Othman left the Foreign Office intoxicated with happiness. He wondered whether they would first appoint him Acting Director General and then give him substantive promotion or let him stay where he was until he was promoted. Every day of waiting was a torment. Suffer indeed he did, despite his knowledge that the Minister had a good opinion of him and that he was the special protégé of the Under Secretary of State. When his patience had been exhausted he went to see Bahjat Noor, the Under Secretary of State. The man gave him a warm welcome as he said, “It’s as though I read your thoughts.”

Othman smiled in confusion and was lost for words.

“But you do not read my thoughts,” the man went on.

“I owe to you everything good in my life,” Othman answered pensively.

“A little patience is all I ask of you,” the Under Secretary of State said, smiling. “I trust I will have good news to tell you in the end.”

Othman left the man’s office feeling grateful but wondering why he had asked him to be patient. He told himself that the omens were good but even so he did not feel completely secure. Patiently he suffered. After one week the Under Secretary of State called him to his office. Othman thought he read a cool look in the man’s eyes and his heart pounded.

Bahjat Noor said, “You’re probably wondering why your promotion has been delayed.”

“Indeed I am, Your Excellency.”

“Well, you know my opinion of you and I may tell you that the Minister’s opinion is the same as mine.”

“I’m most gratified.”

The Under Secretary of State was silent. They looked at each other for a long while.

“What do you deduce from this?” the great man asked.

“That there must be objections from above?” Othman answered, feeling very low.

“Frankly there’s a bit of a battle going on.”

“And the outcome, Your Excellency?”

“I don’t think the Minister will give in.”

“How much hope do you think there is?” he asked, feeling his mouth go dry.

“Oh, plenty! Just put your trust in God like the devout believer you are.”

His trust in God was boundless, but the devil had long been active in the department. Othman was constantly having to cross a bridge of nails.

—

“There’s little chance left,” he sighed.

“Don’t be sad!” said Radiya. “Promotion is not the only thing in life to look forward to.”

But sad he was, and his sadness settled deep in his heart. He aged, as it were, by a whole generation and all life’s dreams turned to ashes. Radiya suggested that they spend a day the following weekend in al-Qanatir Gardens. He welcomed the idea and let her lead him away to wander with her in the huge park. She was the only happy thing in his whole life.