At the class reunion, Jesmira Zamora, my roommate, asked if I wanted to play the “Of course” game.”
Her voice was playful, but her words were anything but. She said my family would go bankrupt in three months. That they would all die. That I would get heart disease and be expelled from school.
I felt the blood drain from my face. But still, I said, “Of course, swallowing my pride as my classmates laughed around me.
I never imagined that three months later, every one of her twisted predictions would come true.
My father’s company collapsed overnight, losing over ten million and sinking into massive debt. My mother, unable to bear it, jumped from a building.&
My sister, who saw her fall, locked herself in the bathroom and slit her wrists that same night.!!
To help repay my father’s debts, I began working at a bar, entertaining guests.!
I was drugged, then a hospital visit revealed multiple heart conditions. I kept working, scraping together tips, desperate to ease my father’s burden–only to find he had hanged himself, too.
That was when I realized none of this was coincidence.
It all led back to Jesmira. When I tried to confront her, she pushed me into traffic and told everyone I had taken my own life because I couldn’t stand the shame.
But I opened my eyes again, back on the day of the class reunion.
Jesmira turned to me and smiled. “Jenna, do you want to play a game with me?“?
I nodded. “Yes. Of course.“\
—
Jesmira clapped her hands. Then let’s play ‘Of course”
I acted like I’d never heard of the game and Jesmira explained, “No matter what I say, you have to respond with ‘Of course.”
“Alright.” I nodded again.
She was about to start when I suddenly cut in, “Wait. How about a twist? Do you dare to play it both ways, three sentences
each?“E
A flicker of hesitation crossed Jesmira’s face. I knew exactly what she was afraid of.
In my previous life, it was this very game that ruined me. Because I said “Of course” to her, I lost everything; my family, my future.
Seeing her hesitate, I mocked her, mimicking the voices of our classmates from back then. “What’s wrong, Jesmira? It’s just a game. Scared to play? Or maybe you know there’s more to this game than meets the eye?”
My words triggered the crowd.
“Come on, Jesmira. Aren’t we supposed to be having fun?”
“Yeah, it’s just a game. Don’t tell me you can’t handle a few words?”
“Wow, she’s actually scared.“%
The taunts worked. Jesmira straightened up, a glint of defiance in her eyes. “What’s there to be afraid of? Let’s play!”
The garne began. Jesmira stared at me, her gaze sharp and venomous. She spoke quickly, her words landing like poison just like last time.
“In less than three months, your father’s company will go bankrupt.!!
“Your whole family will die, your mom will jump off a building and your sister will slit her wrists.
“And you’ll be diagnosed with heart disease, expelled from school and your body will rot until you die!”
She rattled it all off in one breath, unhinged, like a madwoman.
Hearing those prophetic curses again, I clenched my fists, my nails nearly digging into my palms. The classmates nearby looked stunned.
“Jesmira, that was way too much!“}
“Yeah, anyone would think you and Jenna had some deep grudge or something.”
Jesmira ignored their comments and locked eyes with me. “Jenna, say something!”
I was trembling with anger, but to keep her from sensing anything unusual, I gritted my teeth and forced out the words, “of
course.”
Jesmira smiled triumphantly, then added a fake compliment. “Wow, Jenna. I’m impressed. You actually agreed to something that horrifying. Aren’t you scared I might use some spiritual power to make it all come true?”
Facing her provocation, I swallowed the fury burning in my chest and forced myself to stay calm.!!
