“Sara! Come in, it’s freezing out there.”
He ushered her into the warmth of the den. He was uncertain what to do next as he was unable to define her mood. She must have heard from Rashid by now. He decided to take a defensive stance and cleared his throat.
“Look Sara, I know it wasn’t any of my business, but I just couldn’t go on seeing you hurting so much. I’m sorry if you think I betrayed your confidence, but I really thought I was doing the right thing. Please don’t be angry with me.”
“Oh David, I’m not angry with you,” she assured him. “It was the best thing you could have done.”
Sorrow gripped his heart. She’d come to tell him she would be going away.
“So, when will you two be married?” he asked as his whole body sagged in dejection.
Sara took his hands in her own and made him look into her eyes. “I’m not going to marry him, David.” She put a finger to his lips as he started to interrupt. “I was a fool, David, a silly, romantic fool. I know I have no right to ask this, but I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me.”
David cocked his head and furrowed his brows in confusion. “Forgive you?”
“Yes, for not seeing what I had, ... for succumbing to that exotic, unreal world I had been thrust into. Oh, David, there’s so many things I need to tell you, ... but, but what it all comes down to, is ... is that ... David, I love you.”
He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Could it be true? He searched in her eyes and saw love in their depths. His heart filled will joy and tears of happiness stung his eyes. He clasped her in his arms.
“Are you sure?” His voice came out in a croaked whisper.
She nodded and pulled back, wiping the tears from her own eyes. “Does this mean you still want to marry me?” she asked tentatively.
“Marry you? Of course I want to marry you! It’s all I’ve ever wanted.”
Sara’s face sobered and she bent her head. “Are you sure you can forgive my ... my transgression?”