Asenath

by Anna Patricio

  I sighed. "Very well."

  "But first, I believe you need a meal." He nodded toward the basket. "You haven't eaten at all, have you?"

  As if answering for me, my stomach growled.

  Later, as I shared the contents of the basket with him, I asked, "How did you find me here, by the way?"

  His eyes twinkled. "Army training. We were trained to think strategically. Also, remember that I was young once too."

  CHAPTER NINE

  Nothing happened for a couple of years. True to his word, Lord Potiphar sent me news of Joseph. He had yet to actually visit Joseph himself so everything he told me was second-hand, relayed to him from the prison warden.

  Apparently, for the first few weeks Joseph had kept to himself, weeping and sleeping. Sometimes, he was overheard talking in a language no one could understand. Hebrew, probably.

  But one day, Joseph approached the warden and volunteered himself for tasks around the prison. The warden was astonished, but pleased too, as there was always work to be done.

  He started Joseph on the dirtiest tasks, such as cleaning the chamber pots and sorting through the garbage. Joseph accomplished these without a single complaint.

  Hearing this amazed me. I thought that if anything, he would have despaired and wasted away into nothingness. I wondered if he felt any more hopeful than I did about his release.

  During this time, I cut down my social schedule. I was sick of being hounded by pesky, idiotic questions. But even at home, I was given no respite.

  One day, I saw a scroll on my desk. Knowing it from Lord Potiphar, I happily pranced over to it.

  I stopped dead in my tracks.

  The seal on the scroll was broken.

  "Nafre!" I yelled.

  She rushed into the room, nearly tripping. "Yes, mistress?"

  "Look at this." I held up the scroll. "The seal is broken."

  "I am sorry, mistress. I did not know."

  "Was it already like this when it arrived?"

  "No, mistress."

  I suspected who might be responsible for this.

  Later at dinnertime, I said, "I received a scroll whose seal was already broken. Do any of you know anything about this?"

  I looked at my parents fixedly.

  "Yes," Father said. "I was the one who opened it."

  I could not believe he was so flippant. "But why?"

  "I need to know what's going on with you. You have not been saying much lately, so you give me no choice but to resort to such measures."

  "But Lord Potiphar intended the letter for me."

  "That is true. But as your father, I have every right to access the details of your comings and goings. It is a simple principle—my house, my rules. Especially knowing how you get involved with such...characters."

  My anger was nearly at breaking point. "That's odd, Father. Not long ago, you commended Joseph for his deeds. Now you condemn him as if he was the worst of criminals."

  It was too late to take back the unintentional pun.

  Father smiled. "That is exactly what he is. A criminal."

  "I didn't mean―"

  "You have chosen your words wisely."

  I hated the tone of his voice. Hated it!

  I firmly set down my dinnerware. "No. Joseph is not a criminal. He did not attack Lady Zalikha."

  Father glared at me. "Don't you raise your voice at me."

  Mother said, "Pentephres, you should not have opened Asenath's letter. Everyone in this house is entitled to our privacy. Even you. Even me. Even her."

  "Very well," Father said. "But young lady, do not expect me to bail you out when you get into trouble again."

  "As for you, Asenath," Mother said. "Apologise to your father."

  "Sorry," I said through gritted teeth.

  The family finished dinner in angry silence.

  Evenings in my room were my refuge. There, I read and reread my old letters from Joseph. I cherished my memories of him and nourished my hopes of his release.

  One night, the haven was torn asunder by a most frightening dream.

  I was high above in a tower and saw Joseph below me. I had something urgent to tell him. What it was, I cannot remember.

  I hurried down the steps to him. When I reached the bottom, I saw he had been transported to the opposite side of a fierce roaring river. I was desperate to reach him though.

  I plunged into the foaming waters. A large pointed shape rose out of the water. It bared rows of sharp teeth. A crocodile.

  I was about to swim away when, to my horror, I found I had become immobilised.

  In no time, the beast was upon me. Its deadly jaws were about to clamp on me.

  I bolted up in bed, screaming.

  Upon realising it was just a dream, I lay back. However, I could not stop shaking.

  It was a long time before I returned to sleep. Thankfully, this time, I was devoid of nightmares.

  As frightened as I was, I dared not tell anyone about the dream. Perhaps, it was just a one-time occurrence. It would probably never happen again.

  Deep down inside though, I did not firmly believe that, but I had to find some sort of comfort.

  The following week, the nightmare returned. This time, there were ten crocodiles advancing toward me.

  I woke up as they formed a circle around me.

  And saw a black figure beside my bed.

  I screamed at the top of my lungs.

  Nafre's face appeared in the dim light. "Mistress, it is only me."

  I let out a loud sigh of relief. I placed my hand over my heart. It was beating fiercely.

  "Are you all right, mistress? Do you want me to call your parents?"

  "No." I laughed nervously. "No, thank you. I'm fine. I just had a bit of trouble sleeping. You may go now."

  The following day passed by with a deceptive calm. But I knew that once night fell, the troubles would resume.

  And they did.

  Later that night, I woke up screaming and bathed in sweat once more. I was frightened, but also weary at this. In frustration, I leapt out of bed and overturned a table.

  Nafre rushed in.

  "Go away!" I snapped.

  She bowed and disappeared.

  I blankly looked around my dark, eerie room. Then I went out into the balcony to clear my head.

  The night was cold and black. The wind blew, chilling my sweaty skin. I shivered and hugged myself.

  I stared out at the dark, sleeping city below me. There, the spirits of the dead walked.

  I lifted my eyes to see a surprisingly lovely starry sky. I remembered one of Joseph's stories about his great-grandfather Abraham. Their God had told him to look up at the sky and said that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars. Perhaps, Abraham looked upon a night like this.

  I wondered if the God of my dear one would help me with my nightmare. I was not sure about this, especially as I saw what he had allowed to happen to Joseph. But I had to try. Surely there wouldn't be any harm if he was what Joseph believed in.

  "God of Joseph," I said. "I have had a nightmare that has been troubling me for many nights. Please relieve me of it. And please care for Joseph in prison. He did nothing to deserve to be there. Please release him soon."

  At that moment, a strange serenity filled me. It stirred inside me then floated away. But it left a peaceful beauty which lingered like the sweet scent of a lotus blossom.

  Tears flooded my eyes. I sank down to the ground. I cried with relief―relief about what, I was not sure. I drifted off into a peaceful slumber.

  The next morning, Nafre found me lying on the balcony, still in my sweat-drenched nightgown. She told me I had had a peaceful smile on my face as I slept.

  The nightmare never returned again.

  CHAPTER TEN

  As the days wore on, I grew excruciatingly bored. There simply wasn't anything to do. One would think that because my early life had been so tumultuous, this would have been a welcome break for me. But really, my days were so mi
nd-numbing. Except for occasions when I served at the temple, I simply woke up and did nothing.

  One day, an idea appeared to me. I do not know where it came from, but it was brilliant.

  I could look for an occupation of some sort. Noblewomen are not expected to work, but I knew this was something I had, and wanted, to do.

  I decided to speak about this with Mother. I knew she would understand me a thousand times better than Father. The latter would simply whine about me being ungrateful and foolish.

  "Why certainly," Mother said. "That is a lovely idea, darling. However did you come up with it?"

  I shrugged. "I don't know. It just came out of nowhere."

  "I am glad it did," Mother said. "Your life will become richer and fuller with this sort of experience."

  I smiled. "So do you have any suggestions?"

  She frowned, thinking. "Let me see. Here, most of the available positions are in the temples. I am not sure if that is something that would interest you."

  "But am I not already a priestess?" Although I did not loathe serving at the temple, it was not something I was truly passionate about.

  "Yes, that is true. Hmm...you know, Thebes has a wider variety of opportunities. Maybe you might want to look there."

  Thebes.

  The suggestion consumed the room like a fire.

  I had assumed going to Thebes was out of the question. But now Mother had opened the doors for me.

  "Yes, Mother. Yes, I should. I would love that."

  Mother looked at me strangely.

  Perhaps I agreed with her more readily than I should have.

  Meanwhile, interest in my scandal with Joseph and Zalikha had waned, since there were no further developments. Eventually, the gossip was eclipsed by royal news from the capital. Pharaoh Amenhotep had passed away. His general Tuthmosis succeeded the throne.

  I was not really paying attention to the news until I heard that Tuthmosis married a royal lady named Ahmose. I vaguely remembered

  Menah telling me that Lyla had become a handmaiden to a lady of that name. I wondered if our friend now served the new Great Royal Wife.

  I continued to live like a hermit, hanging out with my pets in either the library or the garden. I attended social affairs only if they were held in our house. However, I did not make an effort to mingle unless the guests had young children I could entertain. My pets adored the little visitors.

  I even spent time with the servants, helping with their chores and playing with their offspring. Father was dismayed, but said nothing. And really, he could not. I was already nineteen.

  One day, I was playing with my pets and the cook's two young children when Nafre approached me, a letter from Lord Potiphar in one hand.

  It is the Lord Potiphar, Captain of Pharaoh's Guard, who addresses Lady Asenath, daughter of Lord Pentephres, the High Priest of Heliopolis. In life, health and prosperity, in the favour of Pharaoh Tuthmosis, may he live forever.

  I wish to inform my lady that today, I have received pleasing news from the prison. The warden is now considering placing Joseph in charge, due to the excellent work he has given. Having said that, I wish to inform my lady that I will now be undertaking a visit to the prison. As promised, I cordially invite you to come along.

  I hope this poses no problem to your parents. I also hope this is not too sudden for you. However, I ask if you could be so kind as to inform me of your decision as soon as possible.

  Too sudden?

  Was it too sudden for the Nile to flood over parched lands?

  I leapt to my feet and rushed off to my room.

  "Lady Asenath."

  I had nearly forgotten about my charges.

  I herded them and my pets into my room. I had them play on the floor while I composed my reply.

  Sometime later, I was on my way back to Thebes.

  Thebes looked exactly the same as it had before, which made me feel I had been gone only a short while. Yet there was no denying I had waited two long, agonising years.

  A couple of days before my reunion with Joseph, I was passing time in the marketplace when an idea appeared to me.

  I saw an elderly woman who looked friendly enough to ask directions from. I approached.

  "Excuse me, Grandmother. May I trouble you for a moment?"

  She smiled. "Certainly, my child. What can I do for you?"

  "Do you know the way to the prison?"

  Her eyebrows shot up in surprise. "The prison? Why would you want to go there?"

  "I am a traveller from Heliopolis. I wish to see the landmarks of the city."

  "Pharaoh's prison is not a landmark. There are much nicer things for a pretty young lady like yourself."

  "I like unusual things."

  "So I noticed."

  She looked me up and down, as if examining me. I was uncomfortable at this, but said nothing.

  "Very well," she said. "But the way there is complicated, so it might do you good if I accompanied you there myself. Would you be happy for me to do that?"

  "Yes please. That would be even better."

  "Very good. However, my assistance comes with a price."

  "All right." I took my purse from Nafre. I drew out ten deben rings. "Will these do, Grandmother?"

  She grinned broadly. "Splendid."

  She pocketed the payment almost greedily. "Very well, child, follow me. I have to warn you that we will be entering a rough neighbourhood. If you wish to avoid trouble, I suggest you discard your finery."

  I slipped off my wig and plucked off all my jewellery. The precious lapis lazuli lotus, however, went into my pocket.

  I handed my things to Nafre. I instructed her to return to the villa and wait for me there. I did not want her hovering around at what would be an intimate moment for me.

  "I am ready," I said.

  "Come, my child."

  I followed the old woman into a part of Thebes I had never seen before. The streets were narrow and strewn with garbage. Tiny makeshift houses were cramped together at the sides. Everyone was dressed in rags. The air smelled strongly of dung.

  A donkey-drawn cart appeared. The old woman pulled me to the side. We paused as it passed us by. There was no room on the road for both us and the cart.

  Skinny dogs and children chased each other and splashed in the dirty puddles. A few of the children ran to me, begging for food. The old woman shooed them away.

  It saddened me to see living beings in a place like this. Though I had not been wealthy as a child, the place where I lived was bright, cheery and lovely. Here, there was not a speck of beauty to be seen.

  We passed by a corner where an old man stood, staring at us. My eyes met his. He began screaming obscenities that would make Lady Zalikha blush.

  The old woman grabbed my arm and hurried me away. "Don't look at him," she said under her breath.

  My guide led me to a wide area that looked like a town square. I was relieved that there was now more space. But everything still looked so depressing. There were no fountains, no miniature gardens and no colourful murals. Only small rundown buildings, more shanties and towering piles of garbage. All of Thebes' waste, obviously.

  I followed the old woman down a dusty road until I saw a large grey structure looming up ahead. Even before she told me, I knew that was the prison.

  Like everything else in its vicinity, there was nothing grand or beautiful about it. In fact, it seemed to hover threateningly, like some great beast ready to devour us.

  But I knew that just within its walls, Joseph dwelt.

  My guide and I paused before towering stone walls. She told me we were at the rear of the prison. I looked up. A guard standing at the top whistled.

  The old woman led me away. "Stupid lout," she muttered.

  She led me around the vast structure, which seemed to run on for miles. We stopped before a pair of towering gates surrounded by heavily armed men.

  "This is obviously the entrance," she said. "But you cannot enter, although I don't think you'
d really want to."

  I stared dreamily into space. "Hmm."

  "I honestly can't imagine why a young noblewoman such as yourself would be interested in this. I thought you'd be at one of your bazaars, or wining and dining at one of your fancy river cruises."

  I knew she would continue gabbing on as long as she stood there. So I turned to dismiss her. "I thank you very much for your help, Grandmother. But I can manage from here. You may go now if you wish. Again, thank you."

  For what it was worth, I gave her a slight bow.

  She chuckled. "You're an unusual one indeed. Take care."

  I continued to gaze upon the prison. How I was tempted to call out, Joseph, I am here!

  If only he knew I was just on the other side of the wall.

  One of the guards began to stare at me suspiciously.

  I reluctantly walked away. I was satisfied for the moment. But physically, I was expiring.

  Someway past the prison, I came across a street lined with sidewalk diners. Tables and chairs spilled out onto the road. My mouth watered at the delicious cooking smells.

  I remembered how Menah and I used to frequent these places back in Heliopolis. For a moment, I wondered how my best friend was doing.

  Later, I sat at a table on the sidewalk, waiting for my meal. I idly observed the passers-by.

  I noticed a thin dirty man standing in a corner and staring at me intently. I somehow had the impression that he had been watching me the entire time.

  I glanced away for a moment. When I looked out of the corner of my eye, I saw he was still staring.

  Trying to act as casual as I could, I moved to a seat with my back to him.

  He appeared by my side. "What do you think you're doing?" His voice was raspy. He reeked of cheap beer.

  "I-I..."

  I began to move away, but he grabbed my arm. I screamed. The server was about to come to my rescue when a young man appeared from behind.

  "Hey, leave the lady alone," he said.

  "And if I don't?" the madman said.

  "I'll make you."

  "I would like to see you do that."

  The young man boxed the lunatic across the face, immediately rendering him unconscious.