DAR, 1982
Christos’s briefcase flops open. A flock of papers bursts from it and scatters in the wind. He shakes his head, forgetting the door. He starts collecting the papers one by one.
Nailah put on her blouse, pushing her hair back. She speeds from the room. Rayhan is nowhere to be seen.
Latricia exhales deeply. She hadn’t realized she was holding a breath.
The bedroom door opens and Nailah comes out, calling her husband. Christos turns. Latricia expected a smile— she can’t see. Nailah helps her husband collecting the papers. Christos closed the briefcase and walked inside, trailed by Nailah. Well, maybe next time.
Latricia threw the binoculars on the couch and stretched. She jumped on the other couch. Her obsidian-black hair swooped over her shoulders. Dimples decorated her glossy cheeks as she smiled. Her phone rang.
“Yes sir…” she said, “understood. We’re on our way.”
“What?” Saleem said.
“Christos needs us in his office. Now…”
Saleem hummed as he woke up. “After you.”
Latricia led the way to Christos’s office which was inside his house. They entered the front door, one guard escorting them. In the sitting room, Latricia saw Christos’s and Nailah’s wedding wallpaper hanging on the wall. The wedding was two years ago when Christos finished his ruling years. His first wife died. Latricia remembered Christos’s words in the church when he married Nailah. There are no happy endings. Endings are always the saddest part, so just give me a happy middle and a very happy start. Everyone in the church applauded after the words. Latricia was mitigated the marriage didn’t end a few minutes ago.
“Are we heading to his office?” Saleem said.
“He asked me to usher you into his bedroom.” A strapping black man in his forties, said.
“Why?” Latrice said.
“I receive orders, I execute orders. No questions.” The man said.
They reached Christos’s bedroom. The bed was rough, Nailah stood at the corner of the room like an effigy.
Christos smiled. “I know it’s bizarre but don’t worry. I forgot the keys to my office somewhere. Since it’s a pressing matter, we’ll discuss it here.”
Latricia and Saleem exhaled.
“Where is Rayhan?” Christos said.
Latricia’s eyes widened. She lowered her head.
“Something wrong..?” Christos said.
Saleem side-eyed Nailah. She stood still at the corner.
“You’re not telling me—”
The door opened. Rayhan surged in, dressing well his collar.
The three breathed profoundly. Christos stroked his chin.
“He who is in hurry always arrives late.” Christos said.
Rayhan lowered his head. “Sorry, sir.”
“Where were you?”
“Meeting an old friend...”
Christos nodded. “Your face is bleeding!”
Rayhan placed his palm on his face. “It’s a minor wound, don’t worry sir.”
“Where is your necktie?” Christos said.
“I was in hurry, sir!”
Christos smiled. “Why hurry over beautiful things? Why not linger and enjoy them?”
“Whoever is in a hurry shows that the thing he is about is too big for him.”
Christos smiled and turned to others. “I have an imperative matter to discuss with you.”
The room went silent.
“Nailah, can you excuse us for some minutes?” Christos said, looking at Nailah.
Nailah stared at Christos. She didn’t make any movement.
“My wife, a minute only…”
Nailah stood still.
Latricia looked at Nailah’s shoes. Her legs were trembling.
She didn’t want to lift her shoes. She was undeniably hiding something.