Spring and Autumn

Description

One evening, as Karam entered the building, still in his work clothes, dust and soot covering his face, neck, and hands, the doorwoman stopped him. “Come,” she said. “Someone’s waiting for you here.” He asked to wash up and return, but she insisted he see the person waiting immediately. When he peered through the door, he was startled. It was Irygka! He was flustered and wiped his hands on the sides of his trousers before shaking her hand, but Irygka exclaimed, “Don’t be shy… don’t wipe your hands… you are the real Karam now, the Karam who left his pen, left the museum, and went to work in construction, for something precious, precious as anything in existence.” He apologized for not inviting her to his home; everything was a mess, he told her. He promised to visit her, but he didn’t keep his promise. He avoided dramatic situations and wouldn’t let any emotion deter him from his intentions. That’s why he didn’t call Perushka. He didn’t tell her when he was leaving. He preferred a tearless farewell. At the end of his ten-day work assignment, he packed his remaining belongings and, with the help of his assistant, shipped them by sea. He booked a plane ticket, taking only one suitcase with him, and stubbornly refused a farewell party. He said, “Thank you for everything, for all the affection. Thank you, George, Jamil, Diaa, Hassan, Fahmy, and thank you all.” He added jokingly, “My studies are over. It’s true I’m not returning with a degree, but I’m returning with experience. There, perhaps, I’ll encounter some difficulties, some hardships, but being away from home is harsher than anything. I was happy here. I was happy with you all, but despite everything, I will be happier in my homeland. There is my land and my home; there are my family, and there I write.” At the airport, he accepted a bouquet of flowers from those who had come to see him off, hugged everyone, and rested his head on Diaa’s chest. The old man was weeping, and he wept too. As he boarded the plane, he exclaimed to himself, “Goodbye, land of Hungary!” and surrendered to his memories and thoughts throughout the flight. On September 17, 1967, he arrived at Damascus Airport. From there, he called his sister, and when his turn came at the passport control window, the security officer looked at the photograph, then at him, and said, “Just a moment!” He went to the fingerprinting booth, and when he returned, he was asked to step aside. Someone led him into a room and closed the door, and that’s when he realized he was under arrest. At two o’clock after midnight, they put him in a jeep, handcuffed him, and put him in the jeep. No one said anything to him, and he didn’t ask anything. As the car drove off, he looked out of the rear window at the sky. The moon was radiant, bathing the universe in white light. He gazed at it, kept gazing at it, and imagined there was a spot on the moon he recognized. A smile spread across his face, and he smiled back, saying, “The moon fairy traveled with me…” He closed his eyes, overcome with a happiness he had never known before.