Chapter 8: Life Reference

The woman who was still charming in her old age wore earrings that added to the splendor and beauty of her features. Aunt Sarah was determined to confirm something more important to her than anything else.

"Good afternoon, Auntie!"

Steve's arrival startled Auntie who was coming down the stairs. "What's going on?"

Steve held up a fruit basket.

"Oh, my gosh!" Bibi closed her mouth, which had gaped in surprise, and hurried down the stairs.

"Oh, Auntie. You don't need to rush, be careful!" Steve was a bit panicked.

Bibi hugged Steve, patting his shoulder a few times. "Thank you. You didn't bother to bring me any souvenirs."

Steve put the rattan basket on the table. He brought an assortment of fruits and Alex's aunt's favorite cheesecake.

"After all, you haven't been out of the hospital long. I haven't had a chance to see you yet, Auntie." Steve put his arm around Aunt Sarah.

"Ah, you are so sweet." Auntie pinched both of Steve's cheeks. "Sometimes I wonder if my nephew is you and not Alex."

Steve laughed. He was picturing his best friend. "But Alex isn't bad either, is he?"

"Sure. But I want his undivided attention too."

"People like Alex usually go crazy if you leave."

Aunt Sarah exhaled slowly. She wondered what had happened in her life. "So that's why. I had to find Alex a companion so that he could have a place to return to besides me."

"Of course, Alex has to get married. But where are you going?"

Auntie laughed awkwardly. "Just want to make him responsible for his own family."

"Ah, I see. Maybe it's a bit difficult for now. Besides the fact that Alex is spoiled with you, he's also like that with Celine."

"I see Alex is slowly getting over it. "Aunt Sarah shook her head. "I mean... he doesn't seem burdened by Celine leaving."

"Not really."

"And so, I found him the perfect woman for him. They're even meeting up for a blind date."

Steve glared. "Really?"

"In this situation, I would go to a shaman to inquire about their future."

Instantly Steve stifled a laugh that left Aunt Sarah confused. Her brow furrowed.

"Is there a problem?"

"No, Auntie. It's just that I'm dumbfounded that you believe in superstition."

"I have no choice. I've prayed at church but still want to know more. I think I should also go to a witch doctor to complete my unrest."

Steve knitted his eyebrows together. "Instead of a witch doctor, wouldn't you rather go to a tarot reader?"

"Tarot reader?" Aunt Sarah narrowed one eye. "What's the difference with a shaman? Isn't it all superstition?"

"Of course, it's different," said Steve. "Tarot has a philosophy, not a vision like a superstitious shaman. Tarot can also be wrong, but at least it can be used as a reference."

"Wow!" Aunt Sarah was amazed. "Maybe I can give it a try."

"That's right. How can you pray in church and then go to a shaman?" Steve shook his head in wonder.

"Then you know a good tarot reader?"

"I never did. But my mom always reads the tarot results and all the solutions from a good tarot reader."

+++

"With Madame Sarah?" greeted Irene from behind the white mask that hid half her face, leaving only her sexy lips as a charming older woman walked into the tarot booth.

"Oh, yes. Okay."

Aunt Sarah glanced around the room that was decorated with various decorations typical of a tarot house with purplish-colored lights. "I heard from my colleague that you not only read the future based on tarot cards but can also provide solutions."

"Of course, please have a seat, Madam! What would you like to consult about?" asked Irene.

Enthusiastically, Aunt Sarah immediately sat down on the chair opposite Irene. "I'd like to know the compatibility of my niece and her blind date. Will their relationship continue or not?"

+++

"Okay. We can be friends first." Davina pulled Alex's hand. "Come on, it's time to dance."

Even Alex followed where Davina took him as the music grew louder. They interlocked, dancing to the beat. But suddenly, Davina fell into Alex's arms in the middle of the dance. They fell silent with their noses still pressed together. They then stare with bated breath.

Then Davina slowly directed her lips to Alex. They kissed. But the man looked flat, giving no meaningful response for a few moments until he finally returned the kiss fiercely like he was starving.

+++

"What?!" Aunt Sarah was stunned. "They don't match?"

"I didn't say they were incompatible, madam. It's just that if you want to know the whole story, your nephew should come here."

Aunt Sarah grumbled. "That's impossible. How could I tell him to come here?"

"Tarot readings can't just be delegated. That way, I can help more to make future references and any solutions or what your niece should do." Irene tried to explain calmly. She saw the anxiety in Aunt Sarah's eyes. "In that case, aren't you interested in making references for your life, madam?"

"My life reference?"

The half-masked Irene nodded.

"Very well," Aunt Sarah said after considering.

"Before we open the cards, may I hold Madam's hand?" asked Irene politely.

Aunt Sarah extended her hand. Irene then touched it. She closed her eyes to see the memory of the woman, who was still charming in her old age.

Irene's eyes widened. She wanted to scream when she found a piece of memory in which there was a man who had made love to her that night. But Irene tried to restrain herself even though her hands were suddenly trembling.

"Is something wrong?" asked Aunt Sarah, sensing something was amiss.

"Ah, no." Irene shook her head. "What do you want to know?"

Aunt Sarah didn't answer right away. She seemed to be weighing things up, until she finally said, "Am I going to die soon?"

Irene put down Aunt Sarah's hand and picked up the tarot cards. She spread twenty cards on the table. She couldn't read tarot cards, but it was all to cover up her psychometry.

"You can take one of these cards, madam."

Aunt Sarah took one of the cards that Irene didn't understand in detail either.

"Madam's current state is not entirely good, is it?"

"Yeah. I've never even said this to anyone."

"This picture shows that someone is sick. Both mentally and physically."

Aunt Sarah listened intently while holding back the pain. "I am sick."

"Yeah?"

Aunt Sarah wiped away her tears. "I'm very sick, Miss. But I'm still in denial about the doctor's explanation."

"You want to live a long life?"

Aunt Sarah nodded with great conviction. "Tell me the solution. I want to see my nephew get married first."