Naseem Hijazi's "Shaheen" (English Translation)

Chapter 4: Their Host

(1)

Rabia opened her eyes on gaining consciousness. In the candlelight, she saw that she lay in a spacious room. Abu Dawood sat on one of the chairs near her bed while a youthful stranger sat on another chair. Seeing his daughter had gained consciousness, he bowed and placed his hands on her forehead and said, "Rabia, my daughter."

Rabia asked in a frightened tone, "Where am I?"

Abu Dawood replied, "Daughter! We have reached a very secure location and we're a guest of a person under whose refuge we are safe from every danger. And this is your physician."

Maria lay on a bed on the other side of the room. Angela sat with the support of a pillow on another bed. Gesturing towards them, Rabia asked her father, "How are they?"

Abu Dawood replied, "They are fine."

Another youth entered the room. Rabia's glances focused on him for a while. Abu Dawood stood up.

"Please remain seated!" The youth stepped forward and while placing his hand casually on Abu Dawood's shoulders said, "I just came to see how your daughter was doing."

Abu Dawood replied, "She has just opened her eyes. I am sorry that we have put you through so much trouble."

The youth replied, "I wish we had a suitable place where guests like you could stay."

Angela got up from her bed and quietly came and sat down besides Rabia. "Rabia, how do you feel?" she said while placing her hand affectionately over her forehead.

"I am fine. There is pain in my leg and head. How is mother?"

"She is fine."

The first youth, who was discharging his duty as their physician, said, "I think it's not good for her to talk right now. I will give her some medicine to sleep. Complete rest is very important for her."

The other youth asked in Arabic, "I hope she did not get much hurt?"

They physician replied, I will be able to give you a proper answer in the morning. However, there is nothing to worry about."

Abu Dawood asked, "In your opinion, when will she become healthy?"

"She will be good in no time and I think you should take some rest too."

The next day when Rabia awoke after a long, deep sleep, she saw Angela standing by the room's window, peeping outside. Maria sat on her bed with the support of a pillow.

"Angela! Angela!" Rabia whispered to her.

Startled, Angela looked at her, came and sat down beside her.

Rabia said, "Did you see the two strangers that were here last night?"

Angela replied, "I was looking at them right now while standing by the window."

"I thought it was only a dream."

Angela said, "If you come to know where we are at right now, you would say that we are dreaming with our eyes wide open."

Rabia said, "Maybe I...fell off the coach and became unconscious. But this accident happened a little after noon. Then when I regained consciousness, it was night. There was a candle lit in the room. I think we are at some check post in Granada.

"No, we have strayed far from it. You were transported here in an unconscious state. Rabia you always say that I have no place for you in my heart. But, by the Holy Mary! The whole way I cried for you. We might have reached here by midnight. Father says that the person treating you is the best surgeon in Hispania."