Signs from the universe? 

What was with this day? Pran sighed as he read the bright orange note that he’d just found in his mailbox: 

The Fantastic Korn

Have you been hoping for something to return to you? Lost love or friend who got on another path? Are you longing for that special one to return your feelings? 

 

Well, look no further! With my magic, I’ll guarantee you whatever you wish for ! 

There was more on the flashy note but Pran had stopped reading after the payment instructions (only after good results). He crumpled the flimsy piece of paper and put it in his pocket to be trashed later. His fingers brushed the two other notes from this morning. He gave another long sigh. 

That morning

Erin, his assistant, brought him the file he’d waited for for over a week. Pat had once again missed the deadline. ‘ Why did Pran have a humongous crush on him again?’ That was a question he asked himself every single day … 

His mood grew even more annoyed when he noticed the note stuck on the file. His assistant and her bloody obsession with horoscopes… 

Taurus ( April 20 - May 20)

 

If you’re in love, you might finally get to confess to the one you’ve been yearning for. Don’t overthink, they feel the same way. 

Financially, something big will happen to you in the days to come, time to plan for that big personal project you’ve held back from investing in.

Low energy but should get better before the next year starts. 

Erin gave him a sly wink before walking back to her office. Pran sighed. Of course… Why couldn’t his assistant stop meddling with his affairs? Real matchmaker that one, had quite the reputation in their office for having helped a few couples get together over the years. One of Pran’s deepest regrets was to have let her find out about his crush on Pat. She hadn’t stopped trying to give him nudges ever since. Stupid past Pran accepting to take part in an after work outing and getting drunk right before a truth or dare game with his colleagues… 

That had been almost a year ago. Pat had even been there when Pran had more or less confessed his crush to the entire table. Fortunately (or not), Pat hadn’t made the connection and things hadn’t become awkward between them after that dreadful dinner… 

Pran ripped the deep purple note from the file and put it in his pocket to trash later. 

Later, he’d ordered chinese as he kept working on the file. There was still a deadline after all, and Pran had to make up for Pat’s tardiness, again … So he didn’t leave his office and ate while browsing over Pat’s calculation for their latest project; an eco-friendly elementary school in a nearby neighborhood.  

After finishing his meal, he opened the fortune cookie. He nearly laughed out loud as he read the note inside. 

His heart flutters just like yours. No need to question things.

---

That evening

Pran took out the three notes and laid them on his coffee table. He couldn’t stop laughing, he blamed being quite sleep deprived lately, and this was just beyond ridiculous. Was the universe messing with him? 

Not just these stupid notes, but the dreams too. These recurring vivid dreams showing him joining Pat on the rooftop terrace of their company’s building to talk. Strangely in the dreams, they both looked much younger, maybe in their early twenties. They were both crying before sharing one of the most devastating kisses Pran had ever witnessed and for sure had never experienced in his entire life. What was even more eerie about this was that Pran had only known Pat for a couple of years when he’d joined the engineering department in the same company Pran was working at. They’d barely interacted at first, just for their assigned projects. But Pat had started doing some sweet gestures like bringing him his favorite drink to apologize for missing a deadline. They’d both been in their early thirties when they’d met, so why was Pran dreaming of them as a younger version of themselves? 

Much later, after maybe a couple too many glasses of bourbon, Pran reached for the bright orange note, his gaze lingering on the phone number. This was ridiculous , he told himself as he typed the number and waited. 

“Hello, I’m the Fantastic Korn, ready to use my powers for good and help you fulfill your dearest wish!”

Pran groaned, the voice was loud and overly excited. His finger already itched to end the call.

“He feels the same.” The voice suddenly turned softer. 

Pran’s heart nearly stopped. ‘What the hell?!’

“I can feel you’re a skeptical one.” Korn said next. “It’s alright, don’t worry. It won’t affect my magic.”

Could this guy stop talking about magic? There was no such thing! Pran was seconds away from ending the call. 

“I understand your reluctance. Just know, Pat called me as well. My magic is already operating, just stop overthinking. Your souls are linked.” 

Pran ended the call. This was way too weird for him. 

That night he dreamt of a beautiful beach, loud screamings ringing loudly into the sky and a feeling of freedom Pran had never experienced. 

One day later

Pran found a post-it note, light green, on his already filled coffee mug. Pran instantly recognised the writing, Pat . 

I don’t really believe in magic but I hope this Korn dude is right about this <3

Pran found Pat on the rooftop terrace just like in his dreams. 

“Finally.” Pat sighed and Pran felt his heart thrumm fast. 

Their first kiss was more tentative, no desperation, just rightness and a deep peace that filled them both. 

“Maybe I do believe in magic now.” Pat breathed out before joining their lips again, and again, again.