The Disoriented by Amin Maalouf

Author:Amin Maalouf
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: World Editions
Published: 2019-12-02T09:25:37+00:00

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7

The plane touched down smoothly in Amman. An all-terrain vehicle arrived at the foot of the steps to whisk the businessman and his guest towards one of the twenty hills that ringed the site of ancient Philadelphia.

As Adam must have expected, the Ramez residence was an opulent three-storey building of white stone set among lush gardens that sharply contrasted with the arid terrain all around. The gate swung open as the car approached, there was no need even to slow down.

As the two friends stepped down, a swarm of security men, gardeners, and servants clustered around them, holding open doors and offering deferential greetings.

A moment later, Ramez’s wife, Dunia, came to greet them wearing a long grey housedress embroidered with yellow threads.

As soon as she had greeted her guest and kissed her husband, she asked, a little worriedly:

“Is Lina not with you?”

“No, she stayed behind, she had a dinner. When I fly our friend back, I’ll bring her home with me.”

Dunia turned to Adam.

“In our family, we take a plane the way other people take a car. You’d think we were in Texas!”

But what had struck the guest was something different.

“So you’re saying that the charming young woman on the telephone who introduced herself as your assistant is actually the daughter of Ramez, well of both of you.”

Both parents smiled.

“That’s how she is,” Dunia said. “When she’s working, she never says she’s his daughter.”

“And so as not to give the game away, I simply say Lina.”

“And then you say she’s brilliant and you’re lucky to have her.”

“As her employer, that’s my considered opinion,” Ramez said, visibly happy to have the opportunity to talk about her.

“And an entirely objective opinion it is too,” his friend teased.

“Lina is the love of his life,” Dunia said in a tender voice.

“Whoever marries her had better treat her like a queen. Otherwise …”

The threat hung in the air.

Adam was escorted by his hosts to what they called “his room,” and which was actually a lavish apartment with a bathroom and Jacuzzi, a living room bigger than the one he had in Paris, a liberally stocked bar, a television, a computer, and a balcony overlooking the glowing city.

Laid out on the bed, still in their packaging, were a pair of pyjamas, three shirts, three pairs of socks, underwear, and an embroidered bathrobe with matching slippers.

“I think I’ll just stay here,” Adam said by way of thanks. “I don’t suppose there’s a job going at the University of Jordan?”

“It could be arranged,” Ramez said with a booming laugh, “the provost is a close friend. We’ll be waiting for you downstairs when you fancy dinner. But take your time, we usually eat late. Call your wife to tell her where you are. Oh, and call the hotel so they’re not expecting you back tonight.”

“Sound advice,” Dunia said, “I wish Ramez would call me from time to time to let me know whether he’s in Singapore, Dubai, or Kuala Lumpur.”

Her husband took her arm, partly by way of apology, partly to interrupt.

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