The Crystal Ball - 2

"The women in your family has always had bad luck with men, it seems." Lyra gasped, hearing Mina's words. 

Zeke was confused. But that's not the answer! Is she going to beat around the bush instead of giving a straight answer!? 

"The generations of women before you, your ancestors have always had broken men by their sides. These men always brought bad luck to the women in your family. It's a generational curse." 

Lyra found herself with an open jaw. How accurate! Is that why her mother died? Because her father was bad luck? Mina's mother was a very dear friend of Lyra's mother. She had warned her dear friend about the hell her life would become if she wedded Aldric. But her mother was head over heels for him… Nevertheless Lyra found herself feeling guilty for her mother's death. It was shortly after her mother's death that Mina's mother too died. Zeke, observing the sadness in her eyes felt the need to step in but Mina continued. 

"Like I said, bad times don't last for long. Everything will have to come to an end. The crystal tells me that the generational curse, will come to an end with you."

Lyra eyes glimmered in hope. So I can be with him! 

"What you said is very much true! I've had bad luck with men all along!" Lyra sighed, her shoulders dropping in defeat. 

"Bad luck!? You were the one breaking hearts all along!" Zeke squinted his eyes at her. Needless to say, Lyra wanted to throw her shoes at him but that would be a discourtesy in front of Mina. So she held in her anger. 

"The thing is… every single man I've dated was really shady. They are all committed to me until I mention the word marriage or tell them about my father! Every single relationship I've had was a scam! A waste of time!" She rolled her eyes at Zeke. Mina shook her head, chuckling lightly with her fingers partly covering her ruby lips. But she quickly regained her seriousness and focused on the crystal. 

"Lyra. So even though you do not want to admit, which is reasonable from your part, you've broken many hearts. How many?" She asked curiously. To her surprise, Lyra started counting on her fingers and Mina's eyes widened when it continued to her next hand… But it didn't stop there. Mina looked at Zeke to see his reaction but it seemed he already knew which was why he pointed it out first.

"Eleven." Lyra admitted, her head held low in guilt. 

"Uhm… That's -cough- quite a few…" Mina said in a low voice. Lyra nodded in defeat. 

"But that only means, that your time is near." 

"What!" Zeke and Lyra shrieked at the same time. 

"Don't worry. It's not about death. It's about the generational curse. It's nearing an everlasting end. But I'm still not sure about your present love." Mina furrowed her brows in doubt, eyes closed and concentrated further. 

"So how do I know if he's the one?" Lyra pouted. 

"Keep this in mind. I do not know who will be the one to end your curse. What I do know is that the one who truly deserves you, will break your heart. That is how you'll know that he's the one." 

Lyra was numb. Break my heart!? Is this some sort of payback!?

"Hey big sister, is his nickname Karma by any chance!?" Zeke couldn't hold in his laugh as he teased an irritated Lyra.

"Shut up!" Lyra spat at him.

"So… I'll have to get my heart broken huh." Lyra sighed, resting her forehead over her fingers. Just thinking about it was giving her a mild heart ache. Or was it a cardiac arrest...

"Oh God I can't deal with this!" Lyra whined at last, flailing her bag around. 

"Patience, Lyra. Everything comes with a price. You are the one to break the curse so of course a heartbreak is given. Time will heal everything so believe in yourself. You have a long life ahead of you." 

Lyra could only sniffle at her wise words. Even though young, Mina knew far better than her predecessors. Maybe that was the grace of being gifted by the gods. 

"Oh." She recalled, not trying to get lost in her thoughts as she slithered her fingers into her purse. Out of it she pulled out a few notes but then put it back in to grab some extra. 

"Here. Thank you." Lyra smiled weakly as she handed over the money to Mina who looked blank. She had paid two thousand Yuan extra. It wasn't like her to accept more money than required. 

"Lyra, It's not necessary-

"Keep it." Lyra smiled. Mina couldn't argue so she nodded. Zeke watched with doubt. A crystal gazer who wasn't greedy? That was new. 

"Oh and before I leave…" Lyra quickly pulled out her phone and opened her gallery. She swiped through a multitude of pictures until she stopped on one of Darah's, smiling with her.

"This is my friend, Darah Chen. Can you please tell me what her future will be like?" Lyra was excited as she turned the picture to the latter's view but it only seemed to take the light away from Mina's gaze. She looked warily at the picture, her hands pressed tight over the glowing crystal. 

"Is there something wrong?" Lyra asked worriedly. For a second she wished she hadn't asked. Mina quickly tore her eyes away from the picture. 

"N-No… It's just that… I cannot predict her life for some reason." Mina mumbled half heartedly. 

"What? But why?" Zeke was curious too. 

"Not everyone has the luck to design their life the way they want to. My mother has always told me, that the people whose lives I cannot predict, are the luckiest. Because they can shape their life into the very way they want it to be, not how destiny wants it to be. This girl, her life doesn't follow a path.  The path is what she creates." Mina sighed. 

Lyra was awestruck for a moment, her jaw hanging loose. 

"Woah. That's so cool." She whispered

"I know right?" Zeke answered, equally amazed. 

"Not really that cool. If the soul chooses destruction, then she wouldn't live for much long. What I said before, was only a positive case." Mina concluded, putting the veil over her crystal. Darah wasn't destructive in behaviour as far as Lyra was concerned. So it wouldn't be a big issue, she thought. 

"Oh… Well then. I guess we can hope for the best." Lyra smiled as she got up and so did Zeke. She bowed gracefully and then went on towards the exit while Zeke stood behind, dazed at Mina's silent stature. 

"Before I go, can I get a quick revelation of my future?" Zeke smirked.

"Your life will be boring. No excitement, nothing. Just the same thing everyday." Mina replied blankly as she began packing her stuff. 

"Wait what- That's so rude you know-" Zeke's brows furrowed wondering if it turns out to be true. Curse this beautiful lady then! He went on to say something but then stopped, hearing Lyra yelling out his name from outside. 

"You better get that crystal ready when I come here next time." Zeke squinted his eyes at her as he got to leave. When he reached the door, the lady's voice sounded again.

"What if there isn't a next time?" 

For some reason, Zeke felt his throat go dry. He didn't look back, gazing straight into blank space as he continued in his steps.