Mariam jo,
I dare, I dare allow myself the hope that, after you read this, you will be more charitable
to me than I ever was to you. That you might find it in your heart to come and see your
father. That you will knock on my door one more time and give me the chance to open it
this time, to welcome you, to take you in my arms, my daughter, as I should have all those
years ago. It is a hope as weak as my heart. This I know. But I will be waiting. I will be
listening for your knock I will be hoping.
May God grant you a long and prosperous life, my daughter. May God give you many
healthy and beautiful children. May you find the happiness, peace, and acceptance that I
did not give you. Be well. I leave you in the loving hands of God.
Your undeserving father, Jalil
That night, after they return to the hotel, after the children have played and gone to bed,
Laila tells Tariq about the letter. She shows him the money in the burlap sack. When she
begins to cry, he kisses her face and holds her in his arms.