The Intern Affair (17 page)

“I guess if you look at it that way, I would have to say I’m the same. I didn’t want anyone to come between us, not now or ever. When I am with you, talking to you, I feel free to be who I am.
I can speak to you; I can do whatever I please—”

“
…
that’s what loving is all about
, Talya.” Samir nodded.
“
Jealousy guards the relationship you have with someone and yet you allow them the freedom to be who they are.”

“Are you telling me that
Alhassan
finally understands that?”

“I think he does, but I’m not sure.
The real test will be when we get back to
Africa
.”

“I see,” Talya said. She still could not trust
Alhassan
to keep his distance.

“My Lady, I think this is time for us to retire. You are tired, and so am I. I will leave you for tonight.”
When he saw the surprise written on her face at him wanting to leave so suddenly, he added, “Do not worry, I will be here after Morning Prayer and we will have breakfast together.”

“But we haven’t talked—”

“No we haven’t, Talya, because your mind will only be ready when sleep has rested your thoughts.
So, tomorrow it will be.”

They both got up and she accompanied him to the door. She felt awful. She would have liked to talk all night.

He looked down at her. “I will be here beside you for a long time to come, Talya.” He took her in his arms and whispered, “Please don’t fret. This man is too tired to talk.”

She opened the door and watched him until the elevator doors closed on him.

20

Talya woke
at first light.
The sun had not risen above the horizon, yet the cloudless sky seemed to be ready for the greatest show on earth—all in blue.
She turned around and looked at the clock: 6:00AM. She pulled the covers over her head although she knew sleep was no longer on the agenda. Eventually, she decided it was time to get up.
She was about to put her feet on the floor when the phone rang.

“Yes?” Talya said in her not so charming, morning voice.

“May I come up?”

“Samir? Yes, yes please.” She pressed the door opener, slipped into her robe, and ran to the bathroom.
He had said he was going to be here after Morning Prayer
. She caught a glimpse of her face in the mirror and the reflection horrified her.
Talya like
d
to be, at least, presentable for anyone coming to her door. This unfortunately was not a case of being presentable; it was a case of being
shrivelled
, and the face staring at her to be hidden in a paper bag.
She brushed her teeth as quickly as she could, fluffed her hair and tried to wash the remaining sleep off her eyes.
There was no appreciable amelioration in what she looked at afterwards. Samir knocking at the door startled her.
Oh God, why didn’t I get up sooner?

“Please come in, my friend.” She let him in, averting her eyes from his gaze.
Talya had no intention to show her face.

“My Lady, I’m glad to see that shyness has not been forgotten when
God
endowed you with beauty.”
Talya had to lift her head to him. She smiled and, without a word, she rushed into the bathroom once again.
She heard Samir close the door and walk into the living room. She took a shower, slipped into her robe and hurried into the bedroom to dress.
She couldn’t decide what to wear.
Oh what the heck; I’ll wear a beige pair of pants and a brown sweater—it’ll do
.
Once the wardrobe mirror told her that she was finally presentable, she went to the living room to greet Samir.
He stood up and took her hand, swirled her around and smiled.

“That will do fine, but brown does not suit you. The blue of your eyes should be the
colour
of the clothes with which you adorn your body.”

She went back to the bedroom without a word. She shed the beige pants and brown sweater and put on a pair of navy slacks and a light blue turtleneck jumper.

When she came out of the bedroom once again, Samir smiled. “Now you look startling.”

“If that pleases you, My Lord, then it pleases me as well,” Talya said, teasing.

“Are you hungry?”

“Yes I am. Would you like for me to cook some eggs or—”

“No, Talya, we are going to the beach first and then we will have breakfast at a little place near the hotel that I noticed at the street corner when I walked to come here.”

“Would you like some coffee at least?”

“No, nothing, thank you; we need to go before the sun rises too high in the sky.”

“All right then.” She grabbed her keys, jacket and purse. Samir stopped her before she reached the door and took the purse off her shoulder.

“I think we will leave this here.” He put it on the hall table.

“But I need what’s inside, I can’t go without—”

“—without what?
A tissue, your wallet and a perfume spray perhaps?” He didn’t even look at its content.

“Yes, that’s all I have in there but I do need my wallet.
If something happens to me, I’ll need some pieces of identification….” She reached for the purse.

“No you won’t.” He held back her hand. “You’ll have me to identify you and as for money, you’ll have to rely on me for that.
I will not allow you to pay for anything that you want or need while I am with you.
If that’s understood, we can go!”

“Yes, but I would still feel better if I had my wallet.”

“Talya, you are not only shy but stubborn as well.
However, the wallet stays home!”

Samir then took Talya’s hand and led her out of the apartment under protest.
She locked the door and called the elevator all the while looking down at the floor. Anyone intruding or imposing his will on her habits, even a friend, was in for a bad time. Talya knew Samir’s eyes were on her but she wouldn’t lift her head to look at him.

“You know, Talya, petulance does not become you.”

“Oh no? Well, if you push me into a corner you’ll see how petulant I can be.” She lifted her head to ensure that her comments reached his ears. His eyes pierced her heart with kindness.
Talya had to smile.

Samir’s gait was long and easy; Talya’s was short and trying to keep up.
Why are we rushing?
This was a beautiful morning; they should have been strolling down to the beach, not running to it.

“Will you slow down, please. I can hardly keep up with you.
Why do we need to get there so quickly?”

“You’ll understand soon, My Lady.
And, although I would love to, I won’t allow myself to carry you.”

That did it. Talya stopped. She had changed her clothes for him, she had not
drunk
her morning cup of coffee for him, and she had left her wallet behind because of him. Now the man wanted her to
run
to the beach. Two weeks of this and Talya would be a nervous wreck.

Samir halted his stride all at once. “Why do you stop now? We are almost there.”

“Because I’m not a child that you can lead by the hand and impose your wishes upon without some explanations.”

“I can see that you’re not a child. I do not want to impose my wishes either. But I can’t wait—”

“Samir, for goodness’ sake, we have a long time to spend together, so please take it easy.”

The argument petered out since they had arrived at the beach anyway—at a more sedate pace.
They went to sit on one of the logs facing the ocean.
The tide was at its highest point and it had elegantly covered most of the rocky edges of the shores surrounding the park. Talya looked at her companion with appreciation. He was distinguished and although she had never seen him wearing a djellaba or a mishlah, the traditional Muslim garments, she could imagine him in such attire. Today however, he was dressed in
grey
trousers and a white shirt.
There was a crest embroidered on the breast pocket of his blazer. Talya wondered which was the school this crest represented for it was no vulgar imitation.

“Talya, what I have to tell you is important. It has to do with what we are going to do together.
I couldn’t wait to tell you that I have decided to watch over you no matter what happens in your life, and no matter what happens in mine. I have decided that however many men you will love or marry, I will remain you’re humble servant for the rest of my life.”

Talya accused the shock agape. She was overwhelmed, because she knew what it meant.
In essence, he was proposing to watch over her, such as a father would watch over a daughter, or so she thought, but she felt something else had intruded on the words she had heard.

“Samir! I can’t accept such a sacrifice from you,” Talya blurted. “You are my friend and my companion for the time we are allowed to spend together, but the rest of your life remains the decision of
God
.
You’re the one who should remember the written word of
your prophet
,
“He knows what lies before them and what lies after them”
.”

“Do you realize you’ve just recited two lines from the Verse of the Throne from the Koran?”

“Yes, and I did so to make you see that the decision you have made was not yours to make.
Only
God
will give you leave to be at my side for life. You are the teacher and, better than anyone, you should know that you can’t pre-empt His desire, His words or the laws that He has laid down for us.”

“I see that your schooling hasn’t been wasted.”

“Sure, I was taught in a
Muslim
School
, but I told you that—”

“
Alhassan
told me a little bit more about you than what I already knew.” He gazed down at the sand.
He seemed ashamed.

Talya looked at him curiously. “I see.
So, you
know
about my school days in
Conakry
?”

“No, I don’t
know
any of that.
I only
know
what you’ve told me.” His eyes didn’t leave the ground.
He was avoiding her querying glance.

“Samir, look at me.”
His head didn’t move.
“Remember what I said last night about talking to you on the phone?” She put her hand on his.

He looked at her finally, and smiled. “I have to confess that I know a lot more than I have perhaps the right to.
However, I couldn’t begin to help you without confirming what I had sensed all along.
From the first day I had met you and entered your home in Dakar, the way you offered me hospitality; your every word, your every gesture; they were not those of a mere Christian opening her door to me”—the mention of her being Christian distracted her. He didn’t know
. H
ow could he have
,
that Talya was Jewish—“they all were from a woman who had been taught and had embraced the ways of Islam.
And when I was at Sabodala, at the time we found
Karim
and
Helen
, I had already sworn to Allah that you deserved my watching over you.”

“But, Samir—”

“Please, Talya, let me…. You deserve peace, and I hope to be the one to give it to you.”
His eyes were peering into hers. Talya didn’t know what to say.
“I am humbled at your words.
Your father must have been very wise to enlighten your path in life in such a manner and to teach you so much.”

“Samir, please stop. I’m no good at receiving such compliments.
I’m embarrassed.
I know there are things I can’t remember. So many things are just flashes before my eyes. But what’s important is that you’re here beside me; to help me through this.”

“I can’t tell you how I feel right now.” He turned his gaze to the ocean.
“But one day I shall tell you.”
A few minutes passed in silence. Then with joy on his face, he looked at her. “In the meantime maybe we should go and have breakfast before heading into the world.”

Samir put his arm around her shoulders and they watched the ebbing tide receding slowly into the morning hours.

Two hours later, they arrived at the office to find
Cecilia
in a state of utter exasperation.

“Good morning, sir, and to you, Talya. I’m glad you’ve come in this morning.
Your
Mr.
Ousmane
is driving me round the bend.” She was red in the face and past the flustered stage.

“I’m sorry,
Cecilia
, but first let me introduce you to Samir
Sheikh
Mandalay
, our company pilot,” Talya said, nodding in Samir’s direction.