“For the first time you appear to be a sensible man,” said the old woman.

Both Othman and Radiya laughed.

“Our life is worth nothing without you, Aunt,” he said. The old woman showed her approval with a smile.

“We’ve spent a good day in al-Qanatir Gardens and it’s time for me to go,” he said.

“Will you tell your wife tonight?” asked the aunt.

“The sooner, the better!” he answered as he got up. He took one step forward and then stopped, his expression visibly changing.

“What’s the matter?” Radiya asked.

He pointed at his chest without uttering a word.

“Do you feel tired? Sit down!”

“A severe pain here!” he mumbled, indicating his chest again.

She rushed forward to help him but he fell back into his chair and fainted.

When he came to he found himself lying in bed, his clothes still on except for his tie and shoes. He saw in the room a new person, who, despite his weakness, he realized was a doctor. Radiya’s face was sad and drained of color and even her aunt’s face wore an expression of dejection.

“How do you feel?” asked the doctor as he looked into his eyes.

“What’s happened?” answered Othman.

“Nothing very serious.”

“But…”

“But you will need quite a long rest.”

“I feel perfectly all right,” said Othman, greatly disturbed. “I think I can get up.”

“If that’s the case, I must tell you that your condition is critical,” the doctor said firmly. “In medical terms it is not serious, but any failure to do what I tell you can make it so. You need complete rest for at least a month.”

“A month!” exclaimed Othman.

“You must take the treatment regularly, and rigidly follow the prescribed diet. This is no matter for argument. I will look in again tomorrow.” He put his instruments back in his bag and added: “Make sure you remember every word I’ve said!”

The doctor went out, Othman’s eyes pursuing him with a look of anger and despair. Radiya came nearer until she was standing next to the bed. She stared at him and smiled encouragingly.

“A little patience and everything will be all right.” The look on his face reflected his anxiety. Tenderly she touched his forehead with the tips of her fingers.

“Don’t worry! You’ll be fine.”

“But there are so many things…”

“I will take care of the situation at the ministry.”

“How?”

“The truth must be known. There’s nothing wrong with that.”

“What a situation!”

“Your wife must know too.”

“That’s even harder.”

“We must face reality at any cost.”

“You just rest!” Radiya’s aunt interrupted.

Radiya was right. He mustn’t give up. The will to live in him rejected despair and surrender, come what might! In the end the whole thing was something of a joke.