Chapter 2: The Beginning
The traffic in Cairo was no different to that of New York City. In fact in Pharai's mind it almost felt worse as people in their cars stayed put and people in motorcycles zipped through the rows of cars.
Muhammad did a good job at navigating it luckily but Pharai knew he would probably have to invest in a bicycle or simply walk if he wanted to get to anywhere on time. Yet when he thought of the weather and the heat at its highest, he would probably have to stay with the car.
"Is my apartment close to the university?" he slightly turned in the cream white leather passenger seat to look at Muhammad who hummed away to an Arabic song that played on the local radio.
"Yes, probably a five minute walk. The area has a lot of small shops and eateries so you don't have to venture too far into the city each time," Muhammad explained with a smile. "I still live with my parents ten minutes away, but you have a very nice location."
Pharai nodded before he looked out the window. He had visited Cairo a handful of times especially when he was studying in university. Most of the times he did however visit Egypt, was for the soul purpose of visiting the Valley of the Kings and spending more time in the small towns close to the Nile River.
He was fortunate enough to know Arabic through his parents and grandparents which made his travels very easy. Yet at times he had to admit he did not always pronounce things the right way and his accent was worlds apart to the locals.
He hoped, however, that throughout his stay he would get better. He would indulge himself in what the locals did, to the way they spoke, ate and travelled. Often he romanticized his travels because they were never permanent but for the first time he would be stuck here for years to come.
His entire life had been centred on ancient Egypt and what more of its secrets could be discovered. He just hoped he had made the right choice by being a full time professor instead of a case study researcher and author.
Yet despite all the unknowns he was excited to start his own life. To do what he had been dreaming about as soon as he knew where Egypt was.
After a long drive from the airport they arrived to a group of tall buildings. Muhammad navigated the car through a booth to the underground parking and parked in the dedicated spot for Pharai's apartment number.
"The university and I made sure all your belongings from America arrived safely and the boxes were placed in your apartment," he smiled as he took out the professor's bags from the trunk of the car then handed him his apartment keys in a small clear bag. "Will you need my assistance? I don't want to invade your privacy."
"I will be alright Muhammad thank you, where can I contact you if I need your help?"
"In your apartment I specially placed a small telephone book with my number, fellow professors and the dean. Plus any other number that you may need for emergencies as well."
"Thank you so much," he smiled but was puzzled when he saw the keys to the Land Cruiser in the clear bag.
"The university also organized a car for you to make your travels easier."
Pharai's eyebrows rose as he looked to the large white SUV. He knew the university was excited to have him but to provide both housing and a car was a bit extreme. His stomach twisted slightly at the thought but he gave the young man a smile. "Will you be able to get yourself home?"
"Yes professor, my car is just parked outside so I will be fine," he grinned and pressed his hands together almost in prayer. "I look forward to working with you when the term starts Professor Pharai."
"Thank you Muhammad, you've been such great help," Pharai smiled as he bowed slightly forward in gratitude. The young man left with a happy grin and a hop in his step before he disappeared from Pharai's gaze.
Once the professor was by himself he looked back to the car and down to his bags. With a heavy sigh he lifted his heavy duffel bag and hung the strap over his shoulder before he wheeled his other two bags to the elevator.
He looked at the floor and apartment number on the tag before he pressed the elevator to one of the top floors. Just from the mirrored elevator he could tell the apartment was very nice. It was nothing too fancy but not mediocre either.
When the elevator came to a stop with a ding, he wheeled his bags out and was surprised to find only a few doors on the entire floor. In total he counted about four. His apartment was the last one to the right.
He turned his gaze to the apartments to his left and a strange chill travelled down his spine as if there was a sudden draft in the hallway.
There were no windows in sight but he figured the air conditioning was a slight shock to his overheated body. His body was so accustomed to the cold that the heat of the day would take him a long time to acclimatize.
His apartment inside was a lot different to how he thought it would be. The small foyer had a few golden hooks drilled into the wall for what he figured could be used to hang bags, hats and keys. The foyer had a blue, white and cream white mosaic tiled floor formed into a lotus flower which he felt was a very beautiful touch to the space.
The color combination was the theme for the entire two bedroom apartment. A few steps to your left was a quint light blue kitchen with cream white countertops and a silver fridge that had a freezer at the bottom and a refrigerator at the top.
From there you could see the small dining area, living room with a flat screen television mounted on the wall. A small balcony spanned the space outside with a hanging round chair separated by a glass sliding door.
The telephone book Muhammad had mentioned rested on the dining table and the boxes with his belongings filled the spare bedroom.
He dropped his bags to the floor and sighed, he had a lot of work ahead of him.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone