If Boulos had a doubt before, this reply cemented
everything. This was his Amal. A sweet euphoria filled him. Smiling, he typed, “You call me Ali.” Then he stopped. What did he say to her in Mr. Daiwik’s
apartment?
He thought back to that day. As he had a few times before, Mr. Daiwik
invited Boulos to their apartment to bathe and eat a meal with them. Then Mr. Daiwik was called to go to one of
the apartments for something that needed attention. Shortly thereafter, Boulos heard an angelic
voice. Somehow, Amal was in the room
with him and Ms. Madhura. Boulos wanted
to see her and she allowed him to feel her face with his hands.
But what was said?
It was so fast and Ms. Madhura said something about doing everything
quickly. Then Mr. Daiwik was back and
Amal left. Boulos remembered wishing,
willing his spirit to Amal. If only she
could have heard his thoughts. If only
they had more time.
Boulos continued typing, “I am sorry but I don’t
remember what I said to you. I do
remember being in Mr. Daiwik’s apartment and he was called to another apartment
to do some work. You were in the room
with Ms. Madhura and me. You allowed me
to see your face with my hands. My Amal,
I was in heaven seeing you after so many years.
Then suddenly you were gone. We
finished our meal and Mr. Daiwik walked me to the shelter where I stayed then. I hope this is enough. I am sorry but I do not remember what I said
to you.”
After reading the response, Amal still had the
slightest twinge of doubt but who else could have known about the circumstances
with which Mr. Daiwik had left the apartment.
How could this person know Ali saw her with his fingers? Only Madhura would know. Surely she wouldn’t stoop to something so
unspeakable.
Amal began typing, “My Ali, I believe you. How is it possible we found each other
again? My heart swells. But I want to remind you you said I was fat! Never tell a lady she is fat!” She sent the message.
She smiled.
Even such words from her love were a beautiful melody to her ears. Her Ali was back. Her mind flashed to earlier thoughts of never
being married again. Now her Ali was…. No,
it is too early to consider such imaginations.
Boulos read Amal’s response. Feeling a twinge of guilt he quickly wrote,
“My Amal, I apologize for calling you fat.
I was only saying what I saw when I saw you with my hands.” He stopped.
No, he would not say any more about that. Of course, she was a child and full of energy
when he left when she was wed. It is
only natural someone would add weight as they age. Even though it was true, he would not mention
it again. Boulos backspaced thru the
last sentence and sent the message.
The remaining hours until sunrise Boulos and Amal
told their stories to each other. Boulos
was genuinely heartbroken for Amal’s bereavement. Amal shared Ali’s joy at regaining his sight
and promised to help with reading and writing.
Their time together ended when Amal’s children woke. It was time to return to the real world.
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