Page 93 - The Kite Runner

82 Khaled Hosseini

Why did Baba have to spoil it like that? “He’s mareez,” I said.
Not feeling well.
“Really?” Baba stopped rocking in his chair. “What’s wrong
with him?”
I gave a shrug and sank in the sofa by the fireplace. “He’s got a
cold or something. Ali says he’s sleeping it off.”
“I haven’t seen much of Hassan the last few days,” Baba said.
“That’s all it is, then, a cold?” I couldn’t help hating the way his
brow furrowed with worry.
“Just a cold. So are we going Friday, Baba?”
“Yes, yes,” Baba said, pushing away from the desk. “Too bad
about Hassan. I thought you might have had more fun if he came.”
“Well, the two of us can have fun together,” I said.
Baba smiled. Winked. “Dress warm,” he said.

It should have been just the two of us—that was the way
I wanted it—but by Wednesday night, Baba had managed to invite
another two dozen people. He called his cousin Homayoun—he
was actually Baba’s second cousin—and mentioned he was going
to Jalalabad on Friday, and Homayoun, who had studied engineer-
ing in France and had a house in Jalalabad, said he’d love to have
everyone over, he’d bring the kids, his two wives, and, while he
was at it, cousin Shafiqa and her family were visiting from Herat,
maybe she’d like to tag along, and since she was staying with
cousin Nader in Kabul, his family would have to be invited as well
even though Homayoun and Nader had a bit of a feud going, and
if Nader was invited, surely his brother Faruq had to be asked too
or his feelings would be hurt and he might not invite them to his
daughter’s wedding next month and . . .