Asenath

by Anna Patricio

  "We play games."

  "She tells us stories."

  "We painted today."

  "What did you paint?" Joseph asked.

  "Pretty flowers."

  "I got to paint a fierce lion," a little boy said.

  "Can I show you my painting?" Hatshepsut asked.

  "You can all show me your paintings," Joseph said.

  The children dashed inside. Their nursemaids hurried after them.

  "Be careful," I called. "The paint might still be wet."

  Joseph set the monkey on the ground. He smiled at me and patted the spot beside him.

  How blissful it was to be close to him. So very close.

  "I am sorry we were not able to talk much yesterday," he said. "I was really hoping we could."

  "That is quite all right. I understand how it is when Pharaoh is around."

  "Exactly."

  We both laughed.

  "So to what do I owe this pleasure?" I asked.

  "I just wanted to see you again. I have missed you so, Asenath."

  His magical eyes held me. His beauty had the depths of evening skies. He was a song that melted hearts, brought the world to a halt and moved a rock to tears.

  "I..."

  The voices of my pupils rang throughout the garden.

  Joseph and I quickly pulled back. I moved aside as the young ones crowded around him like a pack of excited puppies.

  Princess Hatshepsut broke away from the group. She came over to me.

  "Lady Senat," she said in a hushed voice. "I have a secret for you."

  "What is it, your Highness?" I nearly chuckled at how dramatic she was being.

  She motioned for me to come close. She leaned toward my ear. She cupped a hand beside her mouth.

  "I think Lord Zapanah loves you," she whispered.

  I laughed and pulled away. "Don't be silly, your Highness. Go show him your painting."

  She giggled and ran off.

  Later, when my pupils ran off to play with the monkey, Joseph moved close to me once more.

  "I am just so happy to see you again, Asenath. I really wanted to―"

  "Life, health and prosperity to you, my lord and lady." An attendant of Pharaoh appeared.

  Joseph and I straightened up, assuming masks of dignity.

  The attendant bowed. "My Lord Zaphenath-Paneah, Pharaoh wishes to meet with you in his office."

  "I shall be there. Thank you."

  The attendant left.

  Joseph looked at me and rolled his eyes. "As you can see, the vizier's work is never done. But I hope to see you again soon. I look forward to your play. Until then, take care, Asenath."

  "You too."

  He glanced around. He made a move to rise when he leaned over.

  He gave me a quick kiss on the cheek.

  I nearly forgot to resume classes after that.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  Soon, it was the day of Joseph's feast. For the play, the crew had set up an elaborate stage.

  I was impressed with what they had done. They had hollowed out the sides of the stage to create a moat which represented the Nile. A raised platform had been erected at the centre and was bridged to the backstage by planks. It was a very impressive setup, but we had to be careful lest we fall into the moat.

  The cast and crew were housed in tents behind the stage. Nafre and some of Rawosre's handmaidens helped me with my makeup and costuming. It took an eternity. But when I finally looked at myself in the mirror, I was stunned by the result. Even more stunned than I had been years ago when I saw myself in noblewomen's attire for the first time.

  Isis herself stared back at me.

  I wore a shimmering scarlet gown. Atop my head was the crown of the goddess, golden bull horns encircling a red disc. Gold streaks ran across my arms, for gold was believed to be the skin colour of the gods. Even my lips had been painted gold. My eye paint was thicker than usual. My face looked like a mask.

  But when I removed the crown, I sighed in relief. I was Asenath again.

  Nearly.

  Rawosre called me from outside. I drew back the entrance flap of my tent.

  "I will be having a word with the cast, my lady." He smiled. "You look stunning."

  "Thank you."

  At the steps leading up to the backstage, Rawosre ran over a few last-minute instructions. I could barely concentrate on his words. I was only a few minutes away from performing before Joseph. I especially looked forward to him seeing my big dance number—a dramatic portrayal of Isis mourning over the murder of her husband Osiris.

  I remembered the kiss from Joseph. My skin tingled delightfully.

  Afterward, I returned to my tent. As I approached it, I saw the lights inside had been dimmed.

  I was alerted. Something was not right.

  I hurried over and threw the flap back. Nafre was tied and gagged in a corner. Beside her, my Isis crown lay on the floor.

  I gasped and rushed over. I removed her gag. "Who did this to you?"

  "I did."

  I turned around.

  Seated at my dressing table was someone I had not seen in a long time. Someone I had not at all expected to see that night—my old enemy, Lady Zalikha. The snake. The fiend. The maggot.

  "What are you doing here?" I thundered. "Get out!"

  She smiled. "Well, well, well...Lady Asenath. I didn't realise you'd make such a stunning Isis. It's amazing, isn't it, how gold paint and a few false jewels can cover up the peasant that you really are?"

  "Get out before I call the guards."

  "I come here to congratulate you and this is the thanks I get?" She shook her head, though she still smiled her snake's smile. "What an ill-bred young woman you are."

  "I mean it, Zalikha. Get out now."

  Zalikha rose. She headed toward me. I braced myself for whatever malice she had in store.

  She stopped in front of me and stared. "How ever did you get this back?"

  She snatched the lapis lazuli lotus off my neck.

  In a fit of desperation, I hurled myself toward her. I knocked her off-balance. She stumbled, losing her grip on the necklace. It fell a few feet away from her.

  I dropped to the ground and snatched it up to safety. I was about to get up when she charged toward me, screaming and cursing at the top of her lungs.

  I rolled out of the way. She tripped on one of the storage chests and fell flat on her face. She looked so ridiculous that if she had not been trying to murder me, I would have had a hearty laugh.

  I rose. "Give it up, Zalikha. It's just not worth it anymore."

  She lay still as if dead. I hurried back to Nafre, untied her and whispered to her to run get help.

  As soon as she disappeared out the tent, a cry erupted behind me.

  I was about to turn around when I was shoved to the ground. Zalikha wrapped her fingers around my neck. She began strangling me.

  I screamed. She slammed my face to the ground. A warm liquid seeped from my nose and I tasted blood.

  A flurry of footsteps entered the tent. Zalikha's lethal fingers loosened their grip and fell away from me. I collapsed, coughing violently.

  "Woman, what's gotten into you?" Lord Potiphar roared.

  "Asenath, are you all right?" Father asked.

  Gentle hands took my arms and helped me up. I assumed it was Father since it was his voice I last heard. I looked up.

  A soft clang resonated in my mind's ear.

  Joseph knelt before me. He drew out a handkerchief and dabbed at my face. "You're bleeding. Not too badly, fortunately."

  His voice was like a soft embrace.

  He put the handkerchief aside and took my hands into his. "Are you all right now?"

  "Yes."

  This was so much like the day Joseph and I first met. The chaos faded away. Now, all I was aware of was his warm loving glow and his beautiful hazel-olive eyes.

  "I think fame has gotten into Asenath's head," Zalikha said. "I just came over to congratulate her when she turned
on me and attacked me. That that ungrateful little bitch!"

  "Don't you dare talk about my daughter that way," Father said.

  Behind him Pharaoh stood, frowning.

  "Calm down, woman," Lord Potiphar said. "There is no need for that sort of language."

  Joseph looked up at her. He opened his mouth to speak.

  At that moment, it seemed the world held its breath.

  Now, he was now going to exact his revenge. I could not wait to hear what he had in store for the woman who had ruined his life. It was bound to be brutal, no doubt. She deserved it so.

  "My lady," he said. "You look like you have been through a great deal. You need some rest."

  I was beyond shocked.

  I saw on the faces of the witnesses that they felt as I did.

  I searched Joseph's face for traces of sarcasm and mockery. There were none.

  This was unbelievable.

  This might as well have been the drama everyone had come to see.

  Zalikha stared at me and Joseph. I noticed she was no longer as beautiful as she had been before. Her blue eyes, which once sparkled like the many ornaments she wore, were now bloodshot. Her skin sagged. Her lips were cracked. And just as Joseph said, she did indeed look haggard and exhausted.

  She turned her back to us. I heard sniffing. I wondered if she still dared put on her crocodile tears.

  She turned to face us once more. "Lady Asenath never attacked me. More importantly, Lord Zaphenath-Paneah never tried to rape me. It was I who initiated everything."

  Everyone gasped.

  She dried her eyes. She smiled at Joseph. "You look as irresistible as ever, my lord."

  "Still at it, Zalikha?" Potiphar said.

  She turned to him a poisonous look. "You were never there for me, you know. You were always away at some army campaign, or impressing Pharaoh at the Palace. And of course, you had to go get yourself mutilated."

  The witnesses, including myself, burst into cries of horror and disgust.

  Potiphar remained coolly dignified. "Zalikha, just get over it. Move on. Move on."

  Zalikha glared at him. Then she walked out of the tent.

  Some people followed her.

  I heard screams.

  Joseph and I leapt up and hurried outside.

  The stage had been set on fire. Zalikha stood beside it, holding up a torch and grinning madly.

  She began to head around the stage when the palace guards sprung up and seized her. Servants, meanwhile, hurried to put out the flames.

  My parents appeared. "Asenath, we are going home. Now," Father said.

  "But―"

  "We have to dress your injuries. Come."

  "But I'm not even―"

  He plucked me from Joseph and hurried me to where our litters waited.

  "What about the play?" I asked.

  "Pharaoh is postponing the event." He practically shoved me into the litter carriage and drew the curtain close. "Take her home."

  I was afraid Father was just making this up. But later, Mother confirmed this. After all, the stage was in no condition to be performed on.

  The following day, Mother said to me, "Asenath, it has finally happened."

  "What?"

  "Lord Potiphar has divorced his wife."

  The news was so sudden, I did not know what to make of it. "What is going to happen to her now?"

  Mother shrugged. "Who knows? All I can say is, good for him."

  "Indeed. Although he should have done it ages ago."

  "Yes, but as you know, there were those hindrances."

  After that, I never saw Lady Zalikha again. Some said she left Egypt. Whatever really became of her, I never knew.

  For a while, I still felt anxious whenever I saw one of her friends or relatives looking at me strangely. But this was a feeling borne only out of habit. As time wore on, it lessened and was soon no more than a tiny ink spot on a parchment.

  It took a while for the feast to be rescheduled, for half the stage had been damaged by the flames. I felt bad for the crew, knowing how hard they had worked on it. I had seen them labouring away at all hours.

  One day, I was relaxing with my pets in my room when Mother appeared. "Asenath, you have a visitor."

  I looked at her in surprise, wondering why she was doing the servants' job. "Who?"

  She smiled and stepped aside.

  It was him.

  I nearly fell off the couch.

  My pets scampered over to him. He bent down and patted their heads.

  I rose to give the vizier the proper greeting due him. He held up his hand.

  "Please don't trouble yourself," he said. "It's quite all right."

  He took a seat across from me, next to the unusual fish vase. "How are you, Asenath? I hope you have not been hurt too badly."

  "Not at all. Thank you so much for helping me that night." I gave him a grateful smile.

  "Thank you for all you've done for me."

  "What do you mean? I haven't done anything."

  "Asenath, Queen Ahmose was right. You do underestimate yourself."

  I shrugged. "I honestly don't know what you are talking about. But I am glad everything worked out for you."

  "I feel sorry for Lady Zalikha though," he said quietly.

  "Lady Zalikha? After everything she did to us—to you?"

  "Yes. She was a very unhappy woman, Asenath. I remember I would often overhear her weeping in her room. While her husband loved her, he always put his work first."

  He shook his head sadly. "The two of them would get into really violent quarrels too. At times, I even had to intervene with the guards. The servants, especially the young ones, would get so scared. I told them to go hide in their rooms until it was over."

  I suppose I have to admit, when I saw Lady Zalikha being dragged off that night, I could not help a pang of sympathy. Why? I couldn't imagine. I suppose there was something about the way her body was hanging limply or how her reddened eyes were bagged and heavy with misfortune.

  Joseph and I were quiet for a while.

  Mother reappeared. "Would you two like a light meal in the garden?"

  Joseph smiled. "That would be lovely. Thank you, my lady."

  I held back a sigh. We were forever getting interrupted.

  The afternoon, however, was pleasant and lovely. The three of us sat in the pavilion, speaking of light-hearted things and feasting on sherbet and honey cakes. Birds sang from the trees. A breeze carried over to us the scent of the flowers. My pets frolicked nearby.

  "Would you like to stay for dinner?" Mother asked Joseph later.

  "I would love to, my lady. Alas, I shall have to decline, for Pharaoh has scheduled a meeting with me. But thank you for your most kind invitation."

  "Doesn't Pharaoh make enormous demands of you," Mother said, giving voice to my thoughts.

  "Well." Joseph shrugged his broad shoulders. "As I've told Asenath, the vizier's work is never done."

  "But don't overwork yourself, dear," Mother said. "I know you are eager to prepare for the famine, but you must also take time for yourself. Also, get enough sleep, eat the right foods." And on she went with the typical motherly badgering.

  We chatted a bit more, then Joseph had to leave. Mother and I saw him off. Afterward, she turned to me with a grin. "I approve."

  "I beg your pardon?"

  "I'm sure you know who I'm talking about, daughter."

  I blushed. "He's a good man, isn't he?"

  "He is. And very handsome."

  "It doesn't bother you that he's a Hebrew, with a different faith and customs? And that he's, well, you know, that his people are sheepherders?"

  "Honestly, no. Not anymore. From what I've learned about him, I have no doubt he will treat you well."

  I grinned.

  Mother said, "But Asenath, know that your father loves you too. I know his ideas don't always mesh with ours, but he wants nothing but the best for you."

  I shrugged. Deep down inside though, I knew
Father did love me just as I loved him. But at that moment, it was difficult to feel any affection toward him.

  "I have to tell you something. But please keep it between us." She winked. "He was very pleased to see Joseph helping you that night. I daresay, I wouldn't be surprised if he has already changed his mind about him. Perhaps he already has, though he wouldn't dare admit it."

  We both laughed.

  Mother clasped my arm. "Follow your dream, Asenath. Don't let it go. Don't let him go."

  "I won't."

  Rawosre took advantage of the delay to rehearse us further until he was confident we could play the roles even in our sleep. Soon, everyone was gathered in the Palace courtyard once again. This time, the security was tighter. But I still worried another mishap would occur.

  We assembled backstage. Rawosre said, "All right. This is it. The best of luck to all of you and may the gods be with you."

  He entered the stage to introduce the play. Afterward, my fellow cast members shuffled in for the opening scene—the banquet in which Seth captures Osiris and kills him.

  As I watched from the wings, I felt a prickly rush of excitement. Everything looked more beautiful than I expected. The props were brightly lit up. The moat rippled and shimmered. My fellow actors looked like the gods themselves. They played their parts very well too.

  At the end, Seth sealed Osiris in a coffin. Everyone left the stage. This was the cue for my first appearance.

  I took a deep breath and glided in, as I had been taught.

  The audience gasped.

  I paused, fearing I had done something wrong. But like Rawosre advised, the only thing to do after making a mistake was to simply continue. So I did.

  The audience was shrouded in complete darkness. I could not even see those in the front row. But I knew that just a few feet away, Joseph was watching.

  I moved around the stage, as if searching for Osiris' coffin. I drifted toward it and stroked it in a loving gesture. Then I disappeared backstage.

  Seth reappeared to hack Osiris to bits. Of course, there wouldn't be any actual killing. But the crew had still managed to make it as gory as possible. They had fashioned realistic-looking body parts which Seth would be tossing into the audience.

  Throughout that scene, I heard a lot of shrieking and laughing. One man made a loud crude joke. It was obvious which part of Osiris' anatomy had landed on him.