The day the leader was killed

“At your age, you can be excused from these types of obligations.”

On the other hand, Hanaa was saying:

“Today I bought a priceless book entitled How to Repair Your Household Appliances. Let’s hope it will liberate us from the plumber and electrician.” Whereupon Elwan added:

“Is there no book that can liberate us from the rulers?”

“People are speaking of nothing but the imprisonment of those who have been thrown into jail,” continued Fawwaz.

“Professor Alyaa is in prison and so is my friend Mahmud al-Mahruqi!” rejoined Elwan nervously.

“They’ve promised to hold a quick trial so that whoever is innocent would not be harmed,” I added in an attempt to calm them down.

“You still believe those lies, Grandpa?”

Thanks to his state of confusion, he was saved from prison. Woe unto those who are committed!

“I hope you’ll muster enough courage to get over your crisis,” I told him the moment we were alone.

“When calamities accumulate they lose their sharpness and intensity,” he said in an ironic tone.

He switched off the television set and returned to his seat beside me.

“Grandpa, I want to tell you a secret.”

I listened to him anxiously as he went on:

“There are strong indications that I’ll be approached regarding a potential marriage to the sister of Anwar Allam, Randa’s husband.”

“Really!

Tell me more about it.”

“She’s a widow, twenty years older than I, and very rich.”

“And looks-wise?”

“Not as you expect. She’s quite acceptable — and respectable.”

When he found that I had kept quiet, he continued:

“What do you say, Grandpa?”

“It’s a very personal kind of decision, and

it’s

best you make it alone,” I said, trying to overcome my perplexity.

“But I insist on knowing your point of view.”

“Do you love her?”

“No, but I don’t hate her either.”

“I don’t know what to say.”

“There must be something you can say.”

“I have no right to decide her fate. I belong to another world and it would not be wise that my world trespass on another.”

“But I’m not used to your being so elusive.” For a while I was silent, and then added:

“There are undeniable advantages to this affair and also undeniable disadvantages. But, in your case, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages!”

“I refuse to sell myself!” he said quickly, with a vague smile.

I immediately felt relieved, but asked him:

“Did you give it enough thought before making up your mind?”

“More thought than necessary.”

“God bless you, then, and may He grant you what your heart desires,” I said in an emotional tone of voice. “Pray, work your miracles Sayyidi al-Hanafi!” I muttered under my breath.

Elwan Fawwaz Muhtashimi

Have you heard, Elwan?” said my grandfather as I was getting ready to go out.

As I looked at him inquiringly, he added:

“Randa got a divorce!”

I was seized by a sudden sense of bewilderment, fear, and relief.

“She’s still on her honeymoon!” I cried. “Your mother told me so this morning.” “How could this have happened?”

“When living together becomes impossible.”

As he was taking leave of me, I added:

“I wanted to tell you, so it wouldn’t come as a surprise to you over there.”

As I walked to the office, I was all wrapped up in my own thoughts and emotions, conscious only of my own sorrow and joy. A sense of gloom surrounded Randa, and very soon it had spread all over the office.

“

I’m…

“ I said as I greeted her. “Thanks,” she said, interrupting me.

“You don’t deserve that,” I said with great sincerity.

“Thanks again. And that’s enough now,” she said calmly.

There were a great many rumors going around in Randa’s absence. I heard all sorts of amazing things. It was obvious that he had failed, as often happens with men who get married late in life. No, no, he’s queer. Look at the way he gesticulates with his hands. No, but the problem is her frigidity: apparent beauty is not everything. There are also rumors that he’s having an affair with his sister. I listened and was hurt. I love you, Randa, as much as I used to, if not more. It hurts me to see you defeated so. My heart goes out to you in your wounded pride.

I thought I might get closer to the truth by resorting to Anwar Allam.

“Thanks!” he muttered sarcastically when I expressed my regret.

“I’m sorry for both of you,” I said as soon as I felt that he

was doubting

my sincerity.

“There’s nothing that warrants regret,” he said coldly. With not a word more, he returned to the paperwork on his desk.

Gulstan Hanem invited me over. I accepted without hesitation, almost sure that she would tell me the truth. She was all bedecked like a bride.

“You only visit me when I invite you?” she said reprimandingly.

“I don’t want to cause you any embarrassment.”

“A nonsensical

excuse,

and you’re the first to know that.”

She offered me ice cream filled with nuts.

“It just occurred to me,” she then said.

I looked at her with interest, and she continued:

“My brother now seems far too busy for me, so how about

your

handling my affairs?”

The suggestion seemed like a bottomless pit opening up beneath me.

“This may upset him,” I said.

“It’s his idea!”

“Give me time to think about it, for I have been toying with the idea of enrolling for a master’s degree,” I said, embarrassed.

“The work is simple but requires someone honest.”

“Just give me a little while to think about it.”

She suddenly offered to reveal an important aspect of her past.

“My marriage has always made me the object of greed. Actually, it was my father who married me off to a man who was thirty years my senior. In spite of that, I continued to lead an impeccably honest and respectable life. My reputation has remained as good as gold.”

“You are the epitome of respect,” I said in a tone of despair which passed her unawares. “Anwar Bey is also respectable, yet see how unlucky he is,” I added cunningly.

“Are you feeling sorry for him or for his wife?” she asked, looking at me suspiciously.

“What’s done cannot be undone!” I said defiantly.

“Really?!”

“That’s the truth, plain and simple.”