“Where have you been, damn it? I have been calling you for the last ten minutes. Where were you?” he stormed.
“So—you were talking to yourself just now. Well, you’re a stupid fool if you can’t find a little trust in your heart for me. I was on the couch sleeping. I told you I wouldn’t leave, and my word is just as good as yours is.”
“Then why didn’t you answer me?”
“I was having a nightmare, Philip. I dreamed I was being chased through the desert by that man who beat me. The dream was so intense—I thought he was calling my name. When I finally woke up, all I heard was you mumbling to yourself.”
“All right, I’m sorry I jumped to the wrong conclusion.” Philip eased himself off the bed and tried to fasten his pants.
“Philip, you shouldn’t be up,” she said quickly when she saw the pain on his face.
“I intend to stay in bed, Tina, but it’s too damn hot in this tent for that heavy cover. And for modesty’s sake, I would like something on.”
Christina came to him and fastened his trousers, then helped him to lie back down on the bed. “Can I get you some food, Philip?”
“That’s why I called you in the first place. I’m famished.”
Christina started to leave the room, then turned back. “After I feed you, will you tell me how you were burned?”
“I will tell you one thing now. There’s no need to have any more nightmares about that man—he’s dead.”
“Dead!” she gasped. “But how?”
“I killed him.”
“Philip! Why did you have to kill him? Because of me?”
“I thought you wanted him dead!”
“I would have seen him horsewhipped, not murdered.” She felt sick to her stomach that he would kill a man for her.
“The man also shot Ahmad, and I promised Syed he would pay. I’m not happy now with my deed, but the man would have died anyway for disobeying orders. He was awaiting execution when I arrived at that camp. At least I gave him a fair fight, Tina—we were both armed.”
“But why didyouhave to do it?”
“Damn it, Tina! I was filled with rage when I saw how he’d hurt you. And when I found out he was the same man who’d shot Ahmad—I had to do it. The man would have died anyway and without a chance. Besides, I was already told I was to die a slower death, so if the man had won, he would have saved me from that.”
“What do you mean, you were supposed to die? Is that how you were burned—you were to be roasted alive?”
“Yes.”
“But why?”
“As I said last night, Tina, it’s a long story. Could I please have some food first?”
She nodded without saying any more, and left the room. But she didn’t have to leave the tent, for there was a large tray of food awaiting her on the table. That Amine, Christina smiled, she’s always one step ahead of me. Christina brought the food into the bedroom and insisted on feeding Philip herself. She knew it hurt him to move his arms.
She ate also and waited until he was satisfied before saying anything more. There were so many questions to be answered. Why would anybody want to kill Philip? And how could she have forgotten a whole day?
When they were through eating, Christina took the tray out, then came back and hurriedly donned a skirt and blouse. Philip watched her without saying anything. When she finished, she sat down on the bed beside him.
“Are you ready now?” she asked.
Philip told her the whole story. She was angry at first—when she learned that she had been used to bring Philip to his death. But then she felt sorry for Hejaz, who had lived all those years filled with hate. Perhaps it was better that she had been drugged through everything. She couldn’t have borne seeing Philip suffer.
When he told her how he’d escaped, she thanked God that Amair had had the courage to help him. She knew Philip hadn’t mentioned the anguish and pain he must have suffered beneath the burning sun. The only thing was, she couldn’t thank Philip for rescuing her. That would be admitting she’d rather stay with him, because her captors would have sent her back to John. And she just couldn’t tell him she loved him, when he didn’t love her.
Christina looked at Philip with great tenderness. He had suffered so much for coming to rescue her. She saw new hope—maybe he did love her! “Philip, why did you come after me?” she asked.
