The Time Stone Crystal

Chapter 17 - The Second of the Seven Portals

She smiled. "Even if I don't ask ...you will do it too."

The young man tightened his grip on her waist as he whispered. "I miss you."

His words sounded magical to her as he said. Since the night that has something happened between them, he has been sweet to her. That she felt that their intimate had a significant effect in bringing them closer to each other, she closes her eyes. She was enjoying the moment they were together again, but there was doubt on the other side of her heart. One thing she felt instinct was that they would part ways.

"Kairo..."

"Hmm..."

"You are not going to leave me, right?"

The young man did not answer for a few seconds, but she is waiting. After a while, he kissed her neck and then her shoulder, a sign that he answered. She closed her eyes again. Kairo…even if you don't tell me. I know that the moment will come to parted our fate. I know our world is still different, and not a mortal like me will be your destiny. But I want to cherish this moment with you. I want to spend my life until the day comes. Until…we are in parted ways. Today, I want you to know that ... that I ... love you!

With those words in her mind, her tears flowed. Only now did she feel the bitterness when the day came that they had to leave him or her. However, she will strengthen her heart to accept the fact.

KAIRO AND WENG’S arrived at a place full of deserts and rocky terrain. In the first part, they look at a very similar town to those in the middle east. Weng remembered what Kairo said that they were going to Israel.

"Kairo, what era is it?" she asked the young man.

"This is the Hellenistic Period three hundred thirty-two Before Christ Era. Israel was ruled by Alexander the Great," the young man replied.

"Huh? Alexander the Great? The King of Macedonia?" She was surprised.

"Yeah. Do you know The King Alexander the Great?"

"No. Who is he?"

"I thought you knew him. The way you speak as if you knew something about his life."

She laughed. "I am just kidding. I do not know everything about the king, but history says he is one of the best kings and leaders."

"Well, let's see if that's history is good to be true." At the same time, he put the hijab on her head. "Israelite, Arabs, and other men are not meant to see the woman's hair here. You should keep it."

"Why?"

"You'll be beheaded," Hander cutting in. It is already next to them.

"Or they'll make you violated," Jigger added.

"During this time, women's hair is unique. Men are not allowed to see and touch it until they get married," Thiara explained.

She noticed the woman wearing the same on her head. Now she understands why the Muslims of her time kept their hair. She knows that thing, but she doesn't understand their traditions. How do I know? I am a Filipino.

"Let's go!" Kairo said.

Once again, they maneuvered their horses towards the town.

In 332 BCE, Jerusalem capitulates to Alexander the Great during his six-year Macedonian conquest of the empire of Darius III of Perisa. Alexander's armies took Jerusalem without complication while traveling to Egypt after the same year's Siege of Tire.

Alexander the Great is famous throughout Europe during his period. He took control of Jerusalem over the next several hundred years; the city was conquered and ruled by different groups, including the Romans, Persians, Arabs, Fatimids, Silhuk Turks, Crusaders, Egyptians, Mamelukes, and Islamists. One of these groups visits by the Kairos group, a town whom they called Bersheeba. It was just a small town with a peaceful community of people, but there were guards around. Three groups lead the area, Arabs, Romans, and Islamists. This group agreed for the sake of their families and constituencies.

Ali Jabbar, the leader of the Arab groups, received their corps. He welcomed them to their spacious home. There was no electricity in those days, so only torches served as lights throughout the town. As Weng expected, the Arabs were all-covered in their attire and some women inside. She also noticed the structure inside. The house has made up of hard stones and some hard materials. She could not help but admire the environment as she witnessed the ancient establishment of Israel.

" Marhabaan bikum fi makanina, Syd Kairo! (Welcome to our place, Master Kairo!)" greetings from the man.

She estimated that this was their leader. Master Cairo? Why is Kairo known here? Is he still a trader in Israel? But what she did not understand was their language spoke.

"Thank you, Ali. I want to have temporary accommodation, food, drinks, and clothes for my companion," Kairo said.

"We have a vacancy for three rooms upstairs left to occupied because we have a lot of guests coming from Jerusalem," Ali replied.

"No problem." Kairo faces them. "Jigger and Kristoff, the two of you are in the same room. Hander, you take care of Thiara." He turned to her. "You stay with me. I don’t want you out of my sight."

She nodded, but on the other hand, her heart was celebrating. She can be with Kairo again in the same room. The four agreed, and she heard nothing complained from them.

Later, Kairo handed Ali a large brown bag. She saw the gold coins received by Ali, and even his companions were also amazed at the young man's wealth. The locals took care of them abruptly.

THERE was a bit of celebration inside that big house and the other guests who came from the other places. While Weng left in the room and the young man Kairo was already interacting with the people there. A few moments later, Ali's wife, Ameera, whom she had just met earlier, entered her room. The woman, accompanies by her two female staff Aisha and Fatima, were carrying a dress.

"Hi! How are you here?" asked the beautiful Ameera.

"I'm fine," she replied. Fortunately, she knew a little about her language.

"I am happy to hear that. There's a little celebration going on downstairs, and I want all the women here to participate. Is it okay?"

"I have no clothes to wear," she said.

"No problem. My staff will take care of you. My other staff has also helped your friend Thiara to prepare her clothes in the other room."

"Ha? Ah, alright." She did not refuse and had no choice even though she knew she did not want to wear their clothes. It was too long compared to the ones she had missed, but she had to get along.

Muslims wear a wide variety of clothing, which is influenced not only by religious considerations but also practical, cultural, social, and political factors.  In modern times, some Muslims have adopted clothing based on Western traditions. In contrast, others wear modern forms of traditional Muslim dress, which typically includes long, flowing garments over the centuries. Besides its practical advantages in the Middle East climate, loose-fitting clothing is also generally regarded as conforming to Islamic teachings, which stipulate those body areas that are s****l must hide from public view. Traditional dress for Muslim men has typically covered at least the head and space between the waist and the knees, while orthodox women's clothing conceals the hair and the body from the ankles to the neck. Some Muslim women also cover their faces. Islamic dress is influence by two scriptural sources, the Quran and hadith. The Quran provides guiding principles believed to have come from God, while the hadith's body describes a human role model through the Islamic prophet Muhammad's traditions. The branch of the fashion industry influenced by Islamic principles is known as Islamic fashion.

She deeply breathes when she saw her reflection in the mirror while staring at her physical features. In that century, she wears an elegant blue Islamic fashion dress with her hijab covering her hair.

“You look stunning. Jamila! (Beautiful!)” Ameera said to her.

She turns her glimpse to Ameera. “Thank you, Ameera, and to your staff.”

“La mushkila. (No problem.) Let’s go downstairs, and the belly dancing will start in a few minutes.” Ameera took her hand and walked outside in her room.

She followed Ameera downstairs and witnessed their traditions as she still remembers everything.  How she wishes that it was happening in the present time she was with her family.

They were in the celebrations crowd with the Arabian night's music, food, wines, guests, soldiers, and others enjoying the party. They are also performers like fire dancers, belly dancers, and many more. But her eyes searching for someone she never saw earlier.

“I will leave you here because my husband Ali called me. Enjoy the night, my friend,” Ameera said to her. 

She nodded. “Okay.”

Ameera left her in the crowd, and no one would notice her presence, even her companions. She is also looking for Thiara, but the woman isn’t in the area. Where are they? Am I alone in this place?  Men are staring at her, but their glances aren’t suitable to appreciate, and it seems they will eat her whole. She remembered what Jigger and Hander said about the men in that era, which they are known for violating women.

Her heart thud starting to thumping on and nonplussed. She hurriedly walks to find her way back to her room, but she suddenly bumped into a person holding a wine.

“Ooops!”

“Oh my⸻” She was shocked.

“Watch your steps, Miss!”

“I am sorry!” She feels more than nervous. Kairo! Where are you? I am afraid of them. If I know how to kick their ass off, I will never be a coward.

Fortunately, she was heading off outside until no one there would saw her and gasping her breath. She sits on the stone bench while letting her emotions come out. How if she experiences outrage by men inside? How if they killed her without the presence of his savior. She doesn’t want someone will do violating her innocence even if she’s not an innocent one anymore. Her tears keep falling from her cheeks and trying to wipe them with her fingers. I don’t want to get inside. Never!

“Weng!”

Someone hold her right hand and quickly revoke form it. “No!” She stood up abruptly. “Don’t ever come closer⸻” She was surprised when she recognizes who is it. “Kairo?!”

“Hey! It’s me. What happened?” He comes closer to her.

“Kairo…” She fleet moves to embrace him tightly. “Kairo…” And then let her full emotions showed into him and cried.

“Hey! Hey! It’s okay. I am here right now. Hush, my dear.” His voice sounded worried.

It seems that Kairo already knows what happens to her inside as he has his ability to do back in time. As she was at ease, she slowly put her distance away from embracing him and wiped her tears.

“I’m sorry if I let you alone inside. It is my fault.” He wipes her tears too. “Are you afraid?”

She nodded.

“Don’t cry. You may look ugly when you don’t want to stop.”

She slightly smiled. “I am already an unattractive woman. No need to tell me that.”

“You’re not. You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.”

She gently looks at him and stares into his golden eyes. She never expects that Kairo would tell her that compliment.

“Come with me.”

“Where are we going?”

“I show you something that you will reminisce.”

“W-what was that, Kairo?”

“Close your eyes first.”

“Huh? O-okay.” She feels mousy, but she knew that Kairo wouldn’t let her in menace. She closes her eyes.

On the other hand, Kairo uses his magic from his left hand and makes a magical carpet. Suddenly, it was floating five inches distance on the floor like it had its own life. Good thing that no one in the place would saw what he did, and he knew that already.