“I am clouded by a feeling of unease today, Swathi. Where's my typical cup of tea in the morning? Today it’s late. I'm not sure who created tea. But tea does, in fact, lift my drooping spirits. You see, I'm apprehensive and not eager to do anything at all until I enjoy a few sips of hot tea in the morning. In fact, every home in the country is in a similar vein. It's also standard protocol to provide tea to visitors everywhere. Usually, I get my hot tea within a few minutes after I wake up and brush my teeth!

The savour of my preferred brand, Taj Mahal, gives me a feel of  the tagline- ‘Wah Taj! Sometimes, I am lured to have my cup of tea as it is visible on the table before I start reading the headlines of the day in the Deccan Chronicle. But, now, a break from the routine is comprehensible from your end. I sense a pall of gloom hanging over your innocent face! What begets your dismay?”

“Nothing, Dheeraj,” she said.

“ Swathi, I can read your face. It has been thirty years since I have adorned your neck with the sacred nuptial knot in the presence of our parents  and all other invitees to the ceremonial wedding. I have been sailing all the vicissitudes of life along with you. Do you think I can’t read your face ? Difference on your face  is discernible.” said Deeraj.

“Deeraj, I'm growing restless with a flood of emotions these days,” she said.”

He then remarked, “This is discernible on your face, of course. The gravity of distress gets alleviated by sharing it with others. Your restlessness is contagious. It will engulf the whole family.” Deeraj insisted on the divulgence of the root of her restlessness.

“ I know Dheeraj, you have a receptive heart. My walking companion says that her son has received a pink slip from the MNC in the USA. She has apprised me of her pent up emotion in the morning. She is worried about the bleak and precarious future of her son. I am also driven by the news.  

A scroll of yesterday’s news ‘Recession Shakes Young Engineers in the USA.’

Coverage of the same in the English Newspaper, “Layoffs: A Thunderbolt to the Youth.”

How a decision makes all the difference is enigmatic! Issue of Pink slips in MNCs is wreaking mayhem across the world.

Genpact, Cognizant, Amazon, Microsoft, TCS, Infosys, …………., ………….., ………….!

Thousands of employees are shown exit gates in a series of IT companies. Restlessness reigns supreme in their minds. Precariousness hangs over each day. The news of layoffs sends shivers down the spine of employees and their kith and kin. Each day is gripped in fright with their escalation.”

“Swathi, Software that has transformed the lifestyle of many resulting in the mushroom growth of engineering colleges. The growth of Hyderabad and Bangalore is beyond imagination. Going for the unaffordable houses and flats in metropolitan cities was once a dream,  but it is a cakewalk for many families now.”  

“It is easier said than done, Dheeraj. You always try to abate my fear instead of sharing mine!” Deeraj said, “If both of us are driven by distress, what about his fate?”

“Whatever you say, incertitude is growing by leaps and bounds.  The news of layoffs keeps haunting me. If tomorrow ……………………………….?

Had I not insisted on Vikram doing MS in the USA, he would have been amidst us, fulfilling our emotional needs.”  

Dheeraj breezed through the situation. “Swathi, our decisions are time-tested. We leap to decisions in tune with the prevalent situations. To go with the current decisions is not uncommon. He was inclined to go abroad. Influence of friends is palpable in today’s children. Individual interests also have their own role to play in making decisions.  There is no need to find fault with yourself.”

Moreover, he is yet to complete the third semester of his MS. He has already clinched teaching assistantship which is a far cry for many and is able to meet his basic needs without banking on us. He shows amazing ingenuity in finding ways and means to curtail his expenses. He has never swerved from the path of rectitude through his schooling and college studies.

Software has uplifted many families for a few decades. See the unprecedented growth of residential colonies and skyscrapers in the suburbs in Hyderabad. Hillocks turned to most unaffordable dwelling places. Bullock carts-ridden people are now cars-driven ones. Those who eagerly waited for a pittance are not hesitant to travel by aircrafts now. They are on cloud nine now. Things may take a reverse tide again. Change is the law of nature. They are tidal waves.  

Greatness lies in being resolute during turbulant circumstances. The one and the only advice we can give him is, ‘be bold and cool, unmindful of such news. A search for all possible sources may reap the harvest . Situations are cyclic.”

“Despite your soothing words, many unanswerable questions prick my mind,” says Swathi.

“Swathi, My conscience pricks me not to be carried away by blind things, but for your sake, since you believe in them, Let’s go to Narsimha Murthy. He is good at predictions.”

“Good idea, Deeraj. Let’s go. He has the art of interpreting the lines and features of a person's palms to predict character, destiny, and future.”

Both Deeraj and Swathi went to Narayana Murthy who has won the hearts of people by touching their pent up emotions through his prediction. Though Deeraj has a faint trust, he supplicated to Narsimha Murthy along with his wife. His wife’s happiness overshadowed everything then.

Deeraj remarks, “ Though palmistry has long been considered a pseudoscience, some people view it as a form of spiritual guidance or entertainment. But it’s pointless to ask him about our own son whom we have known since his birth than the palmist.” Meanwhile Narayana Murthy arrives in his traditional attire, which he thinks can lure the customers.

Both of them greeted him, “Namaste!”

He reciprocated with his folded hands, “God bless you. Please sit down. What is your problem?”

Swathi gave vent to her grief, “My son’s situation is making me restless. I am worried about obtaining a job in the USA?”

He responded, “Let me see your palm.”

Swathi stretched her palm. He started reading the lines on the palm as if they were the credentials for determining his career.

He closed his eyes and said, “His head line which relates to thought processes and decision-making is crystal clear. But, his fate line which pertains to destiny and career is a bit feeble and nothing to grieve for it. A good job is about to knock on his door.”

When he was busily engrossed in prediction, there was a flow of thoughts in my mind which I failed to ventilate, “How can he foretell my son’s career by reading the lines of his mother? She and I know since we are emotionally connected. However, Swathi’s happiness is important at this moment. Otherwise, she keeps pestering me,”

Meanwhile, he wished us goodluck. Reciprocating in the similar vein, we departed. Seeing a glow on Swathi’s face, I asked, “Are you happy now?” She said, “I am enthralled by  his words.”

Deeraj said, “Swathi, I have already told you about our son.  Vicissitudes in human affairs, like in nature, are visible everywhere. Don’t be hit by an avalanche of thoughts. If you have trust in the astrologer’s words, stay calm and see what’s going to happen. A fickle mind’s behaviour is always harmful and will affect your health.”

She remarked, “Precariousness of the future due to the economic crisis with the outbreak of Covid19, recession, Layoffs! The amount incurred on his studies! liabilities of SBI!

financial bleakness of forthcoming days!

Uncertainty of his marriage!

And above all, the widening of emotional distance!

Scores of thoughts ………

Tiding over this financial crisis seems to be a far cry. We have spent lakhs of rupees on his education, in terms of dollars!

But, as of now we find it very difficult to wade through these hardships.”

Notwithstanding his words on the phone, “I am trying my best,” the surge of layoffs day by day sends shivers down our spines. We, as parents, are unable to grapple with the financial burden. A note of assurance viewed a few days ago on DTV about the possible outcomes, seems precarious now.”

“Don’t worry. Rather, I, being the breadwinner of the family, should be clouded by such thoughts. But, things are different here. Time heals all woes. The whole world is afflicted with the layoffs. The voice of all parents whose children are gripped with this fear in the USA, by choice, sounds similar.  Recession is rampant across the world. Consumer spending has reduced in view of increased unemployment. ”

“Swathi, think of Sanjay, my friend’s son who is yet to get a part time job. He has completed his MS in the university of Virginia. Vinod, my colleague’s son, is also sailing in the same boat. Layoffs are common these days. Sticking to a single job throughout one’s life is a thing of the past. Today’s students have to update every day. Performance is the key to sustenance in a chosen field. Vikram, who has come from your womb, is quick-witted. He has a penetrating attitude. He will make wonders some day.

“Have you forgotten the day we were immensely delighted when he clinched a win in every  Spell-bee contest in school and college?”

“Your placating words resonate a conciliatory tone, of course, but ……………………”

“Swathi, media is amplifying your fear. Look at the heartrending plight of daily-wage workers who cannot afford to meet their both ends! See the hardships of the ill-fed, the unfed, the unpaid and the half-paid employees who have their own obligations. Ill-fated families …………………..

Imagine the disgruntlement of the families whose members are laid to rest ……… their non-allowance to attend the funerals, even……..during covid19 outbreak…………..

“Those who are tested positive……………. quarantined…………… their kith and kin!

Their run from pillar to post……………. their tensions …………… Indeed, theirs is a death in life.”

“The fellow human beings have turned foes. The fear of getting infected from some unknown and unseen sources haunts everyone …………………

History revolves. It has two sides of the coin. Weal and woe go together.  

Technology is miraculous. Many bigwigs and unseen entrepreneurs and scientists are burning the midnight oil to see a dawn of change towards transformation. An idea can change our lives. Their unflinching efforts will certainly reap fruits. I have firm faith in their endeavour.

A knock on the door  ……………….

“Who is it?”

Manik Rao, Vinod’s father.

“Hi, Deeraj. How are you? Hearty congratulations.”

“What for?

“It’s for your son’s internship in an MNC. While talking about my son’s placement in Amzen, he informed me about your son’s internship also. It’s heard that he is guaranteed placement in the same company.”

“Congratulations to you also. Your long wait has ceased now. I have been telling my wife not to fret and fear.”    

Vikram hasn’t yet informed me about it!

“Perhaps, he wants to strike a surprise, Deeraj.”

Phone rings. “Whois it?” A call from Vikram………………….

Hi, Vikram. How are you? “I am OK, dad.”

“Hearty congratulations…………………… . “What for? dad”

Your friend, Vinod’s father, Manik Rao has just told me about your internship.

Vikram said, “Getting excited for small achievements is not my cup of tea, dad. I am not so buoyed. The world is very wide. Don’t you want your son to ascend the ladder of success?  Let me test my potentiality. Perhaps, this has deterred me from telling you. It is not deliberate. Hope you understand my point.”

“I can read your pulse, of course. I have been a keen observer of your temperament since your childhood. Talk to your mom. She is a bit nervous and restless.”

“Hi,mom. How are you?”

“Hi, Vikram. I am fine. What about you?”

“I am fine, mom. Take care of your health. Your health and happiness boosts my confidence and helps me ascend more steps towards a radiant career. Don’t overthink about my career. I can take care of myself. I have to submit an assignment tomorrow. You know the gravity of academics here. I will talk to you tomorrow during my free time. Bye.”  

She bade, “Good bye.”

“Haven’t I told you, Swathi? He is very diligent and hard-working. He will never give up until he reaches the pinnacle of his aspired goal. He will certainly tread towards that goal.”

Swathi responded, “Narsimha Murthy’s words have come true. He has given me a befitting reply to my haunting problem. I also agree with you, of course. Please, don’t take my words to heart, Deeraj.”

There was a peaceful relief in the home as Dheeraj and Swathi settled down after their talk with Vikram. The restless thoughts in Swathi's mind started to fade. Dheeraj was appreciative of the serenity that Vikram's call had given to Swathi as he turned the pages of the Deccan Chronicle. However, the doorbell rang while they were preparing for the evening tea.

“Who could it be now?” Gesturing, Dheeraj got up from the sofa. There was a young woman standing there as he opened the door. With a modest gift nicely wrapped in her hands, she looked at Dheeraj's face, trying to recognize him.

"Hi! Uncle. I apologize for arriving without prior intimation, but I think it's time to introduce myself. I am Mourya.”

Swathi approached the door curiously and stood next to Deeraj. "Mourya? Have we ever  met previously?

With a slight tremble in her voice Mourya smiled softly.

“No, but Vikram and I ……….

We want to get married after telling you that we have been associated with each other  for more than a year. Shortly after the completion of his masters in the USA, he wanted to let you know. I was impatient, especially after he confided in me about your concerns regarding his future. I reasoned that my presence might calm your anxieties and provide you with some relief.  Vikram will tell you more later.”

Swathi stood motionless, a blend of amazement and perplexity on her face.

“Associated with? He hasn't told us anything about this!”

Dheeraj burst out laughing, suddenly rendered speechless. "That explains why he seems so calm in these turbulent times."

With a growing smile, Mourya gave Swathi a gift. "I hope it's not too sudden. His true desire is to hold off until everything is resolved. However, I believe you should be aware. You probably have a lot of questions, but I just want you to know how much Vikram cares for the two of you and how hard he's working to make sure we all have a great future.”

Swathi no longer feels curious; instead, she exudes a happy glow.

As the three sat down, the clouds of uncertainty that had hung over Swathi and Dheeraj began to dissipate. Dheeraj’s mind is preoccupied with his thoughts about Vikram, “It seems, he has not only been forging a path toward career but also building a future with someone who clearly cares for him—and for them. The tea tastes better than ever!”