***** Vol.3 Chap.46 The first night *****

With mixed emotions, Frank turned around, picked up his gear, and walked towards the Sphinx. He heard Barak start the car and drove away.

Finally, he was alone and, more importantly, at the place of his calling. A sense of peace overwhelmed him.

It was already dusk and all the tourists were gone. He walked to the front of the Sphinx and laid down all his gears, emptied his backpack, selected some dried fruit, a small piece of bread, a bottle of water, and the flashlight. He then walked around the Sphinx. Everything, every stone, every feature, was just as he remembered.

After twenty-five years, some wind erosion on the seams of the rocks at the base could be seen. He stretched his hand and touched the rock. It was cold and rough. He walked around the Sphinx and let his hand pass from one stone to another. The stones were as solid as ever.

In his mind, he could see Catherine and him holding hands, running around the base, carefree and happy together. They played hide and seek, circling the Sphinx round and round, trying to evade the other person. Somehow, she was always better at the game than he was.

Although one time, he climbed up two levels of the rock and just watched her circling round and round in frustration. Finally, he could not hold his laughter anymore and laughed out loud. That was when she finally discovered where he was. Then she climbed up to where he was and they both laughed and laughed and laughed.

Sometimes, they would climb up to the top of the Sphinx. Their favorite spot was the lion’s head. Like two little kids, they would scramble up and sat there holding hands, swinging their legs in the air. They were too young to be afraid of anything. In fact, this was the place when he first kissed her on the cheek, the place when she first kissed him on the lips, and the place when he proposed to her.

Yes, this place was full of memories of them. He found the spot where they used to climb up to the top of the Sphinx. It all came back to him and he climbed up to the top in no time. He came to the lion’s head and sat down at their favorite place.

He looked around the place. Because of its height and because it had been a clear day, he could see a long way out. He could see the other pyramids in the distance. The sun was just setting, and the pyramids cast long shadows on the plateau.

Without the tourists, it was very peaceful and serene everywhere. There were no sounds anywhere around. He felt liberated, released, and at peace that he finally was in the right place. He shouted “Hallelujah” at the top of his voice. Then he sat down at his favorite spot. The view was stunning. Even though he had seen the same view many times already, he still savored the view.

He stretched out on the top of the statue because he wanted to watch the sunset. The sight was spectacular when there was nothing to hide the view. The sun slowly slid down over the horizon and changed color along the way. Frank was awed.

As the sun descended some more, the hustling and bustling activities of the day seemed to have died down. There was a sense of tranquility, like a blanket falling over the plateau. The blanket covered everything in the valley, covered the good things and the bad things, covered all the activities nearby. The blanket left a sense of stillness and silence all around.

The sun slid down further and the shadows grew longer. The distant pyramids and mountains became picturesque, like a painting on a canvas while the air was still. Occasionally, one could hear a bird squawking from the distance. The sky became more reddish. The change in color is subtle, gradual, and majestic, like the setting glory of a once powerful empire. A few clouds here and there hanged high above, reflecting the last remaining reddish light of the sun in their last effort to capture all that the sun could give for this earth.

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The sun sank lower. It was just above the horizon now. The shadows got longer still. A slight chill pervaded the air.

The sun was on the horizon now. Its brightness was very much tempered. It was no longer threatening when one stared straight at the sun now. One can no longer see the artificial structures in the distant city. Instead, one could only see the silhouette of the distant mountains forming an eerie atmosphere around.

He got up and started his way down the Sphinx, but had to stop several times to look back and enjoy the color change as the sun descended further. Coming down was no trouble at all since he had been through this route many times already, though not recently.

At the base of the statue, he circled around to the front, right between the two paws, a secret spot for Frank and Catherine. They loved to go there because the two paws rose all around, forming a natural wall with a single opening. This was the place where they first made passionate love to one another.

Sometimes, they would just lie there all night looking at the stars, pondering on the weighty things like the beginning of the universe or the number of stars as far as they could see. Most of the time, they would just chitchat and enjoy one another’s company. This was their secret hiding place.

He found the secret spot again. He carried all his gear there. Almost without thinking, he unrolled the sleeping bag on the ground and lay down. The sun was gone. The job of illuminating the earth was now passed onto the moon. He could see a few stars high above but could not name them since he had forgotten all his astronomy from high school.

He took out some of his food and water. The dried dates were good. They were just the way he liked them when he was young. He took some bread and tore a few chunks of dried mutton. As he was munching on the meat, he was thinking how peaceful and delightful life would be without all the hassles and headaches. He was amazed that he did not miss his work at all.

After a leisurely and satisfying meal, he stood up and walked around. Now that he had arrived at the Sphinx, what next? He had no clue what to do next. Would a spaceship come to take him away? Perhaps an old acquaintance would come and pick him up? He doubted very much. No one knew he was here.

Perhaps a door would open?

To get attention, he shouted on top of his voice, “Sesame Open!”

He listened. There was nothing, no echoes, no movements, no sound. Perhaps he was not at the right place, so he ran around the Sphinx shouting “Sesame Open.”

There was no response anywhere.

Then he ran around again, shouting his name, “This is Frank! Open the door. I command you to open.”

There was no response again.

He ran around again, shouting his full name in desperation. “I am Frank Abdulcizi! I am Frank Abdulcizi!”

Nothing.

If anyone was watching, he would look utterly silly and perhaps totally crazy. But he did not care.

He had been summoned here by his illusions. Something must happen here.

Perhaps there was some secret lever around the Sphinx that would open a secret door. He ran around the statue again, touching and pushing every stone within reach. Nothing. All the stones were at the right place as he had remembered them.

After an hour or more of circling the Sphinx, he was getting tired, and impatient as well. He returned to his spot and lay on the sleeping bag and stared at the stars. He looked around again. Everything was still. The night was calm, and there was no breeze at all. Neither was there any sound.

“This is Frank Abdulcizi. I am here. Take me!” He shouted on top of his voice.

Again, no response.

“This is Frank Abdulcizi. Can anyone hear me?”

No reply.

“If there is anyone here, please make a sign.”

There was no sign, no movement at all, just the sound of his own breathing.

I come all the way here for nothing! He said to himself, discouraged.

“Well, at least I got to visit Catherine’s grave and saw Barak again.”

But he did not know what he should do with the rest of the week, and even more so for the rest of his life.

“Well, I am just going to enjoy the rest of my camping trip.” He declared loudly to himself.

The plan was to camp for five days and he gave himself five days here at the Sphinx. At least he would wait five days before making any further decisions.

Five days of adventure. He told himself.

In his dreamy state when he was half awake and half asleep, he noticed the statue seemed to stand up. He tried to jump up but found that he could not move, since his consciousness had not returned to him yet.

The paws of the Sphinx pointed inwards. As he followed the direction where the paws were pointing, there was an open door.

He snapped back into consciousness, stunned and dazed. Fully awaken, he looked at the statue, but it was just the same as before. Was that an invitation? Was that the response he was waiting for? Was that the reply that he was seeking? Was that the instruction he should follow?

He scratched his head.

Perhaps. But how?