Crossing Paths

chapter 7

Wondering about her fate, Jessabelle felt conflicted about her well-being. Jessabelle wanted nothing but happiness for herself. Some things bothered her deeply. She wanted a way out of it, out of her hopelessness, out her miserableness, out of her agony but such was the tragedy of fate that some were fortunate, and some weren’t and Jessabelle felt left out. Helplessness and loneliness were slowly draining her, and she strongly felt her loosening her grip on what every hopeless romantic yearned for: Hope.

Devastated about her situation, Jessabelle tried to stop herself from thinking. However, to feel nothing means a person is dead. Jessabelle with every ounce of strength, fought hoping that one day in her life, there must be a little section labeled as happiness. Unfortunately, the happiness she wanted only depended on a human whom God forbade her from.

The frailty of her efforts left her with no choice but to go out. She always believed that meandering with no destination helped her free her conscious struggle with the shortcomings of her circumstances. She walked as if she were a bird flying soaring the limitless sky. An Arctic Tern that migrates from the Arctic to the Antarctic and back again. A bird that eats and sleeps while gliding. Jessabelle wondered the city as she was an Arctic Tern. Then again, Arctic Tern wondered about a destination with the belief that they might find comfort in a land far away, but she had none but a frail hope.

Jessabelle gallivanted from one street to another, looking at people deducing whether they too are the same as her. “Are they with the person they want to be with?” She thought in her head. The big smile on their faces only told her that it is only her who dreamt. An unachievable dream. A dream which can only become a nightmare. “How can you dream when you don’t even sleep?” The questions she asked herself tangled her further into the tragic desire. Every thought that occurred plunged her deep into a hole that had no rock bottom.

A single tear fell from her eye, and she whimpered alone that she didn’t even bother wiping it away. The gush of air dried the misery. What about the sinking hole that Jessabelle was falling into? Who would save a hopeless vagabond but such is the human spirit amid their tragedies? They yearn to love and so did Jessabelle.

‘Maybe a little shopping might help’ she told herself. The wanderer went from one shop to another. Even Chanel failed to fill the emptiness. “God I am so f*****g exhausted,” she cried out in despair. Near her was a small outdoor Italian café named Mauro Café. It seemed like a pretty ideal place to have some lunch and judge people based on the smile on their faces. Jessabelle decided to dine outside.

“What would you like to order on this fine afternoon, ma’am?”

“I would love a Penno Peste. It sounds delicious,” Jessabelle ordered. Even though she preached a healthy protein diet, today she had other plans. She wanted a change and Penno Peste seemed like the right choice.

The power of Penno Peste was a first step in her pretending to be different. Jessabelle decided that she was no longer Jessabelle. At least no longer the person she was forced to be. Although she knew this new personality, it wouldn’t harm to be pretentious as long as she can hope to be. With this new persona, she acted accordingly. She took out her phone. After aimlessly scrolling i********:, she decided that Tinder might be fun and thus began her exploration of a substitute who, just like her, can pretend to be the man of her dreams. If not, happiness is her fate a pretentious happiness can be.

Jessabelle's thumb only swiped right as none mimicked even the figment of Yousseff. Slowly the hoax she tried to create started to fade away. Love is rare and cannot be forced. It’s an eternal gift over which the creation of God has no control. All they look for is the love they explore and eventually find in the strangest places, in the strangest people, and in the strangest moments. Love is Hope, and rather than a person, love finds people. A harsh truth Jessabelle is yet to accept. Swiping left till her thumb went sore, she stopped putting her phone down to rub her thumb. Only to pick her phone up once again and only to find a picture of a man. A man from Egypt, a sophisticated gentleman with a broad smile on his face and curly hair. The man named Ali Omar caught her attention but her thumb refused to swipe left. An accomplished man who was a professor sparked a glimpse of hope and somehow stood out from the rest of the childish and careless men on Tinder.

A glimmer of hope sparked again, and she swiped right with longing for some quality time where her emptiness could be filled. Jessabelle paid the bill for her failed attempt of impersonation influenced by Penno Peste. She waved goodbye to Mauro Café and went home, awaiting if Ali would find her suitable and upon reaching, she was greeted by Ali’s interest in her.

The two chatted day and night and night and day. With every text, she grew closer to him. Ali was a diligent man who was madly rich due to real estate. He was divorced once and had one kid who didn’t live with him. Things got pretty serious for Jessabelle when Ali invited her to live with him in Cairo. An offer that she regarded as ludicrous, Ali’s virile energy made her think about his offer.

Jessabelle consulted her brother Joey for some realistic advice. “Are you crazy? He invited you to live with him in Cairo, and you are seriously considering moving in with him?” Joey lost his mind at Jessabelle’s ordeal decisions. “Yes, and I will quit my job too. Ali is rich enough that I can sit back and enjoy life. Ali loves to travel, and so do I. We can be perfect together visiting every place on earth and witnessing every beauty that world has in store for us,” Jessabelle revealed her plan.

“Are you right in your sane mind?”

Jessabelle knew her brother wouldn’t approve of her decision. Yet she went to him to tell him that she was right even though she felt it was too fast. She wanted to escape to a land far away, free from worries, where she could rest and watch sunsets and sunrises in the arm of someone that loved her back.

“Yes.”

“Do you like him?”

“Yes.”

“Truly?”

“….I am going there to find that out.”

Joey and Jessabelle stayed with each other that night as Joey felt his sister’s agony. They both shared the night, not uttering a single word of what may come next. The two cherished and laughed at their childhood memories of fighting over little things, ready to kill each other over Star Wars and LEGOS. They were good days, days where Jessabelle was carefree, and days where she was angry that their mother gave her favorite LEGO to Joey because apparently, LEGOS were for boys. Jessabelle cried all night but woke up to her father buying her more Star Wars and LEGOS which they both played with for Joey’s 8th birthday.

After spending the night with Joey, Jessabelle felt more confident despite her brother’s disapproval because she knew no matter what, she has Joey.

A life without mistakes is indeed a life of failure. Tragedies, heartbreak, and misery give life meaning. Only another person can fix a broken one. Those who never get heartbroken become lonely. A shoulder to cry on gives assurance that in the darkness, there can be light.

In the airport, the two hugged each other tightly. Streams of tears flowed down their cheeks. They both felt the undying love they had for each other. “Take care,” Joey told his sister. Jessabelle shook her head, wiping her tears, assuring Joey that she would honor his request. Off Jessabelle flew to meet Ali in a land far away from home like a vagabond.

The plane landed, and she, with her heart pounding fast enough, felt as if her heart would explode. This was a new chapter in her life. She was going to cherish it with an open heart but just as one will gather courage and rids themselves of problems that held them down to a new and far godawful situation.

When she entered the tunnel, she saw families and friends waiting for their loved ones hugging and even crying in the arms of the people they so much love. The tenderness of the two of the once parted in the past finally meeting filled Jessabelle’s heart with a pipe dream she made with Ali. As she looked around to endeavor her moment, she was greeted with a tap on her left shoulder. Jessabelle quickly turns around, knowing that it is Ali. He was the only person she knew of in the whole land of Egypt.

“Hello”

Jessabelle, with a bolt from the blue, stood with a pale face and held her breath. The shock from what she saw brought night on her on the brightest day. Ali, who once claimed and she believed to be tall and handsome and around her age, was nothing as either described or precepted to be. Ali was about 5’8, and he was a lot older than she was. Ali appeared to be a late 40-something poorly dressed guy. He wore loose-fit dress pants with a checked shirt that wasn’t ironed and a beard that wasn’t shaved properly. He had bags under his eyes as if he never slept a day in his life. His hair was awful and wasn’t combed. Jessabelle could see that he was balding. Lost for words, Jessabelle stood in a land far away as the man she once thought to be a prince was, unfortunately, a huckery fellow.

When he spoke, Jessabelle smelled nothing but cigarettes. When he moved, she sensed a slender man was walking toward her. When he smiled, it was the smile of a drunk man whose daily life routine included drinking beer all night and catcalling every woman he’d see on the street. Jessabelle was too stunned to reply to the man with no realization of what he had done.

“Hello? Jessabelle? Are you here?” Ali asked. Paying no mind that all this time he had been fooling a girl feeding her lies making travel across from America to Egypt just for his pleasure. “NO!” were the first words that came out of Jessabelle after landing in a foreign land. “What do you mean ‘No’ You seem shocked. Are you good? You seem agitated,” Ali chuckled with pretentiousness.

Ali opened his arms and moved forward toward Jessabelle to hold her and kiss her cheek. She protested using both her arms to free herself from Ali’s grip and moved back. Ali slowly started to get the idea that Jessabelle would not accept his fraudulent act. After all, what was happening could not be ignored the betrayal and deception she felt were indescribable. Realizing Jessabelle, Ali tried dominating her by saying, “Let’s just head home. You’re probably very tired from traveling.” Jessabelle, however, had no plans on leaving with Ali. Though she had no idea what she would do if not going with him. She was adamant that leaving with him would be the worst thing she could do to herself.

The situation Jessabelle found herself in was probably the worst and one of a kind that no one she knew was ever in. Jessabelle knew whether she left with the con artist that she despised or if she went her way, it would be disastrous for her. In the end, Jessebelle knew you choose a path that has lesser pain. For her, not going with Ali sounded like a better option. Although she would be scared, alone, and shattered, at least she wouldn’t be living in constant fear. The threat of a man who deceives others terrified her.

“I am not going anywhere with you, you damned liar. You catfished me. I cannot believe you, how can one do that? You are way older than I am. I am not comfortable living with a person who’s 20 years older than me. You f*****g p*****t. You used to send your old pictures. You lied about your height too. You are pathetic. I can’t believe I left my home for you,” Jessabelle screamed at Ali, venting all her anger at him without caring for a single person who was watching her cry out. “Don’t make a scene,” Ali tried calming her, but Jessabelle had no plans to be calm.

“Don’t you dare touch me?”

“Let’s just go home, and we will talk about it, OK? Look, I am rich. Think about it; you will be so happy you won’t have to work a day in your life,” Ali began bargaining, but all his efforts were futile.

“I am not gonna leave with you,” Jessabelle stated. “Are you stupid? What are you going to do in this city all alone? You don’t know anyone in this whole country let alone this city. Neither do you speak this country’s language or know a bit about this country. This is not a safe place for someone who doesn’t know a bit about this place. The place is full of scammers. Be reasonable and come with me. We will figure something out,” Ali pleaded to Jessabelle. “Strange words coming from a scammer himself,” Jessabelle remained true to her words. Her hate for Ali only grew, “Please do not bother me anymore. I wish to be left alone. I will figure something out. I swear I can have you arrested for what you have done.”

“Come on, you wouldn’t do that, right?”

“I would appreciate it if you don’t waste your time blabbering. Before I make any more of a scene, it’s my advice to you that you leave because you damn well know now I will.”

Jessabelle's threats worked. Ali was forced to leave embarrassingly. What now for her? Her twisted fate has in store for her nothing but only lies and deception. Jessabelle cannot rejoice from choosing a situation that had fewer consequences. In the end, she would be alone and in pain.

In a desolate country that didn’t speak her language and where she didn’t know anyone, Jessabelle was alone. Knowing this, Jessabelle did not book a ticket right away. She decided the city was enriched with history and although alone, it would uplift her spirits. Memories of Egypt she would have wondered about a lot of years later. She planned her little tour of Cairo visiting the beautiful places and meeting the strangest people enriching her life with the wisdom and beauty of the city.

There is some wisdom in walking aimlessly. Sometimes there is no destination, yet a traveler ends somewhere. Hopeless finds hope in the strangest of places. No one knows for sure what their destiny has in store for them. Every being from the advent had a destiny that was revealed to them. Jessabelle, too, believed that one day her destiny will be revealed and that destiny might not be what she wills for herself. It would be something that is the best thing for her, something she deserves.

Jessabelle booked herself a small, cozy penthouse and paid a month’s rent in advance. Her dreams of living a work-free life were shattered. Once back home, she will have to rejoin and live the regular life that she so much hated. With her shattered dreams, Jessabelle also felt embarrassed, and such was her shame that she didn’t bother telling her brother about the betrayal she felt. Her reputation in the eyes of Joey would be tarnished if he ever came to know how badly his sister was deceived. Jessabelle knew that it had to be disclosed eventually. Jessabelle decided that it could wait. Once she was back in America, she would tell Joey everything that had happened.

A whole day Jessabelle spent sleeping. She was so tired from traveling that her body refuse to move from her bed. If that wasn’t enough, Ali’s dupe made her feel foolish. The feeling of failure hurled around her head. She spent an entire day without talking to someone or moving. ‘I won’t do a single thing today’ Jessabelle told herself. She lay in her bed and reflected on how Ali had made her desperate.

The next morning Jessabelle forced herself out of bed and after making herself a delicious breakfast she went out for her journey with no destination. She walked around Khan-el Khalili, checking out artifacts and jewelry. Jessabelle fell in love with the country’s artful history at once. Walking around the streets of Cairo refreshed her and made her forget about all the worries she had in her life. She was alone but not lonely. She was heartbroken but not in pain. It was strange what she felt, but she adored it.

Walking continuously tired her physical being. She wished for some rest and an evening tea. Jessabelle found a small café and ordered a cup of soulful tea. She sipped her tea and watched the sunset in the dunes of Cairo. This beautiful site refreshed the very core of her soul.

Jessabelle was grateful that she experienced the big ball of fire dimming its presence. “Beautiful, isn’t it?” Jessabelle heard a voice behind her. She turned her head around. She saw a tall handsome man in a formal dress standing watching the same sun as her. The mysterious fellow sun admirer looked down at Jessabelle. “I am Abdullah,” he said with a smile as he kissed her hand. “I am Jessabelle,” Jessabelle told the gentlemen.

“You don’t mind if I borrow some of your precious time?”

“The sun is already gone. I have no interest in this place anymore,” Jessabelle told Abdullah as she paid her bill and gathers her things to leave. As she walked she heard his voice again from behind, “Won’t you be interested in the moon? You know, the real beauty of Egypt doesn’t lie in its pyramids or history. It lies in its moon. Wait for a little, and you will see the brightest moon, a feeling that couldn’t be put into words. The cold night and moonlight will be sure to make you feel everything the world has to offer at once.” The words spoken by Abdullah made her think about staying. The place showed her a beautiful sunset but moonlights were even more beautiful and rare.

“OK, I’ll stay. I doubt what you’re saying is true because for moonlight to take its effects, it needs to be dark around here. Seeing the busy street, I don’t think it’ll happen,” Jessabelle told him. “Don’t worry. Just follow me. I will show you the Queen of life and death,” Abdullah stretched his left arm to a small lane. “I don’t think that narrow lane is any good. If anything, I’d rather feel unsafe to go there,” Jessabelle stated her suspicion.

“Just come with me. Trust me. As long as you’re with me, you are safe.”

Abdullah and Jessabelle walked to the narrow lane. As they walked, Jessabelle felt someone following her. She told Abdullah, “I think there are two guys following us.” Abdullah, without turning around to see who it was, calmly told her, “Nothing to be alarmed about. They’re with me.”

Abdullah stopped. To his right, there was a door. Upon knocking, a guy opened it. The two chatted, but somehow Jessabelle felt that the guy worked for Abdullah for the way the two spoke. They were speaking in their language. Jessabelle had no idea what they were talking about. After talking for a few minutes, Abdullah took her upstairs to the rooftop. The building was the highest compared to the others. Jessabelle could see as far as her eyes allowed her.

“It’s beautiful.”

“Yes, I knew you would like it.”

Suddenly the lights went out. In a minute, the moonlight shined in the whole town. There was no electric light on. The faint light of the moon touched every corner of the city. Jessabelle could see Abdullah while the moonlight reflected, “This is the beauty of the Queen of life and death.”

Jessabelle was too stunned to speak. She embraced the moonlight shining on her. She stood and breathed heavily as it was purifying her soul. The two, in silence, stayed on the roof for hours. It was comfortable silence and a sensation she never experienced before.

“Thank you.”

“No need to thank me. Be grateful to God for making such a beautiful thing. I occasionally come here alone and wonder if God gave us this in this world. Imagine what would it be like in Heaven,” Abdullah said to Jessabelle as he looked at the moon.

“I wonder that too.”

After a couple of minutes, Jessabelle asked Abdullah out of curiosity. “What are you? You seem quite influential and confident.”

“How do you suppose?”

“The two guys following you and your conversation with the doorman seemed as if you are their boss. I cannot ignore the fact that the lights went out as a coincidence.”

Abdullah smiled and said, “Well, that’s because I own this building. The guys following me are my bodyguards. I am a businessman. You see. I need bodyguards for my safety.”

“What kind of business are you in that requires a danger to your life?” Jessabelle questioned Abdullah as she became more and more interested in him rather than the moon.

“It’s Cargo I do shipment of goods.”

“What kind of goods?”

“Boring things that make me money.”

The light came back up again. Abdullah took her down. Abdullah offered Jessabelle to drop her back home to which she agreed. The two exchanged numbers and decided to meet again. Jessabelle was intrigued by her brief but profound meeting with Abdullah and thought it was a good idea if they met again.