She’s running across a huge field, the sun is scorching hot, and the air seems to be suffocating her. Someone’s following her.
It was as if she’s back to the day when someone was always trying to catch her.
She started treading the steep grounds, hoping that she doesn’t fall into the edge of the elevated place she’s trying to climb up.
But just as that thought was in her mind, she stumbled into a rock and fell right into the ground. She had no way of controlling how she’s rolling downwards.
Then a loud thump made her open her eyes.
A sharp pin started to attack her from her back. She groaned as she realizes that she fell right into the mansion’s floor.
“Well, that surely woke you up.” She turned to the woman whose body was splayed all over the love sofa across her.
“Were you watching me sleep?” she struggled to stand up.
“Yes. I wanted to know how long you’ll be knocked off.”
“Knocked off? Wait, how long was I out?”
“About fifteen hours.” Alvah says as she looked at her watch.
“What? I missed a whole day of class?”
Alvah grinned at her. Slowly, it registered to her. She was pranking her.
“You’re the worst. Do you know that?” she cracked her neck and sat back on the sofa. She filled one cup with the tea that’s on the table in front of her.
“How was your sleep?”
“I feel good. Except I guess for the dream I had.”
“Would you like to tell me about your dream?”
“It wasn’t anything grand. I was just in this huge field, and I was running. I felt like I was on that same night we first met. And then as I was running, I fell on this tee side of the field and then I woke up.”
“Insignificant.”
“Just as I said. Well, what happened to me last night? I never get to go back to the party again. The last thing I remembered were the orb of lights that sort of morphed with us.”
Alvah smiled wickedly.
“The consecration of the new jinni’s was done. Now, you are officially my protégé.”
Her eyes grew wide as the news started to set in.
“Are you for real?”
“I am.”
“Oh my God! I’m freaking out! Wait...” Charlie started pacing back and forth, “Does this mean I can grant wishes now?”
“When and when you succeed in al the tasks that are given to you. Most especially the tests.”
“Tests? Wait, there are tests?”
“Again, nothing that comes easy is worth keeping. Yours have already begun.”
“It had? When?”
Alvah stood up and walked out of the salon.
“Hey!”
But she never said anything.
Charlie grew frustrated with how Alvah simply dismissed her question. She sipped from her teacup, stood up and gathered her things. She’s supposed to clean out her apartment and have a quick repaint and redecorating.
She’s asked Lance for his help. She wanted to clean her entire apartment as soon as she can so she could put up an ad in craigslist.
She rushed outside of the mansion and was almost dashing towards her university.
As she passed by her favorite ice cream shop, something caught her attention.Panting, she comes closer to the man she's been seeing since she drank the potion that Alvah gave her."Hey." she taps him on the shoulder and waited till he'd turn to her, but he didn't."When I was a kid, I was so determined to find my happiness. I thought that when I grow up, I'd figure things up. Find a good job, have a family."Charlie sat down beside him. She looks at the same see saw and children playing in the playground not too far from where they were."It's sad sometimes when you thought you still have time. But then, the next morning you realize there's nothing. There's no more time, no more chance. You haven't lived your life at its best, you were stuck on that job you felt was important and you never get the chance to tell the people you love how much exactly do you love them. It’s just so strange.""You must miss him.""I do." he turns to her, "We lived together for about three years. And the next thing we wanted was to adopt a child. We've been planning it for such a long time. And I finally took some time off from my job. But then one day, when I was about to go home, I crashed into this steep slope along the road. That was when I saw myself under that huge tree, lifeless. I wasn't moving and I thought, how am I able to see myself?"She could see the tears starting to fall."That's when it hit me. I'm dead. And I have no way of talking to him or telling him that I love him so much."Charlie tapped him by his shoulder, sighing along with his grief.
“I will help you alright.” In her mind, was the fact that she has just recently been ordained as a jinni.
And even if she doesn’t know how she can help him, she wants to.
“Charlie!” she hears someone call her name.
The moment she turns to see who it was, she sees Lance coming towards her.
As soon as she turns back to the man she was just talking to, he was no longer there.
“We’re you talking to anyone?”
She squinted her eyes and looked at him.
“No, in fact I’m not. I am alone, right?”
“Yes, you are.” But he looks around, seeming looking for something or someone.
“Were you fetching me?”
“Sort of. Didn’t you say you’d like me to help you with your renovations?”
“I sure did. Let’s go.” She stands up and walked with Lance.
They picked up some sour sough on their way home. As soon as they get to her apartment, they didn’t waste time in starting the paint job for the entire space.
They chose a bright white color that illuminates the light that’s coming into the whole space.
She fixed up her sofa and her tired bed.
After a few minutes, she and Lance were sitting Indian style on the floor, munching on their bread and some cheese.
"Your room looks way much better now.""Well, if I'd have to rent it out, it better be worth it right?" she spoke before placing cheese in a slice of her bread and munching it.“So, if you’re renting this out, I would not se you around here anymore?”
“Are you going to miss me?”
“Well, I don’t really know a lot of people in here. You’re my breathe of fresh air around here.”
“Lancelot. That is too much to keep in.”
He smiled and munch on his bread once again.
“Thank you for all your help today. I love how this room turned out that I’m doubting my plans on getting it up for rent.”
“Well, why don’t you just keep it to yourself?”
“That...” she stood up and started, “is not possible. Right now, I need cash.” She started placing all used plates on the sink.
She thought, would being a jinni mean she can get out of her financial dilemma?
“Well,” Lance was already behind her. “Why don’t you ask for my help?” he was grinning from ear to ear.
Her eyes widened, pretending to be surprised with what he said.
“Lancelot, I didn’t know you were a rich bachelor.”
He chuckled at the joke she made.
“I’m not please.”
“Well, why then would you ask me to ask for your help?”
“Well, I might be able to help. Who knows?”
“You know that won’t work with me, right?”
“Well, I was really hoping it might.”
She grinned at him and continued cleaning out the dishes. She was occupied with the chore when suddenly, she heard a soft whisper.
If life is without you, I’d rather not live at all.
She blinked.
“Did you hear that?”
“What?”
She turned around, curious who was talking.
“Someone was saying something.”
“I didn’t say anything.” Lance spoke, now curious what’s going on.
She walked as the voice continues to whisper in her ears. Someone seems to be reciting a poem. An unfamiliar one.
She got out of her apartment and soon finds the man she’s been talking to on the stairs, crying his heart out.
“Hey..”
He lifts his head up and looks at her.
“Please… help me.”
“What’s going on?”
“He’s about to die.”
“What?”
“Please… help me. Help him.”
Names, characters, business, events and incidents are the products of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
She could hear herself panting, her lungs getting more and more contrived. She could feel time ticking like a bomb at the back of her mind. She doesn’t know where she’s going but her feet are adamant in running. She takes a turn, and her adrenaline starts rushing. Soon, she reaches an empty bridge that no one crosses unless needed. Below it is chaotic running waters that will surely rip your body off if you carelessly fall. A man stood on top of the bridge’s deck, his head lifted on the glooming sky and his lips mumbling words only Charlie could hear. How that happened is beyond her. Then her feet halted, just a few steps away from where he is. She treads the bridge slowly, hoping that he won’t panic the moment he sees her. She now feels the ghost’s presence with her. “Please… help him. He doesn’t know what he’s doing.” “What’s his name?” she whispers, still looking at the man looming at the edge. “Adam.” She nods, moving closer towards him. “Adam?” Adam slowly opens his ey
“It’s time.” Alvah looks at a ray of light that suddenly appeared not too far from them. “What is that?” “That is his ray of light. His call to the heavens.” Sky sees the light and smiles. He looked peaceful, much happier than the first time she saw him. Sky turned to Charlie and held out his hand, ready for her to grab. She did. “Thank you. For your help. I will forever remember you even when I am out there.” “Are you happy?” “I am.” He turns to Adam and gives him one last kiss. “Take care alright? Give my kisses to our baby girl.” “I will.” Sky turns to the light and walks towards it. Charlie has no idea how all this works, but she is amazed at the feeling that the entire thing is giving her. She could feel a sudden warmth within her. A feeling of joy that overflows all over her. Soon, the light disappeared and so did Sky. Adam held her hand and smiled at her. “Thank you. This has been the best day of my life.” “So, your adoption’s approved?” “It is. I guess that’s als
“Wait, is this for real?” Charlie’s eyes were hardly blinking. Mr. Bailey just told her of the project he has in mind. “Yes, I am for real.” He says without a single care in his face. “Wait, I don’t get it. You used to be so hard on me. Why would you want to give this project to me?” “Because I know you need it, and it will help you.” She squinted her eyes full of doubt. “I think this is a prank.” Mr. Bailey took a stubbornly deep breath. He knew her to be adamant. And all throughout the years that he’s known her, he’s aware how much of an ass she could become. “Fine, if you don’t want it, I’ll give it to someone else.” “Oh no, you can’t do that. I never even said I don’t want it. All I’m saying is that I can’t believe it.” “So, what will it be? A yes or a No?” he asks filled with boredom. “Of course, it’s YES Mr. Bailey. How can I say No to such an offer.” “Alright.” He hands her a key. Charlie giddily reaches for it. “That is the key to the mini library. Once again, let
“Alvah!” Charlie shouts out as she throws off the sword that she managed to grab from the bushes. They were in the renaissance period, fighting off a swindler who was just escaping from the group of medieval soldiers. Alvah catches the sword and swings it right into the swindlers stomach. Charlie blew off some of the hair that’s gotten out of her bun. She thought of how ironic things have turned out right now. She recalled how she used to be the one being chased. Now, she’s the one chasing them. The medieval guards started swarming towards the swindler and thanked Alvah for the help. Charlie stood up and walked along with Alvah. She reached for her back, trying to ease an itch because of what they were wearing. “I honestly think my generation is the best. These clothes are going to kill me.” “Well, these clothes are way better than the older generations. Luckily, we can move in these ones.” “Well, I can’t imagine living with these clothes every day. No wonder women in this gene
She woke up hearing voices from down the castle. They were jubilant, seemingly excited. She lazily stood up and quickly fixed her hair. She put on the clothes she thinks are appropriate for breakfast. The moment she descended the staircase, one other man was on the dining room. He was shaking Leonardo’s hand while Alvah was holding a mug in her hand looking out to the three men who were talking with each other. She walks close to Alvah and whispered, “who is he?” “Melzi, Leo’s new assistant.” “But what about Salai?” “Well, there’s two of them now.” She twitched her head to the side and looked at the man who have just arrived. Compared to Salai, Melzi looked boyish. He has this face that could ruin every woman if only he lived in her generation. Both weren’t exquisitely handsome, but when you take a very good look at them, they will definitely take your breath away. They have eyes that could launch a thousand ships, the same way that Helen of Troy did. Salai led him to his own
“Days here feels like years, doesn’t it?” she turns to Alvah as they sat in front of the huge yard looking out at Leo and his two assistants painting out the garden’s view. Each had different styles but are required to create the same piece. And each of them took interesting strokes to a different level. “Look at them, creating perfection. While we,” she looks at Alvah, “are frying up ourselves under this heat. When we get back to our generation, we’d already be like sunny side up eggs.” “You worry too much. Just enjoy the sun. We don’t always get this kind of heat. Plus, its healthy to the skin.” “Right.” In a bit, a sudden sound of crashing things was heard. Salai’s entire canvass was no on the ground while Leo was facing him fuming with anger. They could barely hear what they were talking about but she and Alvah began standing up, curious to know what is going on. But just as they were on their feet, Salai hurriedly walked away from where they were just painting. Charlie fol
“Charlie! Wake up! Wake up!” she could hear the muffled voice calling her, tugging her that forced her to open her eyes slowly.What welcomed her was a huge array of fire. She tried looking for the voice, but no one was there. The place looked unfamiliar and all she could do was stare out at the entire space. The fire is slowly eating up the place.“Help! Alvah!” she screamed at the top of her lungs. The fire was too big that visibility is impossible. She tried to take a step but her fear took a toll and all she could do was breath heavily. “Help! Please! Help me! Alvah! Alvah!”Some debris started to fall off the floor and one of them was about to fall right through her. She pulled her arms over her head, thinking she could cover herself from the harm that’s about to come.And then, she opened her eyes again.The room has now changed. She’s back in Alvah’s library. She took deep heavy breaths and looked around.There was no fire. Nothing. The whole place looked as serene as it has al
“It’s impossible. No one has ever done that before.” Alvah kept pacing back and forth. Mr. Bailey was sitting beside Charlie as she laid on the couch unconscious.“Perhaps he’s one of the unique ones.” Mr. Bailey was staring at her, looking like he’s too afraid for her to get away from his sight.“I know. But no one has ever stopped time. It’s unheard of. This is something else. She is more than just the unique ones.”Mr. Bailey recalled how the future has identified the unique ones. The ones whose powers as Jinni’s are unheard of. The ones who qualified to become the guardians of all the Jinni’s. As time grew, Jinni’s in the future has become more and more diverse. And it was what Charlie preserved in the future.But he can’t tell Alvah about it. As far as he knows, she no longer exists in the future that Charlie created.Her knowing now will not be a good thing.But he recalled how Charlie has sent him out to this part of the past.She said he had to go back.Could it be that Alvah
Charlie stood still, facing a noodle house where Spencer was happily talking with one of the servers. She seemed entranced by him, as anyone would be. But as she saw them having so much fun talking to each other, she felt a sudden feeling of pain inside her.Is this the reality that Alvah wanted her to see? That he belongs to someone else.She closed her eyes, wanting not to feel this sudden pain that’s attacking her. She took a step back, gave a very good thought of what’s happening and snapped her finger once.As soon as she did, she was transported to another year. A year in her mind where she thinks she’d be. It was twenty years after the year she was in with Spencer. And about five years from her actual present year.She’s led to a huge house the looked to be situated in a suburban area.The corners are filled with flowers and some plants, the windows looked colorful with curtains adorning each one. In a few minutes, the crisp crying sound of a baby filled the entire house.She sm
She realized that they had overstayed now, Alvah was sitting inside a coffee shop when Spencer and some of his friends passed by. She wanted to call him but just a few steps from where they were was a group of guys who seemed to be waiting for Spencer’s group to come pass by them. Spencer was with two of his friends while the group of men was about five or six people. They look like they play football too, only from a different team. As they were nearing, the group of white men started blocking their way. Alvah stood up and left some cash for her bill and a tip. Once outside, she came closer to where the two groups were and decided to eavesdrop for a bit. "Hey, how did those bruises feel? Still not doing anything about what I told you?""Spencer, do you know them?" one of Spencer's friend, huge guy with a really good built spoke out. "They're no one. Come on, let's keep going.""We're not done." The guy turned aggressive as he pulled Spencer away from his group and pushed him ri
Her days were filled with joy as she kept living in that year. She didn’t want to admit it, and yet she knew she was starting to fall in love with him. She goes to every game he has, cheers for him, enjoys the people cheering and constantly gives him a kiss with every win. The only thing she didn’t like about all of it was the fact that they would have to hide. That generation was not a huge fan of interracial relationships. And she would never do anything that could possibly hurt or compromise him. So, no matter how challenging it was, she needed to keep hiding, for him. “Well, that was a great game, wasn’t it?” she beamed against him as they sat still in the open field. He was staring at the moon, getting nostalgic of the win that they just had. She looked at him with adoring eyes, his skin looking good against the light of the moon in the sky. The feelings he brought her were one of a kind. One’s that she’d never wish of having. “It was… It just felt good.” He turned to her
She was fidgeting as she sat in one corner of the bleachers. Alvah was seated beside her and she couldn’t stop but admire her fashion. She has always worn the most fascinating outfits ever, no matter the generation.Charlie was feeling nervous. Her heart was beating twice its normal beat and she didn’t even know how that was possible. Or even how it’s possible that she could define that it was already beating twice the normal rate. In a few minutes, the football players entered the field, each team introduced their players and people inside the arena started going wild.In a moment, Charlie felt her heart leap at the sight of the man she just met that morning.For some odd reason, she could not fathom the kind of beating he brought to her.It was an ecstatically strange feeling she isn’t willing to welcome.He was included in the first line up and she noticed how most of the people within the bleachers seem to have high regards for him.Spencer. That was what’s written on the boards
She stood in the bleachers of a huge football ground. This is her 8th wish. Soon enough, she will complete her 10th and will know what it truly means to be a full pledged Jinni.“Why are we here?” she asks shaking her head. She’s never been a fan of football. She thinks it’s gruesome and dangerous. But people seem to have an enormous fondness for the game. Some would even go to the extent of fighting against friends just to prove how supportive they are with their friends.Perhaps it happens in every kind of sports.Alvah opens her red umbrella and sat right into an empty section of the bleachers.Below them is a group of uniformed players looking a lot like soldiers, readying themselves for the next battle.They were in the year 1977. One of the most memorable years of the football history.“Is this where I’ll find my next wish?”“Possibly.”“Love the color of that umbrella. You seem to really like red, don’t you? It seems to fill most of your wardrobe.”“I love it. It’s the color of
“Lancelot!”He turns to the voice that’s calling his name.“Headmaster. What can I do for you today?”Lance is clad in his usual Jinni look with a satin pants and red sash tied in his waist. In the new generation, Jinni’s have become more and more fashionable. The unique ones have mostly made an impact on the style of clothing that everyone is wearing.“I wanted to know how your mission is going. Do you think we’ll make it?” The headmaster is Charlie’s appointed leader for the school of Jinni’s. In the future, Jinni’s has evolved far more from what humans have known. They have become and entirely different entity.Their role has expanded and have maintained the balance of the universe. Each Jinni’s are taught how to carry on wishes of not just the lost souls but even the innocent children. Everyone is given tasks that fits them.“I am getting agitated. But Rory seems to have things under control.”Rory is his father, Charlie’s husband in this future. But Charlie doesn’t know it. She d
“It’s impossible. No one has ever done that before.” Alvah kept pacing back and forth. Mr. Bailey was sitting beside Charlie as she laid on the couch unconscious.“Perhaps he’s one of the unique ones.” Mr. Bailey was staring at her, looking like he’s too afraid for her to get away from his sight.“I know. But no one has ever stopped time. It’s unheard of. This is something else. She is more than just the unique ones.”Mr. Bailey recalled how the future has identified the unique ones. The ones whose powers as Jinni’s are unheard of. The ones who qualified to become the guardians of all the Jinni’s. As time grew, Jinni’s in the future has become more and more diverse. And it was what Charlie preserved in the future.But he can’t tell Alvah about it. As far as he knows, she no longer exists in the future that Charlie created.Her knowing now will not be a good thing.But he recalled how Charlie has sent him out to this part of the past.She said he had to go back.Could it be that Alvah
“Charlie! Wake up! Wake up!” she could hear the muffled voice calling her, tugging her that forced her to open her eyes slowly.What welcomed her was a huge array of fire. She tried looking for the voice, but no one was there. The place looked unfamiliar and all she could do was stare out at the entire space. The fire is slowly eating up the place.“Help! Alvah!” she screamed at the top of her lungs. The fire was too big that visibility is impossible. She tried to take a step but her fear took a toll and all she could do was breath heavily. “Help! Please! Help me! Alvah! Alvah!”Some debris started to fall off the floor and one of them was about to fall right through her. She pulled her arms over her head, thinking she could cover herself from the harm that’s about to come.And then, she opened her eyes again.The room has now changed. She’s back in Alvah’s library. She took deep heavy breaths and looked around.There was no fire. Nothing. The whole place looked as serene as it has al
“Days here feels like years, doesn’t it?” she turns to Alvah as they sat in front of the huge yard looking out at Leo and his two assistants painting out the garden’s view. Each had different styles but are required to create the same piece. And each of them took interesting strokes to a different level. “Look at them, creating perfection. While we,” she looks at Alvah, “are frying up ourselves under this heat. When we get back to our generation, we’d already be like sunny side up eggs.” “You worry too much. Just enjoy the sun. We don’t always get this kind of heat. Plus, its healthy to the skin.” “Right.” In a bit, a sudden sound of crashing things was heard. Salai’s entire canvass was no on the ground while Leo was facing him fuming with anger. They could barely hear what they were talking about but she and Alvah began standing up, curious to know what is going on. But just as they were on their feet, Salai hurriedly walked away from where they were just painting. Charlie fol