The Wedding Ring Page 4

  Aisha walks away, saddened by the fact that a man loves him as much as Satur but the fact remains that she still harbors feelings for Ebo. She knows that marrying Satur will finally give her the chance to have a real marriage. She knows that Satur has been the man whom he is because of her. Satur’s father already talked a few times to Glenda , asking for her hand. But Glenda always insisted that it should be Aisha’s decision and not hers.

  Satur watches Aisha as she reaches the far corner of the farm to continue picking olives. He never considers every turn down a losing moment. He always considers them as opportunities to show Aisha how sincere he really is. He smiles as he turns and walks away.

  Aisha glances at Satur as he gets into his car an drives away. He likes Satur’s determination and resilience. How she wishes that she could just throw away her feelings just as Ebo easily does.

  After a few hours, Aisha tells her mother that she will be making dinner that night, so she needs to leave early. Glenda waves at her daughter and tells her that she will see her in a few hours. When Aisha arrives at her mother’s front door, there was a parcel man patiently waiting for her.

  “Miss Fisse, there’s a package for you,” the parcel man starts as he turns to his crew. “All right, bring it in!”

  Aisha tries her best not to let her mouth drop as she sees a huge truck back up to the front door of her mother’s house. A small crowd gathers as they curiously wait for the package to come out.

  “The sender would just like to help with your laundry,” the parcel man said softly. “He discreetly told me to tell you that this should not be opened outside your home.”

  Aisha knows that this package is from Satur Pakhomios. There can never be any man sensitive enough to know that she has been slaving over large bed sheets, blankets, and curtains for a week already. She was so busy with work that she totally forgot to have the laundry washed as regularly as she did before. Aisha doesn’t let Glenda wash large pieces of laundry anymore. Satur has always known Aisha to hand wash everything in their house. He studied the situation carefully before he made the effort of sending over the industrial size washing machines.

  The packages almost occupy half of the laundry area but just enough space is left to move about. Satur made sure that the washing machines fit just right. Aisha is amazed at his efforts. He really wants her to be comfortable in every way. These gestures are a big deal to Aisha because she knows that when someone takes care of you without asking anything in return, the love is genuine. With Ebo, it took months before it finally stuck to him that Aisha wanted a commitment from him. Every tryst they had back then always required sleeping together.

  Although the washing machines may just be nothing to Satur, it was more than having more comfort for Aisha. The sensitivity that she needs is in him. But she doesn’t want to enter into a relationship with Satur while she is still having a bit of confusion over Ebo.

  Aisha heaves a frustrating sigh as she tries her best to study the manuals. A few minutes later, she decides to start dinner. Glenda arrives after a couple of hours and nearly screamed at the two enormous washing machines in their laundry area. Aisha explains everything over dinner.

  Whenever Glenda hears of what Satur gives Aisha, she just smiles and talks about the object or the deed. She never tells Aisha that she should make haste with her decision in accepting Satur’s offer of marriage. She knows that Aisha is a smart woman. Aisha will make the decision in the right time.

  Before turning in that night, Aisha thinks of what she and Kyra could do to be the first ones to get to the artifact. She knows that Ebo is getting ahead of her in acquiring information. She has to do something about delaying Ebo. Aisha and Kyra were a team every time Kyra’s in Egypt. But she should make a larger effort on this one because she doesn’t want Ebo to take away the artifact from their hands. Ebo makes it personal. Aisha is trying hard not to anymore.

  From Aisha’s view of things, the woman always has a hard time getting over relationships that unexpectedly end, especially when she knows that she did everything she could to make it all work. Aisha did her part. She was selfless, cooperative, loyal, and true to the relationship and to Ebo. But somehow, men always make it a point to add in the element of pain into everything they set to do. Aisha wants to forgive and forget. It was like a sacrilegious act for a person to eliminate the forgiveness in his or her life, no matter what the case may be.

  But truly, how can one forgive if one cannot forget?

  Aisha is just about to close her eyes when her cell phone beeped an SMS message.

  I am so happy that you accepted my gift. I hope you don’t mind my meddling into your domestic life right now. If there is anything else that you would want me to do, just tell me and I will walk through fire for you, Aisha. You know that.

  Aisha reads Satur’s message repeatedly. She sends a message back.

  Thank you, Satur. In time, you will know my decision.

  She knows her decision, but until she is ready to free herself from Ebo, Satur’s patience would have to be extended a bit more.

  Chapter Five: The Mission

  Kyra hums to the 52nd track from the collection of 100 songs that she downloaded the other night. The 48-hour flight from New York to Cairo seems to last for weeks. She only slept for a couple of hours since she left New York. Excitement fills her too much for her to relax. Kyra keeps on anticipating the dig site. She just can’t wait until she actually sets foot in it and finds that special ring.

  The stewardess arrived with her dinner of beef tenderloin served with creamy mashed potatoes, gravy, coleslaw, and buttered peas. Her dessert is a goblet of layered cream and brownies, topped with strawberries, cherries, and blueberries, all covered with chocolate brandy. It’s a heavenly meal. She never had the dessert before, but she always ordered the same dinner every time she travels through that airline. Kyra believes quite enough in the supernatural. To her, reality only exists because of things that man perceives as unreal. She believes that the meal brings her luck every time she has it on board that plane. It probably works because of all the success she’s had so far.

  As Kyra chews on the last bite of her steak, she looks through her window and wonders if life on the other side really exists. Could it also be true that there are certain elements that make man’s life possible? For years, her work in the museum has taken over. She meets people but only within her circles. Each time she acquires an artifact, she knows that it has a story to tell. Those stories are what make her even more engrossed in her work. Kyra believes that there’s a reason for these artifacts. For some souls, an item they value is the next life. Others believe that these charms that they have help them get through each day. The faith that people have in the artifacts she collects is all she needs to be convinced that these items work. This is what keeps Kyra going. The simple, child-like faith that people have in the artifacts and in her.

  Kyra wonders if the ring she’s about to acquire really works. The past items she went through hell for were effective during their times but presently, there are mere items to behold and possess. She truly wishes that the ring would still work in this day and age. If every couple is to be given a chance to have a happy relationship by a simple reset, then there will be no vengeful ex-husbands or ex-wives. Everyone could have a chance at a real intimate relationship.

  The plane lands in Cairo, where Aisha waits in anticipation for her friend. It has been so long! The last time Aisha and Kyra got together was more than a year ago. There were no special items back then to devote a mission to. The airport was crowded that day. Aisha has a hard time spotting Kyra. But then, she remembers the fuchsia and gold bag that Kyra planned to use. In just seconds, Aisha sees Kyra and waves at her. The two hug and start talking about the flight. Kyra complains about the snoring rich, fat guy that sat behind her in first class. She had her headset on but the snoring just kept on piercing through most of the songs.

  Kyra decides to treat Aisha for lunch after she settles in her executive hotel
suite, which was reserved for her by Gwendolyn’s secretary for two months just in case Kyra wanted to spend her downtime in Egypt after the mission. When the white limousine’s chauffeur stopped in front of Majesty Hotel, Kyra’s eyes grew big. She tried hard to contain her excitement, but the little girl in her is in awe of the intricately structured hotel close to the dig site. It’s the only eight-star hotel in all of Egypt and probably in the entire world. The main doorway is completely covered in gold and platinum carvings and rubies. The lobby windows are adorned with the same gold and platinum art with crystals this time. All furniture was exclusively made for the hotel, imported from the deepest Amazon forest. Celion wood was all the wood used for every table, chair, sofa, barstool, lounge chair, spa beds, and every imaginable furniture you could imagine. Huge mirrors filled every corridor and room. The owner wanted his guests to see their transformation from the moment they enter the hotel up to the time they leave.

  Majesty Hotel was all that Kyra thought of when the plane was about to land. And now that she’s in it, her breath was just taken away. Almost as soon as Aisha and Kyra enter the hotel, five attendants in white approach them, one carries a refreshment tray, three takes care of Kyra’s luggage, and one starts the tour. The guide leads them all to an elevator that’s exclusive for Kyra’s party. The guide says that the key to the suite is the same key used for her use of the elevator. When they arrive at the suite’s floor, there isn’t any other hotel door in sight. An entire wing is only for Kyra. Before they enter the suite, spa people greet them. A personal spa service is available for Kyra everyday upon her request.

  The suite is like an entire house, equipped with a personal kitchen and private chef and souse chefs. There’s also a butler waiting by the side of the kitchen counter, holding a tray of finger food. Aisha smiles at Kyra.

  “I have never seen such extravagance in my entire life, Kyra,” Aisha says as she gets one grape from the fruit tray and pops it into her mouth. “This must be a very special job.”

  “I’m surprised at all this, too, Aisha,” Kyra says as she continues to fill her eyes with the amazing details of her suite. Her gaze stops at the one table that she’s determined to get the most out of—the dessert table. Kyra is a chocolate lover, and Gwendolyn made sure that she gets her chocolate desires. Most of the chocolates there were imported from the countries Kyra has been to under Gwendolyn’s care. There’s even a portable chocolate-making machine so that she can make her own chocolates with the ingredients that she wants. “I never thought Gwen would go this far.”

  Gwendolyn simply wants to make sure that Kyra is comfortable and happy during the mission. Kyra opens Gwen’s information folder and on the very last page, two checks are signed. One has an amount of 100,000 USD for every expense that Kyra needs and a blank check for any additional needs that might come up. Kyra realizes that Gwendolyn wants this to be a vacation and a mission at the same time. At the back of the folder is a note written in Gwendolyn’s handwriting:

  “Be happy…”

  Kyra wipes away the tears welling up at the corner of her eyes and turns to Aisha.

  “Are you hungry?” Kyra says with a smile.

  “As a matter fact, yes,” Aisha replies.

  Kyra approaches her spa team and tells them to give the two of them a full treatment as the private chef works on their five-course lunch. The chef was already instructed as to what food to prepare for Kyra. Her favorites were Thai, Japanese, Italian, and American. The chef goes to work as both Kyra and Aisha change into their white robes. Then both sit on the spa’s therapy chair that delivers soft vibrations throughout the entire body as the spa team works on their hair, hands, and feet. A couple of spa masseuses wait at the sides. Kyra closes her eyes and enjoys the pampering. Aisha turns on the fifty-inch LED and asks the Butler to have the latest movie on.

  It’s a good way to start the mission.

  Kyra knows that the moment she’s on the site, it’s all going to be sun, sand, and sweat. She can’t help but think of what Ebo might be doing at that same time. She just hopes that whatever Ebo’s up to, doesn’t mess up her mission. This is clearly very important to Gwendolyn. She just has to have the ring.

  “Welcome to Egypt, Dr. Geoffreys,” Ebo says as he puts down the sign bearing Ramil’s full name. “I am Ebo Mubarak—your official asset and guide in this expedition.”

  “No need for formalities, Ebo,” Ramil says. “My team knows who you are.”

  “Oh, in that case, what took you so long, Ramil?” Ebo says as he takes Ramil’s travel bag, “You’re supposed to be here two days ago!”

  “I apologize, Ebo, but Miss McDowell was asked by her generous grandfather to take care of something in Spain first before we headed here,” Ramil says in a level-headed manner, trying to tone down Ebo’s upset mood. Ebo immediately gets the message and changes demeanors.

  “Well, why didn’t you say so?” Ebo retorts. “Welcome to Egypt, Miss McDowell.”

  “Thank you, Ebo,” Lyla says as she takes off her sunglasses and smiles as Ebo. That’s also the first time Gerry sees Lyla’s bare face. She only has face powder and light lipstick on. Her eyes are hazel, and her teeth are perfect. Definitely, no man could ever resist this woman. If the rest of them knew that Ramil was the only one that stood his ground, they would give him a whole new brand of respect.

  Gerry and Ebo are in awe of Lyla’s beauty. Cynthia and Nomia roll their eyes and join the rest of the team in the black Lincolns that were waiting for them. There’s a total of five huge dark vehicles making their way to the McDowell estate near Heliopolis.

  “My grandmother wanted to have a house in Egypt,” Lyla starts. “She said that she wanted to live among the gods, so grandfather didn’t waste time and immediately bought this land. To your right is the way to the two-storey greenhouse and pool area. Over there is the way to the olive plantation.”

  As Lyla continues to tell the team about the different parts of the estate, the magnificent mansion reveals itself in front of them. It’s a pure white mansion with gold highlights. In front of the main doorway is a battalion of servants at both sides of the red carpet that was laid for the guests to walk on. When everyone gets out of their rovers, Lyla leads them inside the mansion. Rose petals are showered over the carpet for the guests to walk on. Every servant smiles and bows at Lyla who returns the greetings warmly by bowing and smiling as well. The governess of the mansion greets Lyla and assigns one personal servant for each guest. Lyla sees the awkward look on Ramil’s face and approaches him.

  “No need to freak out, Doctor,” Lyla says. “Grandfather arranged all this for us. We can’t say no.”

  “I can see that, Miss McDowell,” Ramil says. “But isn’t all this unnecessary?”

  “Grandfather doesn’t think so,” Lyla replies. “He believes that you are what your guests see you in your absence. So, this is who grandfather is when he’s not there to take care of his guests personally. He extends much longer arms to make them comfortable.”

  “I suppose so,” Ramil says. “All right, team! Rest. We regroup in six hours.”

  Gerry glances at Lyla, who shyly turns away. Gerry smiles to himself. The slight eye contact is what he wants, and he had it. He feels that it’s much easier to approach Lyla next time, when he has the chance. He heads to his room with his male servant. He has the most luggage in the entire team, and he needs time to unpack. Nomia and Cynthia decide to approach Lyla and ask her if the three of them could take a tour around the estate. Lyla smiles and quickly tells the governess to make arrangements for three. They ask Ramil if he wants to join them, but he says he has preparations to make. The three young women and the governess leave him with Ebo, who’s lingering at the refreshment table, talking to one of the lady servants.

  “Is the site ready?” Ramil asks.

  “Yes,”Ebo replies in between bites of his sandwich. “But I think Aisha has a client after that site, as well.”

  “Why?”

  “No idea, man,”
/>
  “Our goal is to excavate and find anything of import, acquire it and deliver to the client,” Ramil says. “If the other party has no illegal purpose, then I suppose we could share the site.”

  “Very well,” Ebo says as he waves goodbye to the female servant. “I have to go.”

  “You mean you won’t stay here?” Ramil asks.

  “I can’t stay here. I get scared of houses that take days for you to find the bathroom,” Ebo whispers before he walks out. He asks one rover to take him to Heliopolis.

  Ramil watches his friend roll out. He smiles at the fact that Ebo and Aisha still meet from time to time. He wonders how Ebo could have let go of such a priceless beauty. Indeed, not all men are like him. Ramil is still to find his diamond. He isn’t in a hurry to do so because he believes that there is a person meant for each one. Ramil believes that his heart will know who that woman is.

  Ramil’s private servant asks him if he wants to rest in his room. He nods and immediately, the servant carries one of the smaller bags and instructs three others to carry the rest. Ramil tells them to be careful because of the equipment he brought along. He plans to start the dig site set up the next day but with all the hype about the estate, he decides to go there when his team shakes their excitement off.