A light wind lifted and tousled Alexandra’s hair as she stood overlooking what was possibly the most beautiful view she had ever seen. An enormous garden, the Moorish Gardens of Wilhelma Park, stretched out in front of her; its interconnected pathways luring its followers to wondrous delights. Exotic pavilions with onion domes, glass houses with intricate iron work, glorious ponds, a covered walk, and fantastic candelabras mixed with manicured grasses and shrubs, overflowing flower pots, palms, and flowering trees. Awestruck, Alexandra shivered as the skin on the back of her neck tingled. She felt as though she had stepped into another world.
Beside her, Ghassan stood silently as if he understood her amazement. As she admired his stoic features, she wondered what he was thinking, or more so, what he was planning. He seemed so full of surprises that she was sure more were in store for the afternoon.
“This is paradise.” She said quietly.
“Not quite. Paradise is just over there.” Ghassan replied knowingly and pointed northward.
Alexandra wasn’t sure to what he was pointing but she eagerly followed as he lead her away from their vantage point. They walked along the wide, well groomed paths toward a glorious grove of flowering trees. Before they reached it, Ghassan placed his hand on Alexandra’s shoulder gently encouraging her to stop.
“Close your eyes and tell me what fragrance you smell.” he instructed.
As she closed her eyes, she wasn’t able to detect anything at first. But then a delicate breeze brought forth a scent unlike anything she had ever smelled before. It was sweet and fruity yet tangy and ambrosial. Alexandra felt lightheaded with delight as it filled her airways. She leaned slightly into Ghassan resting her cheek against his upper arm. He responded in kind by wrapping his hand around hers.
“Keep your eyes closed. I will lead you.”
“Where are you taking me?” Alexandra asked the question as a reflex more than anything. At that moment she had no cares.
“You’ll soon see.”
As they walked together, the world outside the surrounding terracotta walls seemed to disappear. Alexandra felt as if they were the only two in their private, secret garden. She could hear the birds chirping happily, the wind rustling the tree tops, and the sound of their shoes against the pebble walkway. The comforting warmth of the sun on her face and the thrill of her hand in his was intoxicating.
“Look, Alexandra.” Ghassan whispered in her ear as they stood still again.
Alexandra opened her eyes to the scene that Ghassan had painted so vividly in the taxi. Yet no description could ever completely capture what was before her. The most glorious Magnolia grove glowed in the bright sunshine. Some branches bowed majestically along the pathway, while others reached skyward; their blossoms hanging like delicate pink lanterns in the blue sky. Fallen petals were scattered loosely upon the green lawn and pebble path forming an intricate texture that could only be created by nature. Alexandra watched as a petal fell as if it originated in heaven, swaying this way and that through blue sky, past the other blossoms, past the elegant limbs, down and down, beside Ghassan, and coming to rest at his foot.
She looked up into his face and smiled. If, indeed, this heavenly place was akin to his world, her every desire now was to be part of it.
“Next week I have to return home, as I’m sure you do. I want this moment to last forever.”
As Alexandra looked deep into his eyes, she knew that Ghassan had understood her. He lifted her chin and kissed her tenderly. (to be continued)
Mariyah
abufares
abufares said,
November 15, 2008 at 9:06 am
whistles, claps, exuberant shouts and yells of approval….
Finally the kissing started
Back when I was a kid growing up in Tartous, Thursday afternoon was dedicated to going to the movies. (I haven\’t been to a movie theater in Syria since 1977. I haven\’t been to a movie theater anywhere since 1989).
Anyway, whenever a kissing scene made its way to the screen, we all, whistled and clapped our hands wildly. This is the moment we would be all waiting for and you have just reached it your endearing story.
Dania said,
November 15, 2008 at 1:15 pm
Incredibly sweet and well written, keep it up Mariyah… I ‘m really enjoying it!
Dania said,
November 15, 2008 at 1:18 pm
Abufares, it sounds like 1977 never ended..whenever I’m having movie nights with friends and it included boys,it’s 1977 over and over and over!
Jillian said,
November 15, 2008 at 5:32 pm
Wonderful! Waiting patiently for part 7.
Mariyah said,
November 15, 2008 at 7:00 pm
To Abufares: I remember those days!! I haven’ been to see a movie since I returned and they don’t react that way in Canada.
Thanks for a wonderful memory!!
To Dania: I’m very glad you’re enjoying the story. Thank you for visiting and your comments.
To Jillian: Thank you for being a faithful follower. Will have part 7 as soon as possible!!
Gabriela García Calderón said,
November 15, 2008 at 8:23 pm
I’ve just gor here from Global Voices Online and read the six parts in a row. I can’t even wait for the 7th…
I even made the translation of this post into Spanish. Let’s hope it may be published soon.
All the best from Peru!
Mariyah said,
November 15, 2008 at 8:42 pm
To Gabriela: I’m so touched by your enthusiasm! Thank you very much for your comments and for visiting all the way from Peru!!
Gabriela García Calderón said,
November 17, 2008 at 3:32 pm
Thank you very much. I´ve seen you added my blog to the ones you follow.
That is touching too!
Yazan said,
November 17, 2008 at 5:03 pm
btw, your story is now featured in Reader’s Edition
http://www.readers-edition.de/2008/11/16/syrien-die-liebe-ist-in-stuttgart/
Waiting patiently for part 7…
Mariyah said,
November 17, 2008 at 5:13 pm
To Yazan: I did see it and was thrilled!! I can’t thank you enough.
Working on 7…
Omar said,
July 16, 2009 at 11:54 pm
You made me dream of visiting Wilhelma Park and taking my girlfriend on the same journey.. on to part 7
Mariyah said,
July 18, 2009 at 4:08 am
Oh, how wonderfully romantic, Omar! I hope you do make it and when you do, I also hope you’ll tell me the impression it made on you.