INTO THE VOID

CHAPTER 27: GAZA

After their breakfast, Xaviere and Petrichor got dressed and went to meet Andrew outside. He was by the pool table, impressing girls with his amazing hand-eye coordination.

“If it isn’t the love birds…” Andrew said with is arms spread wide. “Hope you slept well; that’s if there was even any sleeping at all.” Andrew said winking at Xaviere.

“Oh please, stop it.” Petrichor said feeling embarrassed.

“It was a good night.” Xaviere said with a straight face.

“… and a good morning too…” Petrichor added smiling mischievously at Xaviere.

“Oh well, I’ll be damned…” Andrew said. “So, my good looks and amazing personality seems to threaten your love; I will give you two more space from now on.” Petrichor and Xaviere laughed.

“So, what then do we do today?” Petrichor asked.

“Well that is a very good question. I have just the thing. Pack up your things and get ready; we are going to Egypt. Andrew said casually and turned around to continue his game hitting the cue ball and making a complicated shot.

“Egypt? ...” Xaviere and Petrichor asked at the same time.

“Yeah, yeah… I need to go sand drifting. I have always wanted to go and this is my chance. A group of really rich Arabian kids are about to shut down the sands of Gaza and I need to be there. Consider this an apology from me, you know, for almost ruining a fairytale. So, basically, I go to Gaza for some sand and automobile action and you guys can visit the pyramids, read a few papyruses; you know that sort of stuff; it’s a win-win.” Andrew said. He has a glass of scotch in his hand and waved it around as he spoke; the other hand was in his pocket while he leaned on the pool table.

“I have always wanted to see the pyramids.” Xaviere said. “What do you think?” He asked Petrichor.

“Let’s do it.” Petrichor said smiling.

“Boom…” Andrew exclaimed. “It is settled; we are heading to the sandy plains of Egypt.” Andrew then turned to his chauffer who was sitting by the pool table and said, “Galahad my good man, get the car ready; we are going to see Cleopatra’s home.”

“Ok sir…” Galahad said.

Just as easily as they moved in their luggage, Petrichor and Xaviere moved them out of Tilkili. Andrew spoke to the women at the front desk and told them he was checking out earlier than expected and leaving the country. They sorted out the bills and the women wished them safe travels. The hospitality of The Tilkili was amazing. They provided them goodbye hampers as they got ready to leave. Petrichor thought it was a very nice gesture and spoke about it during the drive from the suite to the airport.

The three-hour flight to Egypt from Ethiopia was very quick; it felt almost like minutes. Their trip was unplanned and this presented some problems. The ride from The Tilkili to Addis Ababa was the stressful part. Due to the high number of people using the airport, the roads were always very busy in the later hours of the mornings. Everyone in Ethiopia knows that, if you want to travel, go to the airport in the morning.

As they came into Egypt, there was an obvious difference in the weather from Ethiopia; Egypt was hot but not as hot as Ethiopia. The sun was shining brightly and Petrichor spoke about how beautiful Egypt was. Galahad pulled up a black SUV and they all got in. Andrew made a few calls and within minutes, he made reservations in a five-star hotel. Apparently, this was not the first time Galahad was driving to the said hotel; he knew exactly where to go.

“Today, people boast about the Burj Khalifa and its magnificence and how much advancement we have in science but I read through Egyptian history and I am marveled.” Petrichor said. “Just look at the architecture of the pyramids, the design, it is a marvel; archeologists haven’t still been able to wrap their head around it. These people were amazing; they laid the foundation of modern medicine, mathematics, astrology, this was so many thousand years back.” Petrichor said as Galahad drove them to the hotel.

“I know right; it may have taken a lot of years and a lot more number of slaves but their advancement at that time is remarkable.” Xaviere responded.

“Egypt is not just a place of sand and buried bones; people find love here and those who are already in love fall even deeper.” Galahad said from the front seat. The man rarely spoke but whenever he did, it was a heavy dose of wisdom. At those words, Xaviere and Petrichor look at each other and smiled. Xaviere took her right hand and held them in both his palms. He then gently placed his lips on the back of the hand.

“We get it Mark Anthony and Cleopatra; you are in love, give the rest of us a break…” Andrew said in a sarcastic way. Xaviere and Petrichor smiled. They could not keep their hands off each other. There was a new found affection between them. It is beautiful to see.

“Speaking of the Burj Khalifa though, you need to see it. Dubai is simply magnificent. The horses, the houses, the elegance, the affluence; I miss that place.” Andrew said. He said these things easily like everyone had the luxury of travelling to exotic locations at will.

They arrived in a magnificent structure. The building was all painted all white; the architecture was marvelous. As they pulled up to the driveway that led to the entrance, Petrichor and Xaviere looked out the window with awe. For someone who has seen the gigantic structures of New York, Petrichor was marveled. This was an edifice. The on each side of the driveway, there were beautifully craved floral statues. This driveway led to a roundabout. This roundabout had a beautiful water fall. It was all very pleasant to the eyes.

Andrew, Petrichor and Xaviere exited the vehicle at the roundabout while Galahad drove the car off to the parking lot. They held their duffel bags and walked into the lobby. The women at the front desk were very welcoming; they smiled widely and said good afternoon in unison. It was a little weird to Xaviere at first; like all those movie scenes where some alien possess the minds of different people and speaks through all of them at the same time. Petrichor did not mind.

The women had beautiful headscarf on and were very professional. Andrew asked about his reservation and just like in The Tilkili, they went through the data base in the front desk computer. The lady who spoke had a very heavy accent that was kind of funny but her English was really good. Andrew thanked the woman and they all went too their rooms.

“So, we are in Egypt. What’s the plan?” Xaviere asked

“Well, I am going to Gaza for some sand drifting. For you two though, I'm going to call up my tour guide; Abdulsamad. He is going to give you guys a private tour of The Gaza Ruins. That’s it, go get dressed.” Andrew said. Petrichor and Xaviere went to their room and took a shower; bathing together was now a thing for them. They both got dressed and sat in the lobby, waiting for Andrew.

“What are the both of you wearing?” Andrew asked with both his hands spread wide open. Andrew had a Jalab; an Arabian type man-dress on. His head was wrapped in a Shemagh; a male Arabian scarf which had beautiful black and white patterns. On his feet, he wore scandals. Andrew was looking very Arabian that day. It was a look that conveyed the message of wealth and when it came to clothes, Andrew was all about showing off.

“What wrong with what we are wearing?” Petrichor asked. She was in a crop top and high waist jeans. Xaviere had a denim jacket with black cargo pants.

“Except you want like severe dehydration and uncorrectable sun burn, I suggest you both change into some lighter clothes. Andrew said, waving a pair of sun glasses in his hand.

“We do not have lighter clothes; we live in Canada. These are the lighter clothes.” Xaviere said.

“That’s it, we are going shopping.” Andrew said.

The three of them went to a mall in the premises of the hotel. They got some hiking suitable clothes and shoes. They also got some bag packs and water bottles.

Petrichor and Xaviere got all dressed and Andrew called Galahad. They got into the car and off to Gaza they went.