A lunchtime date (EA closed Qasims home)

[Raya]

"You do not know what I am thinking though."

Raya frowned.

"Am thinking you wanted to see if I am...how you say, Opponent? For Sayyeda Soraya affection. What I am not understanding is why, as we both say Sayyeda Soraya would not be with me. It would be making more sense if another Dahabi, but Ra'Shari it does not."

[Qasim al-Basiri]

Qasim tried to give her his best disarming smile. Something not too big or obvious but to try and put her at ease "I was pretty close though. It is not hard to see when someone thinks something bad is coming."

"No I did not invite you to see if you would be my opponent. I invited you for exactly what I said. I wished to get to know you better Raya. I like what I knew about you a great deal and I wanted to know more. That is all I swear it."

[Raya]

Raya narrowed her eyes.

"I am not believing you, with how much you were wanting to talk about my feelings towards Sayyeda Soraya before I even knew you were aware of these things. It is not making sense that you invite the person who the person you love is loving and not thinking of competition, unless you are already knowing that there is no competition and are wanting to make sure the other knows it. And then you are also making offers to go on journey with the both of us? It is not clear what sidi wants, and I am worried for Sayyeda Soraya more than I am worried for myself."

[Qasim al-Basiri]

Qasim nodded "you are right about one of the things you said Raya. There does not have to be competition between us. Why does the fact we both love her have to be a point of competition?" he asked raising an eyebrow "What if there was a scenario where we both love her and that is ok?"

[Raya]

"I am not understanding. Why would that be ok?" Raya shook her head "I am not knowing all about this...how feelings are, but it is not simple as 'you love her those days, I love her those days'. Many stories about two people who love the same person, and I am not thinking of any that have a situation like this."

[Qasim al-Basiri]

Qasim frowned a little but it was simply in thought taking another sip of water "It is not like that Raya, you would love her all days and I would love her all days as well." He said it in the plainest way he could think

"I am sorry Raya I spoke without thinking. This is something that we three should talk about, Not just you and I."

"Those stories though, the ones about people who love the same person they are about competition yes? About two lovers who coveted the same person but what if they learned to share that person? What if they realized the person they loved had enough space in their heart to love more than one person? And if they came to terms with that would those stories have still ended badly?"

[Raya]

There was a stunned look on Rayas face and she went quiet for a few moments trying to process the suggestion

"People are not...they are not toys to be passed around and shared! That is....I am not understanding. That is not....Is this what you and Sayyada Soraya are wanting to do? Is this how it is being in Dahabi world? No wonder Sayyeda Soraya felt like she was doll only wanted in short periods of time if this is normal in your world."

[Qasim al-Basiri]

Qasim shook his head "You are misunderstanding me." He said simply keeping his cool but touches of frustration were fraying the edges "What I am talking about is not normal among the Dhabi and it is nit passing someone around like a doll."

He sat for a moment in silence thinking "Do you love Soraya?"

[Raya]

Raya went to answer, then stopped herself again. Thinking for a few moments before answering.

"I do not know. I know am caring deeply for Sayyeda Soraya. For who she is being, not for anything else. I see who she is, beyond all these words and titles and...I am not sure how else to say. I enjoy being around her, talking with her. Sharing stories, dancing, singing. I am happy when she is around. I do not know how love is, but I am thinking that is what it would be like."

[Qasim al-Basiri]

Qasim nodded a small smile on his lips "and now that you know I love her too does that make you feel different?"