8

There are a few things that we; as a human can't predict. One, when we will die. Two, when are we getting married? Three, when are we having a child? 

In terms of having a relationship, well... Sometimes, it's beyond our expectations. We hope that we can marry someone we love. Turns out, it didn't happen frequently. Some couples were together for years, but still, the future is uncertain. 

Who knows, maybe the true soulmate is just under the nose? Maybe, a thousand miles apart. Or, in some cases, some people, have more than just one. Some even have exactly only one. For the whole life, the person is exactly the only soulmate who is destined only for them.

No matter how many times you live your life. 

And you dare to challenge your destiny?

:::

"Come in," says Nayeon. I step inside the room. A studio apartment on the outskirts of the town. Clean, sleek, a good combination of earth tone theme, simple, and most importantly, homey.

"Must have seen something unexpected, huh?" she chuckles a bit. I smile, feeling shy about my act.

"When Wei told me that you're a fortune teller, I expect something like... Dark. Smokes, maybe a crystal globe..."

"An old haemoni with puffy black hair and questionable accessories... Yeah, I get that a lot!" she laughs. Nayeon looks nothing like a witch or perhaps has a slightly dark vibe. She looks normal; baggy jeans, white blouse, clean straight brown hair and most importantly, she looks young!

"Are you sure you're 50?" Nayeon smiled when she heard the question from me. 

"Wanna know my secret? I recommend you Dr. Lee, my cosmetologist. I'll give you his card later," we both laugh in unison. She invites me to sit on a long Cleopatra sofa. 

"I believe, Wei must've told you about my issue,"

"Only some facts. I need to know the whole thing. For a bigger picture," Nayeon takes something out from her desk. Then, she puts a marble coffee table in front of me. 

"Let's read the card first," I nod. I pick the card that represents my past, present, and future. Nayeon flips the card, starting with my past.

"Hm..." she stuttered a bit.

"Can you please pick another three cards?" she asks. I pull another three cards and pass the card to her. She puts those cards around my past card. Then she flips those cards. 

Shockingly, two of those cards are the same. And one, almost the same as those two, but slightly different.

"You have some vengeance," she told me in short. Then, she shakes her head a bit. I have so much to ask, but I hold myself and decide to let her explain things one by one.

"Let me see your present..." she flicks the card. Shut herself for a moment before drawing another two and placing them side by side.

"Pick one," she says. I tap the card on my right. She flips the card. Letting a deep huge sigh.

"You're stuck in a loop. As expected..."

Every word that came out of her mouth added more worries to me. She gives me a look, a mix of worry but somehow she kind of understands my situation.

It's time for the future card. Nayeon flips the card. I can see her reaction changed. She looks puzzled, almost like having a deep thought.

"Karin, have you ever felt that you're missing something in your life?" somehow, the question makes me think. 

"I do feel somehow my life is empty. Sometimes, I wonder why am I even alive," I answer the question earnestly.

"How much did you believe in reincarnation?"

I frown.

"I do believe in life after death. But, not rebirth or reincarnation," I say. 

"Poor soul..." I compose myself so I can listen clearly. What does she mean by that?

"What do you mean?" I ask.

"There is nothing in your future card. Which means, your future might be depends on your current situation," Nayeon takes a deep breath before continuing.

"Karin, your soul has gone through reincarnation at least three times. You're in your 4th time," 

My jaw drops. Reincarnation is one thing. But four times? That's outrageous! 

"What?! Why? I mean, how??"

"Remember your past card? You're full of vengeance. You wanna take revenge, but you were failed, almost all the time. That's why your card shows reincarnation and vengeance. I assume that vengeance is the reason for your incarnation. You have unsettled business. That explains the multiple reincarnations," she points out three cards that I pick just now.

"It seems like whenever you're reincarnated, you'll be in the same destiny. Born in the same class of society, met the same partner, and died in the same way," I feel like I've been struck by lightning. 

"So... I've been living in a loop?"

"You can say that. Every time you get reborn, you are closer to your true purpose; your vengeance. You're slowly getting conscious about your past. But, unlike the other three, you were born wiser this time," Nayeon points her finger to my past card.

"I heard you move away from home, is it true?"

"Yes,"

"Can I ask why?"

"I don't know. One day, I woke up and I hated my life. I hate when people force me to obey and listen. Put restrictions on my life. So, I decided to live on my own," I explained my situation to Nayeon.

"Maybe that's why the course is changed now. You create another path in your destiny; something that you never did in your past life," says Nayeon.

"How did you know?"

"Your future card is null. Uncertainty. It's fuzzy and unpredictable. When I saw your present card, you chose this-" she points to the card that I picked. "Instead of this," she flicks the other card.

"This card shows that you wanna end the loop. You feel the openness. It creates a new chapter. Compared to the other which states that you choose to be bound by your oath," Nayeon shakes his head a bit when she sees the card. 

"But, the act makes you alter your future. Now, it's uncertain," she ends her explanation, collecting cards on the table. She rearranged the card one more time.

"Pick two," she instructs me. I pick two cards. Nayeon places the card on the table. She takes a deep breath before flicking the first card.

"Wow..."

"What's wrong?"

"Looks like you have an encounter with someone related to your past," I scoot closer. 

"Two days ago, there was a man who claimed to be my future husband. He feels familiar. Like... I've seen him before! And, the weird thing is, he kept saying that we're bound by destiny," I said.

"Pick three cards. But before that, think about how he looks like," 

I close my eyes. Imagine him standing in front of me. Our first encounter at the cafe, our first meeting, the way he crashed my dinner gathering. The way he looked at me, the way he talked, the way he put his face closer to mine...

I snap and jolt. There's no need to be so deep, Karin! I scold myself.

Quickly, I pick three cards. Nayeon places the card around the first card. She flicks the first, the second, and the third card one by one.

"Looks like the man is indeed the reincarnation of your husband,"

"Hah????"

"Funny thing is, he was your husband for three consecutive reincarnations. That means you married him whenever you reincarnate," 

Now that's serious!

"It's just..." Nayeon lifts her right eyebrow. 

"What?"

She taps the card in the middle. And smiles.

"This time, he is a different man. I mean, he is still your former husband; let's call him that. But, compared to the past event, this time, he was reborn as a new person. This explains this," Nayeon points at the card right in front of me.

"Pheonix?"

"New life. Reborn,"

I slump on the couch. 

"Is it good or bad?"

"I don't know. It's on you to define how he is, past and present. Now, pick one more card," I pick one card.

"Hmm..." Nayeon smirks. She looks at me with a smile on her face.

"You'll find love, soon..."

"With whom?" I eagerly ask.

"That, I don't know. Because this is your future. You're the one who can decide,"

"Just tell me. Is it the old flame?"

Nayeon shakes her head.

"It's on you to decide,"