800 Years
When she opened her eyes darkness clung to her
It was thick and black
Nothing could penetrate it, nothing for her eyes to focus on
Not even a sound
Her naked body lay on the damp, dirt floor.
She could smell the earth. She knew she was still alive
That was all she had, all she knew
Panic rose in her like a tempest
She couldn't leave for where would she go?
The darkness left no clues. So she closed her eyes
Took some comfort in her internal darkness,
And lay waiting for something, anything
And it came close beside her but she felt no warmth
And she felt no fear
Slowly she raised her eyelids like curtains on a stage
And there he was, lying beside her
Illuminated from within, ghostly
His face was gentle, she basked in him
Where am I? She spoke a dialect she didn't know
In the safety of everything I have left.
She shivered. I'm cold.
He fluttered his cloak and it came down upon her
Protecting her, warming her
What do I call you? He was a princely
You know. You've always known.
He touched her face.
How can this be? She could feel him.
I've waited for you for centuries.
With a trembling hand she touched him
His skin, not glowing now, more human
Sayyidi. She breathed
His eyes flashed, deep blackness
Eyes closed, she inhaled the scent of him
The touch of his hand on her body
Aroused her.
Do you love him? His voice filled with pain
She could never lie. Yes.
Do you love me?
Yes, Sayiddi. Always. His lips caressed hers.
She felt his body was warm now. You're alive?
You give me life.
What does he call you? A kiss drew her breath.
Sabaa. I am Sabaa.
I shall not call you that.
The mingling of their bodies happened like a habit
Each part knew where to rest against the other
Their lips sealed in passion. How could this be real?
She knew but she didn't understand. But she did.
Come back, Sayyidi. Our people need you now more than ever.
A desperate need to tell him everything
The Arabs need each other. They will find a way.
Tears spilled down her cheeks like a torrent.
He tasted their saltiness with his tongue.
Their sweetness filled his unbeating heart.
Stay with me. His loneliness echoed 800 years.
I will die here or surely I would.
His body covered hers. A primal urge exploded in her.
She didn't feel like herself.
Who am I?
He entered her. You are everything that I love.
He surged in her now with an unearthly power.
She rose to challenge him.
Guttural sounds collided with the walls of the midnight chamber.
Then she saw it, she was there.
The tent, the shining armour. Smelled the rosewater.
She knew then who she was. Who she had always been.
Their bodies arched and writhed as one.
At the peak, she could see everything, everywhere
A long slow moan spilled from her, from deep inside
She collapsed into darkness.
Consciousness jostled her.
The marble floor pressed against her.
The sun shone.
Filled the quiet, empty spaces of the grand tomb.
She looked at her body, dressed as she was when she arrived
NO! She wouldn't believe it didn't happen
She ran her fingers softly along the top of the cloth-draped crypt
And rested her head near where his head would be
Please don't leave me here. The whisper was low and pleading.
But there was nothing but stone and glass.
No answer, no warmth.
Her heart was wretched. She wept.
For hours or so it seemed. No one wiped away the tears.
She looked to the door. The life filled streets.
They beckoned her to return.
How could she leave? But she had to.
For it seemed nothing was here.
A foot on the threshold, she turned to look one last time
She heard it, low and soft, ethereal
It rose to the height of the tomb
And filled her head
Rana.