第39节

    ls.,shakinghandsaingtheguests.thegeneralstillinhisgraysuitandbabaerasinrespectfulhushedtones.

    thegeneralheldatarlengthandsledkhecheek.

    thegeneralandhishinghadgred,a

    elookingathindrainedgrin.illright,”heuthed.

    inkeepinghtradition,sorayapresent.

    afeontsofslltalkandidleequietandeveryonelookeddotheirhandsinrespect.thegeneralowardbaba.

    babailajan...itsilitythatsonandi...haveetoyourhotoday.youare...honorablepeople...froistinguishedaablefaliesand...proudlineage.ieostihtira..andthehighestregardsforyou,yourfalynas,andthery...ofyouranyonlye.ihopeheproves...irjanand...andaily.”

    thegeneralnoddedpolitely.

    “ansuily,”hesaid.“yourreputationpreirerinkabulandreinsotoday.ilyandourswillbejoined.

    “arjan,asforyou,ieyoutohoasason,asthehusbandofdaughteryeye.yourpaioseeyourkhalajalaandasaseofparents,andiprayforyourandourlovelysorayajanshappiness.youbothhaveourblessings.”

    everyoneapplauded,andontidedfor.

    sorayaappearedattheend.dressedinastunningngs.babashandtookightened.khanuaheriburstintofreshtears.sloalerelatives.

    shekissedfathershands.satbesideatlast,hereyesdo.

    theapplauseswelled.

    ailyentpartytheshirinikhorior“eatingofthesony.thenaneperiodonths.thenthehwouldbepaidforbybaba.

    hatsorayaandionthstolive.

    sorayaandineverarriedyet,hadntevenhadashirinikhori,itproper.soihadtokedosorayaatthediable.igi

    ychest,sllherhair.kissher.kelovetoher.

    babaspent35,000,nearlythebalanontthenfroabulandgavehisubstantialdisunt.babapaidfortheatytuxedo,andtraditionalgreensuitforthenikathesony.forallthefrenziedpreparationsthatostofit,blessedly,bykhanuaheriandherfriendsireeronlyahandfulofntsfrot.

    ireerouika.e,andseveralofsorayasuntaherisbrother,stoodupahehadlivedintheu.s.forrethanteriallndedicatedtosoraya,jotteddoedwhenhefinished.

    ireerytuxedo,sorayaaveiledpahegeneralandhisadeoureras.oneofsorayasusins,sharifjansson,heldakoranoverourheadsasthespeakers,thesasongtherussiansoldieratthehiparkpointhadsungthenightbabaakabul:

    keingintoakeyandthrointothewell,

    gosloylovelyon,goslooingsunfettorisei,gosloylovelyon,goslowly.

    ireersittingonthesofa,setoagelikeathrone,sorayashandihreehundredorsofaontaryprivaedonhercheeks.

    ipieersendanberkhanhere.

    andireerarried.andifso,irroruheveiledhandshadheheld

    around2a.,thepartyvedfrohebaha

    ...