Conflicting emotions showed in his face as he considered her words. And when he looked into her eyes he saw her soul open to him. He could deny the truth no longer. The silence seemed to stretch on forever before he spoke.
“I will always treasure my time with you, little bird.” He rose from the bed and folded Sara in his arms, resting his cheek next to hers. “But, I do see, now, that you are right. If I was not who I am, or if we had met under circumstances less spectacular, perhaps ... but it was not to be, was it?”
Sara shook her head and clung to him a moment longer. She kissed him on the cheek then pulled away.
“Thank you,” she said softly. “You saved my life. You gave me a fantasy time that will be in my memories forever. And because of all that, I discovered love.”
A cloud of regret passed over Rashid’s face. “You will marry Wilson then.”
“If he’ll have me.”
“He loves you very much.”
“I’ve hurt him deeply.”
Rashid shrugged his shoulders. “He’ll forgive you.”
Sara smiled. “I think he will.”
Rashid reached out for her, then dropped his arms. “Good-bye, little bird.”
Uncertain what to do next, Sara asked, “Shall I show you out?”
“Not necessary,” he replied, not wanting to prolong the moment. “I remember the way.”
Sara nodded her thanks. “Good-bye,” she whispered as he stepped out the door.“In shah Allah,” he said as he gave her one last smile, then turned and fled down the stairs.