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Fortune-teller’s ring

(From previous issue)

This time also Gaziur Rahman did not listen to his father's advice. He took admission in Honours course in Economics in the University. The country's political situation changed fast. The Liberation War of the country started; he was a student of first year class, some of his friends crossed the border of homeland; but Gaziur Rahman could not manage to escape. He returned to his village home and amidst the political restlessness, insecurity and many other disasters passed his days hiding hither and thither. Ultimately the country got its independence.
But Gaziur Rahman lost interest to start his university life again. He didn't find the environment a favourable one for him. As such, he could not complete his honours course or Masters in Arts. Instead he made his career in business. Gradually luck favoured him and he prospered earning a lot.
Gaziur Rahman was lost in the past memory. The fortuneteller's voice brought him back to reality,
'You always suffer from mild diseases like cold, fever, respiratory infection. In ageing process you may suffer from complex diseases like high blood pressure, diabetes. Moreover in a few years you may tangle in law-suit cases of land properties.'
The fortune-teller paused, looked at Gaziur Rahman's face, and then continued,
'Moreover the vehicles which you use are not safe. You are prone to accident. Of course, if you want to get rid of those dangers, to remain safe, you have to wear this stone.'
While in talk the fortune-teller took out a ring from his pouch and quickly slid it down the ring finger of Gaziur Rahman.
'You will be out of danger if you always wear this stone with patience,' he said.
The sequence was so quick that Gaziur Rahman did not get a chance to think of. In surprise he found a ring studded with stone glazing in his finger.
The fortune-teller continued,
'Sir, the ring fits in your finger as if it is made for you. This stone named 'Cat's Eye', and the ring is the amalgamation of eight metals namely gold, silver, copper, lead, iron, steel, tin, and brass.'  Gaziur Rahman stared at the ring. The glitters of eight metals, and the ferocity of tiger's eye beaming out of the stone shocked him. In dismay he tried to take out the ring from his finger, the fortune-teller resisted him.
'Please Sir, don't take it out. Use it, great fortunes will accrue from this.'
Hesitatingly Gaziur Rahman said, 'But how can 1...'
Before he could finish the sentence the fortune-teller said smartly,
'Are.you thinking of the price? You can pay me Taka two or three hundred, whatever you wish.'
Gaziur Rahman took out two notes of Taka one hundred from his wallet. The fortune-teller hastily snaps the money from him and kept inside his pouch.
Gaziur Rahman was staring at the collets with an amaze. The ray of the reading lamp has emitted a vivid effect on the stone. It is glittering; with the ferocity of tiger's eye it is progressing towards him to engulf his faith and conscience; he remained captivated for a while, and became forgetful.
Suddenly he came out of his stupor. He is perplexed! What is going on in his mind! How could he forget his carefully nurtured belief? From childhood he knew that it is only the Almighty Allah, none else, helps and protects mankind from all sorts of dangers and misfortunes. Hearing the hypnotised words of the fortune-teller he was staggering from his long cherished faith and going to shake off his conscience. This irrelevance and inconsistence event of this moment made him dismayed, he became infuriated with his inner self.
In a moment Gaziur Rahman got to his feet. Not caring for the flattering words of fortune-teller he walked straight to the glass window of the air-cooled room, slipped out the stone-studded ring from his finger, then opened the window. Not looking at any object he threw the ring away to the pond that was behind the office.
'Jhoop!, The ring fell with a splash, but nobody could envisage where the ring has set up its place in the depth of that pond.
Abdus Sobhan and the fortune-teller were taken aback. They gaped at each other. Ignoring their wide open eyes Gaziur Rahman calmly said,
'Have you finished the work of my car, Abdus Sobhan? If it's so then make a quick delivery and let me drive away.'
(Concluded)