He sat down on the grass and stretched his hand toward me. I ignored it.

“Haven’t you recognized me yet? Have you forgotten my voice?”

I groaned. “When will the devil let me rest in peace?”

“What are you saying, Omar? For God’s sake, talk to me, for I’m very upset.”

“Who are you?”

“How strange! I’m Othman Khalil!”

“What do you want?”

“It’s Othman, don’t you understand? What I should have avoided has happened, and now I’m being chased.”

I felt him with my hand. “But this is not Samir’s body. What guise have you come in this time?”

“Samir?…You frighten me!”

“But you won’t frighten me. I won’t go tearing off like a madman.”

He touched me, “Talk to me, for God’s sake, as a friend. Don’t make me despair of you!”

“What does that matter?”

“Listen, Omar, I’m in a bad situation. They’re looking for me everywhere. If they catch me I’ll die.”

“So it’s you who’s running away this time.”

“I’m going to hide at your place until it’s safe to run.”

I asked sadly, “How did the devil know I was here?”

“We’ve known your whereabouts all along—not a hard thing for a journalist like Mustapha to track down. He often comes around here, asking the peasants who bring your food to keep an eye on you. We didn’t want to disturb you.”

I groaned. “It’s they who’ve blocked his face from me.”

“During the past year and a half we haven’t once disturbed you.”

“I don’t care even if Samir’s head has been replaced by yours.”

He sighed sorrowfully. “What’s happened to you? No, I refuse to believe that you haven’t recognized me yet.”

“You can believe it or not.”

“Pay attention to me, Omar, I have some startling news for you. I’ve married Buthayna.”

“Let the devil go ahead and play his tricks.”

He stuck his face in front of mine. “In spite of the difference in age, we got married, for we love one another, and now in her belly a new life throbs, my son, your grandson!”

“As you have been both my son and my enemy!”

“Hasn’t this incredible news awakened you?”

“Like the snake who darts out his fang and dances.”

“What a pity!”

“That’s what I always say, but no one replies.”

He patted my shoulder. “Come back down to earth. I’ve escaped just in time. They’re combing the place for me now; they’ve searched your office and may try to implicate you. Go back, clear yourself, and look after your family. They’re in great need of you. Buthayna’s expecting a child and will never see me again…”

“And I have never seen him.”

“Don’t you want to understand?”