Chapter 4: A Life of Great Potential

(Aisha)

"Okay, guys wrap it up!" I called over the kids' chatter. "You're parents are here! I'll see you all Monday! The art show isnext week! Remember to bring your parents!"

I was teaching an after-school art class for the kids at P.S. 140and was setting up an art show a week later so the kids could show their parents their artwork. When the kids left I packed my things to leave, when I saw seven-year-old Clara Danes sitting by herself.

"Clara," I said. "What are you still doing here?"

"My mommy hasn't come yet," she answered.

I felt bad for Clara. She was always the last girl to leave. But, she was also a very cool kid. She was very mature for her age and a very talented artist. While we waited for her parents, we would play games, work on her projects some more, and sometimes just talk. She was one of my favorite students.

"I'm sure she'll be here," I said, sitting down next to her.

"I guess," Clara said, shrugging.

"You know your project is coming along great," I said.

Clara's ears finally perked up. "Really?" she asked.

"Yeah," I said. "One of the best in the class."

"Thanks!" Clara said, breaking into a huge smile.

"You should bring your mommy to the art show next week," I said.

"Oh," Clara said, her eyes clouding. "I don't think she'll want to come."

"Why not?"

"Because she's always busy. She won't find the time."

"I'm sure she will."

At that point her mother breezed looking frazzled.

"I'm late, aren't I?" she asked.

"Just a little," I answered.

"Oh, my God," Mrs. Danes said, running over and hugging Clara. "I'm so sorry, sweetie. Let's go home."

Clara nodded as they headed towards the door.

"Wait," I said.

They turned around to look at me.

"Your daughter is very talented," I said. "In fact, I'm displaying all the kids' artwork in an art show here next week if you want to come see it."

"That's great," Mrs. Danes said. "I'll see if Jerry and I can make it."

With that, she took Clara by the hand and walked out of the room. I shook my head disgustedly. Mrs. Danes was nice and all, but she didn't seem to find the time to take care of her daughter. It made me sick.

As I walked out of the building Roderick entered my thoughts. Again. He'd been in my head all day. What I couldn't figure out was why I kept thinking about him. I didn't like him at all. He was rude and conceited. But, I kept trying to figure out where I had seen him before.

You probably passed him on the subway, I thought, buying a paper at the newsstand. I shook my head and headed home.

Hours later, while eating dinner and reading my paper, a very interesting story caught my eye. The Egyptian wing to the Metropolitan museum was being expanded with new artifacts and it was opening tomorrow. I loved anything Egyptian. Mythology, heritage, artwork, it all fascinated me. I was definitely going.

A few hours later, I realized that I hadn't thought about Roderick in three hours. I guess I'm too excited about the museum, I thought before going to bed. But, where have I seen him before?

(Roderick)

I was still at my desk at eleven o'clock at night. I was barely able to keep my eyes open. I should be home watching TV or sleeping or something, I thought. Luckily, I was finished with my work and all I had to do was drop some papers off at Mrs. Branch's, my boss's, office and then I could go home.

"Roderick," Mrs. Branch said, looking up from her work. "I was just about to leave. I had no idea you were still here."

"You told me I couldn't go home until I got the papers done," I replied. "They're done. So, now can I go home? It's one o'clock in the morning."

"Actually," Mrs. Branch said, putting some keys in my hand. "You're the last one here, so I need you to lock up."

"You're the last one here, too," I protested.

"Yes," she said. "But, I have a husband and kids to go home to. As far as I know, you don't have any kids and you don't evenhave a girlfriend. Did any of that change in the past seven days?"

I didn't answer. She was right. God, I hated it when she was right. Plus, when she said things like that she made me feel like a loser. Why did she have to hit me where it hurt?

"I thought so," she said, walking out of the office. "I'll see you on Monday."

Bite me, bitch, I thought as she left me all alone in the office. It was like she loved torturing me. And the weirdest thing was she was married. How can anyone marry a woman like that? I thought. Who would want her?

As I went home my mind wandered to Aisha. I don't know why. She hated me and she wasn't exactly my favorite person. But, I still thought she looked familiar. I knew her from somewhere. Where had I seen her before?

Get a grip, I thought, as I walked through the door. You're never going to figure it out.

(Aida/Aisha)

Radames's kisses were so intense I felt like I was drowning in them. They were spreading warmth throughout my body. When he separated his lips from mine, I shivered suddenly feeling a chill. Radames must've noticed because he asked if I was cold.

"You could've at least kept a blanket," I scolded, playfully.

"No, I could not," Radames said, sitting up. "Man entered this world naked, without possessions. I want to be a new man for you, Aida. Cleansed of my past sins."

Radames wanted to change. For me. I felt so unbelievably touched I almost cried. Suddenly, drums sounded in the distance breaking the moment.

"What is it?" I asked.

"My armies have returned," Radames answered, getting up and putting on his shirt. "Pharaoh will expect a victory celebration. Go back to the palace. You'll be safe there."

He gave me a quick kiss and started to walk away, but then he turned around and walked back unclasping his necklace.

"Wait," he said. "Take my amulet. "If anyone stops you, show them this and they'll let you pass."

He kissed my forehead and then walked away, leaving me in the grass. I examined the amulet. It was engraved in the eye of Horus. It was so beautiful. No words could describe the happiness I was feeling this very moment.

"I love you," I said out loud.

"I heard that," Radames said..

You weren't supposed to, I thought, feeling really embarrassed. Radames turned around and stood behind me.

"Say it again," he said.

"No," I said.

"Say it again," he said, tickling me.

"No," I said, laughing.

"I command you."

"No."

"I command you to say it again."

Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep. I rolled over to the other side of my head trying to fall back asleep and trying to drown out the alarm. No, alarm, I thought. Bad alarm. But, I couldn't go back to sleep.

"All right," I said out loud, turning off the alarm. "I'm up."

Instead of getting up right away, I stared at the ceiling. Why did my alarm have to go off at that exact moment? I thought. I looked over at the other side of my bed half-expecting the Egyptian guyto be lying there next to me. Of course he's not there, you idiot, I thought.

I sighed, stepping on the newspaper, remembering the exhibit that I was going to see today. I suddenly grew excited and ran into the bathroom to get ready. But, as I brushed my teeth it suddenly hit me:theEgyptian guybared a very strong resemblance to Roderick. In fact, he could be Roderick's twin. That's where I know Roderick from, I realized. But, how could I be dreaming about him for three months, when I'd only met him two daysago?

(Radames/Roderick)

I was talking to my soldier while Aida and the other femaleslaves were washing linen. Aida was very beautiful and it was hard not to think about her. At this point I couldn't deny that I was attracted to her. But, Aida had been staring at me all week like she knew my feelings and could use them to her advantage. Well, I was about to put her in her place. I dismissed the soldier and kneeled down next to Aida.

"You were watching me again," I said. "All week your eyes had been on me."

"What do you mean?" Aida asked, nonchalantly.

"Do you think you're going to gain your freedom, just because you've gained my attention?" I asked. "You are beautiful, but I am not easily lead."

"If I've looked in your direction, it was only to see if your chalice needed refilling," she answered, not taking her eyes off me.

"I have no chalice now," I said. "And yet you're looking."

Aida smiled and then picked up her basket and walked away.

"Excuse me, Captain," she said. "But, I have linen to wash."

"I do not excuse you," I said, following her. "Stop there."

She stopped and turned to look back at me, her smile was gone from her face. "You wanted something from me, Captain?" she asked.

Do I? I wondered. What would I want from her? She was beautiful and she shouldn't have to spend the rest of her life in slavery. I didn't want her life to be this way.

"Oh, yes," I said. "I want to make your life easier, Aida. Tell me how. What can I do for you?"

I was almost disgusted by the eagerness in my voice. I sounded like a little boy. But, Aida didn't seem to notice.

"Help my people," she answered.

I suddenly grew frustrated. That wasn't what I asked. I asked how I could help her. I wanted to help her. Not her people, as selfish as it sounded.

"I want to help you," I said.

"I am my people," Aida said. "And I cannot continue to live in the comfort of the palace while my countrymen are dying."

I suddenly felt horrible. I was responsible for the deaths of Nubian countrymen. But, there was nothing I could do about that. At least, there was nothing I thought I could do.

But, when I looked at Aida's face I was once again captivated by her beauty and uniqueness. She was different than every other girl I had known. I'd never met anyone like her. Now, all I wanted was one kiss from her. Just to know what it was like to kiss her. That's all I wanted.

"You want my 'affection,' Captain?" Aida asked.

Aida thought I wanted her to sleep with me? That was disgusting. I wasn't that kind of man either.

"I can have your 'affection' right here if I commanded it," I said, sharply, but then softening my tone. "I want to know if you feel anything for me- aside from contempt."

I suddenly started to panic. Why did I say that? Aida would run for the hills for sure. I felt embarrassed and considered running away myself, but that would make me look like a coward.

"I don't know," Aida said.

"Well, let's find out," I said.

I stepped forward and kissed her, but Mereb cut us short by his entrance. He was talking to us, but everything was suddenly a blur. The only words I heard him say were, "your betrothed," which must've meant Amneris. After he said those words, Aida picked up her basket and left.

All I could think about was that kiss. Even though it was short, it was better than I expected it to be. But, it was unfinished and I really wanted to finish it. I think I'm in love with her, I thought. But, I want her to love me, too. I suddenly knew what I had to do to win her genuine affection. I was going to help her people.

"You know I wish that I had Jessie's Girl."

Two days ago they played "Build me up, buttercup," I thought, turning off my alarm. Today they played "Jessie's Girl." Are the DJs at that radio station trying to kill me?

I got out of bed and then went into the kitchen to make some coffee. As I did that, my thoughts wandered to my dream. It was a weird dream. But, it was nice. It once again featured what's-her-face?Her name sounded a lot like Aisha's. In fact, sheeven looked her, too.She's a replica of Aisha, I thought. But, I only met her two days ago and I've been having these dreams for three months.

I shook my head and got out yesterday's paper, which I didn't have time to read. On the front page was a story about the Metropolitan Museum. The Egyptian wing was being expanded and it was opening today. I was never one for museums, but there was something I liked about Egypt. I didn't exactly know what. But, this was one museum exhibit that I wanted to see.

To Be Continued……..

A/N: I know it's bad, but bear with me. Chapter 5 is coming soon.