Settling In
Charmaine was so tired, the man picked her up and carried her. When they got to his house she asked to be put down. He put her down and she looked around. The house was spacious with gorgeous looking furniture. This was nicer than even the stuff in Abdullah's house and he was rich. Zahid and his father must have lots of money. She spied the kitchen and her stomach growled hungrily.
Zahid watched Charmaine look around warily. She seemed kind of ill at ease. He hoped she would like it here.
In spite of being hungry she started to think of Riley. Surely he would come and talk to her now that she agreed to come here. She didn't want to take him out until she was alone later so she could talk to him alone in case he was still upset with her.. So she would have to occupy her mind so she wouldn't worry.
Zahid: My house is yours. You have complete freedom here to do as you wish. Would you like to see your room? It won't be exciting living with two men, but we will try to make you happy. He wanted to mention about possibly returning her to her family, but he didn't want to spook her again. She hadn't mentioned them once since he had met her, and felt there was something odd about it. He wanted to know more before he brought it up.
In spite of being hungry she started to think of Riley. Surely he would come and talk to her now that she agreed to come here. She didn't want to take him out until she was alone later so she could talk to him alone in case he was still upset with her.. So she would have to occupy her mind so she wouldn't worry.
Zahid: My house is yours. You have complete freedom here to do as you wish. Would you like to see your room? It won't be exciting living with two men, but we will try to make you happy. He wanted to mention about possibly returning her to her family, but he didn't want to spook her again. She hadn't mentioned them once since he had met her, and felt there was something odd about it. He wanted to know more before he brought it up.
Charmaine was upset over what happened with Riley, feeling strange in this house with Zahid and still slightly frightened,so she gave a scream of frustration.
Zahid was surprised at the outburst. Was she ok?
Zahid: Is everything ok Charmaine? Is there something I can do to help you?
Charmaine realizing she had screamed felt bad. She didn't want to worry Zahid so she quickly apologized and assured him she was ok. I have had a rough couple of days, and I guess it took its toll. You have been more than kind.
Zahid was surprised at the outburst. Was she ok?
Zahid: Is everything ok Charmaine? Is there something I can do to help you?
Charmaine realizing she had screamed felt bad. She didn't want to worry Zahid so she quickly apologized and assured him she was ok. I have had a rough couple of days, and I guess it took its toll. You have been more than kind.
Zahid: I understand. You are tired, overwrought and hungry. I will make something. What would you like?
Charmaine: Do you have some lamb stew? That is my favorite.
Zahid: I have some good vegetable stew. I do have some lamb stew, but since you look like you haven't eaten in a day or so the lamb stew might be too rich. Why don't we start with vegetable stew? Tomorrow you can try some lamb stew ok?
Charmaine was disappointed, but she knew he was probably right. She nodded her ok.
Zahid: In the meantime while I get the stew why don't you go check out your room. It is the first room to the right. With that he walked into the kitchen.
Charmaine was disappointed, but she knew he was probably right. She nodded her ok.
Zahid: In the meantime while I get the stew why don't you go check out your room. It is the first room to the right. With that he walked into the kitchen.
Charmaine walked into the room partway and glanced around. Was this to be her room? It wasn't big, but it was the first time she ever had her own room. She couldn't believe it. Wait till she told Riley! Riley was right maybe it was going to be ok. She even had a bathroom close by. She went into the bathroom to wash the sand off of her limbs, and took a small drink. Boy she was tired. She had slept in the desert, but in spite of how heavy she slept she was still very fatigued. She decided to slip under the covers and take a small nap before dinner was ready.
The sheets were silk and felt cool to her skin. In spite of the warm day the darkness of the room made it cool so the blanket on the bed was welcomed. She stretched and yawned widely. Yes, a small nap would do her good. She felt like she was going to like it here after all, but she still didn't fully trust Zahid. She would only sleep lightly, so nothing would happen to her. Yes she would just close her eyes for a few minutes. She closed her eyes and was soon lost to dream land.
Zahid walked in to tell Charmaine supper was ready and saw her sleeping. He smiled. This one was special and whatever her troubles were, he was going to help her. He felt the strings on his heart being tugged gently by the sweet music of love. Not love as in a mature love, but love for a child. Maybe it was her neediness that made him care so much, but he wouldn't let anything happen to her. There would be time for her to eat later. Right now her body needed sleep. He tiptoed out of the room shutting the door behind him. Now he only had one problem how to tell his dad about Charmaine. He knew he would be less than thrilled, but he was sure he could convince him to let her stay. If he couldn't, he was sure Charmaine would wrap him around her little finger.
Zahid walked in to tell Charmaine supper was ready and saw her sleeping. He smiled. This one was special and whatever her troubles were, he was going to help her. He felt the strings on his heart being tugged gently by the sweet music of love. Not love as in a mature love, but love for a child. Maybe it was her neediness that made him care so much, but he wouldn't let anything happen to her. There would be time for her to eat later. Right now her body needed sleep. He tiptoed out of the room shutting the door behind him. Now he only had one problem how to tell his dad about Charmaine. He knew he would be less than thrilled, but he was sure he could convince him to let her stay. If he couldn't, he was sure Charmaine would wrap him around her little finger.