The morning sun spilled across their hotel balcony in Cairo, painting the sky with gold. Lisa sat cross‑legged on the bed, her laptop open, headphones dangling around her neck. She was already busy trimming clips for their travel vlog. Maya, however, was unusually quiet, staring at the steaming cup of tea in her hands.
Lisa set her laptop aside and looked at Maya with a mix of curiosity and concern.
"Yesterday, you decided to stay in the pyramid alone while the rest of us in the tour group were heading outside. What happened in there, Maya?"
"Lisa," Maya began softly, "I need to tell you something strange."
Lisa looked up, curious. "What is it? You look like you've been daydreaming again."
Maya hesitated, then leaned closer. "I… I met someone. Do you remember the person I told you and Zara about when I got lost on our first day in the pyramid?
Lisa leaned forward, her curiosity sharpening. "You mean that strange man you mentioned—the one you said felt… different? Don't tell me you saw him again.
Maya nodded slowly. "Yes. Yesterday, when I was alone inside, he appeared. His name is Kael. There's something about him, Lisa… something ancient. He doesn't feel like an ordinary person.
Lisa frowned, half skeptical, half unsettled. "Maya, this is starting to sound like one of your dreams. Are you sure you weren't imagining things?"
Maya shook her head firmly. "No. He was real. I spoke to him. And when he looked at me, it felt like he knew me—like he'd been waiting for me all this time."
Maya shook her head, her voice trembling with wonder. "It's hard to explain. He appeared in my life suddenly, as he stepped out of a dream. And speaking of dreams… I've been having these strange visions at night. I see deserts, palaces, and a prince standing alone. When I wake up, I feel like Kael is connected to it somehow."
Lisa's eyes widened. "You mean the dream you told me about? The one where you stood in a palace with a prince who looked at you like you were the only person in the world?"
"Yes," Maya whispered. "It felt the same. Kael… he reminded me of that prince."
Lisa sat back, processing. "So you're telling me you met a man inside the pyramid who felt like he stepped out of your dream? Maya, that's… surreal."
Maya nodded, her voice trembling with both fear and wonder. "I don't understand it either. But I can't shake the feeling that there's more to him. Something hidden. Something ancient."
Lisa sighed, rubbing her temples. "You're giving me goosebumps. Just promise me you'll be careful. Egypt is full of stories and mysteries, but we're here for the vlog, not to get lost in legends."
Maya smiled faintly, though her heart was still racing. "I know. But Lisa… I think Kael is more than just a story. When I talk to him, it feels like I've known him forever. There's this aura around him—serious, distant, yet… fragile. I want to bring him joy, even in small ways."
Lisa smiled knowingly. "And that's why you've been cooking all these Filipino dishes for him, isn't it?"
Maya nodded. "Exactly. Food is my way of sharing warmth. Today, I want to prepare something special again. But I need to buy ingredients first."
Lisa sighed, glancing at her laptop. "I'd love to come with you, but I'm swamped editing our videos. The blog needs to be updated today."
Maya smiled reassuringly. "It's okay. I'll go alone. You focus on the blog—I'll handle the cooking."
At the Supermarket
Later that morning, Maya stepped into one of Cairo's bustling supermarkets. The air carried the warm scent of freshly baked baladi bread, mingling with the chatter of shoppers weaving through the aisles. She pushed her cart slowly, her thoughts drifting back to the mysterious encounter inside the pyramid and wondering how Kael might react when she finally shared a Filipino dish with him for the very first time.
As she reached the produce section, her eyes scanned the vibrant displays—piles of glossy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and fragrant herbs. She paused at a stall where tamarind pods were neatly stacked beside bottles of Tamr Hindi, the traditional Egyptian tamarind drink often enjoyed during Ramadan.
Maya whispered to herself, "Sinigang… I wonder if Kael would enjoy the sour broth. It's comforting, like a hug in a bowl." She picked up a handful of tamarind pods, imagining how their tang would blend into the soup.
A vendor greeted her cheerfully, gesturing toward the display. "Good morning, Miss! Fresh tamarind today—perfect for cooking, or you can try the Tamr Hindi juice. Very popular here in Egypt."
Maya smiled warmly. "Perfect timing. I'll take some tamarind pods. And maybe a bottle of the juice too—it looks refreshing."
She moved on to the meat section, carefully selecting pork ribs, though she noticed lamb and beef cuts were more prominently displayed, reflecting local preferences. "Kael deserves something hearty," she murmured under her breath. "He's always so serious. Maybe this will lighten his mood."
Her phone buzzed—it was a message from Lisa.
Don't forget to buy garlic and onions. They make everything better. Good luck with Kael!
Maya chuckled, typing back quickly: Got it. Thanks, chef's assistant!
As she continued shopping, she passed shelves lined with spices—cumin, coriander, and paprika—staples of Egyptian kitchens. She imagined Kael's reaction: would he find the sourness of sinigang unusual, or would he be pleasantly surprised? The thought made her heart flutter, filling her with anticipation
When Maya returned home, she placed the grocery bags on the kitchen counter. Lisa peeked from the living room, headphones dangling around her neck, still editing their vlog footage.
"Did you get everything?" Lisa asked, eyes flicking briefly from her laptop.
"Yes," Maya replied, unpacking the ingredients. "Now, time to cook."
She washed the tamarind pods, sliced the onions, and crushed garlic cloves. The rhythmic sound of chopping filled the kitchen, blending with the faint hum of Lisa's laptop. As the pot simmered, the sour aroma of sinigang began to spread, curling through the apartment like a promise of comfort.
Lisa wandered into the kitchen, drawn by the smell. "Mmm, that's making me hungry already. So, tell me—what were you thinking about just now? You looked lost in your own world."
Maya hesitated, then sighed. "I was thinking about my dream again. You know, the one I've had since childhood."
Lisa tilted her head. "The faceless prince dream?"
"Yes," Maya whispered, stirring the pot. "I never see his face, but I always feel this… pull. He's standing in a grand hall, wearing royal robes, looking so lonely. And when I met Kael in the pyramid, Lisa… the feeling was the same. Exactly the same."
Lisa's eyes widened, then she broke into a grin. "So you're saying Mr. Pyramid Prince might be your dream guy? Literally?"
Maya blushed, giggling like a schoolgirl. "Don't tease me! I don't know if it's him. I mean, I never saw the man's face in my dreams. But the emotions—the weight, the connection—it's identical."
Lisa leaned against the counter, smirking. "Alright, describe him then. What does Kael look like? I want details."
Maya laughed nervously, then gave in. "Well… he's tall, with this regal posture, like he's used to being obeyed. His hair is dark, almost black, and it falls just past his shoulders. And his eyes—Lisa, his eyes are the deepest brown I've ever seen. When he looks at you, it's like he's seeing something beyond the surface."
Lisa clasped her hands dramatically. "Ooooh, mysterious pyramid prince with soulful eyes! No wonder you're cooking like you're preparing a royal banquet."
Maya giggled, stirring the pot. "Stop it! I'm just saying… he has this aura. Serious, but gentle at the same time. And his voice—it's low, steady, like it carries centuries of stories."
Lisa nudged her playfully. "Careful, Maya. You're falling for your faceless dream guy. Next thing I know, you'll be writing poetry about his eyes."
Maya blushed deeper, tasting the broth and closing her eyes. "Just right," she whispered, smiling.
Lisa laughed, shaking her head. "You're unbelievable. Cooking sinigang for a prince of Giza, dreaming about faceless royals… this vlog trip is turning into a romance novel."
Maya giggled again, her heart fluttering. "Maybe it already is.
Lisa leaned against the counter, still smiling from their giggly exchange, but her tone softened. "Maya, you know I'd love to come with you when you bring that sinigang to Kael, but I'm buried in edits. The vlog deadline is killing me, I can't leave my laptop until it's done."
Maya nodded, wiping her hands on a towel. "It's fine, Lisa. I can manage. I'll go back to the pyramid myself."
Lisa's smile faded into concern. "That's exactly what worries me. Yesterday, you stayed inside alone while the rest of us were outside with the group. What if something happens again? Those pyramids are massive, and you said Kael just… appeared. I don't want you wandering around by yourself."
Maya hesitated, her heart tugging between excitement and caution. "I know. But I feel like I need to see him again."
Lisa crossed her arms, thinking. "Alright, compromise. If I can't go, then let's call Zara. She knows the site better than anyone, and she can keep an eye on you. At least you won't be completely alone."
Maya brightened. "That's a good idea. Zara's always been helpful."
Later, when they reached out, Zara agreed without hesitation. "Of course, Maya. I'll accompany you tomorrow. It's safer that way, and besides, I'm curious about this Kael you keep mentioning."
Lisa gave Maya a pointed look, half-teasing, half-protective. "See? Now you've got backup. Just promise me you'll be careful. I don't want our vlog turning into a mystery disappearance story."
Maya laughed, her cheeks warm. "Don't worry. With sinigang and Zara by my side, I'll be fine."