He returned to his bed. The rumpled sheets and the memory of her embrace were evidence that it had all happened.

He felt that now he could do without his father. The telephone rang.

“Hello?”

A serious voice said, “Is this Saber Sayed of the advertisement?”

“Yes, yes.”

“I am Sayed Sayed el-Reheimy. What do you want?”

“I must meet you.”

“I am waiting for you at the Votre Coin café near the newspaper.”

“I’ll be there in a few minutes.”

Looking around the café, he saw a man sitting at the table usually occupied by Elham. Without a doubt, it was he. He hadn’t changed in thirty years. Some white hairs and a few lines on his face. Nothing more. He moved toward him, and a new fear gripped him.

The man felt him approach and stood up. “Mr. Saber?”

“Yes. And you are the man in the photograph!”

The man sat down. “You are a very young man; I have a feeling that I’ve seen you somewhere before. Where? I wonder.”

“I’m from Alexandria and am staying at the Cairo Hotel. All day I walk the streets. I’ve come here several times, at this very table.”

“Maybe I saw you on one of the streets. I, too, go to Alexandria occasionally. I also come here from time to time.”

“When did you see the advertisement?”

“The very first day.”

“Really! Well, why didn’t you contact me?”

“Your advertisement indicated that you had failed to find me by other means. But I’m well known, and it’s not difficult to find me. I decided to contact you when I noticed your persistent advertising.”

“But that’s very strange. No one I met had ever heard of you.”

“Never mind about that now. Tell me what it is you want.”

“I want you! But don’t you notice anything?” Saber looked intently into the man’s face, hoping to find a glimmer of recognition.

There was no sign of it on the man’s face. “Look at my face,” he said, almost shouting.

“What’s wrong with it?” asked the man.

Suddenly a soft voice called out, “Saber!”

He turned to find Elham. He got up to introduce her to his father, when suddenly, to his surprise, the man rose and said, “Elham. How are you?”

To his utter amazement the girl kissed the man’s forehead. “You know him!”

The man looked astonished. “When did you meet my daughter?”

“Your daughter! Oh my God!”

Before anyone could stop her, Elham rushed out of the café. Reheimy sat down and in his calm voice said, “Now tell me what it is you want.”