Page 336 - Leadership in the Indian Army

after all these years, after all that's happened, showing up at your

doorstep. Probably, it isn't proper, or fair, but I've come such a long way
to see you, and… Oh, Laila, I wish I'd never left you."

"Don't," she croaked.

"I should have tried harder. I should have married you when I had the

chance. Everything would have been different, then."

"Don't talk this way. Please. It hurts."

He nodded, started to take a step toward her, then stopped himself. "I

don't want to assume anything. And I don't mean to turn your life upside
down, appearing like this out of nowhere. If you want me to leave, if you

want me to go back to Pakistan, say the word, Laila. I mean it. Say it

and I'll go. I'll never trouble you again. I'll-"

"No!" Laila said more sharply than she'd intended to. She saw that she'd

reached for his arm, that she was clutching it. She dropped her hand.
"No. Don't leave, Tariq. No. Please stay."

Tariq nodded.

"He works from noon to eight. Come back tomorrow afternoon. I'll take

you to Aziza."

"I'm not afraid of him, you know."

"I know. Come back tomorrow afternoon."

"And then?"