I WOKE UP ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE BED THIS MORNING.
I stretched my hand out in search of Soraya’s warm touch, but found chilling sheets. I turn my head to find an empty bed. I look over at the clock on my bedside table--three thirty a.m.. Where was she? She didn’t have to get ready for school until five.
I swung my feet over the side of the bed and prepared myself for the stinging feeling of the cold hardwood floor against my bare feet. I then remembered the soft slippers Sohrab got me for my birthday last week, along with a wristwatch. I scanned the dark floor for the slippers, but they were nowhere to be seen. The frozen floor would have to do.
I throw on my red robe as I shuffle into our living space. I spot Soraya through the window sitting …show more content…
She lets out a lofty breath as she buries her tearful face in my chest.
“There really is nothing we can do, bachem.” I whispered to Soraya. “I wish there was.”
“He feels unsafe, Amir. He feels unsafe everywhere he goes.” She cries. “Maybe we should take him out of school all together.”
“No, we can’t do that. He needs this education so he can get a proper job and support himself. As his caretakers, we need to ensure he gets the life he deserves.” I say. “Zendagi migzara.”
Ever since Rahim Khan revealed Baba’s secret, that Hassan was my half-brother, I’ve felt an obligation to Sohrab. He’s blood. Sohrab has helped me achieve redemption from all my faults. He’s also a great reminder of Hassan. Sohrab is my chance to do Hassan justice for the first time in my life, and it’s something I will not give up on.
“We should go back to bed,” I say to Soraya. “You need to be up in two hours.”
“I want to just lay here.” Soraya whimpers. “I feel salaam alaykum.”
No one says a word for the rest of the …show more content…
“Sohrab, lotfan.” He waits a while, then turns to get up. He stumbles into the bathroom as I fold his blanket up and put it in the closet. “Sohrab, would you like to stop and get breakfast on the way to school?” I call. “I feel sick.” I hear him utter from the bathroom. “You’re not sick Sohrab.” “How do you know?” “Because you say it every day. If you really feel mareez you go to the nurse's office at school and call me when you throw up.” “Why are you so cruel?” Sohrab says as he comes out of the bathroom fully dressed. “I’m not cruel pesar. You have missed too much school, if you miss any more days you could be expelled.” “That would be fine.” Sohrab snaps. “Sohrab, lotfan. You have to try. Do you want to have a good future? Do you want to do your father moftakhir?” “My father’s dead.” “He still looks down on you.” “Great, he can see me be tormented at school.” Sohrab says. He opens his mouth to say more, but stops himself. “I have to go to school.” He opens the door and runs out. “Sohrab.” I call after him. I follow him out the door and down the stairs to his car. “Please tell me how to help
I stretched my hand out in search of Soraya’s warm touch, but found chilling sheets. I turn my head to find an empty bed. I look over at the clock on my bedside table--three thirty a.m.. Where was she? She didn’t have to get ready for school until five.
I swung my feet over the side of the bed and prepared myself for the stinging feeling of the cold hardwood floor against my bare feet. I then remembered the soft slippers Sohrab got me for my birthday last week, along with a wristwatch. I scanned the dark floor for the slippers, but they were nowhere to be seen. The frozen floor would have to do.
I throw on my red robe as I shuffle into our living space. I spot Soraya through the window sitting …show more content…
She lets out a lofty breath as she buries her tearful face in my chest.
“There really is nothing we can do, bachem.” I whispered to Soraya. “I wish there was.”
“He feels unsafe, Amir. He feels unsafe everywhere he goes.” She cries. “Maybe we should take him out of school all together.”
“No, we can’t do that. He needs this education so he can get a proper job and support himself. As his caretakers, we need to ensure he gets the life he deserves.” I say. “Zendagi migzara.”
Ever since Rahim Khan revealed Baba’s secret, that Hassan was my half-brother, I’ve felt an obligation to Sohrab. He’s blood. Sohrab has helped me achieve redemption from all my faults. He’s also a great reminder of Hassan. Sohrab is my chance to do Hassan justice for the first time in my life, and it’s something I will not give up on.
“We should go back to bed,” I say to Soraya. “You need to be up in two hours.”
“I want to just lay here.” Soraya whimpers. “I feel salaam alaykum.”
No one says a word for the rest of the …show more content…
“Sohrab, lotfan.” He waits a while, then turns to get up. He stumbles into the bathroom as I fold his blanket up and put it in the closet. “Sohrab, would you like to stop and get breakfast on the way to school?” I call. “I feel sick.” I hear him utter from the bathroom. “You’re not sick Sohrab.” “How do you know?” “Because you say it every day. If you really feel mareez you go to the nurse's office at school and call me when you throw up.” “Why are you so cruel?” Sohrab says as he comes out of the bathroom fully dressed. “I’m not cruel pesar. You have missed too much school, if you miss any more days you could be expelled.” “That would be fine.” Sohrab snaps. “Sohrab, lotfan. You have to try. Do you want to have a good future? Do you want to do your father moftakhir?” “My father’s dead.” “He still looks down on you.” “Great, he can see me be tormented at school.” Sohrab says. He opens his mouth to say more, but stops himself. “I have to go to school.” He opens the door and runs out. “Sohrab.” I call after him. I follow him out the door and down the stairs to his car. “Please tell me how to help