"How has it been for you since...since Ali is gone? Are you alright, Lila?" "I just don't know what I will do now," she shrugged full of uncertainty. "Ali was not careful like Tariq or you. I suppose it was bound to happen the way he was. I never understood why Tariq made Ali his partner and not you." "Because I could not stay here. I had to go back home to my father and do things for him. I know I was not exactly the son he wished me to be, but I tried to be the best son I could for him. Now, he's gone and I have no reason to go back. Indeed, if I do, I am a dead man." He took her hand in his. "Tariq offered it and I was torn. I like it here. It reminds me of the days of my youth in Granada. All my life has been to make someone else happy...more or less...to fulfill obligations of others imposed on me. Not that I regret them. It was the obligation of my mother and her family that sent me to Granda - to learn what it is I know and do best. I was supposed to be a captain for the Nasrid sultans and perhaps one day a general, but then this whole mess began. That was when I met your father. I had been there for maybe a year and it all began to go from bad to worse." Lila raised her arm and his came with it. He noticed then the expression on her face, and how she was looking at him holding her hand - as if it were the most wonderful thing in the world. "Do you believe in kismet, Altayr?" He laughed abruptly, and just a bit sarcastically. "Fate seems to have abandoned me and left me for her cruel sister of late, sweet Lila." "I don't think so. As they say, her ways are mysterious to us so we must accept them and go on." She looked up at him and a small smile upturned the corners of her mouth. "Well, I cannot speak for you, but I think she has shown me a kindness in some strange way." Lila leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. "It was always you I loved." Her eyes fell abruptly then and she blushed, continuing in a small, quivering voice. "I...I know, I should not be so brazen to say such a thing, but you are here before anything else, so I am left to think perhaps you feel the same?" "Si! Na'am. Ohhh, si!" he smiled rolling his eyes. He felt speechless now but did not wish her to think he had any doubts. "I mean - think about it, Altayr. For all the bad and unpleasant things that have befallen us both lately, if they had not happened...." She didn't finish the thought and seemed suddenly to realize what he'd said. "You do? Truly?" "I do, Lila - truly," he spoke slowly now. "I must go here soon. There is something I must do for Tariq...." "Na'am - I know." She threw her arms around his neck. "Please, please be careful, Altayr! I want you to come back...to me. Please." "Don't worry, my beautiful rose - I'll be back. I promise." ****** Just fyi na'am means 'yes' and laa means 'no'. Enjoy your morning/evening and thanks for dropping by my dears. You all are great ;) Rayvn