They left him there, bleeding on the linoleum floor. They carried Ammi Jan through the back alleys, past burning trash piles and sleeping dogs, until they reached a smuggler’s boat heading for Oman.

The room went silent. Sameer dropped his weapon. Blood dripped from his brow into his eyes, mixing with sweat.

“And came out gold,” he replied. He kissed her forehead. “No more Khuda Haafiz for today. Today, we say Alvida only to the past.”