Bound by Magic

By Avni Patel

Once upon a time, in the midst of a forest, stood a palace aged a thousand years, now covered in a tapestry of moss and dust. Unwanted plants had now emerged from beneath the porch stairs, weaving nature's embrace around the forgotten grandeur. Yet, the very base of this majestic mansion remained intact, crafted from stone blocks. Within its walls lie 36 opulent bedrooms, each whispering tales of elegance. The chandelier in the living room glowed with the aura of luxury once, casting a spell of enchantment. In the storeroom, were a collection of antique from a bygone era, a lamp over a millennium old; held secrets of her past, for it was here she was ensnared for her misdeeds. Her name was Gul, a genie woven into the fabric of this tale, and this is her story. 

It was a day to remember when a group of archaeologists arrived to breathe life back into the palace's ancient structure. Comprising four distinguished gentlemen, each engaged in their respective work. Among them was a young, handsome man who entered into the storeroom where she was kept. As he curiously surveyed every corner, his gaze finally fell upon the lamp that held her captive. A soft smile graced his lips as he admired its fascinating design, and his hazel brown eyes seemed to lock onto the lamp unaware of her, casting a spell strong enough to enchant her heart. With curiosity guiding him further, he gently brushed away the dust, trying to read the engraved letters on the lamp, unknowingly unleashing her spirit. Though his captivating gaze consumed her thoughts, she felt an irresistible attraction towards him. In an instant, she transformed into human form, standing gracefully at the entrance of that room. 

He had been unaware of her presence, his gaze fixed upon another direction. The moment she said, “Listen..?”, he turned around, a little frightened. Yet a flicker of light igniting in his eyes as their worlds collided. His eyes surely whispered of admiration for what they beheld. She wore a beautiful red saree with golden lacework. A strapless blouse added to her beauty. The jewelry she adorned was a cherry on top. As reality gently tugged him back, he spoke,, “I’m sorry? Who are you? What are you doing here? Outsiders are not allowed here, ma’am, ” his tone a blend of softness and curiosity. She responded with a confident air, “This palace is mine.” With a slight adjustment, she added, “ It belongs to one of my late relatives, ” softening her claim. He then probed, “So, it was you who called us?” To which she nodded, weaving a web of deception. 

He scanned the surrounding for his colleagues, yet found none. The echoes of their voices were heard, leading him to believe they were upstairs. “I apologize; my team is likely up there. We were eager to discuss the palace with you,” he remarked. She reassured him it was okay, and they began to weave a tapestry of light conversation. He inquired about her name. With a soft smile, she responded, “Gul.’’ With admiration to her beauty he added “ The name suits you perfectly, I didn't expect the palace belonged to someone so beautiful.” She blushed and asked his name in return, to which he answered, “Kian.” The name, meaning king, suited him perfectly, she replied. Before long, his companions arrived, their eyes widening in surprise at the sight of Kian deep in conversation with such a beautiful woman. Each of them saw a whole different appearance of Gul which met their distinctive definition of a beautiful woman. One of them saw her in a white Kanchipuram silk saree and a red rose in her hair. The other saw her in an anarkali suit with a sheer dupatta on the top of her head and bracelet of fresh red roses on her wrists. Another one saw her in

a golden lehenga choli. Unfortunately, they never discussed about her clothing. They soon learned what she had shared with Kian, and a lively discussion about the palace unfolded. As dusk gracefully enveloped the sky, the team resolved to return the following day, while she expressed her intention to remain at the palace for the duration of their stay. 

As the days unfolded like delicate petals, the magnetic pull between Gul and Kian intensified. After a month, she felt prepared to grant his three wishes, for he had gifted her freedom. Yet, she didn’t want to be direct, so she gently inquired about his desires in life. His first wish was to ascend the ranks in his profession. The second, to bask in the glow of prosperity. And the third… with a playful twinkle in his eye, he coyly expressed his wish for her presence to linger by his side for all eternity. 

With shyness she moved her fingers for magic without him knowing it. Within a few days Kian was overjoyed to know he was promoted in his job, an old piece of land which he was trying to sell was sold thrice the amount he estimated. He had abundant of wealth. About that third wish, Gul was magically bound to him. She was always present with him, not necessarily in the human form. 

One day, a colleague had a severe argument with Kian regarding their work. He said things that were not welcomed by Gul and made her angry. She cast a spell on him and he fell severely ill to an extent that he had to move to his home. Gul felt satisfied as what she wanted, she got it. The department sent another teammate to replace the gone team member. Her name was Ira. Her aura was friendly. She had an innocent pair of eyes that Kian, being a flirt, appreciated more often. Kian and Ira had started liking each other and since Gul was bound to Kian, she knew what was about to unfold. Kian grew distant from her and met Ira more often. The last straw was when she saw them kissing while she took rounds of the palace. That night, in a towering rage, she decided to avenge her feelings as she thought her emotions were nothing but fun to the young man. A feeling of being replaced hit her but she wasn’t ready to accept that. “He will now see the fire of my hatred”, she screamed. 

The next morning Kian woke up only to know that he had turned into a woman! He had no idea what had happened. He went to Gul to disclose his situation as he thought she was the only one he could trust. He feared of Ira hating him if she knew his body had turned into a woman’s. Gul was at the palace terrace and saw a woman in her palace. Gul sees her with a wicked smirk on her face. Kian described how shocked he was because of what had happened. Gul’s friendly aura changed and a wicked smile spread over her face. She confronted him of how she had been trapped inside the lamp by a priest, how Kian had set her free, how it was her that granted him wealth and how she turned him into a woman now. She made him familiar to her feelings and that she was bound to be with him forever but couldn’t see him with someone else. 

Kian after knowing the truth, went mad over Gul. He told her nobody could control him. He stood firm on his decision saying, “I'd choose Ira over a psychopath like you, even if it was for a thousand times”. After hearing this, Gul, in a fit of rage pushed Kian from the terrace resulting into the death of the body that didn’t exist.

Kian wakes up gasping from his sleep. He was in a body of his male self again. He took a deep breath, realizing it was just a nightmare. He thinks about the nightmare and believes it to be the creepiest anyone can dream of. He remembers to go with his three team mates for a new palaces’ restoration which was assigned to them yesterday. His jaw drops when he reaches the site. It was the same one that belonged to a genie called Gul in his nightmare. He denies the reality in his mind, tries to probe the situation and goes in. He already knew where the storeroom was and searches for the lamp. He plans on throwing it off if he finds one. He sweats up looking for the lamp but fails at finding it. A thought passed his mind about how Gul told him in his dream that she was bound to him forever. He ends up getting goosebumps when hears a female voice behind him saying, “Listen...?”.

By Avni Patel