As the days passed by, compounded of work in the office and wretchedness at home, secret longings took fire in his heart. It appeared that the universe had come to a standstill and that Abdullah Wajdi had become as immovable in the position of Director General as the Great Pyramid.

“There isn’t a flicker of hope!” he thought.

How would the miracle happen this time? There he was with only a few black hairs remaining in his head: his eyesight was now poor and he had to wear glasses, his digestive system had lost its usual rigor so that he had to use drugs for the first time in his life, and his back had grown humped from years of bending over a desk and taking no exercise.

“I’m still strong, thank God!” he would say to himself. And he would spend a long time looking at himself in the mirror, which was not his habit, and thinking, “I still look all right!”

At that time he had written a comprehensive book on employment regulations which caused a sensation in official circles. Despite his advancing age he continued to slave away both at his office work and on his translations—partly because he enjoyed it and partly as an escape from the burden of his marital life on the one hand and his emotional excitement, reckless and frivolous as he thought it, on the other.

“There’s no denying that the hour I spend with her looking at the mail every morning is my share of happiness!”

The exchange of greetings and smiles. Comments on work. Disguised flirtation. Discreet compliments on her hairstyle, her shoes, or her blouse. On one occasion he was admiring her hairstyle when she said, “I’m thinking of having it cut short.”

“No, no!” he protested.

She smiled at the warmth of his protest over something quite unconnected with administrative statutes.

“But…”

“Leave it as it is!” he interrupted.

“But the fashion…”

“I know nothing about the fashion, but I like it the way it is.”

She blushed. He studied her carefully but found no trace of displeasure in her face. He decided to put to use the lessons he had learned during the happier moments of his past. So one morning he presented her with a handsome little case. Radiya was taken aback.

“What’s that?” she asked.

“A small thing for a great occasion!”

“But…but how did you know?”

“Many happy returns.”

“In point of fact it really is my birthday.”

“Of course it is.”

“But…you’re so kind…I don’t deserve…”

“Say no more! With you, silence is more expressive!”

“I’m really grateful.”

“And I’m really happy!”

He sighed, gathered his strength, and then surrendered completely to his emotions. Without further thought he burst out, passionately and in dead earnest, “What can I do? I’m in love!”

She looked down, accepting his confession and happily surrendering to whatever it should bring.