“When Asmath took the partridges to Nestan, I was unable to move. Love struck me so deeply the force of my mind and body fled, leaving no power to my arms or spirit. I fell, collapsing in a faint, and the world became dark to me.”
“I heard a chorus of weeping and sorrow when I woke up. Upon opening my eyes, I looked up from the bed I was in and saw a vast chamber. Countless people surrounded me as if my bed were a ship about to depart, and they came to bid me farewell. I did not realize what was happening or where I was.”
“The King and Queen stood near, crying over me, and tearing at their hair. Many Mullahs were there as well, some chanting prayers to God and others pleading to Him on my behalf. I realized they thought I was bewitched. They believed Beelzebub had taken hold of my spirit, the evil Prince of Demons and Lord of the trustless Philistines of Ekron.”
“I was afraid, for I did not understand why I lay there or what happened. The reason behind my sickness and absence of mind was a mystery to me. When Pharsidan noticed my eyes open, he shouted with joy and embraced me, tearfully asking, ‘My son, do you live? Speak but a word to me!’ Yet, I was like a madman and could not answer. Fear consumed me as blood rushed to my heart, and once more, my world darkened.”
“The greatest teachers of Islam, our Muqris, stood around me with the Mullahs. Each held their Koran, reading and praying. They thought the adversary of mankind had laid me low, he who is most evil, of whose name I dare not speak. Yet, for me, their words were a jumble. Their speech made no sense, as though they raved gibberish. For three days, I lay like this, lifeless and bereft of reason as inextinguishable fires raged and burned through me.”
“The state I was in baffled the doctors called to attend me. They did not have answers, asking themselves what manner of sickness afflicted me. None of their medicines worked. After a time, the chief physician decided my ailment was not a medical condition, but rather one of the heart or mind. They thought a melancholy had taken hold of me. For my part, I was unaware of the world I lay in or their diagnoses. Sometimes I would leap up, uttering idle words and shouting like a lunatic before falling back into my daze.”
“The Queen was most distraught. Enough tears poured from her eyes to make a sea, but I did not know this. I drifted, neither alive nor dead. Like a lost soul, I wander without knowing where or why and unable to find my way home. Yet on the fourth day, my memories slowly returned and understanding began to come back to me. At first, it was like a small trickle of water, but soon my thoughts became a raging river. I remembered what happened to me, but now feared I might lose the thread by which I still clung to sanity.”
“I lamented the predicament I found myself in, praying to the creator for patience. I spoke without reservation to Him from whom all life flows, asking. ‘God in Heaven, I beg you, do not abandon me. I pray, give me strength to endure this burden and rise from here. If I stay, the reason for my plight will be revealed to all. Help me reach home, where my secret will be safe.’ He answered my prayers, fortifying my wounded heart and mending me enough to leave.”
“I sat up, amazing those in attendance around me and filling them with joy. Messengers informed the King and Queen of my recovery. She ran in, tears of happiness streaming down her face, and Pharsidan came behind her with such hurry his head remained uncovered. He gave glory to God for healing me. All others in the chamber thanked Heaven for the miracle of my return to life.”
“They sat beside me, one on either side, and brought a soothing broth for me to drink. I sipped it as my strength returned, telling them my heart was stronger now, and I wished to mount a horse. I said my spirit longed for the song of a river running over stones and to see the verdant green of open spaces. So, they called for horses. I mounted one, and my Lord the other. Together we left the palace, riding through the square and towards the edge of town.”
“We crossed the fields, and soon made it to my home. Pharsidan accompanied me to the threshold of my house, making certain of my health before departing. For my part, I went into my chambers, but in truth, I felt worse than before. Woe piled upon me, increasing my grief a hundredfold until I thought I would die. I asked myself what more Fate could possibly do to me. Little did I know then what a cruel mistress she is, or what the future would bring.”