: : Summary : : Story about the other ancient lovers....
�I beg your pardon, I am not a thief. I was just��
�Oh yes, you were just helping yourself to my fruit,� interrupted he.
�But,� said she embarrassed
�Now, what are you going to give me in exchange for the fruit,� he said ready to negotiate.
�I beg you pardon!!!!!�
�Well you do not look as dumb as you act, so you must know that in order to get something you must have a trade. Now, I will ask you once again what are you going to give me in exchange for that fruit on your hands, or do you prefer to go to jail.�
�Oh, I thought everything was like it was back��Nefertiri suddenly stopped herself in order not to make a mistake and reveal her true identity.
�No, everything is not like it is where you come from,� said he mockingly.
�Enough!� yelled Nefertiri. �I do not need this. I have had a very bad day. I have not eaten. I have slept on the street and my back aches. So here have your fruit. I am sure it is not as sweet as the ones that I have tasted before.�
Nefertiri turned to leave, but the firm hand grabbed her wrist once more.
�Stop!� said the man looking at her more closely. He observed that she was dressed in servant�s clothing and was extremely dirty.
�I did not know you had no place to stay. I am really sorry, here have the fruit. So you really have nowhere to go?� asked he compassionately.
�No� answered she sadly.
�You can stay with me�
�Excuse me! I am not that kind of girl, therefore I will not be staying with you,� said she defiantly.
�I did not express myself well. I am sorry. I meant to say is that if you would like to stay with me and my family, as in father and mother, you would be welcomed.�
�Oh� said she with embarrassment creeping into her face.
�So will you stay with us? You can help my mother while you stay with us,� said he sweetly.
�Yes, thank you�
He closed the shop and they made their way to his home. There the family that waited happily received him.
�Mother, Father. I have invited�� he stopped at not knowing her name. He turned her way and �sorry, I did not get your name?�
�It is�� Nefertiri thought for a moment. �It is Neferas,� finished she confidently and he continued.
�I have invited Neferas to stay with us, she has no other place to go to. Is it alright with the two of you?� he asked his parents. � I thought it would be, since you have taught me never to give my back to someone in need.�
�My son if you think it is alright, then we welcome your friend,� answered a sweet tempered man who was his father.
�You can stay� smiled he towards Nefertiri as she did the same towards he.
�Thank you, all of you. I really appreciate this,� said Nefertiri.
�We must clean you up, come with me, girl,� said the mother invitingly.
As the two left, the men were left alone; his father with questions soon approached the young man.
�Tefen, are you sure about this girl? Where did you meet her?�
�Father, she is a good person. I met her at the market. She has nowhere to go or anyone to help her but us. I think she was a servant,� said Tefen trying to excuse Nefertiri or Neferas as he thought her to be called.
�It is alright, my boy. I see that this girl has impressed you,� said the father with a smile.
�I hardly know her.� Tefen quickly changed the subject. �Has there been any word from my superiors towards my first assignment as a Med-jai?�
�Nothing yet, but remember you must be patient. When you least expect it they will send for you.�
�I will be patient, father.�
The women soon joined Tefen and his father and they shared their meal. The meal was held in quiet, except of course for the prayer that began it. Nefertiri observed everything about the place and the people. She saw simplicity in everything that surrounded.
She watched them eat and a smile came upon her lips as she compared them to her father and siblings. Tefen and his family also observed her. They saw how delicately she ate her meal and how she did not look like a servant. After the meal his parents went back to their activities leaving them alone. No subjects for conversation seemed to arise until finally.
�What is your name?� Nefertiri asked Tefen.
�It is Tefen.�
�Tefen� she thought for a moment then asked, �What does it mean?�
�Well, it was the name of one of the seven scorpions that followed Isis into the Delta. You see my father loves war stories and he stumbled across this one through my mother who is a devout follower of Isis. So that is how I got my name.�
�Oh, interesting.�
�Yes, so how is it that you ended up with no place to stay,� asked he gaining comfort in her persona.
�If it is alright with you, I do not wish to talk about that at this moment.�
�I understand. Would you like to take a walk out?�
�That would be wonderful.�
They left his home to enter the quieted and empty streets. Outside moon was out; full of glow causing the sky to mesmerize those who took a moment to look up. The shining stars also accompanied the moon in creating that beautiful spark. The night air was nice and crisp, giving the night that special feel. As Nefertiri and Tefen walked in that atmosphere, they felt their heart melt to the other�s company. No words were uttered, yet each shyly gave the other stolen stares and once caught the sight would be rapidly taken away. Slowly, they made themselves around the city and without knowing made their way to the front of the palace. When Nefertiri realized this she quickly became nervous and eager to leave. At that same moment someone called out to Tefen.
�Tefen!!!�
Because of the night Tefen was unaware of who called him, but he saw a figure signaling for him to get close.
�It is me, Alizoth,� said the figure.
�Hello Alizoth,� then turning towards Nefertiri, �This is my friend. Come, you shall meet him.�
�No!!! I mean I would rather wait for you here. I do not think it would be proper, for what explanation would you give him about my presence.�
�Alright, just give me a moment,� said he unaware of the real reasons why she did not want to meet his friend.
Now alone, Nefertiri�s mind began to rummage through ideas of what to do. �Oh, should I run. They will surely catch me. What should I do?�
She gave her back to the men getting ready to escape, and hoping that Alizoth had not recognized her. Thought after thought led her to become more frightened. As she was finally ready to flee a hand touched her back.
End Of Ch 2