"JENNY AND THE GENIE"

CHAPTER 15

Chapter 15 – “Whispers of the Heart”

Jenny couldn’t sleep that night. The stars shimmered outside her small window, yet her mind was tangled with thoughts of the genie—of Rafiq. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw his glowing eyes, heard his calm, deep voice, and remembered the way he had looked at her when he said, “You deserve more than you think, Jenny.”

Her heart thumped faster. It had only been a few days since she freed him, but something about him made her feel alive in a way she hadn’t felt before. He was mysterious, powerful, yet gentle. And every time he appeared, her world suddenly felt lighter, like the bad luck that had always followed her was slowly fading away.

She sighed, turning to the other side of her small bed. “Why am I even thinking about him? He’s a genie. A spirit. Not even human,” she murmured, embarrassed by her own thoughts.

The night breeze brushed through her curtain, and she froze. A familiar golden glow filled the room, and then she heard it—his voice.

“Couldn’t sleep again, Jenny Reyes?” Rafiq’s deep tone teased, echoing softly.

Jenny sat up abruptly, pulling the blanket closer to her chest. “You shouldn’t just appear in my room like that! You’ll give me a heart attack one of these days!”

Rafiq smiled faintly, sitting on the edge of her window frame. His form was clearer tonight, more human-like than before, with his dark hair flowing softly in the moonlight. “You called my name in your thoughts. I heard you.”

“I—What? No, I didn’t!” Jenny stuttered, cheeks burning. “You must’ve imagined it.”

Rafiq chuckled, his laughter low and warm. “Genies don’t imagine things, Jenny. We feel energy. And your heart was… loud.”

Jenny grabbed a pillow and threw it at him. “Stop teasing me!”

The pillow went through him, landing harmlessly on the floor. He smiled again, amused. “I missed your temper. You remind me of the princesses I once served—fierce, stubborn, but kind.”

Jenny frowned, crossing her arms. “You’ve served princesses before? Figures. I’m not one of them.”

Rafiq stood and slowly approached her. “No. But you have something they didn’t.”

“What?” she asked, her voice softer now.

“Heart.” His hand hovered inches from her cheek, the air between them glowing faintly. “You endure pain without letting it consume you. You work, fight, and still manage to care for others. That kind of strength… is rare.”

Jenny didn’t move. She wanted to deny it, but his words struck something deep within her. For so long, she’d felt unlucky, unloved, and invisible. Yet here was someone—something—not even human, who saw her differently.

“You talk like you actually know me,” she whispered.

“I do,” he replied gently. “I’ve watched you long before you found my lamp.”

Jenny’s eyes widened. “What do you mean, watched me?”

Rafiq looked away, the glow in his eyes dimming slightly. “I was bound to your family for generations. Your father once owned the lamp—but he made no wish. He was… afraid of its power.”

Her breath caught. “My father? You mean… the man who left my mother and me?”

“Yes,” Rafiq said solemnly. “He found the lamp years ago. But instead of wishing, he sealed it away, fearing it would bring misfortune. When he abandoned your family, the lamp’s curse followed the one with the purest heart—your mother… and you.”

Jenny felt her chest tighten. “So all this time… my bad luck… wasn’t just coincidence?”

Rafiq shook his head. “No. It was the lamp’s burden. But the moment you freed me, that curse began to fade.”

Jenny’s eyes glistened. She didn’t know whether to cry or be angry. “Then my father cursed us… without even realizing it.”

Rafiq knelt before her, his tone tender. “And you, Jenny Reyes, are the one breaking that curse now.”

Silence filled the room. The only sound was the rustling of the wind and the faint hum of Rafiq’s power surrounding her.

Jenny looked down, tears spilling from her eyes. “All my life, I thought I was just unlucky… worthless. But you’re saying I was carrying something I didn’t even know about.”

Rafiq reached out, his hand brushing against her tear. This time, his touch felt real—warm. “You were never worthless. You were chosen.”

Jenny met his gaze, and for the first time, she saw the sorrow behind his smile. “And you? What happens to you now?”

He hesitated. “When all three of your wishes are complete… I will be free.”

Jenny nodded, wiping her eyes. “Then we’ll make sure you’re free soon.”

But deep inside, something twisted painfully in her chest. She didn’t know why—but the thought of him disappearing once she made her last wish hurt more than she expected.

As Rafiq faded into golden mist, Jenny whispered into the quiet night, “Maybe freedom… isn’t always what we think it is.”

Outside, the moon shimmered above, casting light over the two souls bound by fate—one human, one genie—whose hearts were beginning to whisper secrets even they didn’t yet understand.