CHAPTER TWO
Cassim knew he deserved more. He had to live on the streets, to sleep in
rooftops and basements, to try to gain a coin or two everyday to have something
to eat at the end of the day. But to find a job in Agrabah was not easy at all.
Being such a big and busy city the people had to fight hard to make a living.
And some days Cassim had to steal a loaf of bread or a fruit knowing that
otherwise he would have nothing to eat at the end of the day.
Life in the streets was not easy. He had to fight to survive. Fight all the
time. But he was determined not to give up. He was a natural born fighter. He
often thought about his parents. His father never gave up, he died fighting in
the war. His mother died fighting against her illness. And he would fight until
the end.
He was a lonely street boy. A streetrat, they called him although he hated to
be called that. He was more than that and he knew it very well. When he was
particularly sad he used to go to a high rooftop and stare for hours at the
palace. He used to remember his father saying to him that his son would be
Agrabah's next Sultan. How far the palace seemed from him. Far and unreachable.
But in his heart he made himself the promise to never give up, no matter how
hard things were.
One day he was wandering in Agrabah's alleyways. It was late afternoon and he was
trying to find a good place to spend the night. He used to sleep in an old
building next to the market, but the place was demolished a couple of days ago
to build a new house and ever since then he had to sleep in any place he could
as he was looking for a new "home". He was thinking how things were when he
lived at home with his parents. Usually he tried to block out the memories
because it was so painful to him.
A noise perturbed the silent of the alley and Cassim noticed that a man was
trying to control a nervous camel near him. Instinctively Cassim took the
camel's reins and controlled the beast in no time. He noticed the camel was
carrying some wares on his back. When he controlled the camel the man smiled at
him.
"Thanks a lot, young man, for helping me... this camel is very uneasy and it
seems I don't have a knack with camels anyway... it took me forever to bring him
from the gates of the city to here..."
"No problem, good man." Answered Cassim patting the camel's head.
"By Allah, it's impressive to see how good you controlled him. You certainly have
a good way with camels."
"Well, I don't know... maybe it's because my father used to have horses and I
was the keeper..." Cassim's face was suddenly covered by a veil of sadness and
the man noticed it.
"I see.... now... would you mind to helping me to take this camel to my shop in
the
market? It's getting late and I don't think I could do that on my own..."
"Sure." Cassim smiled thinking that maybe the man could give him a coin which
would mean a good dinner.
"Thank you, boy." The man smiled as they started to walk on their way to the
market. "It's a blessing you came to help, boy. I really don't think I could've
done this on my own. And it's dangerous to be alone and carrying wares across
the alleys at night... and it's getting darker now..."
"Yes." Cassim answered. "So, you are a merchant, I see."
"I am, indeed. But not a rich one." The man laughed. "I sell fabrics and
clothes. But not fine fabrics or fancy clothes, no. I sell normal stuff. I have
a little shop in the market. It's not much but oh well.... I used to have a
much bigger shop. I did sell fine stuff then. But after the war I had many
losses. I lost caravans, I lost money... I even lost my family..."
"Your family?"
"Well.... yes... in fact I lost my wife years ago. She died during the
childbirth of our third kid. Not even my son survived. It was tragic."
"It was."
"But my first born son was a very spirited young boy. He was about your age and
as soon as he knew Agrabah's Army was going to defend the city, he volunteered
to join the Army. He was wounded in battle. He was sent back to us, but we
couldn't do much for him. He died."
"He was a hero." Cassim said in a low voice keeping his eyes in the ground.
"He was... war can be so painful..."
"It is painful..."
The man noticed that Cassim had his eyes shinning with tears, even if he was
trying so hard to hide them. The merchant put his hand on Cassim's shoulder.
"What's wrong, boy?"
"Nothing." Cassim tried to smile but he didn't. "It's just that your story is
awfully familiar to me."
"Did you lose a loved one in the war too?"
"My father... he died in duty... he was a Captain in the royal army... Captain
Hassan..."
"Captain Hassan you said? Oh, my son told us all about him... he was a brave
man."
"He was... but my mother couldn't bear his death... she got ill and died a few
months ago.... and I lost everything trying to get a cure for her... now I have
nothing... just the memories of my happy life with my parents."
"Oh, my boy, I am so sorry to hear that..."
"It's okay, sir.... we both have the same pain after all..."
"At least I still have a family, for I still have my daughter... but you... you
have nothing left..."
"I still have my faith..." smiled Cassim.
They stopped at the door of the shop.
"Here we are." Said the man.
"Well, sir, I was happy to help..."
"Could you tell me what your name is, son?"
"Oh yes, of course, my name is Cassim.... Cassim Ben-Hassan, at your service,
kind sir."
"My name is Khalid." Said the man handing three coins to Cassim. "Thank you very
much for your help, boy. May Allah repay your kindness. Now get yourself
something to eat."
"Oh, thanks a lot, sir." Smiled Cassim. Those three coins felt like a treasure
for him.
Cassim bowed to the merchant and turned to leave. He looked at the man's kind
face and then at the coins in his hand. He shook his head and started to walk.
Khalid turned to get into his shop. But then, at the same time both of them
turned back to each other and spoke at the same time:
"Sir.."
"Cassim, boy..."
They smiled at each other.
"Go ahead..." said Cassim.
"Well.... I was wondering if maybe you.... well.... it's just that it's so hard
to find good help this days and I was thinking that maybe you.... maybe you...."
"Yes?"
"Well.... would you be interested in working here with me at my shop? I mean, I
know I'm a small vendor and you won't be rich working with me... but it's a
start... I really can use some help. Things have been crazy since my son died...
he used to help me a lot... and I was wondering if you... if you want to take a
job here with me?"
Cassim smiled widely. He was about to ask him a job. He felt his heart filled
with excitement.
"Are you serious, sir? Oh boy! This is great!"
"Do I take that as a 'yes'?" smiled Khalid.
"Sure! Oh, sir, I won't let you down.... you have no idea how hard things have
been for me ever since my parents died.... I've been living in the streets...
being called streetrat... but I promise you, I'll do my best.... you'll be proud
of me... thank you! May Allah bless you!"
"That's okay, boy... we both will have benefits out of this deal... you'll have
a job and I'll have a faithful helper. It's a good deal..."
"It is. It really is"
"Now tell me, Cassim, do you have a place to live?"
"Actually.... I -- I really....."
"I imagined that.... look, there's not much I can offer to you, but if you want
you can live here in my shop, in the back store... it's not much but at least
it's a roof over your head and besides, that way you can keep an eye on the shop
all the time..."
"Thanks sir! You are so generous!"
"I'm trusting you, son. I know who you father was and I want to help you. Please
don't let me down."
"I won't sir. You'll get the best of me."
"All right then... help me unload this camel..."
"Oh, leave it to me, sir. You can go to your home. I'll unload the camel and put
the stuff into the store. It's okay."
"If that's what you want, it's fine. Then I'll see you in the morning." Khalid
handed the key of the store to Cassim. "Thank you, boy."
"Have a good night, sir."
"You too, son. Have a good rest."
Cassim was very grateful to Khalid. He worked for him the best he could.
Besides, the man was a kind old man. Well, he wasn't exactly old, for he must be
around 50 years old, but he sure looked much more older. But he had that gentle
smile and those kind eyes. He sure was a good man. In a few days Cassim was very
fond of him as much as the man was fond of the boy.
Young Cassim was a wonderful worker. He was always willing to help. He never was
tired and he was always in a good mood. Khalid stated to see him as a true son.
And some how Khalid filled in Cassim's heart the hole his father had left him
when he died. They were always talking. They knew everything about each other.
They really got along pretty well.
That day a shirtless Cassim was accommodating a few boxes in the back store when
Khalid entered. The boy was sweating and he looked really tired but he kept
himself working.
"Cassim, my boy!" Khalid saluted him.
"Khalid, sir.... do you need anything?"
"Leave those boxes there.... come here." Cassim did as he commanded and removed
the sweat from his forehead and put his shirt on as he approached the man.
"Yes?"
"Today it's my birthday, boy."
"Oh, sir... I didn't know that... this is a special day then..."
"Well, my daughter thinks so.... she is preparing me a special dinner tonight...
she wanted to spend a nice evening with me... but since I've talked so much
about you to her and so much about her to you, well, I think this could be a
good time for you to meet each other... I'd be happy to have you for dinner at
home tonight..."
"Me?"
"Are you coming?"
"Oh... sure!" replied Cassim happily.
"That's great... you go to change your clothes while I close the shop... go
boy!"
Cassim smiled. He longed to have a nice dinner in a place called home.
The first stars were shining in the sky when they arrived at Khalid's house. It
was a small nice home in one of the many alleyways of Agrabah. It was not the
house of a rich man, but the home of a common merchant. Something about that
house reminded Cassim his own home, the one where he used to live when he had a
family. When they entered the house, Cassim noted that it had a woman's touch
without any doubt. There were vases everywhere with flowers. Cassim smiled as
Khalid was speaking:
"My daughter is a little shy but I'm sure she'll enjoy the company.... My dear!
I'm home!"
"Oh! Coming, father.." a sweet female voice responded from the other room.
Soon a petite figure appeared in the room and as soon as she noticed Cassim's
presence she covered her face with her veil.
"Oh, father, I didn't know we have company..."
"That's okay, dear. No need to cover your face. This young man is Cassim, the
boy who helps me with the store, I've talked about him to you."
As the girl uncovered her face, Cassim bowed before her and took her hand
kissing it.
"It's a real pleasure, young lady. Your father is always talking about you. I'm
Cassim Ben-Hassan, at your service."
"The young man is quite a gentleman, I see." Smiled Khalid.
"I'm Zahrah and the pleasure is all mine." Smiled the girl.
Cassim smiled widely. The girl was beautiful, he thought. She was small, with
wonderful dark eyes and the most gorgeous smile Cassim had ever seen. She was
around 17 years old, Cassim calculated.
"Young Cassim is like a son to me, Zahrah, so I decided to invite him to join us
for dinner tonight. Now, I'm going to wash and change my clothes.... I'll be
back in a few minutes..."
Khalid disappeared from the room leaving behind the young couple. Zahrah blushed
and Cassim decided to take matters in his own hands even if he was feeling
nervous too.
"Your father is always talking about you, Zahrah. I'm glad we finally met."
"Yes, he's always talking about you too, Cassim."
"Really? What does he say about me?"
"Well, he says you are a very nice boy and a great help."
"Your father is very kind.... but when he told me about you he forgot to mention
that you were so beautiful...."
Zahrah blushed again and lowered her eyes with a shy smile. Cassim felt his own
face warm in a blush. He couldn't believe he had just said that. It was the
first time he told a woman such words. He ran his hand across his hair and
changed the subject.
"Your home is very nice.... with all those flowers...."
"I love flowers." She said. "It's a good way to keep a good atmosphere in the
house... we've been so sad ever since..."
She didn't finished the sentence, but Cassim nodded anyway. He understood.
"Yes, I know... your father told me everything about your brother.... and I can
share your pain, for I lost my father in the war too...."
"I know... father told me about it..."
Cassim smiled.
"Boy! It seems we know everything about each other even if we just met a few
minutes ago."
Zahrah smiled too but the smile soon became a worry expression.
"Oh no! The food!"
She ran into the kitchen and Cassim went after her smiling. The food was okay
and smelled wonderful too. Cassim couldn't remember when was the last time he
had dinner like this. Cassim offered to put the dishes on the table for her
while she finished preparing dessert.
When Khalid came back a few minutes later and found the couple talking and
laughing happily, he smiled too. It was like having his son back home again. He
found that particularly significant, because ever since her brother died, Zahrah
was always sad.
They shared a wonderful dinner, talking, laughing and having a great time.
Zahrah was a wonderful cook and Cassim thought the food she prepared was a
God's dish. After dinner, while Khalid was drinking coffee, Cassim volunteered
to help Zahrah wash the dishes. He couldn't take his eyes off her. She was so
beautiful. He tried to get closer to her every time he could to smell her soft
scent. Wild flowers scent. Cassim knew it was not a perfume but the true scent
of the flowers she kept in the vases.
It was late when Cassim said his goodbyes and kissed Zahrah's hand once again.
They smiled to each other and for a moment they got lost in each other's eyes.
Then Cassim say goodbye to Khalid and went back to the store.
While he was walking across Agrabah's alleyways he felt his heart filled with a
new feeling. Something that was magical. He could still smell the scent of
flowers even if he was not with Zahrah anymore. He felt like he was walking
on the clouds. It this what they call 'love'? He wondered. It was a magnificent
feeling.
In the next few days he worked harder than usual. He wanted to have some extra
money to get a good gift for Zahrah. He was even helping other vendors to get
more money. Khalid noticed that all that Cassim could talk about was his
daughter... and for some reason Zaharah kept herself talking about Cassim all
the time. Khalid was happy about that because he loved Cassim deeply. He knew he
was a good young man, regardless of his poverty. He knew Cassim was well educated
and noble at heart. Besides he was hardworking and very dependable. Khalid would
bless the love between his daughter and this young man... If only that love
would be born soon!
Cassim entered the store and smiled at Khalid.
"What is it, boy?"
"Sir, I have this little present for your daughter..."
"A present for her? Why is that?"
"Well... it's just that.... I mean.... she was such a great hostess the other
night
that.... well, I mean, you also were a great host but... it's just that..."
"I see. And may I see the gift?" Smiled Khalid.
"Sure!"
It was a small bottle of the finest perfume Cassim could find in the market. It
had the glorious scent of flowers that Cassim loved in Zahrah.
"But my boy, this is a very expensive gift... it must have cost you a fortune!"
"Well.... I really---"
"Where did you get the money to buy this? You didn't steal it, did you?"
"Of course not, sir. You know my days as a thief are over... besides I only
stole
food. But anyway, I had some money and I worked this week helping merchant Hakim
to unload some stuff and merchant Bassel asked me to help him to clean his
store... and... well, I had some extra works.... but it was worthy.... this
perfume would go great with your daughter..."
"I see.." answered Khalid, touched.
"So, I was wondering if you could give it to her for me, Khalid, sir?"
The man smiled widely.
"I think you must go to give it to her personally."
"Me?"
"Look, Cassim... she's been very sad and very lonely since her brother died...
they were always so close to each other... I think she really needs a good
friend now. She needs to go out, to distract her mind... and maybe you could
help me.... she needs us..."
"I understand." Said Cassim looking at his feet. He was thinking that those were
his own needs too. He also needed a good friend. Someone to share his feelings
with.
"Go to find her, Cassim." Smiled Khalid. "It's early. Take the afternoon off and
go with her... that would be very kind of you..."
Cassim smiled but said nothing.
Later on that afternoon Cassim arrived at Zahrah's home. He knocked on the door
and
her musical voice responded from the interior.
"Who is it?"
"Cass---" but he stopped in the middle of the sentence noticing his boyish
voice. He cleared his throat and said in a more "manly" voice: "It's me,
Cassim."
Immediately the door opened and Zahrah smiled widely. Something was shinning in
Cassim's eyes.
"Oh, Cassim... it's you... what a nice surprise! Father didn't tell me you would
come."
"He gave me a break... and I wanted to come to give you this..."
Cassim handed her the little bottle and she was surprised.
"What is this?"
"Oh, just a little something... it's my way to thank you for the wonderful
dinner you prepared the other night..."
"This is wonderful!" she exclaimed smelling the scent. "But it's very
expensive... Cassim, you shouldn't---"
"Nevermind!" he smiled. "So, do you liked it?"
"I love it! How can I thank you?"
"Well, maybe putting a few drops on you..."
She smiled and did as he said. She smelled wonderful. Suddenly she realized she
was keeping him on the doorsteps.
"Oh, Cassim, please, come in..."
"Actually," he interrupted her, "I was wondering if maybe you want to go for a
walk... the afternoon is beautiful and there's so much we can see in Agrabah..."
She looked at him and smiled.
"Sure... I just need to get my veil..."
A few minutes later they were walking across Agrabah's busy streets. She kept
her head covered but he insisted she keep her face unveiled. He loved to see
her face, those glorious eyes and that breathtaking smile of hers. They went to
the marketplace and saw so many wonderful things. They also visited squares and
gardens. They shared a very nice conversation and came back home when the stars
were already shining on the sky.
They sat on the doorsteps outside the house to look at the sky. Cassim was
talking:
"My father and I used to look at the sky all the time..."
"You miss him, don't you?"
"Yes... I miss him a lot.... he was great..."
"I can imagine... I'd die if my father..."
She didn't finished the thought.
"Your father will be with us for a long time, Zahrah... he's a kind man..."
"Yes, he is... he's so incorruptible, so lawful... he's been all his life so
worried about the moral character... about the good name of the family..."
"Your family does have a good name already.... and you," he smiled, "you have
the
best of all names... Zahrah... it means beautiful flower... it also means
star... it's the perfect name for you... you are so beautiful and so shiny..."
She smiled and blushed.
"You know a lot of things, Cassim... you must be a scholar..."
"I was... even after my parents died I still was attending school but then...
well, when you run out of money you just can't keep yourself at school.... I
needed to go to the streets to survive... it was hard... it was the worst year
of my life... thank Allah I met your father..."
She put her hand on his shoulder, letting him know she understood. They smiled
sadly and looked at the sky. Soon Cassim's eye was caught by the Sultan's Palace
which could be seen from there in all its glory. Cassim smiled.
"That palace is so beautiful... what would it be like to live there?"
"I don't know... it's all so fancy and so... well, I really don't know if I'd
like to live there or not.. I think I'm happy with my life..."
"I don't know," he replied sadly. "Sometimes I feel I deserve more than this...
I mean, I'm so happy working with your father and having him and you as my new
family... is just that... well... I really don't know..." after a silence he
laughed. "The funny thing is that my father used to say that when I got married,
my son would be Agrabah's next Sultan..."
"Don't laugh... " she smiled. "That could happen... who knows Allah's plans?"
"You don't really believe that, do you?" he smiled.
"I don't know.... I really don't know..."
"Well," Cassim said glancing at the palace. "If our Sultan Hamid doesn't soon
take a wife and give us an heir, maybe the post for Sultan could be open when he
dies..." he joked.
"Or maybe he could have a daughter and you could have a son... and they could
marry...."
"You know the law... only a Prince can marry a Princess."
"Love can conquer all..."
Cassim looked deep into her eyes. They both smiled and got lost in each other's
look for a moment. Cassim felt his heart beat faster and Zahrah blushed. At that
moment Khalid's familiar voice sounded.
"Good evening, children. Did you have a good afternoon?"
"Oh father! Welcome! Yes, Cassim took me to take a walk and we saw so many
things... it was a lovely day."
"I'm happy to hear that, dearest. Now, Cassim, would you join us for dinner?"
He glanced at Zahrah. She smiled and nodded. Cassim smiled too.
"It would be an honor!"
During dinner Khalid talked about the possibility of a travel. He needed to get
more stuff for the shop and the only way to get good merchandise was joining a
caravan and traveling to other cities to trade. It wouldn't take long. Just
three
weeks, at most. And when he returned he would have new stuff to sale. It would
be beneficial for the business. His daughter told him that it was dangerous for
him
to join a caravan but he replied that he was thinking about taking Cassim with
him. He told them that a caravan would leave Agrabah in a couple of weeks and
they were going. Zaharah would stay at the home of the good widow who was the
neighbor. Even if she didn't like the idea that much, she understood that it was
the best for the business and all was decided that night. Khalid and Cassim
would join the caravan in two weeks.
The next days Zahrah visited the shop everyday. She started to bring food for
her
father and Cassim everyday for lunch. She'd never done that before. But she
looked so happy and so beautiful. Her father knew that love was borning between
Cassim and his daughter and that made him happy. He was old and he wanted to
make sure his daughter would have a faithful husband before he died. And he could
clearly see the true love between his daughter and young Cassim. Khalid blessed
the night when he had met Cassim and thanked Allah everyday for bringing such a
nice young man into his family.
The night before they parted with the caravan Cassim went to visit the family.
His visits were so often that Zahrah waited eagerly for him every night. He used
to have dinner with them almost every night. That night Khalid went to bed early
because they would leave Agrabah early in the morning. Cassim was outside with
Zahrah, saying his goodbyes.
"I've never traveled in a caravan before.... I'm a little nervous...."
"I'll be praying for you every night, Cassim...."
"Thanks... I'm sure Allah will take care of us thanks to your prayers.... but
don't worry, we'll be back soon...."
"It's just that ever since my brother died I have this fear of losing my loved
ones...."
"Don't worry, I'll take good care of your father... remember that my dad was a
soldier and even if he never allowed me to join the army, well, he made me pass
the basic training... I can take good care of myself and of Khalid... don't
worry about him..."
"I know he's safe having you with him...." Zahrah blushed. "But I'm also worried
about you..."
Cassim was surprised. He stared at her for a moment before he could react.
"Me?" he asked in disbelief.
Zahrah looked deep into his eyes and caressed his face with her soft hand.
"You ARE one of my loved ones... you are part of my family now, Cassim.... and I
couldn't bear it if anything bad happened to you.... because I---"
She stopped in the middle of the sentence. Cassim was feeling very nervous but
he took her hands in his anyway and said:
"I love you too, Zahrah..."
Zahrah smiled half shy, half nervous and she threw her arms around Cassim's
neck. He hugged her close to him feeling her fragile body pressed against his
own. She could feel his muscles under his robes. He needed to protect her and
she wanted to be forever safe in his embrace. He lifted her face and softly
touched her lips with his and they shared a long kiss under the stars. Khalid
saw the scene from his window and smiled.
"It was about time." He muttered to himself.
The next morning when it was still dark the caravan left Agrabah. Cassim could
only think about her while he rode his horse leading a line of camels behind
him. The caravan was formed by a dozen of merchants and almost 50 camels and
horses. It was going to be a long trip but Cassim knew that it would be the best
thing for Khalid's business and therefore for Zahrah. He smiled contentedly as
he
remembered her. Oh, he sure was going to miss her a lot. Why, it was less than
two
hours since they had left Agrabah and he was already missing her.
After a few days of travel they arrived at the big city they wanted to without
any
trouble. They traded the wares and before they expected they were in their way
back to Agrabah.
But Cassim could sense the fear in the caravan one night. He asked another
merchant why they all seemed so nervous and the response he got really scared
him.
"This is your first travel, isn't boy? We all know that these lands are
territory of the Forty Thieves."
"The Forty Thieves?"
"Yes, the most dangerous band in all the lands of Allah! They take no
prisoners... they are powerful and unmerciful.... Allah forbids us to cross the
way of the Forty Thieves... they had killed many people and stolen so much
merchandise... they are so dangerous... everyone fears the Forty Thieves."
"I've never heard about them before...."
"You were lucky then, boy... but beware and keep your eyes open.... we could
never been so careful.... now go to your post..."
Cassim returned to the side of the camp fire where Khalid was trying to get
himself warm.
"What did Omar tell you, boy? A caravan story perhaps?"
"He told me about the Forty Thieves, Khalid.... Have you heard about them?"
"Who hasn't? They are dangerous...."
"So, they are not just a caravan story, are they?"
"I don't know.... they seem like a story... but so many people say that they are
real... I don't know about the Forty Thieves, son, but I think we have to keep
our eyes open anyway..."
Cassim sat beside the old man and took a cup of coffee from the fire.
"So, is there any other story you'd like to tell me?"
"Do you like stories?"
Cassim shrugged.
"I think it's nice to tell stories by a campfire...."
"Yes." Smiled Khalid.
"When I was just a kid my mom used to tell me all kind of stories about heroes
and forbidden treasures.... and I liked those stories a lot.... I've always
wanted to be a treasure hunter...."
"Did you mother ever tell you about the Hand of Midas?"
"The Hand of Midas?" smiled Cassim.
"It's just a myth.... " admitted Khalid, "about a hand made of gold which can
turn anything it touches into solid gold. The ancient used to call it the
Ultimate Treasure.... I believe it is a Greek legend.... I have a book about
it...
so many adventurers have tried to find the hand... and lived so many
adventures..."
"That sounds great!" said Cassim dreamily. "Has anybody found this ultimate
treasure ever?"
"Yes, in the stories there were so many lucky people who could find the
treasure.... but it was not a good thing."
"Why not?"
"They had to face so many dangers in order to get the treasure... besides the
Hand of Midas is located in this island that is never in the same place
twice..... if you want to find the Hand you must first find the island... and
that's not an easy thing to do... there are maps and lots of magical things
which
can help to find the island... but since you never know the exact location of
the island, well, this search is really hard.... it's also known that the Hand
of Midas has this curse with it.... it turns everything it touches into gold...
but it can also sink things..."
"What does that mean?"
"It means, boy, that treasure can make you lose what is really important for
you... the Hand of Midas has sunk so many people...."
"Is this a real story or just a legend?" smiled Cassim excitedly.
"It's just a myth, as I told you.... nothing more, nothing less..."
"But myths have something real deep inside, don't they?"
Khalid glanced at Cassim and smiled widely:
"Are you thinking to take the chance, boy?"
Cassim shook his head and smiled.
"I'm sorry.... it's just that the story really got me... it's nice...."
"Yeah, it got me too when I was young... I first heard about that in one of my
journeys. And I was obsessed with it for years... until I met my wife...
anyway, I have a book about it. Remind me to give it to you as soon as we're
home."
"Thanks Khalid.... I'd love to read it... but so far.... I think I already have
my Ultimate Treasure, sir...."
The old man smiled widely.
"You do?"
Cassim glanced at his feet and then with a shy smile he looked at Khalid's face.
"Sir... I really don't know if this is the right moment to say this but.... oh
well.... sir, I am in love with your daughter..."
Khalid took a sip of his coffee and looked at Cassim.
"And what else is new, boy?"
Cassim looked surprised.
"Did you know?"
"From the beginning, Cassim..... there are things you just can't hide."
"And.... and you....?"
"I'll be the happiest man alive if you marry my daughter..."
Cassim smiled.
"Really? Oh sir, I really want to marry her and make her happy.... I love her so
much and I want to make her the queen of my world.... I want to work so hard and
to have lots of money for her.... and then..."
"Slow down, boy.... she doesn't want money... she only wants you...."
Cassim smiled a shy smile and looked into his eyes.
"May I have the hand of your daughter in marriage, Khalid?"
He smiled widely.
"You have my blessing, Cassim, but that's a question that only she can
answer..."
They both smiled and embraced each other. They wanted so badly to be back in
Agrabah and talk with her about Cassim's proposal.
A few days later they were in Agrabah's market. They just finished to putting
the
new merchandise in the store and they decided to go back home and surprise
Zahrah. They came back to Agrabah a few days earlier than expected.
When they arrived at Khalid's home, the young woman was watering the flowers at
the doorsteps. As soon as she saw the two men enter the alleyway she threw the
water's recipient away and ran to her father.
"Oh father! You are back!"
She hugged her father and the man kissed her forehead.
"I'm back, my dear... and I have some gifts from you from the far lands of
Egypt...."
But Zahrah wasn't listening to her father anymore. She was caught in Cassim's
eyes. They both smiled and then Cassim opened his arms. Zahrah embraced him and
he held her close to him.
"I missed you so much!" he whispered in her ear and his face got lost in her
dark hair.
"And I missed you! Cassim! Oh, it's so good to have you back!"
Khalid smiled and entered the house, leaving behind the young lovers. After
their welcome kiss, Cassim kissed her hand. It wasn't until then that they
noticed that Khalid
wasn't there anymore.
"Oh Allah," she said worried. "Where's my father?"
"He must be in the house."
"Yes, I think so... but he saw us.... and we were..."
"Don't worry Zahrah.... your father knows everything about us...."
"He does?"
"Yes... I told him that we're in love... we had so much time to talk during the
trip..."
"What did he say?"
"He's blessing our love."
"Thank Allah!" She said and threw her arms around Cassim's neck.
"My beloved Zahrah... there's something I want to ask you..."
"What is it, my dear Cassim?"
Cassim looked deep into her eyes and kissing her hand he said:
"Do you want to be my wife? Would you marry me, Zahrah?"
The young woman was speechless at the proposal. But then she saw the sincerity
and the love shinning in Cassim's loving look and his kind smile. She knew it
was the real thing. It was true love. And yes, she wanted to spend the rest of
her life with him, with her Cassim.
"Oh Cassim, I love you!" it was all she was able to say. She buried her face in
Cassim's shoulder and he held her close to him.
After a long, loving embrace, Cassim let her go and kissed her softly on her
lips and then on her forehead. She had tears in her eyes but she also had the
most shinning smile on her face.
"I want to marry you, Cassim! I want to be your wife!"
"And I want to be with you forever as your faithful and loving husband. I love
you, Zahrah!"
Cassim took a white flower from one of the vases and after kissing it, he put it
on Zahrah's hair. They both smiled.
"My bride... you are beautiful!"
"But you two must be wed at once!"
They looked at Khalid who was standing at the door and smiling happily. They
motioned for them to go into the house. Once there, Cassim spoke.
"Khalid, when can we be wed?"
"I have to go back to Egypt to close a business by the end of the year... maybe
you could be wed after that trip."
"But father," Zahrah replied. "It's more than 3 months until the end of the
year... we can't wait that long!"
"You are so impatient, my dearest!" The good man smiled. "But if this is what
you want, I could arrange the wedding for the end of the month... just 2
weeks... is that a long time, my dear?"
Cassim and Zahrah smiled. She spoke.
"It's a long time but I guess I can survive.... we can make arrangements for the
wedding... I need a new dress, a beautiful one... and lots of flowers... this is
going to be the most important day of my life! Oh father! I love Cassim so
much!"
Cassim smiled.
"And I love your daughter, Khalid."
"I'm glad. Allah's blessing has fallen upon us! And I'll be happy to have lots
of children playing around the house very soon!"
Cassim and Zahrah smiled and blushed. Khalid laughed.
"Tomorrow, first thing in the morning we'll start with the arrangements.... now
it's getting really late and I'm tired... we just came back from a trip across
the desert... we need a good rest... Cassim, son, I suggest you go to take
your rest too. Very busy days are about to come!"
Cassim embraced Khalid and then he kissed Zahrah's forehead.
"I'm leaving now. Have a good rest, my sweet princess... I'm going to dream
about you!"
"Good night, my dear Cassim!"
When Cassim left, Zahrah sighed. Her father hugged her.
"He's a good boy. I'm sure he'll make you happy."
Touched by the Hand of Midas by Evi