Asenath

by Anna Patricio

  I smiled a genuine smile for the first time that day. "I am most grateful. Ah, you must excuse me for making a scene earlier. I was just..." My mind went blank. I lowered my eyes.

  "Don't apologise," Joseph said quietly. "Sometimes, things can be quite difficult, can they not?"

  I did not know what to say.

  "A woman like you must have the world at her feet," he continued. "But I suppose life is not always kind. However, it will all come to pass."

  Something inside me stirred. While my parents loved and cared for me, while my peers were good and companionable, I had never felt such warmth. Until now.

  Never before had I felt so soothed and caressed. Never had a ray of light pierced through the dark recesses of my soul.

  "My lady," Joseph said, "it is a beautiful day and I am about to have my lunch. It is rather late, I know. But the morning was busy. If it is not beneath you, would you care to join me?"

  I felt something sear me―giddiness? "I would be happy to."

  I gave him a bright smile.

  We rose. I happily noted he was taller than me. He towered above many of the men I had seen. I was glad to be looking up at someone for once.

  I followed him through the house. I walked behind him and found myself admiring his physique. He was tall and athletic. His hair fell in lovely reddish-brown waves to his broad shoulders.

  We passed by the place where I had been attacked the night before. But I felt no fear since I was with him.

  We stepped outside into the bright day. His fair skin glowed almost white-golden. His hair caught the sunlight and rippled like flaming waters.

  I hardly noticed the garden's beauty. It paled next to his beauty.

  Joseph led me into one of the pavilions. A lovely lunch had already been set out. We took our places across each other.

  A servant girl with a harp appeared. She smiled and batted her eyelashes. "Would my lord Joseph care for some music on this fine afternoon?"

  Her voice was so high, it hurt my ears.

  Joseph frowned then quickly smoothed his face back into an expression of dignity. "Very well. We have a guest here, the Lady Asenath. She is the daughter of the high priest of Heliopolis. Be sure to give a performance as befits this noblewoman."

  The girl bowed. She took her place at the far end.

  I noticed she sat facing him. Annoying as she was, I could not blame her.

  I faced Joseph. "You..." I was about to comment that he did not look like a servant when I stopped just in time. It would have been very rude.

  "Yes, my lady?"

  That smile again.

  And his eyes. They were ethereal. Swirls of hazel and olive.

  I nearly lost my voice.

  "The garden is very beautiful. I especially love the miniature waterfall over there."

  "I had that installed, my lady."

  We talked about gardens for a while. Then Joseph asked me about Heliopolis.

  "How extraordinary it sounds," he said after I told him of it. "I would like to visit there. I am planning a trip around Egypt in the next year, you see. I have only been in Thebes thus far."

  "I take it you were born here?"

  "No, my lady. I am from the land of Canaan."

  "Are you?" I was astonished.

  Joseph did not look or act the least bit like a foreigner. The feeling I got from him was very local, albeit aristocratic. His Egyptian was flawless, without the slightest trace of accent. He even knew the colloquialisms, though he utilised more polished language as befitted his princely mien.

  "How interesting," I said. "I have never met anyone from Canaan before. It's so fascinating. I...pardon me. I'm gushing."

  Joseph laughed. "It's quite all right."

  "So how long have you been in Egypt?"

  "Six years, my lady."

  "May I ask what brought you here?"

  "The will of my God."

  I found that to be a strange answer. I felt there was something Joseph wasn't mentioning. People didn't leave their home for no reason. I certainly didn't.

  However, I said nothing of this.

  "Have you been with Potiphar the entire time?" I asked.

  "Yes. But he has promised to grant me my freedom in the next year. Hence, my plans to travel."

  "How wonderful." I smiled. "Good for you."

  Another servant girl appeared. "Joseph, the high priest of Heliopolis is here, seeking his daughter."

  I masked my disappointment as best I could. "Ah, well, I suppose I must go now. But thank you for everything, Joseph. Thank you for finding my things and for the lovely meal and thank you for everything."

  "It was my pleasure, my lady. If you would allow me, please."

  Joseph and I returned to the loggia to see Father sitting before an untouched goblet of sherbet. He looked troubled.

  Joseph cleared his throat. Father looked up.

  His face broke into a relieved smile. "Asenath. You were gone quite a bit. Your mother and I were worried."

  I inwardly shook my head. "I am sorry, Father. I should have sent word. But Joseph here has been kind enough to offer me a meal."

  Father turned to Joseph. "Ah yes. I've heard a great deal about you, Joseph. According to your master, his house was nearly in shambles when you came and fixed it up. Now, he boasts that the only thing he thinks about is the food he eats."

  "I only do my best, Holiness," Joseph said.

  "I hear too that you will soon be a free man," Father said.

  "Yes, my lord."

  "What will you be doing afterward? Will you be returning to Canaan?"

  "Not for the time being, my lord. I intend to remain here in Egypt. I shall set up a business of some sort."

  Father raised an eyebrow. "You don't miss Canaan?"

  "I do, my lord. But I think I shall try it out in Egypt for the time being. It is quite a charming place."

  "It is indeed. You are a remarkable young man. Lord Potiphar will be sorry to see you go."

  "Likewise, for I have been honoured with his kindness."

  Father smiled. "All the best with everything. And thank you for taking care of my daughter."

  "It was my pleasure. Wouldn't your Holinesses care for some refreshments?" Joseph gestured to the food.

  "That is very kind of you, but alas we must be going now. Come, Asenath." Father nodded to me.

  As we headed outside, Joseph and Father talked about business and economic topics. I walked behind them.

  Once more, I marvelled at Joseph's height. He was so tall, Father only came up to his eyes, as I did.

  Before we embarked our litters, Father said to Joseph, "So, I suppose we will be seeing you again before we leave, in your master's next banquet?"

  "Yes, my lord," Joseph said.

  I nearly jumped.

  On the night of our second visit to Potiphar's house, I donned a pale blue dress which had garnered many compliments.

  I was both nervous and giddy. I wanted to giggle. I wanted to laugh. I wanted to dance. I wanted to run. I wanted to scream with excitement.

  To think that not long ago, Potiphar's house was the last place I wanted to be because of his snake of a wife. But now who cared about her?

  The moment I arrived at the party, I immediately scanned the room for Joseph.

  One of my parents' friends approached me. "Greetings, Lady Asenath. Em hotep."

  "Em hotep." I continued to look around.

  She followed the direction of my gaze. "Is everything all right?"

  I blinked. "Ah yes. Sorry. Everything is fine."

  She gave me a strange look. I made an effort to be more discreet.

  Later, when we were seated, Joseph finally appeared. In that moment, everything and everyone vanished.

  Except him.

  He was more handsome than I remembered him to be. That night, he displayed an ample testament to his physical strength. He wore only a kilt, leaving his upper body bare. His chest was sculpted and firm. As he moved, muscles rippled be
neath his smooth fair skin.

  I caught my breath.

  He was in the dining room for too brief a moment then disappeared. I stared after him, grinning like an idiot.

  Someone screamed.

  I snapped out of my daydream. One of the ladies held up bloodied hands. Servants rushed to her aid.

  I gasped. "What happened?" I asked my neighbour.

  She grinned. "She was so caught up with the steward's appearance, she sliced her hands instead of her fruit."

  She laughed. I smiled.

  Really, who could blame her?

  "Isn't Potiphar's steward so beautiful?" another of my female companions spoke up.

  "Those eyes."

  "And those muscles."

  "What about that smile?"

  "He's the main reason to look forward to events at Lord Potiphar's house."

  "No, he's the only reason."

  The group let out a collective sigh.

  I took a sip of wine to hide my smile.

  Later, when there remained only a handful of guests―Father, Lord Potiphar and some of their former colleagues from the School of Life―I decided to slip away and look for Joseph.

  I went into the kitchen. It was completely deserted, save for him. He stood with his back to me, his hard, chiselled muscles gleaming in the light of the torches.

  A heated blush rose in my cheeks. I swallowed, composing myself. "Joseph."

  I must have sounded like a mouse.

  Joseph turned around. He flashed that disarming smile of his. I nearly lost my balance. His beautiful body was so close to me.

  He bowed. "Lady Asenath. It is good to see you again. Would you care for some dates?"

  He held out a small bowl.

  "Yes please. Thank you." I took a couple then briefly averted my eyes, so as not to get overpowered by him.

  "Is there anything I can do for you, my lady?" he asked.

  I nearly gulped. I had not thought of a reason to be in the kitchen.

  "Can you tell me about life in Canaan? I am curious."

  "I would be happy to. I hope I am not keeping you from the guests though."

  "Not at all. Most of them have already left. Now, it's just Father and Lord Potiphar and some of their friends."

  "Very well." Joseph motioned to a bench. "Would my lady care for a drink?"

  "No thank you. I'm fine."

  We sat down beside each other. I felt delicious tremors at being so close to him.

  "So what was your family like?" I asked.

  "We raised flocks of sheep. We often moved around, because we had to follow the animals."

  All of a sudden, Lady Zalikha appeared in the doorway.

  My chest turned to ice. I had not heard her approaching. I did not even anticipate her, as she had not been at the party earlier.

  I ducked behind a shelf. Joseph rose to meet his mistress.

  He bowed. "My lady. Is there something I can do for you?"

  Zalikha smiled lazily. She wore no wig, revealing her natural hair. She was wrapped in what looked like her bed sheets. "Joseph."

  She dropped the sheets to reveal a gown that left almost nothing to the imagination.

  I was horrified. Did her husband have an idea of this? What was happening right under his own roof?

  "Joseph," Zalikha said again.

  I hated the way she said his name. "Joseeeeeeph."

  She approached him. The dark waves of her hair flowed above the swell of her nearly naked breasts. "Joseph, come with me."

  I shifted, accidentally bumping against the shelf. A bowl fell over with a crash.

  Zalikha turned and saw me. Immediately, her image of allure crumbled.

  "What are you doing here?" she snarled.

  Joseph spoke up, "Lady Asenath and I were merely having a conversation, mistress. But is there anything I can get you?"

  For a moment, Zalikha looked caught off-guard. Then she let out a small laugh. "Forgive me, Asenath. I just wasn't expecting you. Wouldn't you like to return to the dining hall? It is more comfortable there and the servants can get you something to eat and drink."

  Her voice could have eased a crying child. But I was not so easily fooled. Still, I remained polite.

  "No thank you, Lady Zalikha," I said. "As Joseph said, we were having a conversation. Thus I prefer to stay here. But thank you."

  "But Lord Potiphar might be in need of Joseph's assistance. Surely you would not keep him from his duties."

  Already, I could hear her tone sharpening.

  "Everything has already been tidied up, mistress," Joseph said. "And there are still some of us, myself included, to wait on the remaining guests."

  "All right. Very good. That will be all. I bid you good night, Joseph."

  She quickly picked up the sheets and draped them back around her. Then she left.

  I felt I had been lifted off the ground. Joseph had saved me. He had defeated all that was evil. He was like the god Horus, who had vanquished his evil uncle Seth and took his rightful place as the king of the gods.

  He was victorious. Glorious.

  Joseph the Golden.

  Now, his eyes of hazel and olive stars were upon me. For a moment, I thought he was going to take me into his strong arms.

  "So, where were we?" he asked.

  I blinked, feeling foolish. "Ah, you were telling me that your family raised sheep."

  "Yes. As I was saying, we moved a lot because we had to follow where the animals grazed."

  A servant appeared. "Pardon me, Joseph."

  I caught her throw a smile at him. The flirt.

  "My lady," she said, turning to me. "Your father wishes me to inform you that you will be departing now."

  I sighed inwardly. "Thank you."

  Joseph smiled apologetically. "Do forgive the constant interruptions, my lady. But if it is not beneath you, perhaps we could correspond when you return to Heliopolis. I could then tell you more about Canaan."

  My spirits lifted. "I would like that very much. Thank you, Joseph. I look forward to it."

  "As do I."

  His haunting smile was the last I saw of him. It accompanied me the entire journey home.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  I returned to Heliopolis feeling reborn. I had entered a new chapter in my life, where I travelled upon a smooth golden road.

  The world had become beautiful. Every nook and cranny held a miracle—a drop of dew, a patch of moss, a little bird pulling a worm out of the ground.

  I was beside myself with joy when the first letter from Joseph arrived. I held it to my chest. I thought about how Joseph touched this same scroll. I imagined him writing it with his masculine fingers, reading it over with his mesmeric eyes and sealing it with tender loving care.

  Over the course of our correspondence, I learned about Joseph's hometown and culture. He told me they worshipped one God who had no temples, images and cult centres. He told me about his ancestors—Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebecca.

  He told me he came from an enormous family, of eleven brothers and one sister. They had the same father but different mothers. The youngest of the brood, Benjamin, was his only full brother.

  Joseph spoke a lot about his relationship with his father. Apparently, they were very close. He said his mother was the favourite wife of their father, thus he was the favourite son. He also mentioned a special gift from his father—a coat of many colours.

  However, Joseph still did not mention why he came to Egypt. I wondered if this was a sore topic for him. There seemed to be a lot of gaps in his stories. His life in Canaan seemed to have been a happy one. So why did he leave?

  Perhaps one day, he would tell me. Or I would find out.

  Joseph and I corresponded for nearly a year. Soon, I realised that the day of his freedom was close. Time had gone by remarkably fast.

  One day, Joseph informed me that his master would be inviting my family to his Opet celebrations once more. I shivered with delight.

  "A
las," Father said when the official invitation was issued. "We will not be able to make it this year. Mother and I have much to do at the temple."

  My heart began to sink.

  "But Asenath, you may go if you wish," Father said. "I hope you will not mind going alone though."

  I gasped. "Really? Do you mean that?"

  "Certainly. You are, after all, nearly a young lady."

  I smiled gratefully. "I would love that. I really enjoyed it last year. I was hoping to go again this year. Thank you."

  I did not mention Joseph though. I felt it was not right. Yet.

  Father said, "There are, however, some events we would like you to attend on our behalf."

  "With pleasure."

  Later, he handed me an itinerary. I was more than delighted to see that there would be a couple of affairs at Lord Potiphar's house.

  Soon, I was back in Thebes. The night before Lord Potiphar's banquet, I could hardly sleep.

  I had previously been informed that prior to the banquet, the guests would be joining the public festivities. So the following day, I disembarked at the gates of Potiphar's villa and took to the streets in search of Joseph. I knew he would be busy with the feast later on, so I hoped to have as much time with him as possible.

  "Lady Asenath."

  I knew I would be thrilled at seeing him again, but I did not expect a dangerous rush to course through my veins. The sunlight illuminated his athletic profile from behind, creating the effect of a godlike glow.

  Joseph approached me and bowed. "Life, health and prosperity to you, my lady. It is good to see you again."

  My smile nearly split my face in half. "It is good to see you, too. I trust you've been well?"

  "I have indeed. Would you like to go for a―"

  An elderly woman appeared at his side. She tapped his arm.

  He turned to her. "Taboubu, what is it?"

  He spoke very slowly. I wondered at this.

  The old woman handed him a small papyrus sheet.

  He scanned it. "My lady, you will have to excuse me a moment. My mistress is alone in the house and very sick. I shall return as soon as I can."

  I never forgot what I had seen in the kitchen the previous year. Dread welled up inside me. But alas, it was not in my power to intrude.

  I tried to silence the whispers of warning inside my head. "All right."