Page 203 of The Secrets of the Tea Garden
‘If Rafi hadn’t told Sundar to look for me,’ Ghulam rasped, ‘I might never have got back.’
Suddenly the relief of survival and the knowledge of his brother’s love was too overwhelming. Ghulam began to weep. Libby cradled him close until he gained control of his emotions and was able to finish his story.
Sundar had rescued him, given him a hot meal and a change of clothes, and put Ghulam on a train back to Calcutta with enough provisions and money to complete his journey. By now, Rafi would probably have heard from Sundar about his brother’s rescue. Libby assured him that, if not, Fatima would get a message through to Rafi and the extended family in Pakistan anyway.
As the dawn light filtered between the shutters, Ghulam turned his face to Libby’s with an intent look. His voice turned deep and steady as he spoke.
‘I want us never to be parted again,’ he said.
Her heart jolted. She cupped his bearded face with her hand. ‘I want that too. I can’t describe how happy I feel that we’re here together. I thought I’d never feel you next to me again.’
Ghulam leant towards her and kissed her mouth. He gazed at her with a loving smile. ‘I know this sounds bourgeois, but I want to marry you, Libby.’
She gave him a wry smile. ‘Good – ’cause that’s what I want too.’
‘It is?’ He looked at her in delight. ‘Are you sure?’
‘Ghulam, if it means I can stay with you forever, then yes!’ She grinned.
‘Oh, my darling goddess!’ Ghulam pressed his lips against hers and kissed her as robustly as he could, sealing their pledge.
Libby, her heart bursting with joy, kissed him back. She was filled with a renewed optimism about the future, the plans and dreams that Ghulam had written about in his love letter to her. They would work and live together side by side in the new India, enjoying the good moments and sharing the bad.
She had been prepared to face a future in Calcutta without him – but how much richer her life would be now that Ghulam had come back to her! As Libby kissed him and felt overwhelming love for Ghulam, she knew with an utter certainty that each of them had found their true soulmate.
