Chapter 2: My Sacrifice
Radames dozed off after a while. When he awakened, night had fallen and someone was poking him. He looked at the stick and found himself staring Amneris……………his wife…………….in the face.
"How did you find me?" he asked, as she helped him out.
"I know all of your hiding places," Amneris answered as they climbed on to the dock. "I'm the only one who knows everything about you………………Well, I don't think I'm the only one."
Radames was about to ask her what she meant, but he stopped when he saw the look on her face. She knew.
"How did you find out?" he asked.
"I heard every word you and Aida said to each other last night in the garden," Amneris said.
Tears were starting to form in her eyes, but she blinked and they went away. Radames felt like scum.
"I'm so sorry," he said.
"How long has it been going on?" Amneris asked.
"One week," Radames replied.
They stood in silence.
"Did you ever love me?" Amneris asked.
"Amneris, I've loved you all my life," Radames said, gently touching her cheek.
Amneris steppedaway from himas if his touched burned her. "But, not like you love Aida," she said.
Radames didn't know what to say. She was right. He loved Amneris more like a sister than a friend. He loved Aida in a totally different way. But, he didn't want to say that to Amneris's face.
"We've figured out what brought on my father's illness," Amneris said. "You're father poisoned him."
Radames had never heard that before and he was shocked. He didn't know that Zoser was planning that. He thought that his plan was just to have him wed Amneris. I guess father really wanted me to take the throne, Radames thought, bitterly.
"I didn't know!" Radames said, grabbing Amneris's shoulders. "I swear, Amneris, I didn't know!"
Amneris stepped backward. Her eyes were brimmed with tears. "Well, my father thinks that you did," she said. "And for that and your affair with Aida, they want to bury the both of you alive. If you come with me and deny everything my father might spare your life."
"No," Radames said.
"Radames, please," Amneris stepped forward and grabbed his wrist. "I don't want that to happen to you!"
"I can't spend the rest of my life living a lie," Radames said, turning his back toward her and staring at the Nile. "Every act of my life has been wrong. Being buried alive seems like the best punishment."
There was an awkward silence.
"Radames, don't turn your back to me," Amneris said.
Radames turned around.
"When my father dies, I am to be his successor," she said. "So, as my first act as Pharaoh, Radames, Son of Zoser, for your crimes, you are banished from Egyptian soil. If we find that you are still here when morning comes, you will be buried alive. Am I clear?"
Radames nodded.He suddenly saw a different Amneris. Instead of the shallow Amneris who was obsessed with fashion, he saw a more mature Amneris filled with wisdom.
"Good," she said.She turned and started to walk away.
"Amneris," Radames called.
She turned around and faced him.
"May the Gods be with you," he said.
Amneris nodded her thanks and then turned around. Radames remained isolated on the dock wondering where to go now. To the north was his father and whatever schemes he had up his sleeve. To the south was……………….Nubia.
Radames jumped off the dock and headed south and began his journey. The journey to Nubia by boat took three days. Only the Gods know how long the journey will take on foot, he thought.
The next night, Aida sat in her usual spot at the back of the boat. Mereb had rowed the entire day. She patiently waited until it was her turn. All day and night she'd been thinking about her behavior back at the docks in Egypt and how Radames hated her. To make matters worse, Amonasro hadn't said a word to her or looked at her in the past twenty-four hours.
"Mereb," Amonasro said, breaking her thoughts. "I'll take the oars tonight."
"Father, you took them last night," Aida said. "Why don't I-"
"I said I'll take the oars," Amonasro interrupted her. "But, I want you, Aida, to move to the front of the boat. I need to speak with you."
Aida moved up front tripping over Diallo and Mereb. She was sure that she was going to get an earful from her father, but he didn't say anything. After a while, Diallo and Mereb fell asleep andshe was starting to doze off herself untilher father finally spoke.
"I had never seen a more appalling display of weak and pathetic behavior from you," Amonasro said. "Or anyone for that matter."
"I'm sorry, father," Aida said. "I just had to-"
"Don't speak," Amonasro interrupted.
Aida closed her mouth. When her father gave an order to someone, they had to obey.
"I told you to cut that man from your heart," he continued. "Not only did you disobey me, you did it right before my eyes."
Aida felt a replyburning at the tip of her tongue to come out of her mouth, but she bit her lip keep her mouth shut.
"How do you justify this to yourself, Aida?" Amonasro asked.
"I love him," Aida said, softly so he couldn't hear. His question wasn't meant to be answered.
"You betrayed me and the Nubians who suffered from the hands of his shoulders," Amonasro said. "But, yesterday you acted like you couldn't care less. You put your feelings before your duties."
"What does it matter?" Aida exploded. "I'm not seeing him anymore. I lied tohim to help you, Diallo, and Mereb escape and he hates me for it. So, how could I have betrayed Nubia when I helped its king to escape?"
Amonasro turned around with cold eyes. Aida regretted what she said. She was afraid that her father would strike her, but he just stared at her.
"When we return to Nubia," Amonasro said. "We are going to act like none of this happened and you are going to forget that you ever met that man. But, when we get back, you will be punished for this. Am I clear?"
"Yes, father," Aida replied.
"Now, go back to your spot and sleep," Amonasro commanded. "You're taking the oars tomorrow."
Aida nodded and headed towards the back of the back of the boat and curled up in a little ball. She felt tears springing to her eyes. She betrayed Radames, Nubia, and her father. Now, things would never be the same between herself and her father.
"Princess?"
Aida turned and found herself staring into Mereb's apprehensive face. He looked wide awake. He must've heard the whole thing, Aida thought.
"I don't want to talk about it now," Aida said.
"All right," Mereb turned over and faced away from her.
Aida turned towards the black water. Now, more than anything, she wanted to either be in Nubia or Egypt. Anywhere, but in this boat. Once again, her thoughts drifted back to Radames. His singing……………his kisses………..the safe feeling of his arms…………..his hurt expression when she left him at the docks of Egypt………..Tears flowed freely from Aida's eyes. Oh, Radames, she thought. I'm so sorry. I wish you were here.
"When you are with me, I'm free
I'm careless, I believe
Above all the others we'll fly
This brings tears to my eyes
My sacrifice"- Creed
To Be Continued…………….
A/N: Chapter 3 is coming soon.
