Cardamon and Kisses: Heba and Zechariah's Tempestuous Romance

Heba lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling. She was trying to imagine what might be going through Zechariah’s mind at that moment. Heba had sent him the jasmine note earlier that morning, a sign that she wanted him to meet her in the garden.

“I wonder if he will find it,” Heba thought to herself. “It might not have been the best idea to leave it in his room. My father can be so unpredictable sometimes. I would hate for him to catch Zechariah before he has a chance to read my message. But then again, maybe I should be hoping that he does find it first.”

Heba looked over at the small table near the window of her room where she had left the note earlier that morning, wishing he would find it soon and arrive in the garden when there was still some light left outside. The garden was Heba’s favorite place in all of Damascene, even more so than the Great Palace itself. It was peaceful, full of exotic trees and plants from foreign lands. Its coolness and beauty were a perfect contrast to the busyness and noise of her father’s royal court. And today it would be a perfect spot for their tryst; her favorite spot in all of Damascus.

She turned over on her side and closed her eyes, thinking about that time at the poolside when Zechariah had kissed her for the first time after their encounter at his shop several weeks ago. Their feelings for each other were now so obvious to everyone in the palace; they could no longer avoid it or pretend otherwise. Her father had not been happy about this development and had put a stop to any further interaction between them until they were married; but he wouldn’t be able to hold out forever, especially since they both still managed to sneak off together whenever they had a chance and meet in secret places like this one, away from prying eyes.

Heba smiled as she remembered Zechariah’s words: “All we need is love! Love conquers all!” And how right he was! How foolish she had been for doubting him! But she also knew that he was right about her father too; eventually it would have to end. They would have to choose between love and duty; between freedom and destiny.

Suddenly, there was a commotion somewhere nearby in the palace grounds outside Heba’s room followed by shouting voices which seemed very close by:

“Open up this door! We know you are inside! Open up now! You cannot hide from us!”

It sounded like two men shouting loudly at each other with authority and determination. Heba sat bolt upright on her bed as the sound grew louder and closer until finally someone started banging loudly on her bedroom door which caused her heart to jump into her throat as she thought “this is it; my father has found us out! What will happen? Will I ever see Zechariah again? Will he be banished from our land? Or worse yet… condemned by death!? No… no… I must remain strong and calm… wait… listen… maybe it isn’t who I think… Could it be something else? Maybe one of my sisters being caught sneaking around with someone or something? Daughters are always getting in trouble like that here… Maybe it’s just one of them playing a game with me that got out of hand… They do like their games... But then again why would they be yelling like that? This doesn't sound like any game I've ever heard before... Oh God... What if something bad did actually happen?! What if someone is hurt!? Should I open up? What should I do?!”