CHAPTER 11
1116 Words
Chapter 11: The Unexpected Encounter
The day began like any other in the bustling coffee shop where Jenny worked. The morning rush had just ended, and she finally had a moment to breathe. The aroma of freshly brewed espresso filled the air, blending with the sweet scent of pastries. Jenny leaned against the counter, wiping her hands with a towel as she glanced outside. The sky was clear, and sunlight streamed through the large glass windows, casting golden streaks across the tiled floor.
“Jenny, may customer ka sa table three!” sabi ni Mina, ang kasama niyang barista, habang abala sa pag-steam ng gatas.
“Okay!” sagot ni Jenny, sabay kuha ng order pad. Ngunit nang lumingon siya patungo sa table three, biglang bumilis ang t***k ng puso niya.
Nandoon siya.
The same man from her dreams—the mysterious genie.
He wasn’t glowing this time, nor did he wear the shimmering robe she remembered from their first encounter. He looked… human. Wearing a plain white shirt, jeans, and a faint smile that could melt even the iciest heart. But his eyes—those deep, piercing eyes—were unmistakable.
Jenny froze.
“Is this seat taken?” the man asked, his voice calm and smooth like flowing water.
“N-no, sir. Um… what would you like to order?” she stammered, pretending not to recognize him.
He leaned slightly forward. “You still pretend not to know me?”
Her hand trembled slightly as she held her pen. “Excuse me?”
He smirked, resting his chin on his hand. “You called me, remember? From the lamp.”
Jenny’s eyes widened. Her breath caught in her throat. “Y-you… came out of the lamp again? How?!”
He chuckled softly, his tone teasing. “Did you think you could summon me once and never see me again?”
Jenny’s heart raced. She looked around nervously—thankfully, there weren’t many customers left. “Not here! People might hear us!”
“Then where?” he asked, tilting his head. “You choose.”
Jenny bit her lip. “Wait until my shift ends. Please.”
He nodded slowly. “Very well, Jenny. I will wait.”
For the next two hours, Jenny tried her best to focus on work, but every time she glanced at him, her chest tightened. He was reading a book now, occasionally sipping the coffee she had nervously served him earlier. His presence was magnetic—every customer who passed by couldn’t help but take a second look. But only Jenny knew who he truly was.
When her shift finally ended, she untied her apron, took a deep breath, and approached him. “Let’s go somewhere quiet,” she whispered.
The genie—whose human name she still didn’t know—stood and followed her out of the café. They walked down the narrow alley beside the building, where the noise of traffic faded into distant murmurs.
“Alright,” she said, crossing her arms. “Why are you here again? I didn’t call you this time.”
The genie smiled faintly. “You didn’t have to. You touched the lamp again last night, didn’t you?”
Jenny blinked, trying to recall. “I… might have. I was cleaning my room and accidentally bumped it.”
“That was enough,” he replied softly. “Once you’ve awakened a genie, the bond between you and the lamp remains. Every touch, every wish, every thought—it reaches me.”
Jenny frowned. “So, you’re saying you can read my thoughts?”
He chuckled. “Not all of them. But I feel when you’re thinking about me.”
Jenny’s cheeks turned red. “T-think about you? Why would I—”
He stepped closer, his gaze locking onto hers. “Because you did. Last night.”
Her heart skipped a beat. She stepped back, shaking her head. “You’re wrong.”
“Am I?” His voice was soft, almost whispering. “You were wondering if I was real… if what happened the first time wasn’t just a dream.”
Jenny’s lips parted, but no words came out. He was right. She had thought that.
“Fine,” she said finally. “Maybe I did think about it. But that doesn’t mean you can just show up in my workplace like a normal customer!”
He smiled again, an amused glint in his eyes. “Would you rather I appeared in a swirl of smoke in front of everyone?”
Jenny groaned. “No! That’s even worse!”
He laughed, the sound low and melodic. “Then I suppose this form is better.”
They stood there in silence for a while. The soft breeze brushed against them, carrying the faint scent of roasted coffee from the café. Jenny finally sighed. “So, what now? You’re just… here to tease me?”
His expression softened. “No. I came because there’s something I must tell you.”
Jenny’s curiosity sparked. “What is it?”
He hesitated for a moment, looking up at the sky. “You are not an ordinary human, Jenny.”
Her brows furrowed. “What do you mean?”
“The moment you held the lamp, it responded to your soul. That doesn’t happen to just anyone. Only those with ancient connections to the magical world can awaken a genie.”
Jenny blinked in disbelief. “Me? Connected to magic? That’s impossible. I’m just a normal girl working in a coffee shop.”
He shook his head slowly. “No, Jenny. You are far from ordinary.”
Before she could ask more, a sudden gust of wind blew between them—strong enough to scatter nearby trash and make her cover her face. When she looked up again, the genie was gone.
Her heart raced as she turned around, searching. “Wait! Where did you go?!”
Then, a faint voice echoed in her mind.
“Until next time, Jenny. Keep the lamp close. You’re not safe.”
Jenny froze, gripping the pendant where she kept the small lamp charm hidden. Her pulse quickened, and fear crept into her chest.
Not safe?
What did he mean by that?
She stood there, trembling slightly as the reality of his words sank in. Whatever this strange connection between her and the genie was—it wasn’t over. It was only beginning.
As the sun began to set, Jenny looked toward the horizon, her reflection shimmering faintly in the café’s glass window. For the first time, she felt that her ordinary world was no longer just hers.
It now belonged to something ancient… and magical.
To be continued…
- Writer
