Read Online The Cosmic Clues by Manjiri Prabhu - Free Book Online Page B

Sushil's horoscope and Sonia accepted it absentmindedly. Her eyes didn't leave the marked rectangle in her hand. When she did glance up, she found Pradnya Joshi's eyes fixed on hers. The woman's light smile had been replaced by an anxious gleam.
    “Miss Joshi . . . I would rather like to speak to you in private.” Sonia matched her gaze.
    “Why?” Revati exclaimed tactlessly.
    “Why? . . .” Pradnya's question was a mere whisper.
    “Because I may speak too much and I don't know if I
ought
to!” Sonia answered gravely.
    Sudden fear flashed across Pradnya's face, so fleetingly that Sonia almost thought she'd imagined it. Then tranquillity stole over her entire body and Pradnya seemed to relax. Reconciled, Sonia guessed.
    “Go ahead and say what you ought to. I guess I'm ready for it,” Pradnya replied, her voice controlled. She rearranged the pleats of her sari and settled against the sofa.
    Mr. and Mrs. Tupay exchanged surprised glances. Inspector Divekar leaned forward, curiosity written all over his face. Revati looked hard at her aunt, but Pradnya ignored her. The figure in the corner stirred, the empty coffee mug turned in restless hands. The rain pattered on the windowpane like a steady pelting of stones.
    “If that's what you wish.” Sonia drew in a deep breath. She felt as if she were treading on hidden land mines. “Your Venus and Mars together in the first house indicate an artistic personality. You are a lover of arts but you are also an incurable romantic. A minute ago, you said that you never married. I suppose it's true in the official sense of the word. But something happened long ago: You were in love once, but it didn't work out, did it? In fact, Harshal or Uranus in the fifth house with Rahu indicate that it could have culminated into marriage but I think—no, I can
see
—that he tricked you! Am I right?”
    The hall was hushed. Only the crackling of the rain outside intruded on the loaded silence. All eyes were focused on Pradnya, awaiting her reaction to Sonia's words. Looking steadily at Sonia, she replied, without flinching, “Yes, you're absolutely right, Miss Samarth!”
    “Pradnya!” her sister exclaimed. “What are you saying?”
    Pradnya turned to face the impact of her sister's shocked expression. “You were in the last year of college then,” she said dispassionately. “I guess I was lonely. No parents to talk to, you at college . . . and he came into my life, when I needed a friend badly. We fell in love. He was a frequent visitor at our home and we decided to get married. But the night before, he vanished, along with all my jewels! I couldn't believe it. He'd always claimed that he was ambitious and wanted to be a rich man one day, but I never thought it would be with my money! He was nothing but a handsome thief!”
    “But why didn't you tell us? Why didn't you tell
me
?” Mrs. Tupay looked hurt.
    “You were engaged to be married. I didn't wish to create complications,” Pradnya explained briefly.
    “But, Aunty, to live all these years without marriage . . . in memory of a man who deceived you—” Revati was shocked.
    “It wasn't in memory of him!” Pradnya broke in harshly. “It was in distrust of all men! He turned out to be a rascal, going to jail several times and later even hounding me for more money!”
    “You mean you met this man again?” Mr. Tupay was astonished.
    “Several times. The last time I met him was some months ago. After that day, I haven't set eyes on him. Today I came down from Mumbai for Revati's engagement, so . . .”
    A window crashed open behind Sonia, and Pradnya turned a startled face towards it. Pradnya's attention was riveted to the open window, and all color had drained from her face. Seeing her reaction, Sonia instantly whipped around, but empty space met her eyes. The glass pane shivered and groaned against the pitch darkness. When she turned around, Pradnya's pale face was composed and set in its normal mask. Her gaze rested on