Page 20 of Releasing the Djinn
Chapter 7
She knew before she even opened her eyes that he was gone. The coolness to her sheets and the air around her was plenty proof enough. Laying on her stomach unmoving, Nadira hugged the pillow tighter. Memories of last night made her skin flush with embarrassment and she wondered briefly if it all could have been just a dream.
A very lurid, realistic dream.
Yeah, maybe it was all just in her head, she thought. She could have just been experiencing a week long psychosis that just culminated last night into one huge breakdown. That would be better, right? Much better than knowing that the being she had been speaking to and confiding in for over a week had betrayed and took advantage of her last night—and then vanished completely from her life. The tear falling from her eye only angered her. Pushing herself up, Nadira sucked in a sharp breath from the pain. Her body hurt all over, it felt as if she had been tossed in a tumble dryer on max speed. Moving slower this time, Nadira looked down at her naked body with a heavy sigh—it wasn't a dream. The memories of him taking her multiple times seared themselves into her consciousness, never letting her forget one second of it. Her screams, her moans, her begging for him to stop and even begging for more was all there, forcing her to deal with it.
Angrily wiping away more tears, Nadira looked up and froze. Across the room right in front of her window sat a porcelain claw-foot tub filled with steaming hot water and next to it, a small round bistro table covered in a white cloth and a silver food tray. Grabbing the thin sheet from her bed, Nadira wrapped it around herself and walked hesitantly over to the out of place set-up. As she approached, she could see the white cardstock note leaning against the silver food dome covering the tray. In beautiful tight cursive letters, the note had her name written on the front. Gingerly, she reached out and plucked up the letter and read its contents:
Bathe, rest, and eat. Do not bother opening your door until all requirements are filled. My many thanks, my darling Nadira, for my freedom.
Goodbye.
Bastard. Tossing the card on the floor, Nadira stared daggers at the tub and table. She didn’t want to comply at all, she was done giving that monster what he wanted while all she got was hurt in the process, but as she eyed the steaming hot water with suspicion, she knew if she didn't, she would probably be locked in here all day. Dropping the sheet to the floor, she walked with a few winces around to the tub and carefully stepped in. Nadira let out a small groan at the feeling of the hot water, it was glorious. Stepping in fully, she sat down, immersing herself in the scented heat. Cupping her hands, she brought the handful of water to her nose and inhaled deeply. What was that scent? It was familiar and at the tip of her tongue but escaped her each time she tried to focus on it. Drowsily, she let her back rest against the porcelain back of the tub and closed her eyes.
The sound of birds chirping outside of her window startled her awake. Blinking, Nadira sat up with a splash in the tub and looked around. How long was she asleep? Looking at the clock on her dresser, it read ten-o-three. Surely, she couldn't have slept too long, right? Moving her hands through the water, she marveled that it was still so hot. Stupid magic demon, she scowled.
"It would have been nice to confront you face to face after you assaulted me, you coward," she mumbled.
But a secret part of her hoped he heard. As she grabbed the small glass jar of sweet-smelling scrub sitting on the edge of the table, Nadira couldn't help but acknowledge the growing dull pain that persisted in her chest when she remembered that final word on the note, "goodbye." He was gone.
She should be happy, she argued with herself internally as she rubbed the scrub up and down her body washing off the previous night's sweat. She should be happy he was out of her life. So why wasn't she?
Standing up in the tub, feeling immensely better, Nadira picked up the soft fluffy robe that was neatly folded on the chair. Stepping out of the tub, she tied the soft robe around herself before taking her seat at the table. Removing the dome lid, her eyes widened at the sight of the delicious traditional foods. Hot loaves of sesame seed encrusted kaek bread, soft goat cheese, a large bowl of hot ful (which was just mashed up fava beans drizzled in olive oil and spices), and three different jars of savory looking jams sitting next to a stack of piping hot pita bread. Nadira's stomach immediately grumbled at the sight and aroma of the food. Grabbing a nearby knife, she slathered a bit of jam onto the warm bread and took a bite, of course, it was beyond delicious.
Forcing herself to look beyond the silence of her room, knowing there was no one now to randomly call on, she quietly ate the rest of her food, feeling her spirits sink deeper in her chest.
For a brief moment, Nadira's stomach had twisted in dread fearing her parents had heard what went on above their heads last night, though she wasn't sure why. Just as the bathtub and empty table of food disappeared by Idrak's infernal magic, her parents greeted her as if nothing had occurred—with a demand for to perform some inane chore.
Dropping some boxes into her father's trunk, Nadira didn't bother turning around and saying goodbye, she didn't even bother responding to her father's comment about helping him with another item. Something in her heart was hardening and breaking all at once as she opened her car door and started her engine. She had called out to the horrible djinn after she bathed. Against all her pride and everything he did to her last night, she had called out to him. Brief glorious hope had filled her when the bathtub and table disappeared and for a moment, she thought that maybe he was still around. Her hopes had been in vain, and her call unanswered. Finding the stone necklace still on the floor by the door, it was cracked and dark and felt void of the warm light that used to occupy it. Not unlike her own heart.
***
For the rest of the week, her days progressed much of the same. The stark reality of loneliness had begun to weigh down on her. With just a little over a week with that damn demon, talking to him day and night, Nadira had become spoiled. How could she go back to a life of no one to talk to, no one to confide in? Damn him, she thought not for the first time. He was probably who knows where enjoying far off beautiful places of the world while she was stuck here, rotting away.
She was sitting outside of her economics class when the final crack to her heart happened. Thankfully, she was sitting behind the building near a small oblong courtyard that existed between three buildings. Bracketed by giant holly bushes on either side of the metal bench dedicated to some long-dead philanthropist of the school, Nadira clutched at her chest as her breathing became deep and labored. She couldn't do this anymore; she couldn't let her life just be a monumental waste. She couldn’t just let everyone around her use her and throw her away when they grew tired of her. Letting the anger boil over without restraint, she thought of her mother's words and how she expected Nadira to take care of her and her father the rest of her life. She thought of the various different suitors they paraded her in front of, men that were ugly, weak, or stupid. None of which could have brought her to the heights if pleasure like Idrak had done the other night. Looking down at her lap, she gripped the strap of her bag tighter in guilt, she should not be thinking of him or that night. But the thought still held a note of truth regardless. None of those ill-suited men would make her happy, and she would not tie herself to one of them just to appease her parents.
No more. No more servitude. No more abuse. No more living under the thumbs of others.
Standing up, Nadira typed a quick email to her economics professor, explaining she would be missing this class. Walking to the history building she sat and waited for Professor Sanders to return to his office. It took some waiting but the professor finally showed up, the surprise on his face evident when he saw her waiting on the bench outside his office.
"Yes, Miss Razdan, how can I help you today?" he held his hand out, ushering her into his office.
Not bothering with sitting in one of the two chairs, Nadira adjusted her bag higher on her shoulder and gave the professor a level look. "I would like to be considered for your next open position in your ongoing study abroad program the history department is running."
"Oh, Ok, then umm…" Looking around his desk, it was obvious she caught the man by surprise with her requests or most likely by the grim determination shining like burning coals in her tired eyes.
She didn't need to look in the mirror to know that she looked ghastly. Ever since that morning, Idrak left her that tray of food, she had not eaten a proper meal, or gotten a proper night of sleep for that matter. Her eyes were dark, her hair was wild, and Nadira had to put another notch in her belt just to keep her pants on her hips, but none of those little details mattered right now. All that mattered was that she get out of that house and take control of her own life.
Pulling out a sheaf of paper, Professor Sanders looked at her. "Have you filled out the required form?"
"I filled it out as I waited for you and emailed it to you," she answered, her tone flat.
"Oh, ok then, I like your spirit," he smiled politely before scribbling something down on a sticky note. "Well, I know your academic history is excellent, and I can personally attest of how good a student you are, and though you are only a junior, I don't think it would be a problem moving a few slots around to make room for you. However, I must tell you that I can make no guarantee Miss Razdan."
"I understand." It didn't matter, she thought, one way or another she was leaving that house. Over the past year, as the thought of leaving her parent's house festered in the back of her mind, Nadira had picked up multiple pieces of information here and there in regards to work-study programs that she was more than applicable for. Even if she had to drop a few classes to make it work, Nadira would do it.
At this point, it didn't matter what the cost was, she would gain her freedom.
