Sarai

by Lilya Myers

  “It’s really nothing, honest. I just feel so guilty about leaving you ladies flat like this. It’s work related. Goes with the territory,” she said with a weak smile. Then she added, with her most convincing and conspiratorial grin that revealed nothing about the stuff swirling in her head, “You know, shop till you drop – we were only getting warmed up! I promise, we will plan this again soon and I’ll make sure Dan’s in the country next time!”

  “If you all don’t mind, I’m going to pass on the show tonight and head over to the hotel. Dan’s on a red-eye and I’ll have to leave early to get through morning rush to pick him up.”

  Patti was the first to speak up in her lilting Texas drawl. “Honey, even I know that in New York City, morning rush is all day long.” You just go on ahead and do what you gotta do. We’ll miss you but not as much as we know your hubby’s been missing you – probably why he surprised you with the news that he’s coming back early.” They all nodded, some giving a knowing wink.

  Marie didn’t want to mention to her friends that his early arrival wasn’t the only surprise he had in store.

  CHAPTER 24

  NAHAB TREATED KAFELE better than he had ever been treated in his life. It was an odd relationship in some respects. It gave him a sense of belonging, a void that his own siblings never filled. Nahab was ten years older than Kafele. In that respect, he felt that Nahab was more like an older brother. He was about the same age as Omar. Yet, Nahab could easily take on the role of a father figure.

  Kafele’s hatred toward his father for the years of abuse was not easily destroyed. It was the one secret that shame kept him from sharing with anyone. That was until trust became the bond that secured his relationship with Nahab.

  The relationship had been tentative at first. Kafele found it nearly impossible to place his confidence in anyone. Nahab was patient. It would take a while to develop Kafele’s trust. He knew how and he was good at it. He had siblings of his own. Appeal to what has control of them by giving them something to control. In Kafele’s case, it was his own body. Nahab’s training taught him that the mind was at the center of being able to do that.

  Kafele quickly began to see the fruits of his mentor’s guidance in strengthening both his inner soul and his physical body. For the first time in his life, he was in control of his own being. He was finally able to begin purging the horrors and the depravity that held him captive. An anger deep inside began to rage. He learned to effectively flex what came from within just as he was able to do with the muscles he was developing on the outside. As he began divulging his most painful secrets to Nahab, Kafele also made him privy to the machinations of his family. He still lived on his father’s compound even though he had long since distanced himself from Aswad and his brothers.

  Nahab encouraged him to stay connected with Aswad and his two older brothers but on a different level.

  Kafele explained, “They don’t want to connect. When I was younger, they would command me to run errands and do things for them. If I refused, they said it would make Aswad furious,” Kafele had answered. “That’s when I tried to stay away from them as much as I could.”

  “We don’t always learn why people are the way they are by being around them. Sometimes we need to learn more about them in other ways to understand and get to know them,” Nahab answered.

  Kafele thought about it but didn’t respond. What Nahab was really suggesting was akin to spying. Kafele wasn’t stupid. He just needed a little nudging. Learning to communicate with someone else about feelings was uncomfortable. At the same time, it was like opening the doors to a prison cell.

  “Look at how far you’ve come, Kafele. It’s been good for you to unburden yourself to me. You know you can trust me. For you to continue to change your behavior and overcome the behaviors that enslaved you, knowing certain aspects of what makes your family who they are is what you must continue to do. It’s like using a sword against the dragon that keeps trying to attack you. When you’re afraid of something, your mind has formed an association between that thing and feelings of fear and danger.It may make you nervous to step outside of your comfort zone, but you need to. That’s ultimately the only way to truly get comfortable with the things that cause anxiety. And when you voice your thoughts, as you have done with me, you see how useful it has been for you.”

  Kafele nodded. “You’ve saved me from my misery.” He had become accustomed to letting his guard down with Nahab. Nahab had come to know intricate details about Aswad, Omar, and Saib through their conversations and merged it with what he already knew. Kafele’s father and brothers would be shaken if they not only knew some of the things Kafele knew about them but that he had spilled his guts to another person.

  Kafele got very good at hearing the private conversations of his brothers. He learned intimate details about their activities and the secrets they kept from each other and their father. He actually looked forward to gathering his own intelligence on their flaws and mistakes, then sharing it with Nahab. It gave him a feeling of power to have this surreptitious relationship behind the backs of the ones who he felt had betrayed him for so many years.

  Nahab and Kafele had talked about the scars from the abuse inflicted by Aswad still simmering beneath the surface of Kafele’s skin that no one else could see. “Would you feel better if he was dead?” Nahab asked.

  “I don’t know, really. I think I would. He brings suffering to everyone around him. Then there are times it gives me such pleasure to frighten him. He tries to pretend that he’s not afraid of me. That he can still control me. I know what fear looks like and I can see it in his eyes more and more as I get stronger. He thinks that maybe I will be the one to put him to a slow death. Or even Saib. I overheard him talking to someone one night when he had too much to drink. Saib hates Aswad with passion because he degrades him all the time. Father doesn’t do that to Omar. Around Omar he feels safe because he doesn’t know that Omar secretly hates him as well. He’s obedient with no emotion. There are a lot of people who would like to see Aswad dead but they’re cowards. Except for one. His name is Hashim.”

  “I’d like to hear about this man Hashim. But first, tell me. What about your brothers? What do you think their punishment should be for not protecting you from the crimes Aswad committed on you?”

  “I don’t know. I never thought about it that way. I was too ashamed to speak of it to anyone except you – I guess it’s possible my brothers didn’t know. If they did, maybe Aswad did things to them to make them afraid.”

  “Perhaps you will find out one day. Then you will know the answer to my question.”

  “You are so wise, Nahab.” Nahab said nothing.

  Kafele had heard many conversations that he put little significance to in the past. Unconsciously, he stored much of that information in his head. He never bothered to unravel the threads of information that he accidentally overheard on the compound. There were conversations whispered on the street, friends of Saib’s bragging about things they had done for him. It was all talk that meant nothing to him before because he lived in a world apart from them. He decided to get closer to their world as Nahab suggested.

  Kafele went on to tell Nahab everything he knew about the hatred his father had for Hashim. He told him about the order for the child to be killed. At some point, he realized that gathering information and piecing it together with details he already knew gave him an odd sense of power. Kafele started seeing that power as being able to transport him into the world that his father and brothers existed. He was enjoying it as much as a voyeur derives a warped satisfaction from watching naked people without their knowledge.

  “My father doesn’t believe that Hashim’s daughter is really dead. He wanted her dead because he knew it would hurt Hashim more than anything, just like when he had Hashim’s wife killed,” Kafele said.

  “And what do you think…do you think his daughter is dead?” Nahab asked.

  “It’s not what I think. It’s what I heard when no one knew that I wa
s around,” Kafele answered with a little bit of arrogance in his voice.

  “No one knew…such as whom?” Nahab asked casually.

  “Saib. About the men he hired. Hashim’s daughter was supposed to be on the plane but at the last minute, she wasn’t. They didn’t know where she was. That’s why the men had to destroy the plane and everyone in it or connected to it. No survivors, no proof that she wasn’t dead. Aswad always wants proof. The memorial was the only proof he was going to get. If Aswad ever knew the truth, somebody would be as good as dead.”

  “What happened to the child, then?” Nahab asked with increasing curiosity.

  “Hashim must have her hidden. I hope he does. It would be one less person whose life could be ruined by my father,” Kafele said.

  A thought came to Nahab. He knew a few people in government and at the American Consulate. He didn’t have the time but he had the money necessary to speed up some research. And he knew something that Aswad didn’t. It would have to be investigated very discreetly and quietly. The corrupt system in Egypt had worked for him in the past.

  CHAPTER 25

  IT HAD BEEN an impossible fifteen weeks. He was an impossible man even before the accident. Aswad was never a lover of animals. He was particularly not a lover of horses. The horse, apparently, felt the same way about him when it’s hoof came crashing down on his foot. It was one of those freak encounters that no one could ever imagine. But it happened, leaving Aswad with nearly every bone in his left foot broken.

  He allowed his doctor to do the very minimum without drugs or anything involving a knife. He had made so many enemies that treatment in Egypt was out of the question. He endured the pain over being sedated which would have rendered him vulnerable to attack. Arrangements were made to fly him to England for surgery. There he remained in England until he was well into the healing process. His mobility was still greatly compromised when he first returned to Egypt and some of that had to do with the cast he wore home. Some months had passed before he was up and around again.

  The favor he showed his foot now affected his back. He was only forty-three but he felt more like seventy-three. Still, anger fueled his determination. He had lost several months and everything seemed to have gone to hell in a handbasket. By convincing himself that the delays were in his favor offered little peace. After the accident, Aswad had too many things to worry about. He recognized that vengeance on Hashim now had to take a back seat to his other obsession, a military takeover. His sources told him that rumors of a coup had subsided, causing President Mubarak to become comfortable with his own safety. He mulled over those thoughts and came to the conclusion that maybe, things weren’t as bad as he imagined. He let out a contented sigh and got up to pour himself another drink.

  Even though he had lived all his life surrounded by the predominantly Muslim nation, he had neither the desire nor the interest to put Allah ahead of himself. However, he didn’t mind using Allah’s name when it was convenient. Aswad would even go so far as to give Allah credit for seeing things his way when they turned out in his favor. When they didn’t, there were plenty of scapegoats around to blame, including Allah.

  While all of Aswad’s sons had heard about his accident, he had not seen any of them in months. He talked to Omar and Saib only a handful of times. They were both scheduled to fly in from the U.S. later that week. It was Christmas break for the American universities. Aswad decided that he would wait a few days after Omar and Saib’s arrival before revealing his new strategy for taking down the existing government and replacing it with himself. He’d had a lot of time to think about it while he was recuperating in England.

  Once Aswad returned from England, Kafele made himself scarce. During his father’s absence, Kafele spent more time on the compound than he had in a long time. Aswad had become so conditioned to Kafele’s truancy that he hadn’t even considered whether or not that would change while he was away. It might have given cause for concern if he’d thought of it.

  It was one of those perfect December days in Egypt. Aswad had his lunch served to him on a small patio between the east and west wings of the main house. The sun was shining and it was a pleasant seventy-five degrees. A slight shadow cast over the patio shielding it from the intensity of the direct sun. He had one of the servants move a lounge chair into the shade where he could relax after lunch and a few bourbons. A warm breeze and cooling shade were the ideal combination for some uninterrupted rest. Besides, his foot was swelling and he was told him to elevate it as much as possible.

  He didn’t really need the pain pills anymore but a couple to help him relax and catch a little sleep sounded inviting. The servants had been ordered that he not be disturbed. Aswad downed the pills with the rest of his bourbon then settled onto the lounge and laid his head back. It was good to be home. It was time to get back to work but he had gotten so groggy. First, he needed a nap. As he let his mind drift, like sands being blown over the dunes on the Sahara, he fell into a deep sleep.

  There was a commotion in the distance and it seemed no more than a slight disturbance in his alcohol and pill-induced dream. When the disturbance exploded into a cacophony of voices over him, Aswad couldn’t seem to engage his brain immediately until his eyes fluttered open. His attempt to react unwisely was checked by a quartet of metallic chinks.

  Aswad wasn’t aware that Kafele had been on the property all day. While his father was away in England, Kafele had purchased a weight bench and some other equipment of his own. He liked having the compound to himself. Nahab would be out of the country and he wouldn’t have his workout partner anyway. This left him the time and freedom to work out when he wanted to and explore the property as he pleased. That included all those places considered off-limits. Aswad’s private office and wing of the main house, as well as his brothers’ villas were easily accessible when he didn’t have to worry about one of them showing up unexpectedly. He had come across quite a treasure-trove of secrets and information during his reconnaissance tours through everyone’s quarters.

  When he first heard voices yelling in the distance, Kafele assumed it was one of the servants chasing away beggars. There was one unmistakable voice that he couldn’t ignore although he couldn’t make out what was being said.

  Moving closer to a window that faced the courtyard, what he saw had a trance-like affect. The servants must have taken cover but he was sure they could hear and see everything he was seeing. Kafele’s phone rang just then, arousing him from the scene which had fully absorbed him. He pulled himself away from the window and picked up the phone on his desk.

  “Alo?”

  “Kafele, it’s Nahab.”

  “Are you back in Cairo?” he asked.

  “No,” Nahab said, “I will be returning this evening.”

  “I didn’t expect you to call until you got back”

  “Yes, I know. But I need you to do me a favor. The mother of my driver has died. He will be gone to Alexandria when my plane arrives. I need you to come. The keys to my Mercedes are inside the top drawer of the cabinet in the gym.” Nahab waited for Kafele to respond.

  Kafele was half listening to Nahab and half listening to the scene across the garden from his villa.

  “Is there something wrong?” Nahab asked. “I thought you would be overjoyed to have the chance to drive my car.” Nahab had gotten to know Kafele well. Kafele’s voice gave away his distraction and Nahab surmised what Kafele would tell him soon enough.

  “Yes… no…nothing is wrong. I mean –”

  What Nahab said had suddenly registered. He was still one year away from being able to legally drive in Egypt but he looked much older than he was. His hesitancy in responding had more to do with the scene outside.

  “It will be dark. I’m not concerned,” Nahab said. On many occasions, he’d taken the young man out to the farm to practice driving until he was proficient.

  “I’ll be happy to pick you up.”

  “Good.” Nahab smiled into the phone. As an afterthought, he added,
“I have samples of new items to sell. I think you will like them. You can tell me all about how you’ve spent your time at the compound by yourself. I will see you tonight, then.” He gave Kafele a few other instructions before ending the call.

  Kafele hung up the phone and returned to the window in time to see his father limping along and being flanked by men with semi-automatic rifles. All were headed toward the back entrance to the compound. The police had arrested him in the past but it never amounted to anything.

  Kafele went back to his workout, all the while thinking about getting to drive Nahab’s fancy German car. After showering, he quickly grabbed something to eat at one of the street vendors on his way to Nahab’s gym. There was no excuse for being late so he hadn’t asked the cooks to prepare any meals for the night. He wondered what they were thinking. They wouldn’t dare ask any questions about what had happened that day. And, they probably didn’t need to anyway. Surely, every bit of the heated exchange between Aswad and the visitors could be heard from their hiding place.

  ***

  Nahab had given Kafele a key to the gym so he could use it whenever Nahab was out of town. He opened the door and went directly to where Nahab had instructed him. The keys to the Mercedes and the garage were on the same ring. In this part of the marketplace, there were several low buildings consisting of eight or ten floors. Both sides of the buildings were separated by alleyways so that people could shop on either side. In addition to the foot traffic, cars and carts pulled by donkeys squeezed through the narrow alleys.

  The upper floors of the buildings contained apartments. On the street level, shops of various sizes rimmed the building. At night, the shopkeepers would roll down their doors and padlock them. Most often, these spaces were owned by a family and passed down for several generations.