Randa was lovestruck; she loved the spirit of the artist Samir. If only he had kept silent, and their companionship had gone on without declaration or words! It was enough for her to see him, to hear his voice, and to feel his affection—that was all she asked of the one she loved, since there was no way to live with him. But his confession offended her and made her shrink from him. Randa was a dreamer in her love, like most girls of her age. But though she was modern in her dress and her way of life, she was in truth sober and reserved, and she loathed that kind of love which leads where the end is not good. At ten o'clock on Wednesday morning the maid received Samir and handed him a letter, saying:
— "Miss Randa left with her parents yesterday."
Samir took the letter with a trembling hand and opened it in the street, to learn the cause of this sudden departure. This is its text:
My dear Ustad,
It was necessary for me to leave the city for a few weeks, for the sake of your happiness and mine. I can almost hear you say: "You do not understand me, my little Randa, for my happiness lies in your hands." But believe me, I understand you perfectly, and I know that this journey of mine will pain you and pain me; but the days will play their numbing part, and you shall see!
The prolonging of our lessons, had it come to pass, would inevitably have led to the shattering of my reputation, which I am anxious to keep clean and pure; it would also have led to the collapse of your family happiness—and that I will not accept, for you or for your wife. And now I take leave of you, offering my sincere gratitude for the pleasant hours I spent in your company: Your devoted pupil: Randa.
And here the big child folded the letter that had broken
his heart, and returned to his house defeated, for his first and last love remained thus, forever, without hope!
Damascus: Salma al-Haffar al-Kuzbari
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