I HOPE I AM

“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 me tell you about the task. This is a passion project by someone who wants to keep it anonymous. You’ll need to sell the books, set up a bid online perhaps or set the displays on the physical store. A fourth of the profit will serve as your commission, while the rest will be sent as a donation to charity for kids who will need to go to school but cannot afford it. Every month, the owner of the books would like to hold an auction of some of the best books they have. They’d like for me to invite these known people who would like to be a part of the auction. This should be a wonderful opportunity for you to meet people and extend your connections. I’ll be inviting businessmen, publishing houses, artists, anyone who would be interested. As they say, even the ugliest book can bring in the most popular people so long as it is for a cause.”

“Oh, that was such a wonderful philosophy. I can use that.”

“Are you up to the task Charlie?” he looked at her with a doubtful look.

“Of course, I am. You can trust me Mr. Bailey. I will not disappoint you.”

“Well, disappointment seems to be your twin lately.” He leans closer and handed her the key.

Her eyes brightened like light bulbs. She looked at the key like it was a content of a mystery box.

“You have no idea how this can help me. I am so glad that you have chosen me.”

Mr. Bailey started seeing tears from her eyes. In his mind, he’d want to hug her, to comfort her.

“Hey, you can’t cry in here. People might think I did something bad to you.”

“Well, you didn’t! I don’t care what they will all think.” She started whining like a little baby.

“Hey, Charlie, you don’t look so good crying like a child right now. Stop it.”

“I’m sorry.” She composed herself and wiped off her tears. She took a deep breath and faced her professor again, looking more relaxed.

“I can’t emphasize enough how important it is for you not to suck at this. Do you get that?”

“Yes Mr. Bailey. I will do everything that I can not to mess all of this up.”

“Alright. You can start anytime you want. Inside the store is a laptop that contains the ordering system for the entire bookstore. The visitors and the customers already know that the mini bookstore exists. All you need to do to send out the books they’d want delivered to their addresses. You can deliver it yourself or via currier. That should not be that hard.”

“Of course.”

“I will keep you updated for any events that the owner will have to make sure that you will get an invitation too. That way, you’ll get exposed to any publishers who would be interested on getting you on board in their company in the future.”

“Thank you so much once again Mr. Bailey.”

“Stop that. You can thank me later if you don’t mess all of this up.”

“I won’t I promise.”

She stood up along with him. But just before she could leave, she gives him a tight hug.

The surprise in Mr. Bailey’s face was no longer visible to her. But all he could do is close his eyes as he wanted to reciprocate her hug.

“I have to go. I can’t wait to visit the store. Thank You again Mr. Bailey.” She says as she soon takes her leave.

Mr. Bailey waited till she’s out of the office before he’d take out his watch once again. It was as though it holds all kinds of memories, he has not just for her but of him.

He closed his eyes as his mind ran back again to what happened when he’s back to her past.

He looked up at the old house that he very well knows is his parents’ property in this year. Last night, he saw Alvah, and Charlie meet for the very first time. To the best of his knowledge, that night happened 30 years ago.

He and Charlie has gotten married and took an oath to become the main council of the new generation of Jinni’s.

The world has turned differently by then.

He knocked on the door nervous of who would open for him. His family belongs to an entire generation of Jinni’s. Unfortunately, both his parents died on a fire that happened during an annual ball for Jinni’s.

All he had left was his grandmother.

And just as soon as the door opened, her bright smile welcomed him.

“Grandma?”

The old woman standing in front of him gasped.

“Rory? Rory Bailey?”

He grinned and gave his grandmother a hug.

Soon her house was filled with her laughter. She served him some tea and his favorite biscuits.

“So, you mean to say that you have to come back to the past? So, you can save her?”

“I don’t know grandma, somehow before I lost her, I was sucked into this year.”

“This is definitely not a good thing. The rules of may change if your past nor anyone’s past is changed. That is why we didn’t want to time travel or anything like that unless we need to.”

“I know. But she was the one who pushed me right over to this year. Clearly it was for a good reason.”

“Well, you’ll need to do whatever you can do to help her. If justice is needed, then that must be why she pushed you right into this memory of the past.”

He held the pocket watch closer as his memory served of what has happened. Until now, this whole thing is still a mystery. But something was up. And he is in here to find out what it was that his wife wanted him to do.

He started to travel back into Alvah’s mansion. The moment he arrived in this year, he gained her trust and showed her his powers. He wasn’t supposed to do that. But up until this time, Jinni’s are not able to travel to the future.

The Jinni’s in his generation have grown more and more powerful. More complex.

“So, did she take it?” Alvah inquired as soon as they were in the tearoom.

“Yes she did. And she’s so happy about it. She must need this so much to be that happy.”

“She’s a good one. Just like you Mr. Bailey. Wouldn’t you think so?”

He took a sip of the tea and gave her a nod.

“Tell me though, how did you find me? I guess I still didn’t know that part of you. Yet you feel like an old friend to me.”

“I guess its fate that brough me here to you. Or perhaps, destiny?”

“That is such a cliché Mr. Bailey. Well, I am glad though,” she placed the teacup in front of her and settled her arms on her side, “This everlasting life seems lonely. Who am I to decline a companion like you who shares something similar to what I have. Power. Tell me Mr. Bailey, are you a good person?”

“I hope I am Alvah. I hope I am.”