A chill went through me, the feeling like someone was watching me from behind strong.
And when I turned around, my mother’s face appeared. Ghostly, but without a doubt 𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙨.
“MOM?!” I gasped and threw myself onto her form, hugging her tight. “Mom!! You’re here! How?!”
“Oh honey bubs, I’ve missed you! Thanks to your… friend, I’m able to touch you, be a little more corporeal. How could I not come through today, here, of all places, when I felt you pulling to me?”
Her voice was strange, but I didn’t care. She was 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞. With me. I buried my head in her neck.
“Call on me when you need taken home Amani.” I heard Zek whisper as he walked calmly away, gifting me alone time with my mom.
“Come on, let’s go sit. We’ve got lots to discuss.”
I couldn’t contradict her. Had never been able to anyway. So I followed her to a bench.
She sat me down and started brushing my hair with her fingers, like she used to when I was young.
“This place is beautiful, mom… Is this where you met my father?”
She hummed, a happy sound that sent a shot of nostalgia through my heart.
I missed her. Every day. So I listened without interrupting.
When she stopped, I knew it was time for goodbyes.
“Mom?” I got up to face her. “Why didn’t you stay? Why not fight to survive?”
She looked at our hands. “It was time, bubs. My job was to raise you and you’re all grown now. I knew you could stand on your own.”
She pulled me in for our last hug.
A few days later, by the pool, I tried not to cry as I explained everything to Myla.
“And she never knew?” My new friend asked, on the other hand of the phone.
“Never. It’s only after her death that she realised…”
“Wow. So what are you going to do about the djinn who wants you in his bed?”
“Please, everything you’ve told me about him so far proves that fact.” She giggled.
I leaned onto the table, thinking about Zek. I wouldn’t lie, the idea did sound nice.
“Don’t you think it’s a bit risky?” I heard myself say. “Paige still hasn’t found anything that would nullify his contract.”
“If only you still had a wish left.” Myla breathed out.
“Yes! Can I use it on him?”
“Of course!! Haven’t you read the stories? Wishes can do 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨!”
“Go rub that djinni, girl!”
“Myla!” I choked on a laugh.
“I mean the laaaamp, or whatever!”
It took me mere seconds to hang up on her and run to his door. I was still marvelling at my ability to run when he opened the door. I crashed into him.
“I 𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝 that you, Boolouakabouloozek, be completely and utterly freed of any and all magical or contractual bonds that have a hold on you.”
He stumbled back, surprise and something deeper making him take a step back. I didn’t let go of my hold on him, pushing him towards the closest wall, letting the door close behind us.
“It’s my last wish. I want you to be free, Zek.” I murmured.
And he stared at me. For so long.
Until, finally, he started moving again and wrapped his arms around me, pulling me close and squeezing me tight.
I didn’t mind. It felt good to be his rock the way he’d been mine lately.
His heart was beating so fast, I could feel it underneath his button-up shirt. I waited.
Once his pulse slowed down, he let go of me.
“I was not expecting this when I opened the door Amani.”
My heart immediately felt so much lighter.
“Why wouldn’t you tell me this was a solution?!”
He backed me up to the door and I looked away, trying to stay mad at him.
Yet he put a thumb on my chin, lifting my face up to stare right into my eyes.
“Because your wishes shouldn’t be spent on me.” His voice was deep, sure. “I want to be the one keeping an eye on you, making 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 life better. I don’t need you to sacrifice anything for my benefit.”
He closed his eyes, hands reaching my cheeks, his touch so light compared to the tight embrace he’d just given me a minute before.
“I want to give, not take from you Amani.” He whispered.
“Well you know there is one thing you’ve taken…” I lifted 𝘩𝘪𝘴 head up with a finger. “Your usual attire?”
“Oh so you 𝘥𝘪𝘥 like the towel trick! Isn’t that cu-”
I put my palm on his smirk. “If you say the word cute, I swear!”
He pushed away: “Why am I not allowed to call you cute, Amani?”
His tone sent shivers through my body and I had an idea.
“Go to your bedroom, I’ll be there in a second.” I ordered.
I walked in direction to the bathroom, not giving him a moment to think about it or rebel against my bossy tone. But he caught up to me after only a couple of steps.
“Wait. There’s something I’ve been dying to do, but wouldn’t allow myself to even think about until I was free of the contract…”
“But now, there’s space for nothing else in my head.”
He slid a hand onto my waist, pulling me closer, so slowly it was almost hesitant.
“You want to kiss me.” I stated, seeing it in his eyes.
The slightest nod was all I needed to give him.
When our lips touched, it felt like a lifetime of butterflies exploded in my stomach. It was gentle and so full of intent.
It felt like he had, indeed, been thinking of exactly how he wanted this to go. And like I could just melt into it, forget about everything else. He had it handled.
His hands held me up as my knees threatened to buckle. Not because they were weak, anymore. No. Only because of the intensity of the wave of emotion that rushed through me as our lips parted.
“Today’s the best day of my life.” He breathed out, wonder in his voice.
I let myself inhale a couple of times before answering. “It’s about to get better. Go to the bedroom, Zek.”
He obeyed, this time. But once I found myself alone in his bathroom, stealing a towel, I couldn’t help but doubt. Was this too much? Or… well… too little?
