Asenath

by Anna Patricio

Knowing Joseph's preference for simple things, I decided to let my natural hair hang loose instead of tucking it inside a wig. It fell straight and black just above my shoulders. I brushed it, struggling with a few defiant strands. I slipped into a dress the colour of clear blue skies. It was not too dressy, but not too casual either.

  Nafre applied kohl and malachite to my eyes and dabbed pale rouge on my lips.

  I looked at myself in the mirror. I still was not satisfied. My head looked a bit too small for my body. My lips were droopy. I spotted a pimple beginning to appear on my chin. I had Nafre cover it up with powder, while I strung on a couple of necklaces, including the precious lapis lazuli lotus. My appearance improved somewhat. Accessories always did that for me.

  Finally, I headed out to the garden.

  The moment I saw Joseph, I forgot about my petty insecurities. He sat among the lotus ponds, glowing in the rays of the gentle afternoon sun. He was like a window into another world—a world of enchantment and beauty. He was a magical hypnotic spell.

  He looked up at me and smiled. The beautiful day brightened almost blindingly. "Asenath."

  I bowed. "My lord."

  "Come, sit." He motioned beside him.

  My pets scampered in. My dog Seth leapt up onto the bench and sniffed at Joseph's ear.

  "Seth!" I scolded. "Down!"

  Joseph laughed. "That's quite all right." He ruffled Seth's fur.

  The dog settled himself on Joseph's lap. Then he turned to me with what looked like a triumphant smile, his tongue lolling out at the side. I jokingly made a face back at him. Meanwhile my cat Horus curled up under the bench to sleep.

  "To what do I owe the pleasure?" I asked.

  "I would like to invite you to Pharaoh's hunt," Joseph said. "I will not be participating in it though, because truth to be told, I am not too keen on hunting. But I have heard that the plains are very beautiful. I would like to see them and I thought it would be good if you could come along."

  I paused, as if considering this. I was tempted to cry out yes more than anything, but I did not want Joseph to think that I was eagerly awaiting him like a dog at the door.

  "Well, that is very kind of you, but―"

  "Lord Zaphenath-Paneah." My parents approached.

  I was surprised, for I thought they were out. I grew nervous, wondering what Father had up his sleeve.

  "Life, health and prosperity to you, my lord," Father said. He and Mother began to lower themselves to prostrate.

  I was taken aback by Father's politeness.

  Joseph held up his hand. "Please don't. It's quite all right. Won't you have a seat?"

  "Yes, thank you, Excellency," Father said.

  The two men talked business for a while―specifically, about the preparations for the famine.

  "To what do we owe the pleasure of this visit, most noble Vizier?" Father said.

  "I have come to invite Lady Asenath to Pharaoh's hunt," Joseph said. "Likewise, I also seek your permission to take her."

  "By all means, of course. It is indeed quite a grand event. Yes, Excellency, you may."

  I was about to exchange an astonished look with Mother when I saw she remained coolly formal.

  "I thank you most profusely, your Holiness." Joseph inclined his head slightly.

  "And thank you too, Excellency," Father said. "Would you like to stay for dinner?"

  "I would love to. Alas, His Majesty already has me engaged."

  "You really should have dinner with us sometime," Mother said. "Perhaps after the hunt?"

  "That would be lovely." Joseph looked at me and smiled.

  We talked a bit more, then saw Joseph off. After the vizier's litter disappeared out the gate, Father's expression did a complete turnabout.

  For a long time, he stared in the direction Joseph had left with a dirty look. He disappeared into the house.

  I was concerned for a while, but I shrugged it off. Father was just being...well, Father.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  My parents arranged for me to travel with the Karnak Temple staff. Though our society was quite liberal―that is, in comparison to, say, what I had heard about the Hebrews―it was still deemed improper for an unmarried noblewoman to be seen travelling with a man who was not her husband.

  On the morning of our departure, I went to the quay at Karnak. Our family barque waited alongside the priestly fleet. It was very early so after exchanging a few greetings with some of the priests, I boarded the barque and went straight to the cabin to resume sleeping.

  The journey took some days. I spent most of the time in a veiled awning on the deck, either reading or anticipating seeing Joseph.

  Soon, we arrived at the savannah—a flat green land with clusters of trees and bushes. As the servants set up my tent, I wandered around.

  The air here was cool and invigorating, a far cry from the arid, dusty urban air. The scent of fresh grass cleansed my lungs. I ventured a bit further and saw we were on the fringes of what looked like a dense jungle.

  "Asenath?"

  I turned around and gasped. "Khasekh! What are you doing here?"

  I realised I had not seen him in a long time. He had not even come to the play. I knew it was because of Joseph. Still, I wished he had come.

  He grinned. "I am representing the magicians in the hunt."

  "I didn't know you hunt."

  "I do now."

  "I see. Why didn't you tell me you were coming?"

  "Surprise."

  "It's good to see you again." I smiled.

  "The royal party has been delayed," a messenger announced. "They will be arriving on the morrow."

  My face fell.

  "Well," Khasekh said, "I have to go practise my archery."

  As he walked away, I called after him, "I've missed you."

  He tossed me a small smile over his shoulder.

  After he left, I realised I was in a very big predicament. I could not be with Joseph and Khasekh together at the same time. Joseph would have no problem with Khasekh, who he had heard about from my stories. But it would not be the same the other way around. Especially as I wasn't prepared to tell Khasekh about Joseph yet, I had to exercise the utmost discretion.

  I sighed. I had never kept anything from my best friend before. But considering everything that had happened lately, it seemed this was the best thing to do.

  The following day, after a light afternoon nap inside my tent, I headed outside to see two enormous gleaming tents.

  One was emblazoned with Pharaoh's insignia—the Eye of Horus intertwined with the vulture and cobra goddesses. The other had a bull encircled by heads of grain.

  Joseph was here.

  I grinned.

  Khasekh approached. "Asenath, are you going to the hunt?"

  "I...ah..."

  Though Joseph had said he would not be participating, I wondered if he was still going as a spectator, out of courtesy to Pharaoh. I would go only if he was going.

  "Asenath? Are you all right?" Khasekh peered at me closely.

  "Uh, yes. Yes I am fine."

  "So are you going?"

  I knew I had to make a decision now. I supposed I wouldn't do well to arouse Khasekh's suspicion.

  "Yes." With that, I inwardly let out a deep sigh.

  "Let's go then." Khasekh took my arm and practically dragged me out of the encampment.

  The hunting party was already assembled. Gleaming chariots stood in neatly aligned rows and were harnessed to magnificent stallions. Hunting dogs—tall lean greyhounds—frolicked about. Pharaoh stood at the head of the fleet.

  Khasekh escorted me toward one of the chariots for the spectators and took his place near the front. Near Pharaoh. I looked around for Joseph.

  Pharaoh raised his arm. A horn blared, signalling the start of the hunt. A cheer rose up from the group. The horses snorted and stamped. The dogs barked excitedly.

  "My lady, the handrail," the charioteer said.

  No sooner had I gripped it than our convoy bol
ted off.

  For a while, I was caught up in the excitement of the ride. The chariots raced at full speed, turning the world into flashes of brown and green. I nearly laughed out loud as the wind whipped against my face.

  When Pharaoh hurled a spear at a fleeing antelope, the poor thing collapsed with a bellow. Blood spurted out from its throat.

  I grimaced and looked away, appalled at the sight of such gruesome cruelty. Cheers rang around me. Not long after, I heard another pitiful animal sound, followed by someone saying, "Well done, Khasekh. A trophy for the Temple of Amun."

  When dusk settled in, Pharaoh called off the hunt for the day. The party travelled back at a much slower pace.

  I began scanning around for Joseph when Khasekh rode up to me. "Asenath, did you see me get the gazelle?" he asked, his voice breathy. "Did you see how I hit it right on the spot?"

  "Yes," I said absently as I continued searching for my dear one.

  "You should try hunting one time. It's great fun. I can teach you how to shoot if you like."

  "Maybe."

  "I hear we might be hunting elephants tomorrow. A herd has apparently been spotted. Isn't that exciting? And think of those ivory tusks."

  My heart sank. Joseph wasn't there. To think he and I could have had some time together while Khasekh was away.

  "Asenath? Is something wrong?"

  I blinked, my best friend's presence registering in me for the first time. "No. Of course not. Why do you ask?"

  "You have a dazed look on your face. You must have a hunger for me."

  I looked away in disgust, feeling violated. The people around me burst out laughing.

  Khasekh smiled and rode off.

  I gathered what was left of my dignity and assumed a face of stone.

  Later, when we gathered around the campfire, I took a seat as far away from Khasekh as possible. I ended up sitting near Lord Potiphar and his peers.

  Just as I began my meal, Joseph appeared. He was deep in conversation with some other nobles. Alas, he did not seem to notice me. Yet, like what happened every time he appeared, everything around me ceased to exist but him.

  He took a seat across from me. The hues of his magical hazel-olive eyes glowed in the night, almost like a cat's eyes. The fire cast dancing silhouettes over the sculpted muscles of his bare chest.

  His beauty was nearly too much to bear.

  I remembered that night in Pharaoh's garden. How he had held me close. How I had felt safe. So safe, like never before. If only he knew how

  he filled me the way light fills a room, the way a breeze fills a garden, the way music fills a weary soul.

  Joseph leaned back, his muscles rippling with the movement. He laughed at something one of the noblemen had said. He looked so relaxed I had the urge to come up to him. I wanted to curl up beside him and look up at him, making myself appear small and helpless. He would put an arm around me. I would press my lips to his.

  All of a sudden, I realised I had completely forgotten myself while staring at Joseph. I quickly glanced around. Fortunately, Khasekh looked engrossed in an animated conversation, and the royals were deep in their own chatter.

  Only Lord Potiphar seemed to notice me. I gave him a quick smile to hide my embarrassment.

  I dabbed at my lips in a casual movement. To my surprise, I discovered they had become moistened.

  The following day after lunch, I decided to have a moment to myself. I had not seen Joseph all morning. I assumed he had been caught up like always. Khasekh meanwhile was thankfully busy with shooting practise.

  I made my way out of the encampment and toward the fringes of the jungle. The air grew cooler as I drew nearer. When I arrived, I saw an expanse of rich lush greenery dotted with tiny flowers. Colourful birds and butterflies fluttered about. The leafy scent of nature filled the air.

  It looked so inviting that I slipped off my sandals and stepped onto the soft moist grass. The place was blessedly quiet except for the rustling of the leaves and the singing of the birds.

  I wandered around. I came across a tiny plant I had not seen in many years. It was what my first mother called the "shy plant."

  I touched it. Immediately, its leaves closed up.

  Suddenly, I was overcome by the happy memories of yesteryear. I sank to the ground and became a small child once more. Soon I would have to return to the village, for Papa would be arriving with his net full of fish.

  "Fancy seeing you here."

  I looked. It was Khasekh. Only now he was not Khasekh but Menah, the playful village boy, the hero of children's games and my best friend.

  I smiled fondly at him. "Doesn't this place remind you of our village home?"

  "It sure does."

  He sat down beside me. A butterfly with a blue and yellow pattern flew by. He reached out to touch it but it darted away.

  "Look, I even found what Mama used to call the 'shy plant,'" I said.

  "Ah, the one that closes up when you touch it?"

  "Yes. Here's another one." I gestured to it.

  He touched it. We watched in fascination as the leaves folded up.

  He sighed wistfully. "So many memories." He rested his head against a massive tree trunk. "Do you remember this one time when I sneaked us both out of the village? I think I was in trouble, or you were."

  "Most likely it was you," I teased.

  He gave me a mock angry look. "Well, whatever the reason, I had us escape. We went to this really far remote place and went for a swim. We had a race, trying to reach some hippos when a crocodile appeared. We almost got eaten, but our fathers arrived just in time. Remember that?"

  "Ah, yes." I hadn't thought of that incident in years. "I remember."

  A lump rose in my throat.

  "Are you all right, Asenath?" Khasekh asked softly.

  I looked at him, seeing little Menah running alongside the river, pelting the village children with mud balls.

  "Yes. It's just that..." My voice grew choked.

  "Shhh." He put an arm around me.

  "Can you see it?" I whispered.

  "See what?"

  "The little village. Mama. Papa."

  "Yes I can. They are so proud of you. I know I'm proud of you too."

  Khasekh leaned over and embraced me lightly. He placed a kiss beside my lips.

  And drew back to reveal a sight that was like a slap on the face.

  Joseph was there.

  The hurt on his face was unmistakable. He stared at us for a moment, then whipped around and stalked off.

  I gawked after him, too shocked to move at first. Then I leapt to my feet. "Joseph!" I ran to the edge of the jungle.

  Alas, he had disappeared.

  "Yosef, is it?" Khasekh said.

  I turned around.

  He was grinning, his arms folded in front of his chest.

  Then he laughed. It was not a laugh I had heard from him before. It was a laugh that slashed at me like a sword.

  "You think this was an accident, Asenath? It was not." He slowly headed toward me.

  My blood ran cold. "What do you mean? Khasekh, what are you saying?"

  He encircled me like a lion cornering its prey. "I planned it all out, Asenath. But even if your father hadn't told me, I would have found out sooner or later. After all, even a blind man can see how you feel about...the vizier."

  I stared at him in horror.

  He smiled, a smile so much like Lady Zalikha's. "I heard about everything. Your meetings, your gifts, even your rendezvous in Pharaoh's garden. And of course, last night, everyone saw you ogling him."

  His face darkened. He spat to the ground. "That cursed vizier. He took everything that was rightly mine."

  "What do you mean?" I asked in a small voice.

  "Using some sheepherder's hocus-pocus on Pharaoh. He took everything from me. So now, I take what he wants most."

  It became clear to me. My best friend was no longer there. He had died. The man before me had an ambition like a sandstorm. It would destroy
anything and anyone who got in its way.

  Khasekh grinned at me with the serpent's grin, then strode off.

  I did not know what to think. I did not know what to do. I did not know anything anymore.

  Except that my life was now over.

  I spent the remainder of the trip inside my tent, my only companions the memories of Joseph's pained face and Khasekh's malignant laughter.

  On the last night, Nafre came to my room. "My lady, a messenger of Pharaoh wishes to have a word with you."

  A choking dread came over me. I nearly declined. Alas, I knew I could not. "Send him in."

  I felt like I was pronouncing my own death sentence.

  The messenger came in and bowed. "My lady, your presence is requested at dinner tonight."

  "Thank you."

  I had no doubt everyone was going to turn on me for betraying our beloved vizier. For the first time in many years, I once again felt like a small girl cowering before Lady Zalikha.

  That night, I braced myself for the castigations that were soon to follow. I put on a face of stony dignity, a poor cover-up for my now ruined reputation, then approached the party.

  To my surprise, no one attacked me, let alone paid attention to me. Still, I felt the tension in the air, which hung thickly like a muggy summer's heat.

  I chose a spot far away from both Joseph and Khasekh. Joseph was talking with some nobles and did not seem to notice me. Khasekh, on the other hand, sat alone and glowered at me from across the circle. He looked like he wanted to murder me. It really would have been better if he had. There was nothing to live for anymore.

  I ate quickly and hurried back to my tent. But to my dismay, on the way back, I ran into Joseph. His face was cold and dark, like the twins' tomb. I gave him a quick bow before rushing off.

  Later as I lay brooding in the dark I realised the world had become deathly quiet. Driven by some strange impulse, I got up and drew back the tent flap. Everything was shrouded in a chilly blackness, save for a faint moonbeam drifting across the ground.

  I stepped outside and looked up at the stars. There seemed to be more here than in the city. Much more.

  For a while, I found comfort in their beauty. Then I remembered another night not long ago―one in Pharaoh's garden―and the reality struck me violently.