Chapter 97

Palestine. two and a half months before.

The day was sunny and there was no trace of wind. The heat was unbearable. Samanta and Amir arrived at the Beersheva private airport at 11am. They were picked up by a designated driver o n  a white Toyota FJ Land Cruiser All-Terrain that took them t o Deir al Balah, where they were welcomed by two other researchers, designated by the Research Department of Al-Azhar University, according t o what Ms. Tahirah said before they left El Cairo.

After almost three hours and a very bumpy road, they reached their destination.

A tall bodily man was expecting them at the entrance of what seemed t o b e a residency.

“Mr. and Mrs. Mobarek” the man smiled and extended his hand out t o the couple.

Sam correspondió el gesto amablemente.

“You must be…”

“Doctor Kaibah Alec, former colonel of the Israeli Army. Currently head of the Department of Research i n  Al-Azhar University” The gentleman interrupted Amir.

“We've been expecting you” a woman's voice made the turn. She was a beautiful woman, not even 40 years old, with a sublime face and large green eyes. Her jet-black hair made her golden skin glow. A huge smile o n  her face, a s she welcomed the Mobareks. “Mrs. Adhara Romij-Alec, coordinator of the Arts Department and wife of this fine gentleman” she made a funny gesture with her hand, pointing at Dr. Kaibah. “I've heard s o many good things about you two. Welcome!”

The place was a nice family home, separated i n  condos. They had one condo set up for the Mobareks. The place was decorated i n  the purest Moroccan style, with beautiful red carpets, furniture with  striped upholstery and asian motives. A huge King size bed with terracotta covers and luxurious lamps all over the room. A beautiful place.

“Would you like t o dive into the adventure already? Or would you like t o take a break?” Asked Dr. Kaibah a s h e put the last of the just arrived bags o n  the floor.

“A break? What i s  that?” Answered Amir, smiling. h e turned t o Sam. “Love? Would you like t o rest?” Samanta seemed absent. “Honey?” Her husband insisted.

Sam shook her head.

“Sorry, there's a lot i n  my mind right now. You were saying?” She apologized.

“I was asking  whether you want t o rest or would you rather head t o the excavation already?” Asked Amir.

“Oh God! Of course we should go t o the excavation right away. I just need t o call...”

“By Allah! We've only been away from the girl for a couple hours. Charlie must have already dropped her off at school” her husband interrupted her, anticipating her wife's concerns.

“What if she forgets the girl's allergic t o peanuts?” Anxiety took over Mrs. Mobarek.

“ Relax. They will b e fine” Amir wrapped his arms around her and gave her a sweet kiss.

Dr. Alec cleared his throat, making them separate. They had forgotten they were not alone.

“We'll leave you t o it. You may come down when you're ready and we'll go” the beautiful woman's voice said with a certain amusement from the romantic scene they had just witnessed.

Amir and Samanta let out a subtle laugh.

“We'll b e down i n  a couple minutes” said Amir.

Kaibah and Adhara left the room.

Sam took her phone and called Charlie, she waited for her t o pick up.

Amir watched her i n  silence, h e knew his wife was worried about their daughter and h e understood, it was the first time they were away from Aháva.

“I'll b e waiting for you downstairs” h e said. h e went t o her and kissed her forehead, and left the room.

“Samanta! How was your trip?” The voice o n  the other end of the line recovered her peace.

“Charlie! Fine! How's the girl?” She bluntly asked.

“Fine. I just dropped her off at school. Why?”

“No. Nothing. Don't mind me. I was just wondering” a brief pause. “Remember she's all…”

“Allergic t o peanuts” finished Charlotte “I know. You told me a thousand times before you left. It's alright, Sam, we'll b e fine. Don't worry. Enjoy your time away with your husband.”

“Charlie. I need t o tell you something.”

Samanta couldn't bear the remorse anymore. She needed t o tell somebody.

She went t o the door t o make sure no one was listening.

The voices of Dr. Kaiba, Mrs. Adhara and Amir, were coming from downstairs. Sam closed the door and got back t o her friend o n  the phone.

“I kissed Dominik.”

“What?”

“I mean, h e kissed me. I didn't tell you because…”

“Wait a second Samanta Mobarek. Are you telling me all this hatred you claimed t o harbor for Dominik went t o shit and all of a sudden you guys were making out? You, a married woman?”

“No. It was nothing like that. And we didn't make out.”

“Oh, no? You were just playing tonsil hockey?” Her remark made Samanta laugh out loud. “Are you laughing? Samanta! This i s  serious.”

“Sorry, Charlie. You say the craziest things…”

“What i s  the matter with you? You can't just go around kissing another man. You're married! t o a wonderful man, I must add.”

“Charlie, please listen t o me. I didn't plan it, neither did I procure it. It just happened. I…”

“When was that?” Asked Charlie.

“They day they took the paternity test.”

“Oh my God! And Aháva saw you!? You're a terrible…”

“Stop! I didn't call for your judgment. I'm telling you because I needed t o let it out. I was going insane. Cut me some slack, would you? Just listen t o me! b e my friend for just a minute. Don't act like my sister Teresa” Samanta snapped.

There was a brief silence.

“Alright. Sorry. I'm listening” she replied amicably.

“I haven't managed t o get him out of my head, and stop thinking about that kiss. It just keeps going around i n  my mind all day, and it tortures me. I feel s o guilty and mean. I don't know what i s  going o n  with me” Sam's voice quivered. “I love Amir, but, Dom…”

“You're not over him” completed her friend.

Silence again.

“I think I loved him all along” confessed Samanta, after a few seconds.

“Impossible. You can't love two men at once and you know it.”

“I know. I don't know what's wrong with me” Sam's voice had despair i n  it.

“Girl, take your time. Clear your doubts, enjoy these days with Amir. Reignite the passion with him. Take it a s a second honeymoon. Also, remember Dominik i s  married, too. Both of you are, you moved o n  with your lives.”

Sam hung up, decided t o leave those stupid thoughts behind. She took a deep breath, gathered all her courage t o go downstairs and join her husband and colleagues. a s of then, she would only b e Samanta, Mrs. Mobarek.

All four researchers headed for the adventure.

Samanta was elated. It had been a while since she felt s o excited about doing what she loved. It was a huge opportunity for her career. The loved writing about it, but actually doing it and being o n  site was different, it made her feel alive and helped her get away from s o many nasty memories.

Spending time with her husband, doing what she loved restored the peace i n  her mind.

They explored a few areas of the city, places with lots of stories and mystery. Something Sam loved was facing the unknown, thinking of going into history a s one of the archeologists i n  charge of broadcasting a finding of this proportion made her heart race.

The excavation was surrounded by heavy machinery and dozens of men working t o remove the large amounts of sand that buried the entrance t o a building that seemed t o date back t o the III century.

They went into the unstable depths of all that sand and rocks.

Big walls with symbols and gold carvings adorned the entrance. Samanta looked and, judging by her knowledge, it seemed t o b e a n edification of the Asuri dynasty, a n ancient civilization that adored the goddess Saribak, which, translated t o other cultures would b e the female version of Satan. Given the nature of the ruin, it's discovery started a series of rumors blaming it for the recent attacks o n  the area, and that that was the reason why Palestinian territory was o n  the brink of war with the United States. i n  other words, the goddess was upset for having been disturbed.

Samanta laughed i n  her mind about what she thought was a silly superstition, she took her notebook and wrote everything down, detailing with drawings of what she was seeing. Amir, o n  his side, took pictures of everything that surrounded him. He, too, was excited, it was his first job o n  site, ever since h e graduated, h e had worked i n  his father's business, far from what h e loved. Being here with the woman h e loved was a dream come true.

Four days went by and Amir, Sam, Kaibah and Adhara spent their time i n  the sand, under the sun, surrounded by mysteries. They were having a lot of fun, the excavation was going according t o plan.

Samanta called Charlie every night, asking about her daughter.

In time, Samanta developed a bond with Dr. Alec. h e was one of the best i n  their field and h e ran all of the information regarding the excavation. For decades, h e had been investigating the cult t o Saribak and h e made amazing discoveries every day.

On the other hand, Mrs. Adhara, the beautiful, young wife of Dr. Alec, seemed very pleased with Amir, which made Sam feel the small thorn of jealousy, digging into her heart,  more than once. Amir, however, had no eyes for anybody else, other than his beautiful wife and h e let her know every night they spent between kisses, caresses and passion. They hadn't had time t o themselves i n  a very long time, Sam didn't like the idea of Aháva hearing them or walking i n  o n  their intimacy.

During dinner, Dr. Kaibah and Mrs. Adhara told the young couple about their experience and anecdotes i n  the different projects they had worked on. Samanta and Amir would listen i n  admiration. Samanta seemed like a little girl listening t o a fairytale. She was fascinated, she even managed t o develop a good friendship with Adhara, a woman whom, albeit her tough and strict outside, was humble and sweet. Dr. Kaibah, o n  his side was always smiling and very athletic, h e loved his job, it was the second thing h e loved most i n  his life, right after his wife, of course.

Two days before the Mobareks headed back home t o El Cairo, Adhara and Kaibah set up a farewell party for their two new friends i n  a popular karaoke bar.

Well into the night, after the drinks made effect. Amir decided t o sing a song. Athada El Aalam by Saber El Robaii t o b e specific. It was the couple's song. h e dedicated it t o his wife o n  their wedding, which made her wife tear up, remembering all the beautiful things she had lived with this wonderful man she loved s o dearly. She had made up her mind.

She loved her husband.

Dominik was part of the past and there h e would stay.

That night, they all sang and danced and had a good time, forgetting their exhaustion and rejoicing i n  the completion of their work.

The day came, and they had t o go home. Samanta and Amir's flight would depart i n  the afternoon a s they awaited their departure, the Alecs offered t o take the Mobareks o n  a trip out i n  the beautiful city of Palestine, shopping for the right souvenir for Charlie, Aháva and a few of the mansion staff members.

They walked along some streets and then separated.

Kaibah and Amir headed into a n arts and crafts store where Amir bought a beautiful Moroccan doll for his daughter and a bottle of the traditional regional liquor for Charlie. Meanwhile, Sam was window shopping o n  the street with Adhara. They both were s o excited between all those fabrics with s o many colors and textures. Pashmina of every color made Sam delirious, unable t o set her mind for one of them.

“This one must look beautiful o n  you” Adhara held a n olive green Pashmina with golden threads close t o Sam's face. “It contrasts your eyes.”

“Wow! It's s o pretty” Samanta nodded while putting it on. She loved it.

“See? It looks really…”

Adhara could not finish her phrase, a huge boom interrupted her.

Samanta felt like her head would explode and her ears were buzzing.

In a matter of seconds, chaos took over the place.

Shrieking screams came from every direction.

Dust. Smoke. Fire.

“SAM!” She heard Adhara's muffled voice. “Where are you?”

The place was covered i n  a thick cloud of dust and smoke.

“Over here” replied Samanta, stretching her arms out blindly trying t o find her friend. “What was that?”

A man said a few rods i n  Arabic, but Samanta couldn't hear him. She could only notice his urge t o find shelter.

“By Allah! This cannot be.”

“What? What i s  it?” Sam was scared.

“We're under attack. We're being bombed” said Adhara.

Panic took over Samanta.

“Amir” she mumbled.

She got up immediately, she was still numb and dizzy from the explosion. She needed t o get out of there, out of the confusion and disaster.

Once out of the store, she could discern the debris scattered along the street and people running i n  all direction with their faces covered i n  blood. Some people, lying o n  the street, immobile and Samanta feared the worst. She looked around, hoping t o find her husband amidst the terrifying chaos.

“Samanta!” A scream called her attention and she turned t o find Amir. His leg had been trapped by a large chunk of concrete. Her hear was racing and she headed, any way she could, towards her husband.

“Sam. b e careful.”

Adhara was running toward them. She, too was desperate. There was no sign of Kaiba.

“Here. Hold this.”

Samanta took off the heavy back she was carrying o n  her back and gave it t o Adhara. She had t o lose anything that slowed her down. She had t o rush t o Amir and help him. She jumped between the burning debris that covered the street, zigzagged between the flames and running through the smoke that covered everything. She was determined t o get Amir out of there.

“No, Sam. Go” her husband yelled. “No! Go!”

“I'm not leaving you. I am not leaving without you” she screamed with tears rolling from her eyes.

A loud explosion happened right i n  front of her, throwing her back a few yards. She fell o n  a pile of rocks and her ears buzzed even more intensely. Excruciating pain i n  her back caused her t o scream and her vision was fogged. Any way she could, she put her head up, looking for her husband. There was fire and ashes, everywhere. She looked around looking for signs of life, but she could only find the body of her friend.

Samanta fell unconscious.