“When will all this be over?” she asked pleadingly.

“I consider it finished.”

“You really look tired.”

“I’ve been meeting a lot of people during the past few days.”

“About your brother?”

“Yes.”

They drank their juice in silence. A smile crossed her lips and she asked, “Didn’t you have any time to think of me?”

“All the time.”

“What did you think?”

When are you going to confess? When, when? Save yourself all these lies.

“Say something,” she said, still coyly. “Last time, we spoke of a new job here in Cairo.”

Confess. Confess. That’s all you’re thinking of. Otherwise, you’ll explode.

“Yes, yes,” he said hastily, “I haven’t forgotten.”

“In spite of your worries?”

“I’ve been thinking of the various aspects of the new job.”

He could not resist any longer. “Elham. I love you. I love you with all my heart. I’ve been lying to you all this time.”

“What do you mean?” she asked, bewildered.

“My love for you is what drove me to lie.”

“I don’t understand.” Confusion covered her face.

“I told you I was searching for my brother. Well, the truth is that I’m searching for my father.”

“Your father?”

“Yes, yes. My father.”

“How did he disappear? Perhaps like my father?”

“No. I always believed that he was dead. But my mother, just before dying, told me that he was alive and said that I must find him.”

“Well, that doesn’t change anything,” she said, looking him straight in the eye.

“But I’m broke,” he cried. “I don’t own a thing. My mother was rich, and I always led a comfortable life. But when she died all she left me was her marriage certificate and the photograph as evidence. Other than that, I’m not worth a thing.”

Bewilderment and shock filled her eyes. What if he told her the whole truth about his mother?

“You look worried,” he said quickly.

“No, no. Just surprised,” she replied haltingly.

“I’m not worthy of you, Elham. I’ll never forgive myself for deceiving you.”

“I understand everything. I understand why you lied.”

“What I can’t bear is that I made you love someone not worthy of you.”

“Your love for me, is that a lie?”

“Never. Never. I love you with all my heart.”

She sighed. “It’s your love for me that forced you to tell the truth, isn’t it?”

“Yes, yes. That’s true.”

“Then you’ve done nothing wrong by hiding the truth.”

“But I must leave you.”

“Why?” she cried out, swallowing hard.

“I’m penniless; I have no one; I can’t do anything.”

“Money is not everything. As for having no family, what do we need family for? And besides, there are many things you can try your hand at.”