THE DEGREE OF HAPPINESS

17

The rain stayed for a while, before it lessened and disappeared completely. I opened my eyes and stared at Soroush.

He looked back at me, giving a small smile.

"Well, that was a well deserved break. I thoroughly enjoyed it."

I smiled back at him. "Yeah. Fun stuff, isn't it?"

He shook his head roughly, water flying from his hair. Then he ran both his hands over his hair, and I lowered my gaze, so that I didn't stare at his hair.

Nor his arms.

"Astaghfirullah," I shook my head.

"Let's head inside," he advised, "We might get sick."

I nodded and we both headed back inside.

"Soroush," I called, stopping mid-walk.

He stopped too, standing behind me. "Yes."

I took one step forward and turned to look at him, "You are a law student, right?"

"Took you a while to notice," he joked.

I bit my lip, "How much do you know about inheritance law?"

"Not much," he admitted, "But one of my professors is a big lawyer. He does this part time thing, teaching as an adjunct professor whilst also having his own law firm which is the largest in this country. I can ask him for help."

"Do you think he can fight a case in court?" I asked, then shook my head. "Never mind. We don't have the funds. That would be stupid. Ignore what I said."

I made the move to head back but Soroush caught my sleeve.

Twice. He did it twice.

Shezwa would have coronary thrombosis if she saw this.

Tina would have a stroke if she saw this.

I was on the way to experiencing both.

"Is it your Ammaty?" he asked.

"Well, it's...." I shook my head, "No, it's....Yes, it's....."

I shook my head again, withdrawing from his hold, "It's nothing."

He held my sleeve again and my heart rushed to my throat.

Third time. This was the third time.

"I have a better alternative," he said, "It has the ability to scare anyone out of their wits and it will cost you nothing. It will cost me a favor though, from him, which is why I will need payment from you."

"What is it? Call you Roush?" I asked, dryly.

He laughed, shaking his head, "Pay me after I get the job done."

"Y-you won't get in trouble, will you?"

He shook his head again, "Nah. But even if I do, so what? I am at the age where getting in trouble is the new cool."

I held his other hand, "Soroush, if you...."

I realized what I had done and immediately let go of holding him. He let go of my sleeve too.

"Long sleeves next time," he noted, "And, get dressed, your highness. You don't need another fever."

—--

Mom had been waiting in the living room. She quickly stood up and sized me from head to toe.

"You're back," she said. And I nodded.

"And you got wet," she added.

"It was raining," I said, as means of explanation.

"And Elizha cannot be stopped when there is rain."