...Taj Mahal...

Rahul took Aaron and the rest to visit the Taj Mahal.

It was an ivory-white marble mausoleum on the right bank of the river Yamuna in the Indian city of Agra.

- Is that a mausoleum? It looks like a castle!

- Yes, it is. It was built at first for the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan's wife " Mumtaz Mahal". Then after the emperor's death, he was buried beside his wife.

- He surely loved her so much to build such a big tomb for her.

- This is not only a tomb, this mausoleum includes a mosque and a guest house.

- It was all for his wife?

- Mumtaz Mahal was the favorite wife of the emperor. The building has her name as well.

- You seem that you know a lot about it, Rahul.

- How would I not know? Taj Mahal is the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage". It is regarded by many as the best example of Mughal architecture and a symbol of India's rich history.

Dylan looked at Aaron, who was amazed by the beauty of the place:

- When this Architectural masterpiece was built. There were monsters hidden, in an isolated place, and kept themselves away from the human world because they thought that humans are lowly creatures. I bet that they won't be able to build such a thing even if they gather all their superpowers. Am I not right?

Aaron knew that Dylan was right, but he ignored him and kept talking with the boy:

- The mausoleum seems in great shape, unlike the other monuments we visited. I don't think they were constructed in the same period.

- You're right, Aaron. It looks like it was built yesterday. Rahul, do you know in which year this mausoleum was built?

- The order was commissioned in 1631, which was the same year that Mumtaz Mahal died while giving birth to their 14th child, Gauhara Begum. Construction started in 1632, and the mausoleum was completed in 1648, while the surrounding buildings and the garden were finished five years later. 

Dylan and the rest were very impressed by how much information the young boy knew.

- You are quite a clever boy. I think we made a good decision to take you as our guide. Good job.

The boy felt happy, that was the first time someone complimented him.

- Thank you, sir.

- So the Taj Mahal was built more recently.

- Maybe we are mistaken and this is not the right place that we must search in.

- Or maybe the Taj Mahal was built over the ruins of something else. Nothing is for sure.

Laila looked very excited to discover the place. She was looking around with a big smile on her face. Dylan was looking at her while trying to understand her reaction.

- Is this your first time here?

- Of course, it is. I told you before that I have never left Egypt.

Dylan was confused, she seemed telling the truth:

" Then how did she know about the Royal tombs and the mummy? Did someone else tell her? "

Laila held Annie's hand:

- Let's keep going. There are a lot of amazing things to see in this place.

Dylan stood in front of her:

- I see that you are not afraid.

- Why would I be afraid to enter such a beautiful place.

- I guess, there won't be awaking mummies in this place. right?

Laila hid her nervousness with a fake smile:

- I hope that

Then she headed towards the entrance while the rest followed her.

Sarra was also watching Laila. She probably was the reason for her husband's disappearance, but she couldn't hate her.

- Dylan, I don't know why, but I feel that she is not a bad person.

- Yeah, Sarra. That's the only reason that makes me patient with her. I feel like I'm seeing myself in her. I hope that whatever the reason for doing this, she could stop before it will be too late.

They started walking around the garden while Rahul continued his explanation:

- the garden uses raised pathways that divide each of the four quarters of the garden into 16 sunken parterres or flowerbeds. Halfway between the tomb and gateway in the center of the garden is a raised marble water tank with a reflecting pool positioned on a north-south axis to reflect the image of the mausoleum.

- It is very impressive!

- Let's go inside the tomb, which is the central focus of the entire complex of the Taj Mahal. It is a large, white marble structure standing on a square plinth and consists of a symmetrical building with an iwan (an arch-shaped doorway) topped by a large dome.

- Rahul, can you tell me again why were you stealing?

Rahul put his head down out of embarrassment:

- That's the only way to feed my little siblings.

- Where are your parents?

- I...I don't have parents.