“ I left this village and went to the city. I still remember that cloudy evening when I said goodbye. I remember the unshed tears welling in her eyes. Memories of my sweet Nada faded as the dazzling lights of city consumed me. Fame came quite soon, which was a curse. I became popular as a writer and the stars in my eyes caused me to lose sight of her. I didn’ t return for many years and when I did, I was weary of fame, and longed to see my Nada again.”
‘ Did you find her?” Mona asked, breathlessly.“ Yes, yes I found her.” Grandpa replied, casting his eyes downward.“ Where is she now?” Ali asked. Gazing toward the horizon, Grandfather replied,“ On the other side of mountain.” Mona and Ali followed his line of sight.“ Grandpa we’ d like to meet your Nada,” they exclaimed in unison. Grandfather considered them and nodded,“ Yes, let’ s walk together.”
The brightness of a full moon lit their path, casting deep shadows behind them as they crested the summit and started down the other side. Grandfather held up his hand to indicate that they had arrived, the light of the moon softening the gentle planes of his face. Ali and Mona exchanged an uncertain look when they realized they were standing at the edge of a graveyard. Moving to a grave beneath the limbs of a beautiful willow, whose leaves were silvered with moonlight, Grandpa paused.
“ Nada is here. She loved me when I was unknown. She wept for me when the world laughed at me. In my haste for fame and glory, I left her alone and never looked back. My beautiful village girl was forgotten.” Tears welled in his eyes and slid down his wrinkled cheeks.
Ali and Mona moved to either side of their wizened grandfather, warming him with their presence, standing by him as his grief ran its course.
“ Grandpa, let’ s go to home,” Ali suggested, taking his arm.
Silently they moved toward home. The shadows that seemed benevolent turned into sinister apparitions, clutching at them with cold, bony fingers. A wolf howled mournfully and, startled, Mona screamed. She had heard terrible stories of hungry wolves chasing and attacking humans.
Ali held her hand, and as lightening tore the fabric of the night sky she saw the love reflected in his eyes.
“ Be thankful, Mona, your Ali is still alive.” Grandpa said.
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