And after looking at some of the calculations, he said with his head erect, "This is no ordinary horoscope, Selvarangan. Unusual horoscope. Your boy will be a great genius. Would be very nice. He will be world famous if he lives”. Selvarangan was happy that his younger son will be genius and world famous. But the words "if alive" came from the mouth of Parameswara Panicker became ominous. He asked anxiously, "What are you saying Sir?"
"He has a big danger to his life when he turns twenty-three years old."
"Is there any remedy for that?"
Parameswaran Panicker began to make a long list. When he started writing about going to some Shiva temples, doing some homas, making some donations, Selvarangan said, “Why write it now? I will come and ask at that time”.
Panicker said, “ I have to live till then. In three years from now I will be no more”.
Selvarangan was saddened by the news that Panicker would be dead in three years. He bowed down and gave twice as much money as he had ever given. That was his last meeting with the astrologer. Parameswara Panicker died just before the end of three years, as he had said.
Cellphone ring halted the old memories of Selvarangan. He saw who was calling. One of his close aide who had gone in search of his son on that mountain was calling. He hurriedly picked up the cell phone and spoke. The thing that was heard stirred butterflies in his abdomen.