There Are Rivers in the Sky

by Elif Shafak

The night before his departure, he watches Leila from his window one last time. He assumes she is sleepwalking, but, when she turns to face him, her eyes are open and alert. She carries a glass of water, which she splashes in his direction and smiles. “What does that mean?” asks Arthur. “We spill water for luck and protection. Go like water, come back like water—freely and easily.” He takes out his pocketknife and through the open window reaches out to the pomegranate tree. He makes three vertical marks on its bark. “That’s the ancient sign of water,” he says. “This mark is my pledge—I promise I will come back.” “You will, I know,” she says. “But you will return changed, and you will find things changed.” He shakes his head, even though he senses she is probably right. He feels such a strong desire to hold her then that he has to cross his arms to stop himself. His voice weak, all he can do is to repeat himself. “I will return. I promise, I will come back.”