Page 28 of Queen of Barrakesch
When Wasim arrived, everyone stepped back to give him privacy with his father. The oldest son, the heir had arrived.
Wasim lowered to his knees beside the bed and held his father’s hand. He closed his eyes, temporarily shielding himself from the truth—a truth he didn’t want to accept, though death was part of a greater plan. Losing his father reminded him of losing his mother as a child. Now this fresh anguish would become a part of him for the unforeseen future.
King Khalid turned his head toward Wasim. His eyes opened to mere slits. “Wasim,” he said in a gravelly voice.
“I’m here,Baba,” he whispered.
He hadn’t called his father that since he was child. But that’s how he felt, like a child. Helpless and powerless to fight off death’s tentacles as they ensnared his last living parent. Untold wealth existed at his fingertips, but he couldn’t save his father.
“You must marry Imani…soon,” King Khalid whispered.
At first, Wasim wasn’t sure he’d understood. He sorted the words in his mind, and when he did, the sword of guilt dragged its sharp edge through his chest. He gave his father’s hand a gentle squeeze.
“Promise me,” King Khalid said, sounding as if he were already taking his last breath.
“Don’t worry about that now. This world is no longer your concern.”
“Promise me, Wasim.” The words came out stronger but by his wheezing breaths, it was clear they had taken a lot of energy.
Wasim bowed his head. If he made this deathbed promise, he couldn’t go back on his word. “I cannot make that decision for her.”
“Wasim…convince her to marry soon.” A rattling sound filled the back of King Khalid’s throat.
Wasim quickly lifted his head and blinked back tears. “I will. We will be married soon.” He tightened his fingers around his father’s hand, as if by doing so he could keep the old man with him a little bit longer.
“I…” King Khalid’s voice faded to a whisper, and Wasim watched the light dim in his eyes.
He leaned close to his father’s ear and whispered, in a voice thick with sorrow, “I testify that there is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.”
* * *
The phone rangbeside her bed, and Imani hopped up from the chair by the window and darted to it. She set down the novel she’d been using as a distraction ever since Wasim had called to tell her King Khalid had taken a turn for the worst.
Reluctantly, she set aside her glasses and picked up the phone. It was Wasim, and already her heart couldn’t take the news she was certain he would convey.
“Hello?”
“Hello, Imani.”
His voice sounded hoarse, and her heart broke into little pieces for him. Tears welled in her eyes.
“His Excellency King Khalid of the Kingdom of Barrakesch is no longer with us.”
His pain reached across the line and snared Imani’s heart in a tight fist. “I’m sorry, Wasim.”
They knew this day was coming, yet it was still so unbearably painful. She was hurting so much because of her relationship with the king and his kindness to her. How much harder must it be for Wasim and the rest of the family to bear such a loss?
“Subhanallah.” Wasim spoke in the same pained voice.
“Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un,” Imani whispered. “Call me if you need anything.”
“I will.”
They said their goodbyes, and Imani took a seat on the edge of the bed.
Doreen quietly entered and stood in the middle of the room, her dark eyes searching Imani’s face. “Ambassador, is everything all right?”
“King Khalid has passed,” Imani replied.
