Date: Tue, 8 Mar 2016 23:12:10 -0700 From: Amar Patel Subject: An American in Kandahar (Chapter VIII) Written by: Amar Patel Disclaimer: The following story is fictional. The author (myself) is older than 21, anyone who is under the legal age (according to their country, state, or provincial laws) to view erotic material should immediately dissuade themselves from reading further.The story is fictional and similarities to events and persons (living or dead) are purely coincidental and unintentional. If you are offended by homosexual erotica or it is illegal for you to read such material. Please read no further. Copyright: The story may not be copied, distributed, in any way, shape or form without consent from the author. Opinions and Improvements can be sent to my email: patelamar360@gmail.com If you wish to continue to read mine and other authors works, it is important you donate to Nifty. They have provided a rich amount of stories for your enjoyment so it is only fair you give back ;). Comments are always welcomed. And encouragement. _____________________________ Dearest Readers, After a prolonged hiatus, I have finally gotten enough time to work out my fingers once more, and life has finally slowed down. A movie lifted my writer's block, and please stay tuned for more chapters, but also an upcoming story that I am working on. Best regards. Amar Patel ___________________________ Chapter VIII Khaled The bachem was elated at the news that there was hope on the horizon, but seemed rather unfazed by our sudden departure, and that made me wonder why I feared it so much. Perhaps this frightened heart of mine had grown too attached to this place? Perhaps it was because of all the memories, the hopes, and of course the love that sprouted from here... I did know that I dreaded Anas' return, and the next two days only heightened my worries. We did not see much of Jahan-jan for the last two days, he would leave at the break of dawn to do appointments, gather supplies, and only Allah knows what else, and would return just as dusk fell. I could not stop thinking about what was to come, but I found some comfort in packing, and the bachem was certainly much more helpful that I expected. It turns out that he was a quite adept and meticulous organizer, his work rapid and precise, his fingers moving at a pace that exceeded even mine, and we got a lot more done that expected. Though I longed for another deep conversation, his expression said otherwise, and I felt it best to not break his concentration. Unable to move from his armchair, I dragged objects into the room instead, but soon I made more trips than actually packing. Yesterday, we finished most of the packing by high noon, and broke our silence. We started with awkward and idle chatter, but then talked about our favorite things. He told me about America, how you can get married to a man or a woman, and I could have sworn he winked as he said this. The bachem was truly a curious one, and he made me smile. I dared to ask him why he seemed to be so unfazed by the chaos that had come to our lives, and his response was both honest and solemn. "Khaled, war is a lot like death." I remember him telling me "It acts beyond our control, and strikes with discretion, with no hesitation, but life functions in a similar way." He sighed then "I knew that by taking me in, you were risking both your safety and way of living, and to be honest, I expected that one day, I would be the reason you would have to leave this place behind. I know how you must feel right now Khaled, and I can tell you that I know that feeling." I was surprised "Bachem, what do you mean?" I remember how he turned to me with a soft smile, his eyes glowing in the light "I know it must be hard having to leave after all the years you've spent here." I nodded "So you do know the feeling, bachem." "Every time my family and I visited Spain or Morocco, I would always get sad when I had to go back home. I felt like I was leaving a peace of me behind, but my mom, she once told me about a song that many of her people sing when they are away from home. It's a sad song, but it helps us remember that we may come back someday." I was curious of course "Can you sing it bachem?" He nodded "I will sing you a verse, and I will tell you what it means" he cleared his throat, and his singing voice was as charming as his speaking one "Rossinyol, que vas a França, rossinyol. Encomana'm a la mare, rossinyol. D'un bell boscatge, rossinyol. D'un vol." It was a solemn tune as he said, but quite beautiful. "What does it mean bachem?" He gazed towards the celling "Nightingale, that flies to France, nightingale. Greet my mother, nightingale. From the fine woods, nightingale. Of one flight. It is about a girl who was married, and has to live far away from her mother. You could say that the mother can be your homeland." I remember how that song brought us a little closer yesterday, and after that, we ate a simple dinner. The bachen taught me to sing that song in that language of his, and he fell asleep soon after. Jahan-jan did not come home last night, and I tried to stay up for as long as I could. My mind began wandering on what could have happened to agha, and for the longest time, I stared at the empty bowl and teacup that I had laid out for him. I did not have the nearve to disobey him, but I wanted to walk to town to see if he was alright. I remember how my eyes began to grow heavy, and sleep soon washed over me like a wave. I awoke this morning with a blanket placed over me, my taqiyah on the stool, and the dishes gone. Agha must have done those things, and I eagerly got up to find him. Walking quietly past the bachem, I made my way out to the front room, and to my relief, agha's shoes were there, but his sandals were missing. He had just gone out, and I felt sadness enter my heart. He was probably going to meet Anas somewhere, and I don't know, but jealousy replaced the sadness in my heart. Walking down the stairs to the hammam, I gathered my clothes for the day, and felt it best to mull over things in the tub. Pushing the slightly ajar door open, I was met with a surprise. Standing under a bucket of water, Jahan-jan stood in all his glory, and at first, I averted my eyes to his sandals that rested next to a pile of fresh clothes, but when I dared to look, it seemed as if time favored me for that moment. Agha's body... Nay, Jahan-jan's body was everything I dreamed of and more, and it was just as forbidden to look at. Jahan-jan's honey eyes were closed in comfort, the water first cascading through his thick midnight black hair and brows, and down to his deep-set eyes and elegant straight nose. His pink lips and peachfuzz caught a few stray drops, and the rest of the water flowed down the remaining perfection. Agha's olive skin is just like Kaka's, how it glowed without the aid of light, and how the water only added to it. His chest, arms and thighs are just as I pictured, with a light dusting of black hair, but another part of him caught my attention, and my thoughts began to delve into the forbidden. Jahan-jan's manhood like my own stood firm with the morning air, and my mouth watered. The head was a purplish color, beckoning to me... The shaft the same color as his skin, and is of impressive length. It was bigger than my own, and thicker as well. I don't know why, but Jahan-jan's smooth dark sack made me yearn to touch him more, and of course, the dark bush that rested just above it all. Oh Allah forgive me... would you forgive me for falling to temptation?... I love agha so deeply, is that so wrong?.... I did not have time to think for time resumed its course, and I saw agha's eyes begin to open. With inhuman speed, I rushed out, and retreated to my room. A few moments later, agha now dressed, poked his head in, and said a good morning. I only half listened to him as he told me to bathe for Anas' arrival within the hour, and that his dirty laundry was in the basket. Nodding my head, I saw him walk upstairs, and I waited for my manhood to subside before entering the hammam. Seeing the laundry basket, I dared to rummage through it. Bismillah, agha's clothes smelled of kabob and the remnants of his usual smell of green tea and rosewater, and bolting the door, I removed agha's briefs from the basket. Stripping my own clothes, I looked down at my ranging manhood, and turned on the water for the tub. Letting the water fill up around me, my heart led me astray, and I found myself taking a sample of agha's smell. Quickly, I tossed his briefs aside... If agha knew what I thought of him.... He would never forgive me. My heart began to feel as if it were ripping as I looked at the briefs, and my hand resting casually on my manhood... My body told me to concede, my heart told me as well, and I let myself fall into lust. Picking up the briefs, I imagined what it would be like to have my lips touch agha's flesh, Allah forgive me... What it would be like to taste him. My hand was working rapidly on my shaft, my fingers and palm caressing the head. My climax came quicker than expected, and in horror, I placed the briefs over my erupting manhood. White on black, the amount was copious... like a bucket of paint. Frantically, I bathed myself, and proceeded to rinse out the briefs. Tossing it into the basket, I got dressed, and made my way out into the hallway with basket in tow. I heard muffled voices from the library as I made my way up the stairs, and found Anas' neatly polished shoes leaning against the wall. Making my way outside, I laid the laundry basket next to the washbin, and let myself lean against the wall. I do not know what has come over me... truly I don't... Why do I feel this way? Is it only because we have spent so long together? Is my love rooted to this place? My thoughts were racing as I began filling the tub with water and hand milled soap, and grab the scrubbing board from the shelf. Beginning to scrub the clothes fiercely against the grooved surface, I felt a presence behind me. I pretended to not notice as Jahan-jan walked towards me, and placed his hand on my shoulder, and my nostrils were filled with his floral scent. "Khaled-jan, why are you not joining us?" I tried to not make eye contact "It is not my place agha, and there is still work to be done." Agha let out a sigh "Don't talk like that Khaled, I've told that I can't do anything without you. You are my compliment, like a branch supporting its fruit. Leave the laundry, there is still time. Anas is eager to see you as well." Letting agha's briefs fall into the water, I shook off the suds and water. "Alright Jahan-jan." As we made our way down the stairs, I noticed that Jahan-jan kept looking back at me, as if he was observing my behavior, and for a moment as we walked past the hammam, I could have sworn he lingered for the slightest moment. Pushing the door open to the library, we found Anas-sahib and the bachem chatting away in Arabic. The bachem's accent was quite different or perhaps it was because Anas-sahib could only speak in simple sentences. Jahan-jan put a cushion on the floor for me next to a map of Afghanistan, and poured me a cup of watered down chai. Agha was never really good at making tea. Sitting, the bachem smiled at me, and Anas and I exchanged greetings. Looking down at the map, I saw several hilighted routes and circles. "Now that Khaled is here Anas, will you explain our journey?" Jahan-jan took a sip of chai. Anas nodded and switched to Dari "My Arabic is rusty, so I will explain the journey in Dari, Khaled would you mind translating as much as you can to the bachem?" I nodded, and Jahan-jan smiled. Anas pointed at the map with a fountain pen "I spoke with a few clients of mine, and they all suggested that we take this road here leading to the east. There are military outposts throughout this area, so we should not have any trouble. We will stop and rest in Khaled's home village for a few days. Can you see it on this map Khaled?" Stopping my translating, I leaned over the map, and saw that a village so small would not be even considered "Nay agha, but I know it is north of Bamyan. Perhaps 60 kilometers. We will have to be careful, the roads are old." The bachem looked down at me in curiosity, and Anas pointed to the map. "Can you circle where it would be?" I nodded, time certainly took a toll on what I recalled, but somehow I remembered "Here." I pointed and circled, and I wrote the strange name of my village, Maahe Kamel or Full Moon. Anas read the name with a grin "Full Moon? Interesting. I think this route is best because the bachem can see the scenery." Amal-jan nodded quietly, and I patted his hand. "It has been so long since I have seen it. You will like it" I whispered. Jahan-jan's expression was surprisingly worried "The question is Anas-sahib, is how are we going to transport our things?" "I am glad that you asked me that question. It will be answered momentarily." Exchanging puzzled expressions, we heard a melodic ring, and Anas-sahib withdrew a cell. Jahan-jan eyed it with curiosity and intrigue. We had never seen one personally, and the last phone we used was attached to a wall with a rolling dial. Anas' fingers moved across the sleek buttons, and stood. "Follow me Jahan-jan, we will be back soon Khaled." Watching Jahan-jan and Anas round the corner, the bachem tapped my shoulder. "What's happening Khaled." "I don't know" was all I could reply. A few minutes later, I saw Jahan-jan come in with a pair of crutches and a large grin "Khaled, Amal, you must come see what's outside." Agha went over to us, and we helped the bachem to his feet. Putting a crutch under his armpit, I let his other arm use my body as support. Slowly, we made our way up the stairs, and I heard the rumbling of an engine. As Jahan-jan opened he door. The bachem and I looked at each other in wonder as we saw a military style truck, and what else, a wheelchair was pushed in by agha, and I let the bachem sit down. Eagerly, I pushed him outside, and saw Anas talking with an older man. Giving him quite the stack of money, the older man shut off the truck's engine, passed the keys to Anas, and jumped into a car that awaited on the outside of the mosque. Watching the car speed away, Anas had a large smile "A client of mine." He explained. Jahan-jan was walking around the truck in awe, and the bachem looked on in silent relief. Anas clasped his hands "What do you think?" "Mashallah" was all I managed to let out. "Inshallah" the bachem lowered his head with a sigh. Jahan-jan embraced Anas "Mersi, mersi sahib." Anas laughed "You are no Afghan when you say that Jahan-jan, but you are welcome." I don't know why, but for the first time, I truly felt anger towards Anas. After so many long years, I have seen Jahan-jan burst with life, and yet... it was not me that made him happy. It was someone of his own kind, someone with money and the power to change things... I clenched at the handles of the wheelchair, and did my best to keep a straight face. The bachem looked at me with worry. "Khaled, are you alright?" He whispered. I nodded, and lied through my teeth "I am fine." "I can tell you are upset. I can see it in your eyes." The bachem smiled softly, and reached back to place his hand on my white knuckles. "It will be alright." Strangely enough, I felt a calm wash over me, and I must admit that the bachem had this energy about him "How do you say thank you in your language, bachem?" "Which one? Spanish, French, Berber, or Catalan?" The bachem smirked "Spanish." I replied "Gracias." "Oh okay then gracias." "De nada" He whispered, and I knew that certainly meant you're welcome. Jahan-jan and Anas walked over, and Jahan-jan looked at me with excitement "Khaled, we can easily leave in the next few days now that we have this. It has a bed with high walls and a covering so we will be comfortable. How about it, we can start loading our things now, and leave, what do you think?" Seeing him so full of hope, I could not bring myself to challenge him "Ne agha." "It is settled. Anas-sahib, we will leave in the next few days." Jahan-jan called out to Anas. Anas rolled up the windows "Good, then we must certainly head into town and start our final preparations, but for now, we will begin loading the bed, and making sure the bachem is comfortable back there." The bachem gestured with his head to push him off to the side, and he whispered to me "Could you ride with me Khaled?" Though I was opposed to agha riding with Anas, I knew that agha did not know the bachem as well as I did. He was truly a comfort for me, and he certainly was a curious one. He made it difficult for me to deny him "Of course bachem." Jahan-jan waved to us from across the yard "Khaled, why are you over there?" I made an exscuse "The bachem needed some shade agha." "Could you fix up a place to sleep for Anas-sahib, and also dinner?" Jahan-jan was sitting with Anas on the steps. I bowed my head "Ne agha." Pushing the bachem back to the masjid, he watched me very carefully, and as we approached Anas and agha, he averted his gaze. Anas and Jahan-jan were speaking in Pashto, and I heard my name mentioned several times. Gazing sheepishly at them, Jahan-jan smiled "I was just telling sahib that you cook Korean dishes, and he is eager to try some." I was not eager to cook for Anas-sahib, but for agha, anything "What dish do you have in mind agha?" Jahan-jan thought for a moment "Could you make that dish with rice mixed with vegatables, and some cinnamon tea." I nodded my head, and the bachem eagerly volunteered his help. Like the sun, several of my feelings were at their highest point. Anger and sadness for not having the same effect on agha as Anas or the bachem did, fear of what may come due to these forbidden feelings, fear that these feelings of mine are rooted to this place, and hope that if they endure, I can win agha's affections. Inshallah, I can serve and love agha without fear, and he will see past my place as a Hazara servant. _______________ End of Chapter VIII Thank you readers for your continued support and patience, I am currently looking for ideas for a new story, and also an editor. I cannot emphasize enough that Nifty needs donations, because the poor fellow who sorts all these stories certainly needs a reward. :)