The Harafish Read Online Free PDF Page B

way,” called a drunk.
    “Don’t you think he’s like a lion?” she answered, laughing, loud enough for Ashur to hear.
    A childish joy descended on him, but he kept his features immobilized. His clothes no longer shielded his nakedness from prying eyes. The whole course of his life, between the day he was found tucked away at the side of the path and this moment as he sat at the bar, shrank to nothing. Its twists and turns were all swallowed up in the surging waves of a new song. In no time he gave in to defeat, exhilarated at the sense of victory it brought him.
    Fulla was standing among the earthenware containers looking at him with interest when Hasballah, Rizqallah, and Hibatallah burst through the door.
    Little trickles of expectation spread through the lazy air and the customers craned their necks to have a better view. Hasballah shouted a greeting. Then he noticed his father. He swallowed and froze. Rizqallah and Hibatallah looked as if the air had been let out of them. All three stood there for a moment in shock, then turned on their heels and vanished. A sarcastic laugh broke the silence. Fulla looked in Darwish’s direction. He said nothing, but annoyance was written all over his face.
    24 .
    “Is this going on forever?” asked Zaynab, her face registering protest.
    “What do you suggest?” replied Ashur dully.
    “It’s all very well to ban them from the bar, but is it worth the price you have to pay?”
    He moved his big head in an indecisive gesture and said nothing.
    “It means that you’ve begun to prop up the bar at Darwish’s all day long,” she cried angrily.
    25 .
    He was driving along when Fulla came out of the bar and stood in his path. He pulled on the reins, muttering a little prayer for divine mercy. Without a word she leapt gracefully aboard the cart and sat next to him, winding her black wrap around her. Her face was unveiled. He looked at her questioningly.
    “Take me to Margoush,” she said sweetly.
    Darwish appeared in the doorway with a smile on his face and said, “Look after her. I’ll pay her fare.”
    Ashur saw the web closing around him and he didn’t care. He was so happy he felt drunk. All he had learned from Sheikh Afra was crushed under the donkey’s hooves as he drove along, his back molten in the heat.
    “You could easily be chief of the clan, if you wanted,” she said suddenly.
    His face lit up. “Do you think I’m that bad?”
    She laughed softly. “What’s the point of being good when you’re dealing with people who don’t know the meaning of the word?”
    “You’re still young.”
    “No one’s ever treated me like a child,” she replied caustically.
    He frowned. The attentive stares directed at his precious cargo had not escaped him. “Why are you going to Margoush?” he asked her abruptly.
    When she did not answer, he regretted his slip of the tongue. She asked him to stop at the entrance to Margoush alley. “I wish the ride had been longer,” she said. Then as she started to walk away, she looked back and added, “But it will soon be nighttime!”
    Ashur patted his donkey on the neck and whispered in its ear, “Your master’s finished.”
    26 .
    At first light he stormed into the bar. Darwish woke up, protesting loudly. He was taken aback when he saw who his visitor was.
    “What brings you here?” he asked.
    Ashur pulled him to his feet and stared wildly at him. “There’s no way out,” he muttered.
    “Why have you come, Ashur?”
    “You’re malicious and evil. You know very well why I’ve come,” said Ashur roughly.
    Darwish rubbed the back of his neck, squinting at him through reddened eyes.
    “I should be starting work,” he mumbled.
    “I’ve decided to take her,” said Ashur, jumping in with both feet.
    “There’s a time for everything,” smiled Darwish.
    “But as my lawful wedded wife…”
    Darwish’s eyes widened in surprise and the two men glared at each other silently. “What’s this all about?” murmured