Deep within Egypt's ocean cliffs nestles a small town with an even smaller population.
The Egyptian court did not recognize the small town since its population was tiny.
Within the town lived the sweetest woman ever imagined.
She was beautiful inside and out.
One night, while the town people slept, she arrived.
It looked as she went through hell.
Covered in dry blood, dirt, sand, and ripped clothes.
Women from the town tended to her wounds and high fever.
The woman never spoke about what she went through nor where she came from.
When asked about her name, she whispered, "Mana."
From that, everyone in the town took the young maiden under their wing.
That was over ten years ago.
The young maiden had flourished into a nice woman.
Her job in town was to teach the children in the village.
She taught them herbal studies, Egyptian deities, poems, and more.
Her favorite story to tell the class was the beautiful love story between a King and a sorcerer.
During the lesson, a young girl raised her hand and asked why the King in the story did not tell the sorcerer he loved her.
Mana smiled sadly.
Much later that night, Mana sat by the edge of the cliff.
The waves down below crashed furiously against each other.
"It wasn't love, but it wasn't nothing either." Mana began, recalling her student's question.
"And perhaps it was just stolen glances in long corridors and laughing a little too much at each other's ridiculous jokes."
And soon, memories she repressed for so long began to play.
"Perhaps it was just feeling giddy at touching knees and pausing before breathing their name."
The face of a young man appeared in her memories, memories that reminded her of a beautiful dream.
"And I know that it wasn't love," she said, swallowing the guilt in her throat.
But that was all it is ever meant to be, a dream. He had duties to complete.
"But it could have been. I'm sure at another time, in another place, it could have been." Mana whispered, recalling the day she was forced to witness the coronation of his wife how he stared at her with a stoic expression.
"Yes, in another life," she affirmed, closing her eyes as a tear escaped.
She was back in the courtyard—the palace court by her side. Everyone cheered as the woman kneeled to receive her crown.
The Pharaoh?
He stood next to the Priest. Tall and proud and refusing to leave his gaze on her.
Even with tears in her eyes, she managed to catch the emotion of his eyes, begging her for forgiveness.
Having enough, she stood up from her spot. Mana stared at the moon for a second before turning around to walk back home.
Faraway somewhere else, another person was looking at the same moon, thinking of her.
"In another life."
Note:
Artwork on cover is all credited to Siosiri on Tumblr.
Author's Note:
Thanks for being patient with me, and if you're new, thank you for reading. It means a lot.
So far, 2022 has been hard for me as I've lost pretty close family members and my best friend. It hurts more knowing I can't leave the country to bury them and be with my family during this time.
Everyone in my family but me left since I'm back in person now in University.
Coming home, I checked my phone, and a reader messaged me.
They told me that my stories make their day, and it's one of their reasons to keep going.
I had to park my car, and I just bawled at their sweet message in an instant.
It got me thinking how this year hasn't started great for some of us.
I wanted to remind you that you matter and that we will get through this. It might not be today or tomorrow, but it will happen.
To any of you, if you ever need to talk or want someone to listen to you, my inbox is open.
I care for you.
I hope you're all safe and please take care of yourself.
I'll see you all soon.
P.S.
This page has officially turned one year old on March 3!