The Kite Runner:Sohrab's Story

2

A fine breakfast awaited me in the restaurant of the hotel when I woke up the next morning.The server smiled at me cheerily as I entered the dining room,smiling back I thought how everyone looked happy today,everyone looked ready to start skipping about and dancing...but maybe it was just their job to smile at the hotel guests.

I scarfed down my food and dashed up to my room to grab my bag,I left the hotel and hailed a cab,gave him the address of Sohrab's house in the Afghani neighbourhood of San Francisco,he lived in the same house Amir and Soraya had picked out,made a home there.

The taxi driver,a Mexican man with a huge round pot-belly and a thick Mexican accent slightly lilting on British,chatted on the whole time,he talked of his wife and children,"Ah,my daughters,3 of them,know nothing but to cause mischief,so naughty they are,the neighbours are forcing us to leave the neighbourhood."He shook his head and smiled lopsidedly,his apple cheeks becoming rounder.

The ride went well,his lively chatter made the car ride,slowly moving through thick San Francisco traffic,seem short and not in the least bit boring.

He finally pulled up to a little house at the corner of a street,"This is the place,sènora."

"Thank you Ricardo,have a good day."I smiled at him and handed him the cab fare,then stepped out,here goes nothing.

I looked up at the house,painted ivory white with a chocolate brown door.Tiny tapestries of flowers hung over the porch,with 3 rocking chairs and a table over to the side.I could see a tiny garden stretching out back,it was divided off into portions,vegetables grew on one patch,flowers on another,an acacia tree stood tall not far from the flower beds,and from it was tied a rope swing.Ahead a few more swings and slides rested on the green grass.

I took a deep breathe and walked to the door.Knocked.No answer.Knocked again.

I heard shuffling from the other side of the door just as my hand raised to knock again,I put it down.

The door opened a midge and I saw an eye peer out,"Yes."A soft female voice questioned.

"Assalam Alaikum,is this where Sohrab lives?"I said.

"Yes,he lives here."

"Can I speak to him please?"

"Who are you?"The woman's voice sharpened with suspicion.

"Oh,don't worry,I just need to talk to him about something."I tried reassuring her.

"You can tell me what it is you want to speak to him about."She said,her voice hostile.

"But only he can answer me."I persisted.

"I am not letting you enter my house until you tell me what business you have with him."

"Oh,are you Soraya?I heard about your husband's death,so sorry,how are you holding?"I sympathised.

"How do you know about me?"Her voice was now thick with suspicion.

I thought for a minute,then pulled out my copy of 'The Kite Runner' from by bag,I held it out for her to see,then offered it through the gap in the door,"I've read all about you,Amir,Sohrab...Hassan,I just need Sohrab to fill out a few pieces of the story,that is all."

A hand took the book and there was silence for an unbearably long time,"Where are you from?"Her voice had quietened,I think I heard tears in it.

"Pakistan."I replied.

"You came all the way to America to know about a book,a story?"

"It's a true story,a story which I need to know more about,I need Sohrab's help in that,please auntie,let me through."