THE FORTUNE-TELLER

Banda Anthoni hailing from an aristocratic family was a clerk in the Kandy Kachcheri. He associated with drinking friends and became addicted to liquor and was giving a great deal of trouble to his parents. His parents thought that he; was under the influence of a bad star and took him to astrologer cum fortune-teller in Ampitiya. The astrologer had a daughter named Leela, who was well educated in the Sinhala medium. Unlike other village damsels, she was not of the backward type but came out and helped her father in his work, incidentally learning all the ramifications of her father's job. 

The girl had beauty in every line of her slender figure shown at its best in her clean welt-fitting clothes. Her skin was of a pleasing dark shade and her long-lashed eyes soon caught Banda's fancy and captured his heart. But Banda did not betray any of his emotions to his parents though he became aware that he had fallen in love at first sight. 

The astrologer examined Banda’s horoscope and told his parents that they need not worry as the evil influence would pass away soon. The family departed feeling happy. But Banda made it a point to visit the girl every weekend and when his parents came to know about it, they became furious In the meantime the girl had managed successfully to persuade Banda to keep away from alcoholic drinks. Though Banda brought this fact and the girl's good character to the notice of his parents, they were determined as never before to break up the romance on the ground that it was a disgrace for their son to get married below their status. 

As Banda did not listen to his parents, his father spoke to the Controller of Establishments and got him a transfer to the Barricaloa Kachcheri. Nevertheless the Parents could not prevent their son‘s contact with Leela through correspondence. They then managed to bribe the Postman and get their son's letters, which should have been delivered to his girl. Leela was heart-broken when she found no letters coming to her from her boy-friend. After some time Banda in Batticaloa received a letter from an unknown person that Leela's father died and she herself took poison and died through grief and disappointment and the romance came to an end thereafter. 

When Banda had completed four years, i.e. his full term in Batticaloa, he obtained a transfer to the Department of Agriculture in Peradeniya. His parents were glad that their reformed son could now travel to office from home daily. Banda, who had already given up the company of drinking friends, had as his constant companion his pet dog at home. 

One day he found his dog missing. He went all over the neighborhood searching for it and in the process he met a friend-a brother officer-who hearing of his plight about the dog asked him to consult a lady fortune-teller who was famous for tracing lost goods. Walking 3 little further up in the same street, he saw a board which read “FORTUNETELLER--Consulting hours 8.30 am. to 4.00 pm." Banda went in and found two more people come for consultation. He sat down next to them and when his turn came, he was ushered into a room by a servant girl. In the room he found the female fortune-teller about twenty five years of age seated opposite a framed opaque glass smeared with some oily substance. There were statues of Hindu gods all round the room with a statue of the Buddha as well. Another servant girl was burning incense which emitted a fragrant odour all round. 

The fortune-teller took down Banda's name and address and said that her charge was 25 which should be paid in advance. When Banda handed over the money to her, she asked him what his problem was He told her that he lost his pet dog and wanted to know where the fellow could be found. Then she gazed at the glass and uttering a ‘manthrum' said "I see a few dogs at the Municipal dog pound caught by the dog catchers of the Local Authority. What's the colour of your dog?" 

"Jet black,“ replied Banda. ”

Oh! The fellow is there, but I am afraid you will lose him because all dogs there are about to be taken into the gas chamber. . . .But wait a minute. What do I see now. . . .l see a girl. . ..she is dark and beautiful. . . .She is looking at the photograph of a man. . . .of you. She thinks that you have abandoned her by not continuing your correspondence with her.” 

Banda leaned forward across the liable. He had forgotten his professed disbelief in fortune-telling. He had forgotten everything but this low emotional voice that might tell him something....something. The fortune-teller resumed -- 

"She thinks that you are yet in Batticaloa, and even if you are near her it wouldn‘t matter-for you no longer love her." 

"She is not dead; she is quite alive and is still longing for you.“ 

“Where is she? Tell me where she is.“ 

Banda's voice was tense with excitement. The fortune teller slowly moved her face away from the framed opaque oil-smeared glass and turning to Banda said, "Sorry, I can't tell you anymore." 

"But," pleaded Banda, "now that you have told me so much-l don’t care about the dog-can't you tell me where to find my love, please?" 

There was a long pause. Then the fortune-teller gazed at the opaque glass again. Her voice came in a harsh tone.  

“You know the Municipal Park," she said, ”tonight is a full moon night. You be there at about 6 pm. Your girl will be at the park at that time. Then you may find your happiness." 

Like a man in a daze, Banda stumbled out of that room. and on his way to the park, several thoughts flashed across his mind: 

Leela wouldn't come-of course she wouldn‘t come Perhaps she wasn’t even living here. But what he did know.” know once and for all-was that there was nothing else in life for him now nobody else in the world but Leela. He would find her somehow; or rather did not the fortune-teller direct him to go to that park the same evening? He would not care what his relatives and parents thought. After all Prince Saliya gave up his throne for Asokamala. 

But what if he could not find her, and that fortune-teller, though she looked beautiful and innocent, has deceived him? What if Leela had gone away, no one knew where. . . . ? 

By the time Banda reached the park, it was nearly 6 pm. and over the grass came a girl in a new bright saree. But surely wasn't it the fortune-telling girl who had changed her saree? “Where is my Leela; where is my beloved?" asked Banda of her. “I am Leela", said the girl. 

For a moment Banda stood there still gazing, unable to believe his eyes, as Leela had changed so much during the few years they were apart. . . .Then he strode forward. . . . and in a moment he had her in his arms; whispering broken sentences of love and glorying in the replies that made the depression, the loneliness of the past few years seem nothing ....less than nothing. . . .the stuff of which nightmares are made!