Stories of blackmail and violence involving hookers flashed in Ahmad ' s mind . With a flush of indignation , he jumped to his feet , wondering whom Reshma was whispering to in the next room . He threw the door open , about to accuse her of tricking him , but instead of a conspiracy , he found her gently rocking an infant in her arms . She was whispering sweet nothings to the whimpering child , trying to lull the baby to sleep , but he reached for her breast , suckling with wide open eyes . Reshma stroked the baby ’ s head and looked up .
Ahmad forced himself to smile , although he knew the smile wobbled , bobbed his head , then swung around , grabbed his coat from the adjacent room and left the house .
Unable to shake off the image of Reshma cradling the infant , and wracked with guilt over his suspicions , he was at the end of the narrow dark street already when he felt a tap on his shoulder .
It was Reshma , short of breath , the infant cradled in her arms . “ Ahmad , I called out to you , but you didn ’ t hear me . I ’ m so sorry , I had been away for too long and the baby was hungry and wouldn ’ t go to sleep .”
Ahmad looked at the infant , who was sleeping at last . “ Reshma ,” he said , “ your son needs you . You don ' t need to worry about me .”
Reshma ' s eyes glistened as she reached into the infant ’ s blanket and handed Ahmad his five hundred rupees . “ Take this . It belongs to you .”
“ No ,” Ahmad said , gently pushing her hand away . “ Consider it a gift for your son . I ’ m not taking it back .”
“ No , it ’ s forbidden ,” Reshma said , pressing the money into his hand . “ I can ’ t give unearned money to my son .” She started to turn away , and then paused . “ My God is already unhappy with me .”
Ahmad didn ' t reply . A single sentence will suffice ... he mused , tears welling from his gloomy eyes , even though the wind had died down and the dust swirls no longer tormented him . Whoever might be unhappy with you , I am sure it is not your God .
Ahmad watched mother and child walk away , then hurried home through the bustling streets of the red light district .
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