I had to get back home. I was already imagining how good it would feel to wrap myself in a blanket and skip to the next day. But the difficult part was that I was still nowhere close to home and had to walk some distance in the rain to reach my room. I didn’t have an umbrella, but I was thankful I wasn't foolish enough to go out without a jacket. I really loved this jacket; it was black denim and a gift from my dad. It always reminded me not to disappoint him and to always try my best, even when life was as harsh as the texture of the jacket. Now I was thankful that at least some part of me would stay dry.

I walked down the alley for a while and realized I would have to make another stop if I wanted to avoid getting a cold. At a corner, I saw a flashy red banner for some sort of club. It wasn’t there the previous week, so it must have been new. The city had started to gain some livelihood since our mayor changed. Initially, I thought it was a poster to promote him, but as I approached, I realized it bore a random symbol: an ugly, drawn heart spiked by three swords. It didn’t reveal anything about what was inside, but I was just happy that the place had a small roof I could sit under.

What surprised me even more was that it was open at this hour and seemingly expecting customers. I decided to go inside and figure out for myself what this was about. As I opened the door, I was annoyed by the little bells jingling at the top. I moved into the room, which had a couch on the right and a reception desk on the left. What instantly caught my attention was the title on the wall that said “Tarot Club.” I had always been repelled by astrologers and people who claimed to predict destinies, often making fun of them as crazy. Now that I was here, I had to at least look like a client.

The chair where the receptionist ought to be was empty, so I just stayed in the middle of the room, looking around. I was too wet to sit on the new couch but was impressed by how non-shady the place looked. It was actually bright and had incense burning, giving it a cozy, home-like feeling. There were tons of decorations, like illustrations and even a Persian wall carpet. It gave the impression that the owner was someone really wealthy. I was thinking I should just leave since I probably couldn't afford any services they might offer.

Just as I decided to turn around, a colourfully dressed young woman entered and greeted me.

"Hello there!" she said cheerfully, her voice as bright as her outfit. "Welcome to the Tarot Club! How can I help you today?"

I hesitated, my eyes scanning her multi-colored scarf and eclectic jewelry. "Uh, hi. I was just looking for a place to stay dry for a bit. I didn’t mean to intrude."

She laughed softly, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "No intrusion at all! It’s a stormy night; you’re welcome to stay as long as you like. But while you’re here, why not explore what we have to offer? A tarot reading might be just what you need."

I felt a pang of skepticism. "I’m not really into that sort of thing," I admitted, shifting my weight awkwardly. "I don’t believe in tarot or astrology. I but yet I am still curious about that symbol on the banner."

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She nodded, her smile never fading. "That’s completely fine. Many of our visitors are skeptics at first. Sometimes, it’s just about having a bit of fun or gaining a new perspective. Would you like some tea while you wait? It’s on the house."

"Sure, why not," I agreed, hoping the warmth of the tea would help shake off the chill that had settled in my bones. She disappeared through a door behind the reception desk, leaving me alone to continue examining the room.

The more I looked, the more details I noticed. The illustrations on the walls were intricate and beautiful, depicting various tarot cards and mystical symbols. The Persian carpet was indeed exquisite, its patterns mesmerizing in their complexity. Despite my initial wariness, I found myself relaxing, the cozy ambiance easing the tension in my shoulders.

The woman returned with a steaming cup of tea. "Here you go," she said, handing it to me with a smile. "My name’s Seraphina, by the way."

"Thanks, Seraphina," I replied, taking a cautious sip. The tea was fragrant and soothing, a perfect counter to the dampness clinging to me. "I’m Mike."

"So, Mike, you were curious about the Three of Swords?" she asked, perching on the edge of the reception desk.

I shrugged. "I guess if that’s how it’s called what it’s supposed to mean and why is it so ugly."

She laughed. "Haha. It’s actually a banner we change daily. Today it was a day of sorrow and grief for the gods. Rain usually symbolises a cleanse of the emotional burdens so we decided it would fit "

"So you knew it would rain today?" I asked "But I guess it was pretty obvious if you read the news…"

Seraphina laughed again. “I see you are trying to test our abilities in fortune telling. Would you be open to a free tarot reading? No strings attached, just a bit of insight for the road ahead."

I hesitated, torn between my skepticism and curiosity. The rain outside showed no sign of letting up, and I figured I had nothing to lose. "Alright, sure. Let’s give it a shot."

She beamed and led me to a small, round table draped with a deep purple cloth. A deck of tarot cards sat in the center, each card's back adorned with intricate designs. She gestured for me to sit, then took a seat opposite me.

"First, I’ll shuffle the cards," she explained, her hands moving deftly. "Then, I’ll ask you to cut the deck. The cards will reveal what you need to know."

I watched as she shuffled, her movements graceful and practiced. When she handed me the deck, I cut it as instructed, feeling a strange mix of anticipation and doubt. Seraphina began to lay out the cards in a pattern, her eyes flicking over them with a mixture of focus and serenity.

"The first card represents your current situation," she said, revealing The Tower. "This card signifies upheaval and sudden change. It seems like you’re facing some challenges right now."

I couldn’t help but nod, the card’s imagery of a crumbling tower resonating with my current state of mind. "You could say that."

She smiled gently and turned over the next card. "The second card represents your immediate future," she continued, showing me The Star. "This card is about hope, inspiration, and a sense of renewal. Despite the challenges, there’s a light guiding you forward."

I stared at the card, feeling an unexpected glimmer of hope. Maybe there was something to this after all. "That’s... reassuring," I admitted.

Seraphina's eyes met mine, warm and understanding. "Sometimes, all we need is a little reminder that things can get better. The journey might be tough, but there’s always a star to guide us."

As I pondered her words, the rain outside seemed to lighten, its steady drumming becoming a softer patter. For the first time that night, I felt a sense of calm. Maybe, just maybe, this unexpected detour had a purpose after all.