The Mind Creative SEP 2013
faced Ram Prasad told Lax that the latter had only six more months to live. He assured Lax that he had gone over the horoscope at least ten times and that he was convinced that Lax’s life was coming to an end that very year. “In fact,” said Ram Prasad in a very solemn voice, “based on the directions from the holy stars, I am confident that you will pass away on 31st December this year.” In the days following this dire prediction, Lax’s life exploded around him and the terrible news destroyed the very spirit of his family. Parimala wept for days and the confused children were kept in the dark. After the initial storm, Lax calmly thought through the situation. He, like his father before him, blindly believed in the predictions from the stars. He was convinced about his approaching death and it did not take him long to decide that, in the next six months, he would forego everything and only focus on fulfilling his desires and secret aspirations. He soon quit from his job and booked four tickets around the world for the family. Within the next three weeks, he bought a very large modern house in a good suburb, that was available for immediate sale and possession. Then he bought himself a Mercedes and spent a large sum buying every amenity for his new house. After settling into his new home in the next two months, Lax set sail around the world with his family. It was a wonderful time for the family and lasted nearly two months. The aura of happiness and contentment nearly made him forget about his impending death. However, after his return to Sydney, the gloom settled in again. The the only panacea for Lax was to spend more and enjoy the final vestiges of his life. There was hardly a day when the family did not eat out and Lax forced himself to develop a liking for fine wines and the races. He bought expensive clothes for the family, frequented good restaurants and often entertained his friends. Life and its unforeseen calamities had indeed changed him and his outlook on life. Time, as they say, flies and soon it was December and when it came to
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