I began living in confusion, as if I existed in two different worlds. I no longer felt I belonged anywhere. I stopped going to school and withdrew from everyone. I stayed in this state for nearly two weeks. Malik had completely disappeared from my life; all that remained were memories filled with mixed emotions—fear and safety, sadness and joy.
Days passed until my nineteenth birthday arrived. In the past, I used to be very excited for my birthday, but now I saw it as an ordinary, even gloomy day, because my life had become so chaotic.
That morning was rainy. I woke up and prepared to go to school. While drinking my coffee and looking out the window at the heavy rain, I suddenly heard a whisper:
"Happy birthday, my princess."
Startled, I dropped my coffee cup and said, "Malik!"
My mother rushed in and asked, "What's wrong, Rana? Are you okay? And who is Malik?"
I said, "I'm fine…"
She replied, "Who is Malik?"
I told her, "I'll explain when I get back. I'm late for school."
She then said, "Don't be late. We will have your birthday celebration tonight, and your cousin Ziad will join us."
I enjoyed my time very much with Ziad. We exchanged phone numbers, and the party came to an end. I went to my room and started taking off my clothes when I suddenly felt someone embracing me from behind.
He whispered, "I was burning with every smile you gave him… every glance you shared with him was killing me. I was ready to burn him while he sat beside you. You are mine, Rana. I will never let anyone take you away from me… you belong to me."
I said, "Stay away from me. Let me live my life. You and I belong to two different worlds."
He placed his finger on my lips and looked into my eyes, a gaze filled with jealousy mixed with love.
"You are mine, Rana."
Suddenly, I found myself with him in a sea with golden sands and red waters. The ground was covered with red roses, and there was a large birthday cake filled with candles.
He said, "I couldn't let your birthday pass without celebrating it—just you and me. May I have this dance?"
I was shocked. How did he take me from my room? Was this a dream or an illusion?
We began to dance. He told me he loved me, and that soon I would become his wife—the queen of the Red Jinn tribe—and that I would bear him many children.
I told him that I wanted to go back home.
He replied softly, "As you wish, my lady."
I opened my eyes to find myself on my bed, yet his fragrance still filled my room. My phone rang—it was Ziad calling—but something stopped me from answering. I don't know if it was love… or fear of Malik. I can't describe it—a feeling mixed with fear and excitement, rejection and desire. Everything inside me was calling for Malik, but reality remained: I am human, and he belongs to the world of jinn. That made this love forbidden.
I told myself I had to end this… I had to forget Malik. I needed to fill my time.
I picked up my phone and called Ziad. "Can I see you?" I asked.
"Of course, I'll come pick you up," he replied.
I wore a black dress—I had begun to hate the color red—got ready, and soon my phone rang again.
"I'm downstairs," he said.
I went down, got into the car, and we drove. Then he said, "I know a restaurant that serves delicious food—you'll like it. Would you like to go?"
"Yes," I answered.
We entered the restaurant, talking and laughing. Ziad leaned closer, took my hand, and kissed it. Suddenly, the lights went out, and candles lit up the place.
Then I heard a song:
"I told you that being close to him kills me…
I told you that being close to him burns me…
I told you that being close to him destroys me…
But your heart is too cold to feel…
I love you… and oh, how this love has made me mad…
Like a child who breaks everything for his toy…
You burned my heart… and I will burn anyone who touches you…"
I was shocked.
It was Malik… singing in the middle of the restaurant.
I pulled my hand away, excused myself from Ziad, and rushed to the restroom.
Then Malik appeared, his eyes blazing with anger.
"Are you trying to drive me insane, Rana?" he said.
I said, "Don't worry."
I put on my red coat and walked to school under the rain, my eyes searching everywhere for Malik. I needed to see him—I longed for him. I know it sounds irrational, but I was waiting for him to appear so I could see and speak to him.
I arrived at school and entered the classroom, but Malik did not appear. Throughout the lesson, my eyes stayed fixed on the window, hoping to see him even from afar. But he never came.
The day ended, and I returned home broken and disappointed.
When I opened the door, I found our house full of guests. Before I could greet them in the living room, my cousin Souhaila grabbed my hand and pulled me away.
I asked, "What are you doing?"
She said, "Are you crazy? Do you want them to see you like this—messy hair, pale face? Come with me."
I asked, "Who is going to see me?"
She said, "Follow me and be quiet."
She took me to a room, fixed my hair, applied makeup, dressed me in a long red dress, and put a golden necklace on me.
"Now you're ready," she said.
When I came out, I saw my mother holding a birthday cake while everyone sang for me.
Then my eyes met Ziad's.
He was tall, blond, with blue eyes. He worked in France and had come on vacation, and there were talks that he intended to propose.
We sang, ate dinner, and I blew out the candles. Yet my mind was only thinking about Malik—the jinn king who had been with me since childhood.
Later, my aunt and Souhaila kept encouraging me to sit with Ziad, so I ended up next to him. We talked, and he told me about his life in France. The conversation lasted long, and he began recalling our childhood memories and mischief when we were young.
For the first time, I felt like a normal human being… and I forgot Malik.