Page 4 of Cairo

nose on her cheek.

  “I am sure,” she said. “Her affection is so natural. It has to be her. You can’t force a love like this.”

  He hadn’t expected her to say that, use the very words his wife had used to leave him. He felt betrayed. Almost like the protestors in Cairo. He felt a rage overcome him. He felt an urge to hit something. He moved to get up from the bed. He had to leave.

  She sat down next to him. She held his hands. She kissed him.

  “You can’t force love,” she said. “But you don’t have to. Because you don’t have to try and find love. Sometimes, it will find you.”

  Kabir looked for the cat. But it had disappeared into a corner. He didn’t have to look for her anymore. She would eventually come to him. He ran his fingers down the length of Uma’s face. He closed his eyes.

  About the Author

  Arun Krishnan is a writer of Indian origin based in Seattle. He is the author of The Loudest Firecracker which was published by Tranquebar Press. The book was nominated for the Crosswords Books Award and won favorable reviews from Time Out, The Pioneer and The Hindu. 

  Arun is also the host of the Learn Hindi from Bollywood Movies Podcast. The podcast has been featured in The Guardian, National Geographic Traveler and the Wall Street Journal. 

  The podcast and links to other writings can be found at www.cuttingchai.com

 
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