Startled awake from a horrid dream by the bus going over a bump, I look around and see the arab girl sitting calmly in her seat. Turns out she hadn't noticed me staring yet, and was happily going about her day. Then I was reminded if the horrific nightmare I had. One where I was a malicious, immoral monster tormenting this poor woman. Shuddering at such a thought, I wished for the ring to tell me her history.
This beautiful woman, named Reham, came here to the west to escape her family and country back in the Middle East. The poor thing came here with nothing and worked her way up to owning an apartment and going to college. She still struggled with things like bills occasionally, and had nightmares of her family taking her back home.
She must have seen me staring at her in fascination as her face brightened with knowing amusement. I saw a smirk form at the corner of her chocolaty brown lips and she feigned pulling at head scarf as she turned away to look out the window.
My own smile grew as I realized that she was checking me out in the window’s reflection of the other side of the bus. She caught me staring back at her with a wry grin and I saw her beautiful white smile flash back at me from her own reflection.
Just then, the bus dinged its automated chime as it announced the local college and I watched the tall arab girl rise from her seat with a cloth bag full of books. She shot me a quizzical and somewhat playful grin as I rose too and followed her off the bus.
Once the bus rolled away, I found myself next to this lovely girl and the sweet almost cinnamon scent emanating from her clothes.
“You American boys,” she giggled, almost blushing a lighter cream on her dark cheeks. She shook her head and chuckled to herself, holding her bag patiently. “So sure of yourself.”
“What?” I shrugged, smirking back. “It’s not my fault you’re so cute.”
“Oh? Cute?” She stared me down with a hand on her hip and some playful attitude. “My goodness, so forward! Well, I’ve got quite a bit of studying to do, my friend, so perhaps you should keep walking on your way.”
“Aw, that’s too bad. Well, I’ll leave you to it, then.” I shrugged, taking the hint and smiling wide as she gave me another playful glance in parting. “See you around, Reham!”
She nodded politely, smiling with her closed eyes, and turned. I began to walk on my way for a few steps before I heard the tall Arab suddenly stop and turn. I felt her eyes on the back of my neck. When I turned, she was staring at me in curious bewilderment.
“How did you know my name? I didn’t introduce myself.”
I turned back and shrugged. “Lucky guess?”
“Ah, no!” She suddenly ran up to me, pointing an accusing finger. “That’s not how this works! I don’t know you, just how long have you been following me, sir?”
I wished for her to know I had just seen her. Reham suddenly jumped as knowledge and awareness filled her mind and she blinked sheepishly, her smile fading to concern and her body shrinking away in alarm.
“H-How...” Her face turned to sudden realization and she went a little pale, her wonderful creamy skin colour fading. She looked around with wide eyes to see if anybody else had seen and drew closer to me, leaning in to whisper gently. “How did you do that?”
I held out my hand and pointed to the ring on my finger. I smile warmly as if that would suffice. Reham stared at the ring in concern and then her face brightened in amazement.
“Nooo...” She whispered, leaning back and crossing her arms. “Magic isn’t real! You must have done a trick somehow!”
“You sure?” I said with a bigger grin. “Care to test it?”
She stared back at me, then down to the ring, and rubbed her chin with long feminine fingers. “Mmm. You seem pretty sure of this. I don’t know.”
“Did you ever see any mystical back in your village? You know, in your Uncle’s old shop?”
She was about to respond and then another realization set in. She blinked twice, straightened, and then gasped, hand on her mouth. She looked around again, suddenly quite serious, and gulped nervously.
“W-What are you?” She asked gently, backing away nervously. “Why me?”
I dropped my cocky facade and smiled sheepishly. “Uh, just a guy who got an unlimited wish ring today. And... I liked you.”
“Oh.” She stared at my finger again, and I saw her expression change from worry to wonder. “What a peculiar afternoon this has become, hmm?” She put her hands in front of her again with her book bag and cocked her head. “What’s your name, friend?”
“Joey.” I whispered, blushing a little.
“Hmm. I guess you already know quite a bit about me, don’t you?” She shrugged. “So, what do you want with me, Joey? Why would you pick me to, uh... mess with?”
A chime rang in the distance and Reham suddenly jolted. She backed away and looked at the college nervously.
“Hey, go ahead.” I shrugged. “Maybe we’ll meet again some day.”
“Uh...” She raised an eyebrow and smiled, totally bewildered. “Certainly, Joey. Perhaps... perhaps we will?”
She turned to the steps leading to the path up to her school and took one final look back, mouth agape, expression utterly confused.