noon
He longed to know her thoughts . Could she love him ? He knew he should not hope for that , because it would have to come to nothing , but he hoped she loved him at least a little . It was not until he was back in his apartment , about to begin his noon prayer , facing the charcoal mark he had made on the wall to point out the direction of Mecca , that he realized what she had done to him . _ Rachel ! We settled nothing about Rachel . _ He struck his fist on the wall .