Page 126 of Waiting for Ru
“Take me to see this groom,” Waqas said to Jasim. “Then we need to go.”
Jasim walked him down to the accommodation block, opened the outer door and led Waqas inside.
“This is his room.” Jasim knocked on the door.
“Yes?” Ru called.
Jasim pushed open the door and he and Waqas went in. When Jasim saw the state of Ru’s chest, and the line across his cheek, he clenched his jaw. Ru struggled to sit upright and Bela flew to the top of her cage.
“Is the little girl all right, sir?” Ru asked.
“Yes. She’s been taken to hospital. This is her father, my older brother. Waqas, this is Ru. Ahsan is responsible for the state of his chest and that mark on his face.”
Ru pushed to his feet and struggled into the polo shirt Poppy had left.
“Thank you for saving my daughter’s life,” Waqas said.
“I did what anyone would have done. But she was lucky I was there.”
“Tell my brother when you learned to swim.”
“About a week ago.”
Waqas’s jaw dropped.
“I’d have jumped in anyway,” Ru said.
“And your injuries?” Waqas asked. “Caused by my son?”
Ru hesitated. “Polo’s a rough game. There are always injuries.”
“I saw what Ahsan did,” Waqas said. “And he hurt his pony.”
“He didn’t need to pull so hard on her mouth. But she’ll be fine. He has to learn to have a gentler touch.”
Waqas held out his hand. “Thank you.”
Ru shook his hand.
Waqas pulled out his wallet, counted out ten fifty-pound notes and offered them to Ru.
Ru shook his head. “Thank you, but I don’t want money for doing the right thing.”
Waqas looked at him for a moment, then put the money away. “The bird’s yours?”
“Bela’s been with me for thirteen years but she’s not mine. She comes and goes as she pleases. She can open the cage. I only have it for her protection.”
“Will she fly to me?” Waqas held out his arm.
“Bela. Here.” Ru pointed and Bela flew to Waqas.
“Beautiful.” Waqas stroked her chest. “I have birds.”
“Hawks?” Ru asked.
“Yes.”
“Bela doesn’t get on with hawks.”
