The Kite Runner Special (Hassan's POV)

"Amir, Hassan, did you know the two of you had fed from the same breast? She was a beautiful blue-eyed Hazara."

"Father?" I called out. He limply entered the doorway to our small home and even in his unemotional and unmoving face, I can see the worry and sadness in his eyes.

"Hassan, come here." He slowly dragged himself towards our makeshift bed that was placed along the side of the wall and sat dow, patting the space next to him. I sat down next to father and asked what's wrong. "Agha sahib said something. Could you...could you check under your pillow for me?"

I looked at him confused but still, I lifted the pillow while saying, "I don't understand what this is--" I heard myself stop. I was bemused. Why was Amir agha's gifts and money under my pillow? There under my pillow was a shiny looking watch that must be one of his gifts from his birthday, and next to it was an envelope...there were money in it.

Lately, after the winter, Amir agha has been very distant from me. I don't know what I did for him to act that way. I don't know what I did wrong. We don't play anymore. I miss playing with him. I miss running up the hills with him. I miss the stories he reads me. Did he write a new story? What was it about?

But he said I should go away.

Deep down, at the back of my mind..I know. I knew why. I knew what made him act that way but still, another part of me doesn't want to face the truth. He was Amir agha. He was my friend. We fed from the same woman. We had a deep bond of brotherhood...at least that's what father said.

"I know you did not steal them Hassan..but I just don't understand" Father said releasing a deep breath as if he was really tired. Maybe he is. "I know something has been going on between you and Amir jan. Ever since that time you went home with bloodied pants. But why does it have to reach this point, Hassan?" I can hear the worry in Father's voice and all I could do was look down and stare at the loose string of my shirt. We both knew it was Amir agha who placed the things here.

"You would tell me what happened, Hassan, nay?" Father said as if he was begging for me. Begging for something. Slowly, I nodded. I don't want to see Father looking helpless. In that moment, I knew why Amir agha did this. I can feel something in my tummy, like it was being twisted, squeezing me from inside. My chest was really tight.

I didn't want to, but, I looked up Father's face and what I saw made me spill out the ugly things the blue-eyed monster did to me.

"It's just a Hazara."

I told him how helpless I was.

"Hold him down!"

I told him how Amir agha knew but didn't say anything. I told him why Amir agha did this. About the kite. About Amir.

"Where were you? I looked for you."

Tears were spilling out my Father's eyes and I didn't even realize that I was crying, too, when a sob cut me off. A lump in my throat and I felt like I was choking over my words and my chest was heaving as I retold my Father of that day. Father gathered me in his arms and hugged me.

I felt relieved. I felt like something really big has been lifted off my shoulders. Finally, I was able to tell someone what happened to me. The tightness in my chest somehow became loose. I was happy that Father listened and hugged me and protected me just by being by my side. I almost told Amir agha right after it happened. But I couldn't bring myself to. Was it because he didn't do anything? Was it because he could've stop it from happening? Then a voice whispered in my mind.