It was past midnight. He opened the door and stepped into the house. Snow clung to his shoulders. He turned on the lights and stared at the room for a moment. He hung his coat on the rack. He stretched out on the couch, turned his head, and gazed out the window. Through the falling snow, the street looked empty.

The little girl, on the verge of tears, raised her voice and said, "You don’t have the right to leave. What will happen to me?"

That day had turned out so beautifully. She had tied her hair back, with a few strands falling on either side of her face. She was standing by the window, waiting for him to return. That day, she had stayed at the office until midnight, trying to convince her boss to change his decision.

Her mother said, "That girl was never meant for you."

He stood up and walked to the mirror. He stared at himself. A few strands of white hair had appeared among his dark ones.

He saw the pale image of the little girl in the mirror behind him, staring into his eyes. He lowered his head and closed his eyes.

Her mother said, "That girl was never meant for you."

It was midnight. Heavy snow was falling. Flames leapt from the car windows.

The snow couldn’t put out the fire.

The little girl burst into sobs. "Then what will happen to me?"

She went to the window and stared at the snowy street.

She said, "Your shoelaces are too long. You’ll fall like that." She sat down and tied her laces.

The little girl said through her tears, "You didn’t have the right to leave."

Related:

• Shahnaz’s Dream