After the day ended, Hina and Zarina said good night to Lucas and started walking down the quiet, nuzzling street.
"Zari… do you think the street market is still open?" Hina asked casually, her eyes scanning the dimly lit road.
"Yeah… probably. Why?" Zarina replied, curious.
"I want to get some scorpions," Hina said flatly, as if she were talking about buying candy. "Gonna throw them on that bitch's grave… And do the needful."
Zarina smirked, her eyes lighting up. "Finally. It's been ages since we visited her grave, About time"
Hina tilted her head thoughtfully. "Hmm… maybe we should… add some cow poop for extra effect. Just to make it unforgettable."
Zarina burst out laughing. "You're sick… but I love it."
Without another word, Zarina grabbed Hina's wrist and started pulling her toward the street. Spotting a passing cab, she flagged it down with confidence.
"Market Square. And fast," she ordered as the taxi screeched to a halt beside them.
Both girls slid into the back seat, Hina leaning back with a mischievous grin, and Zarina resting her elbow against the window, the city lights flickering across her face.
**
Soon, the cab rolled to a halt in the heart of the bustling market, a maze of vibrant stalls, sizzling street food, and the hum of late-night chatter. The girls hopped out, the leather seats still warm beneath them as the cabbie waved before driving off into the night.
They weaved through the throng, eyes darting from one colorful stall to the next.
"Oh, look at that," Hina exclaimed, pointing. "It's a jade pendant!"
The stall owner, a wiry man with a sun-weathered face, leaned forward, eyes twinkling. "You both are gorgeous! Trust me, this will look amazing on you."
Hina picked the jade pendant and placed it on her neck " bitch doesn't it look good on me ? " She asked twirling "
" Yes it does we want two of this " Zari says as she picked the second that looks identical to Hinas.
"100 dollars for both pairs," he added, hopeful.
"Excuse me, Mr… that's too much for this." Zari muttered, starting to tug Hina toward another stall.
The man called after them, trying to salvage the sale. "Alright… 70 dollars!"
Zari shook her head, waving him off. "Still too much. Don't worry about it."
" Come back tell me how much u did like to get it for let's negotiate" he says calling them.
" Unless u want it for ten dollars then maybe," Hina quipped, smirking.
The man groaned, swatting at them with a faded cloth. "You think I plucked this from a tree? Or that it fell from heaven as a gift? Go away!"
They laughed, brushing off his protests as they wove through the crowded street. Soon, a small stall caught their attention, tucked under a faded canvas awning. Dim candlelight flickered across a table covered in crystals, tarot cards, and mysterious trinkets, casting dancing shadows on the canvas walls. The scent of incense hung thick in the air, mingling with the faint mustiness of old fabric.
"Let's go in," Hina said, her eyes glinting with mischief. "Hopefully, the fortune teller isn't too expensive."
"But seriously… all this is fake. I really don't know why you want to go in there. To do what?" Zari asked, skeptical.
"I need to know what the future has in store for me," Hina replied, eyes alight with curiosity.
"Gosh, Hina… fine," Zari muttered, following her inside.
The inside of the tent was dim but strangely cozy. Velvet drapes in deep purple and gold lined the walls, and the table at the center was covered with an intricate tapestry, crystals arranged like constellations. Flickering candles cast a soft glow, making the shadows shift as if alive. The air smelled of sandalwood and something faintly metallic, like old coins.
"I knew you two would be here, my children," the fortune teller said, her voice silky and certain. Zari rolled her eyes. Another crazy one, she thought.
"Sit," the woman commanded. "Who will go first, my daughters?"
Since you knew we'd be here, why didn't you just read our minds? Zari thought, rolling her eyes again. The woman merely smiled knowingly, saying nothing.
" I want to see my future " Hina says.
" Give me ur hands child " she says as she stretched her hands out.
The fortune teller's voice dropped into a slow, poetic rhythm:
" Such hands filled with do much pain, and chaos,
The eyes of the wanderer never wander. The green snake under the green grass. Chaos and death along the way. A beautiful bond broken—but love shall prevail when two lost hearts find their way to each other and mend the pain the most broken souls have endured. Each other amidst the suffering… happily ever after. A beautiful toad sold to the fish as a wife—so girls, nothing will come between you."
Excuse you… we know that's not the point, Hina thought, raising an eyebrow.
"Umm… I asked about my future, ma'am, not… this," Hina said, exasperated.
I told you this was trash. Now here you are, going to pay money for it, Zari thought, fuming.
"Fifty dollars for more," the woman said, extending a hand.
"Excuse you? With all due respect, you said nothing!" Hina snapped.
"And that's the point, my children. It is for you to find out on your own. Stay safe; be each other's backbone. Give me your hands—both of you," the woman instructed. Reluctantly, they placed their left hands in hers.
"Your hearts will always find their way to each other. My money—don't keep me waiting," she added, leaning back and sizing them up.
You literally just said a bunch of rubbish and expect money? May it choke you, Hina thought, her jaw tight.
The woman laughed suddenly, a sharp, eerie sound that made Zari clench her teeth. She just said a bunch of nothing… Hina, how do you feel dragging me into this nonsense?
"Ma'am, the money is too costly for a vision, don't you think?" Hina asked, her voice tight.
"Shh, my child. It's not easy to say. I died and woke up twice just to see your vision," the woman replied, solemnly.
You died and woke up… but bitch, you're still here, Hina thought, rolling her eyes so hard it hurt.
"In as much as I enjoy being entertained by you both, your energy is driving my customers away. Stand up and go. I am a businesswoman, not here for all this. You kids are rich; you're supposed to give a thousand dollars for this. I only said fifty, and you're crying. Pay up and leave," she barked.
Zari glared at Hina. "Okay, ma'am. I'll wait outside," she said, standing and leaving.
"Fine," Hina muttered, dropping the money on the table before following.
"Come back next time, kids. If you want to be rich without holding onto Daddy's money, I will make you rich," the woman called after them.
"Sure. Make yourself rich first… then maybe we'll believe you," Hina shot back, smirking as they disappeared into the street