Golden Bird

“What did you say, my love?”

Rashid’s voice startled her, she hadn’t realized she’d spoken aloud. She turned to face him.

“So you came for the baby.” Her voice was flat.

“I came for the both of you.”

“But you wouldn’t have come if David hadn’t called you?”

Rashid’s brows furrowed in consternation. This was not going as he had anticipated.

“Well, no. I thought you never wanted to see me again.”

“I see.”

Rashid felt his anger rise. “What? What does it matter how I came to be here? It only matters that I am here now. And that you and my child will return to Farahdahd with me.”

“Your child,” she said softly.

“Yes, my child. Little bird, what is wrong with you? Isn’t this what you want?”

Sara smiled sadly. “I thought so. Until just now, I thought so. Tell me Rashid, what if this were not your child? Would you raise it as your own? Do you love me that much?”

“This is pointless supposition,” exploded Rashid.

Sara’s eyes grew cold. “Just answer the question.”

“Very well.” He sat on the bed and clasped his hands together. “I could not do what you suggest. I need an heir, a son of my own. I, ... I do not know how we could explain to my people my wife’s having a bastard child by another man. There would be problems.”

“I see.”

“You keep saying that. What is it, what do you see?”

“OK, suppose this baby is yours...”

“But it is mine!”

She ignored his outburst and pressed on. “And what if I choose not to go with you.” She held up a hand to stop him from interrupting. “Would you allow me to keep the child with me to raise by myself?”

“Of course not! My children must live with me where they can learn their heritage and their duty.”

“Their duty,” Sara said softly. “Yes, I do see, now, clearly, very clearly.”

She sat down next to him on the bed and took his hands in her own. She looked deep into his eyes. “Have you heard yourself, Rashid? Search your soul and know the truth.”