My Pharaoh

Chapter 18

Paloma

Every time I watch Ramses interact with other people, I remember just how charming and attractive he is.

We're just five minutes away from my village and he's explaining to me what he'll tell everyone about his supposed death, and I can't stop laughing. It's not so bad— he's going to tell them that when a soldier gets lost or left behind in a battle and not found within a few days, they're assumed dead and as is told to their loved ones. It's just the way he's explaining it, I know he's trying to make me laugh.

"Paloma," he says, lowering his voice, I lean my head on his back and close my eyes "I'm sorry that our story is hard..."

"It's not your fault."

"It is. And I'm very sorry. You don't need anymore hard things in life than you've already got."

I smile.

"I just want you to know," he says "I'm going to make it easier for us, for you."

"I know you will."

***

We left the horses in the village stables, Menes and Khepiri's bags are at Aba's house, and now we're all walking to my family home.

Aba and Khepiri talk, and so do Sadik, Menes and Ramses, or 'Amun'. Sadiq carries their little girl, Femi.

I walk in the front, and listen to the conversations. I listen to Ramses explain himself to Aba and her husband. It sounds a lot more believable than I thought it would.

I smile when I see my house, and I smile even more when I see some of my little siblings. They scream my name and run to hug me. Then my mother and grandma appear and greet me.

"Amun?" My mother says when she notices Ramses standing beside me. She holds his face, to my surprise, and then hugs him.

"You're alive." She says. And we all walk inside, as I introduce my companions to everyone.

"Where's father?" I ask.

"Fishing," my grandma answers "he should be back soon."

My little brothers and sisters crowd around Ramses, and he plays with them. Menes and Sadik continue talking, probably discussing his move here.

And My mum, grandma, Aba, Khepiri and I stand in the kitchen making tea and talking.

Khepiri works hard to conceal her old career, and tells everyone she was an accountant in the city. Because she's kind, funny and beautiful, Khepiri instantly clicks with all the women.

My father walks in suddenly and looks at me with a smile, he hugs me, and introduces himself to our guest. "Is that Amun I saw sitting with your siblings Paloma?"

I nod. He takes me out of the kitchen to talk more privately. "Isn't he dead?"

I shake my head, and explain the story that Ramses came up with. My dad nods and glances at him. Ramses notices him finally and stands up, and comes over and shakes his hand, Menes follows and greets my father.

After several minutes of awkward, polite conversation between my father and Ramses, they're getting along just as well as they did before. I scoff as I watch them walk away from me and sit down, talking about fishing, hunting, the army and politics; if only my dad knew who he was really talking to.

I walk back into the kitchen.

"Paloma," my mum says "why don't you and Aba show Khepiri around the village...if she's to be living here soon!"

They all giggle and I smile and roll my eyes.

We walk out, a few of my little siblings follow and play in the streets. They walk with us until they find other children and friends to play with.

"The Nile." I say to Khepiri as we reach one of my favourite spots in the village, Aba and I help her down the steep slope going down.

"It's so much prettier without all the people and buildings," she says "I finally understand what you were talking about all this time."

Aba laughs and puts her arm around me. "Always the ultimate village girl, huh Paloma?"

***

We walked around a lot and showed Khepiri all the beautiful, colourful fields, the palm trees, and peaceful places with endless grass. She loves it here.

We're now stopped at Aba's house, to have some tea, and talk a lot, about Menes, and even Ramses.

Aba talks about married life, and her daughter Femi. And she makes it all sound so beautiful, despite the hardness of it, she makes it so desirable.

"I wonder which one of you will be next." She says and smiles.

I glance at Khepiri, who's reddened cheeks tell me everything.

"I think the fact that Menes came to see the village with you, tells us all we need to know." I smile at her and she smiles back.

"Please, don't let me get my hopes up."

"That's the curse of life," Aba says "you don't know what will happen. But you can't be stagnant. You have to let yourself fall, and find out what's at the bottom. Besides, Paloma is right, that man is absolutely in love with you."

"Well, I wouldn't be surprised if Amun proposes to Paloma...the next time he sees you."

I sigh and I smile, and Aba looks at me knowingly.

"He already did, a long time ago," I whisper and they both look at me "but then he was reported dead, and when I saw him again...it wasn't the same."

"That's why you were so melancholy when you came back? And then all of a sudden happy." Khepiri says and I nod.

"What do you mean it wasn't the same?" Aba asks.

"Because...why didn't he come and find me? Why didn't he ease the pain and the grief with just one letter?" I feel tears in my eyes rise as I talk softly about all that I've been keeping inside to two women I love dearly "he could've helped prevent the months of depression I went through...but he didn't. And I wish to forget it all, to only remember the good things and the past when it was pure. But I always remember."

Aba hugs me and then pours me some more tea.

"And," I continue "you remember Aba, he talked to my father, got everyone's approval, won my whole heart over completely with promises of a life that I really wanted...and then he died. And then it was all a lie...and when I saw his face, I was more angry that he did that to me, than relieved that he was alive."

Khepiri puts her hand on mine. "He broke your heart." She whispers. I nod and cry and they both hug me.

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