Fahmy asked him what news he had! “I’ve got too much news to count,” he thought. “Marriage is just a big deception. After a few months as tasty as olive oil, your bride turns into a dose of castor oil. Don’t feel sad that you didn’t get to marry Maryam, you callow politician. Do you want some other news? I’ve got a lot, but it definitely wouldn’t interest you. Even if I wanted to, I’m not courageous enough to reveal it in my wife’s presence.” To his surprise, Yasin found he was reciting to himself a verse from the medieval poet al-Sharif al-Radi: I have passionate messages I won’t mention, But
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