Golden Bird

"My God, you're kidding!" It was strange to think of him in the Cambridge she knew from her own college days. "Well that explains his English, but what about you? How is it that you speak so well? Surely English isn't the national language."

"Oh no, my native tongue is Arabic." Yasmine's face lit up. "But my brother insisted I have an English tutor. Unlike most men in my country, Rashid believes a woman should be educated." She set the brush carefully back on the table, then stood back to survey her work. But her attention was distracted by a noise in the outer room.

"I believe your breakfast has arrived." She gestured for Sara to follow.

The table in the other room had been set with steaming trays and bowls of fruit, and Sara's stomach began to rumble angrily at the sight. She really didn't know how long it had been since she had eaten. Another young girl stood, head bowed, next to the table.

"This is Fatima. She is niece to my mother."

"How do you do?" greeted Sara, but the girl did not look up.

Yasmine spoke rapidly in Arabic to her, then apologized to Sara, "She is shy. Her English is not as good as mine and she is afraid she will insult you if she should make a mistake."

Sara spoke to the silent girl, "Hello, Fatima. My name is Sara. You will not offend me by trying to speak my language, after all, I can not speak yours."

Fatima gave a little curtsy in greeting, and when she finally raised her head, she studied Sara with great interest. Her dark brown eyes bore into Sara's lighter ones as if searching for an answer. Sara guessed her to be about eighteen. She shared the same delicate features as Yasmine, though her eyes were guarded, and they followed Sara's every move.

Feeling suddenly uncomfortable under Fatima's intense scrutiny, Sara sipped at the thick, sweet coffee from the cup Yasmine had prepared for her. She nibbled on a piece of melon, but was unable to really eat anything. In fact, for the next three days, she found it difficult to eat anything substantial.

Both Fatima and Yasmine urged Sara to eat, but all she would consume was tea, some fruit, and a clear broth Yasmine had insisted she try. Finally Yasmine became concerned that her charge was in danger of becoming ill, so she contacted her brother who was out of the country at the moment.

Rashid rushed home immediately. He had felt it best for Sara to become accustomed to her new surroundings with the company of his bright, young half-sister, rather than himself. He had counted on Sara's affection for the girl to help her to adjust to the situation more easily. He hadn't guessed that she would try to starve herself.