She was dozing off while in her class, she stayed up all night just because she can’t stop thinking about what Alvah said. The aftermath of all the memories that has come back to her was overwhelming her again. But she couldn’t help herself from smiling.
After everything, she remembered her again. And she’d like to believe that the idea of her remembering her again is something special.
And now, she’s on her way to learn how to become a Jinni herself.
“Miss Peddington!”
Her professor’s voice startled her that she almost fell from her seat.
“You’re daydreaming again.”
“I’m sorry. I was just thinking about my—” she looked around noticing that everyone was now looking at her conspicuously, “my story draft.”
She sees her professor crossing his arms against his chest, now getting his attention.
“Well, I’d be very interested to know what you have already made. You’ve been quiet a procrastinator lately.”
“Well,” she twitched her head sideways, not expecting the kind of question her professor has asked her. And the implication that she’s been delaying her output was quite accurate, “I haven’t really written anything yet.”
“Boo.” She heard it from somewhere in the back side of the entire room, she turned her head only to find Lance sitting in one of the chairs at the back row.
Her eyes grew wide at the sight of his teasing grin.
“Miss Peddington? I really hope you’ll take this class more seriously. Right now, you just seem like an irresponsible young adult simply living in this world like they don’t have any purpose in life. Is that what you are Miss Peddington?”
She was suddenly baffled by her professor’s statement. Was she really someone who has no purpose in life? Someone who walks the face of earth unsure of what she is living for.
“Mr. Bailey, that’s not fair. Everyone in this world was created for a reason.” She remembers her journey to the 24th century B.C. How she witnessed the actual creation of earth and the entities that were supposed to live on earth. Each one of them has a purpose. A reason why they exist. And she knows, she too has one.
“Really? Then what is your purpose?”
She wondered why he is suddenly so hard on her.
“I am yet to figure that one out. Who knows? Perhaps I am one who could make anyone’s dreams come true.”
He let out a smirk and she could only stand there, thinking if what she just said was ever going to be possible.
“Then do something Charlie!”
In a quick second, the room has turned intense. People who were already looking started to bow down their heads, avoiding their professor’s eyes.
He heart fluttered from the sudden change of her professor’s tone. He looked infuriated with her and the feeling it caused her was not one she’d like to have.
She felt attacked. Furiously, she started to open her mouth again only to be stopped by his incessant words.
“You can keep telling yourself that you are great Charlie. But greatness comes when you learn to start building something and not just relying on the ideas of it.”
Her supposed outburst was suddenly stopped when she realized that he was right.
She is not doing anything to be considered great. She simply thinks about being one but never really put her thoughts into action.
“I—”
The school bell rang and soon, everyone stood up, rushing to get out of the room that was once filled with tension.
She stiffened a sob and gathered her things, not even thinking about speaking to her professor again.
“Don’t even think for a second not to continue with my classes Miss Peddington. Coz if you do, you’re just telling everyone that I am right.”
She heard those words that tainted her sanity instantly. She walked out of the room as fast as she can, hoping that the pain caused by those words would soon disappear. She’s never been a cry baby. But the reality brought upon by her professor just hit her hard.
Without turning back, she proceeded to the ice cream track she usually seek refuge with after her classes. This time, she asked for two scoops of ice cream in a cone.
She was silently licking off the ice cream from it’s cone when she noticed someone sit beside her, noisily slurping his own ice cream.
As she turned to look who it was, Lance’s grinning face welcomed her.
“Mind if I join you?”
She didn’t respond.
“Look, I know what he said was sort of embarrassing but, I guess he wouldn’t exactly say those words if it wasn’t for a good reason.”
She sighed, fully knowing well that her professor was indeed right.
“Maybe I should just give up writing.”
“Why?” he was busy licking the side of the cone where some of the ice creams were now dripping.
“I don’t think I’ll ever be able to write the best novel I have build up so much in my mind. It’s as though there’s this huge writer’s block that’s causing me to blank out.”
“You just need a little more inspiration.”
“Right, where should I be getting it?’
“Isn’t there anything that recently changed in your life? Something new and intriguing.”
“Well, there is. But everything he said just hit my nerve so hard.”
“Then prove him wrong. Prove to him that you can be everything your mind has set out to be. You just have to start.”
She turned to him and smiled.
“Thank you!” then something hit her.
“Wait, why were you in my classroom today? I don’t recall you as someone who is studying in the same school I go to.”
“Oh, I just sneaked in. Do you know how easy it is to get inside that school and pretend to be a student there? So easy.”
“That is so not safe.”
“Totally.”
“Wait,” she turned to her watch and realized that she’s late. She hurriedly stood up and throw her remaining ice cream on the bin. “I’m late. I have to go.”
“Go where?”
“I can’t tell you. I’ll see you later.” She shouted as she dashed to the road leading to Alvah’s mansion. She was running out of breath the moment she got inside her salon where she would usually find her.
“You’re late.”
“I’m sorry, I was grabbing some ice cream before coming here. My professor was giving me a hard time today.”
“That is definitely not my problem.’
“I know... I know, I—m” , she was panting so hard that she bent her body forward trying to catch her breath.
“I hate people who do not respect time.”
“It won’t happen again. I’m sorry.”
She attempted to sit down only to see Alvah stood up from her couch.
“Oppss.. okay.” She started following her towards the library where she was first amazed of the place.
“Today, you will stay here.”
“Wait, what do I do here? Is there some sort of magic class I have to learn inside?”
“No. Today, you will read.”
“Read?”
“Yes, read.”
“Wait, that’s funny.” She started to chuckle.
Alvah’s expression never changed but instead, has grown serious by every minute she was laughing.
Then she stopped.
“Wait, you’re serious?’
“Do I look like anything other than serious?” she crossed her arms against her chest.
“No.”
“Then I am serious.” She clapped her hands thrice and out came flying various books taken off from the edges of the shelves.
Her eyes grew wide in amazement as each of the books looked like soldiers up in the air flying in unison and into one of the round tables in the middle of the huge library.
About three stacks of books now piled up neatly on top of the table.
“I need to read all of those?’
“Yes.”
She came near the table and found them to be old century books.
“Wait, these are aged.”
“Yes, they are. But just like wine, they became better as the years grew.”
“Wait, why do I need to read? Is this even part of your training?”
“Everything that I ask you to do, is part of what you need to learn to become a Jinni. Today, you’ll read. I’ll have someone bring your dinner in here.”
“And I need to finish all of these tonight?’
“Not necessarily.”
“Oh, that’s cool. I don’t really think I can read all of that tonight.”
“One thing though, do not just read. Understand.”
“Yeah, I will.”
“I’m serious Charlie. Read not just with your eyes but with your heart and your mind. Sometimes, books are the most magical thing you will ever find on this earth. All you need to do is begin.”
She flinched the moment she heard those words. They were oddly familiar.
“Where have I heard those same words?”
“I’m sure it’s no one in particular. Now, you must go on.” Alvah started walking away from her.
“Wait, can’t I at least get some water?”
“I’ll send in some apples.”
“Apples?”
“They’re juicy and won’t have you going to the bathroom every now and then. Now read!”
She sighed, finally looking at all the books piled up in front of her.
“Right.”
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 switched the lights on as she skippered through the library once again. She’s been in that library for almost a week now. Each time, the books are added up with more and more. She wanted to just throw the white flag and end her suffering. This was not leading to anything useful for her at all. What good does reading books give you? And how is it even helpful to someone who’s studying to become a jinni? Do jinni’s teach subjects? “No, but it keeps them grounded, helps them be smart about all the thing that they do.” He heart skipped a beat the moment she heard Alvah’s voice who was now just standing behind her. “You startled me! Please don’t do that again.” “Well, how are you with all the readings?” “I’m great!” she faked a smile as she proceeded on opening another page with the book she was currently reading. It was the story of Jane Austen. A very well know artist during the 18th century. “Well, you’re reading Jane Austen. That’s interesting. She is interesting. More so wa
She’s been awake for 19 hours, reading through every page of the books right in front of her. She didn’t notice the time anymore, yet she knows she’s been having progress. And while she was consumed by what she was doing, she realized how much she’s been missing. There were so many things to learn. So many words to discover and all throughout, she didn’t exactly think that reading was a useful tool. She’s almost done, two more books before she could truly say she’s finished the task given to her. When the final page of the current book was done, she heaved a happy sigh as she turned to the next book. This one is thicker than the usual book she has read. It’s also bigger yet majestically intrinsic from the cover to the edges of each page. In the cover was a circular artifact that looked like a knob. Her curiosity once again got the best of her. She tried to turn it around, hoping that she could miraculously make it work. In an instant, she felt a quick prick against her palm that
She shut the door close, gasping for air. A dinosaur was just going after her. Leaning on the door, she catches up her breath and tried to relax.“Did you get it?” Alvah leaned over to her, leveling on her face. She held her hand holding a bone she caught from the Jurassic era. Alvah smiled the moment she sees the piece of bone she gathered from a dead Othnielia. “Those ones are really hard to track.” “I know right.” She scurries towards her craft room. Charlie instantly stood up and followed her. She’s been training as her apprentice for two weeks now. And all she could say is that apart from all the adventures, she’s exhausted by the end of the day with all the things that Alvah just seems to randomly ask her to do. She’s grabbing a piece of bone from the Jurassic era today, the other day, she needed to work her ay out of the deadliest jungle she’s ever been to. All these things do not make sense to her. She learned that part of the things that Alvah can do is to create a po
They arrived back at the mansion with her consistently teasing Alvah of how she acted around the Italian guy. “So, wait, you’ve been going to his store every day and you didn’t even invite him to any dinner or brunch?” “Charlie, that is so inappropriate.” “There’s nothing inappropriate with a woman who asks the man she likes out. It’s empowering. It means you don’t hesitate; you go for what you want, and, in this generation, you should be an empowered woman.” She speaks while placing all the things they’ve shopped for in the long table. “That is highly unlikely.” “Oh, so don’t tell me that the mighty and powerful Alvah does not know how to be confident enough to ask someone out? Do you want me to ask him for you?” “Don’t you dare.” “Well, I mean, I could be your bridge if you want.” “No.” “Okay.” After helping Alvah fix up everything she bought, Charlie grabbed her take out bag and headed for the door. “Are you sure you don’t want my help?” “Go home Charlie.” “Okay. By the
She looked up at the beauty of the chandelier right above her head. Alvah took her to one of the most beautiful mansions she has ever seen from twenty years back. She thought they’d be visiting a place that’s just of the same year. “Alvah...” she whispered. “Yes?” “I thought we’re going into a gathering of Jinni’s?” “We are. This is the last gathering of all the Jinni’s on earth.” “The last?” “Yes.” She looked around and noticed how the living room seemed so quiet. She sees no one as they ascended the stairs. The time travel they did was long and exhausting, but perhaps because of the elixir she took just this morning, she wasn’t feeling squeezy anymore. Unlike the previous travels they’ve done to accomplish parts of her training. As soon as they were on the top of the staircase, they were welcomed by a long hallway. At the end of it was a door with two guards waiting. She noticed Alvah taking off the hood of the white cloak she’s wearing, and she did the same. The theme was
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
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