OTHERS: Five elements

CHAPTER 4.4: EARTH

21 September 2032, 10:00 AM

The sun was merciless.By ten in the morning, Cairo's heat had already pressed itself into my skin. I was in the middle of mowing the sprawling green lawn in front of the rich man's mansion. The machine roared beneath my hands. I pushed it along the neat lines, sweat dripping down my neck and soaking into the back of my shirt. I paused only briefly to wipe my face with a rag tucked in my pocket.Then I saw them.Two men walking down the driveway. Soldiers.I straightened up instinctively, heart skipping.One of them—tall, pale, broad shoulders, blonde hair—waved at me with a big smile. Mark.I couldn't help it. I smiled back and raised my hand.The other man was different. A bit older, with a serious face. That had to be his mentor Mark mentioned. 

The front door of the house opened. The rich man himself stepped out. Mr. Tariq Sutenrah.His presence was calm but commanding. Dressed in a crisp white shirt and beige linen trousers, he looked more like a philosopher than a billionaire. 

- "Gentlemen," he greeted them warmly. "I was expecting you." 

 Mark's mentor gave a short nod and followed Mr. Sutenrah inside.Mark lingered.He glanced back at me, then walked over, hands in his pockets, eyes squinting from the sun. 

- "Hot day," he said. 

-  "Every day is a hot day here," I replied, turning off the mower. 

- "Fair enough.", Mark chuckled. 

- "What are you doing here?" 

- "Following orders. My mentor had a meeting. I just tag along." 

-  "Do you always tag along looking like you're about to melt?" I asked, nodding at the slight sunburn starting on his nose.

- "Don't remind me. I put sunscreen, I swear." 

-  "You need a hat." 

- "Do I look like a hat guy?" 

-  "No, but soon you'll look like a lobster."

We both laughed. 

-  "By the way," I asked, "how was the museum?" 

 Mark's face lit up. 

- "It was amazing. So many artifacts. I saw Tutankhamun's mask." 

- "I'm glad you had fun!"

- "Yes! I love Egypt. And what's your story?" 

- "My story?" 

-  "Yeah. Your life. You take care of this place, but there's more to you, right?"

I looked down at the mower, then back at him. 

- "My father died a few years ago. I take care of my mother, my little brother, and sister. They go to school. I work."

- "Wow! That's a lot. And really kind of you."

- "It is what it is," I said. "We don't have much, but we have each other." 

- "Sounds like you're stronger than most people I know." 

- "I don't feel strong. Just tired."

- "You are strong—truly strong. You carry a quiet willpower that not many have. You're giving so much of yourself for your family, shaping a better future for your brother and sister. Be proud of that. It takes a rare kind of heart and strength to live the way you do."

No one has ever said that to me before. And then the door opened. Mark's mentor stepped out. He didn't even look at me, just said, 

- "Mark. Let's go." 

 Mark gave me a small shrug. 

- "Duty calls. Take care my friend!" 

-  "You too, Mark. Don't forget the hat."

As they walked down the driveway, I turned the mower back on. The machine shook in my hands like it was angry at being interrupted. I sighed and kept going, cutting straight lines, pretending I didn't just have a conversation with a soldier who treated me like a human being.After two hours I finished. The front door opened again.Mr. Tariq Sutenrah walked toward me, carrying something in his hand. 

- "Here," he said. 

 He handed me a glass of cold water.

- "Thank you," I managed. 

- "You've done good work today." 

 He reached into the pocket of his linen shirt and handed me an envelope. 

- "Your payment." 

 I held the envelope with both hands, like it was fragile. My fingers brushed the seal. It was heavier than usual. More. 

-  "I... thank you, sir." 

- "Stay well." 

And with that, he turned and walked back into his mansion.I stood there for a long time, holding the glass, the envelope, the moment. Because things like this didn't happen to people like me. And Mr. Tariq Sutenrah isn't just a rich man. He is one of the richest people in the world. He is known for his deep interest in human genealogy and invests heavily in that field. But none of that mattered to me today.Today, he gave me water. And a fair wage.After finishing the lawn I packed the mower, washed my hands, and went home.The sun was still hot, but it didn't matter.I felt light.Because sometimes, the smallest kindness could make the world feel entirely different.