Chapter 3

"Well?" Assef said impatiently. He was staring at Amir with his dark blue eyes that Amir couldn't help but stare at. They were so beautifully and bright, almost like just staring at the sky in Kabul. It made it even harder to stop staring at them.

"Well what?" Amir said coming out of his stupor after a while.

"Are you just going to stand there all day like a donkey or are you going to come with me?" he said irritably. He put his hand on his waist and turned towards Amir.

"Where's Kamal and Wali? I thought you would have invited them. We can't play volleyball by ourselves." Amir said feeling stupid all the sudden.

"Kamal had something to do. I don't know what Wali is doing nor do I care. Besides I thought it would be more fun if it was just the both of us." he said walking over to Amir, a smirk in his face.

Assef was two years older than Amir, and that somehow made all the difference in how they looked, compared to each other. He was at that stage where he was leaving childhood and entering adulthood. He was skinny but still muscular, and his body was so tanned due to the constant sunbathing. He was the opposite of Amir, in so many ways.

"What are we going to do then? We can't play volleyball with just two people." Amir said uncomfortably being so close to Assef, all alone, with no one around them to stop Assef from doing anything he really wanted.

"I was thinking we could go swimming." He said smirking that evil grin.

Just an excuse to drown me, Amir thought in his head.

"I don't think that's a good idea. I didn't bring my swim trunks and I don't know how to swim anyway." Amir said embarrassed. It was true that Baba hadn't taught him how to swim yet, it wasn't like he hadn't tried .

"You don't know how to swim? Pathetic! Your father was a great swimmer." Amir looked down ashamed and blushing slightly. He knew Baba was a great swimmer; it was just another thing that reminded him that he was nothing like Baba.

"I guess I could teach you. I'll lend you some shorts. I probably still have some old ones. Come on!" Assef headed in the direction of his house and Amir followed him silently behind. They entered through the back door. The inside of Assef's house was nice and cozy; something he didn't really associate with Assef.

They climbed up some stairs to the second floor and turned to the right. Assef's room was the second one on the left. The door standing in between the room was a dark red wood. Amir gulped as he went inside, following Assef as he went inside the room. Amir was extremely suprised by what he saw. One thing he noticed was that Assef's room was much larger. Larger than Amir's by a long shot. It was almost as big as Baba's study.

Another thing Amir noticed was that large mahogany desk and the large poster of Hitler above it. He frowned at the sight of it. A four-poster bed stood on the left of the room. A Persian carpet covered the floor. The curtains, the walls even Assef's bed sheets were blue. The room seemed to fit him somehow.

Amir walked deeper inside Assef's room with a sense that he shouldn't be in there. Assef walked past him and headed towards a closet near the bed. Assef started to rampage around in his closet, taking out small boxes filled with clothes.

"I've outgrown most of my stuff so my madaar is packing up all my old clothes and putting them in the attic." His voice was distant coming from the closet. He poked his head out. "Don't just sit there like a servant sit down somewhere." He screeched.

Amir eyes startled and he noticed he was just standing in the middle of the room so he obeyed and sat gingerly on the bed.

"Found it!" Assef called out from the closet. He came out holding a pair of brown slim shorts. He threw them towards Amir who failed to catch it and ended up getting smacked in the face. He pulled them off.

"Um thanks," Amir said blushing. He looked at the shorts, they seemed like his size.

"Just change quickly." Assef said and leaned on the wall near the closet.

"Where's the bathroom so I can go change?" Amir asked.

"What? Just change here." Assef said.

"But-" Amir began

"Now! Hurry up! We're both guys, aren't we? "Assef said. He had that twinkle in his eyes again. Amir gulp.

Amir started to take off his shoes and then his sock. Then he unbuttoned his shirt slowly. He took it off and started to fold it neatly. Assef was being to lose his patience quickly.

"Hurry up! We don't have all day! "Assef said

Amir jumped and hurried up and started to unbutton his pants. He left them half off when he reached for the short and took off his pants, his face blusing, trying to look at Assef's smiling face and began to pull the shorts over his underwear.

"What are you doing? You're going to put the short with your underwear on? Don't be stupid! Take them off and then put on the shorts!" Assef said.

"I don't want to, "Amir said. "Why can't I just where the shorts over them? It won't make a difference. "

"I said take them off," Assef said menacingly. "What? Are you afraid to show your nakedness? It's okay I'm sure it's not that small."

Amir froze. "What did you just say?" He asked in shocked.

Assef's grin became wider.

"I said I don't think it's that small. It's okay. You're only a small boy. I doubt you would be as developed as a man like me." Assef said humor in his eyes.

"What?!" Amir screamed. "You're sick."

"Oh Am I?" Assef said quietly. "Then take off your boxers and show me him wrong." Amir stood there not only what to do. Maybe he should've run but Assef was blocking the door, a glare in his eyes; he was starting to lose his patients again.

"If you won't show me then I'll make you." At the moment he lunch at Amir. Amir tried to get out of the way but he was too slow and Assef took his arm, impending him down to his feet. He tried to stand up, but he fell, this time taking Assef with him but the assault wasn't letting up. The pain was exhilarating to Amir. Then with free hands, Assef start to remove Amir's boxers. Amir tried to wiggle up out of the grip but it was too tight. "Stop! Amir yelled almost begging.

"Fine." Assef said "Your still too much of a baby anyway."

Assef stood up and threw Amir to the floor, not enough to hurt them but just enough to get him off. Amir landed when audible plop on the floor he grabbed his stomach grateful that he was still partly covered.

"Hurry up and change." Assef said "I'll be waiting by the pool." He gracefully turned around and left, slamming the door behind him. Amir was left of the floor, visibly shaken, but he got up change and relunctualy followed after. Filled with dread Amir was sure he would die in that pool.

Amir walked outside the house. The sun was shining brightly so he covered his eyes and squint to be able to find Assef. Assef was in the same chair he has been in earlier. Amir walks towards him.

"Finally," Assef said. "Took you long enough."

Amir remained silent, not wanting to irritate him and not having anything to say in return.

"Okay. Let's get started. "Assef said. "First, tell me everything you know about swimming. Anything at all. "

"I don't know anything. "Amir said upset. He stared at the ground, his finger intertwined nervously.

"Nothing at all?" Assef said. "Not even the dog paddle or how to hold your breath?"

Amir just shook his head

"Have you ever been to the beach or even played in the River?" Assef said exasperated.

"I once played in the River next to my Kala Hashanah's house. Then I almost drowned and Baba had to jump in and save me."

"Can't you do anything other than just read all day?" "Assef said mockingly.

"I write to!" Amir said defensively.

Assef sneered. "You not a man! You don't even act like a real boy"

Amir felt a pain in his chest. Assef sounded too much like Baba at that moment for his liking.

"Let's see if I can teach you anything. Let's get in the pool." Assef jumped in the pool and waited for Amir to follow. But Amir just stood there. To filled with fear and dread to move.

"Get in here already!" Assef yelled. "I'm only going to take you far enough so you can float around!"

Amir swallowed hard and climbed down the ladder that was next to him. When he was finally in he noticed that the water only rose a few inches above his chest. He let out a sigh of relief and wanted his way to near Assef's side. The water only touched a few inches above his weight.

"Okay. The first thing that I want to show you. You do know how to float right? It's very simple just lie back in the water and stretch out your arms. Keep your back arched slightly. When you feel the water touching your ears, don't panic. Just breathe slowly and stay calm like this." Assef then spread his arms and gently lay back on the water.

He raised his legs and arched his back slightly. He stayed that way for a minute until he stood back, shaking water from his air. "Now you try." He told Amir.

Amir tried to copy what he saw and slowly lay back while lifting his legs. He breathed calmly but started to panic a little when he noticed he was sinking. "Stay calm and arch your back." Assef instructed.

Amir did as he was told but he still had trouble staying afloat. He soon gave up and stood up.

"Not bad for your first try." Assef said. "Now this time I'm going to help you. I want you to lie back while I hold you."

"What?!" Amir screamed.

"I'm not allegedly going to hold you. You idiot. I'm just going to support you while you float but I'm eventually going to let go so you have to be prepared. "

Amir nodded his head.

"Okay."

He did as he was told while Assef spread out his arms in front of him to keep Amir more sturdy. They stayed like that for a while. Amir floating while Assef was gently holding him up. Amir felt a slight ticklish sensation on his lower back when Assef's hands made contact on his skin. They felt warm and soft somehow. He started to get drowsy and began to close of his eyes. He began to drift away while Assef slowly started to let go. Amir didn't realize what was happening until the water covered his nose. He panicked and gaps only to intake water instead the oxygen that he was accustomed to.

He splashed up the water, coughing and spluttering.

Assef stood motionless and watched. "I told you that I was going to let go and to be ready." he said what no trace of emotion.

Amir didn't respond. His throat was sore from all the coughing and the chlorine.

"OK, now let's do it again, and you better be prepare this time." Assef warned.

Amir nodded, his eyes filled with tears. They took up the position again. Amir floating, while Assef gently supporting him. He eventually let go again but this time Amir was prepared. He managed to stay afloat for three full minutes until he got tired. He stood up and Assef said "That was perfect. Now try to do it all by yourself. "

And Amir did do it by himself and managed to stay afloat for a long time. Satisfied, Assef began to teach Amir to stroke, then kick, then how to move his head from side to side to breathe, and finally, while supporting his stomach, he made him do all three movements in unison. Both Assef and Amir were really tired. Amir more so because of all the exercise he was doing.

"You're halfway there but I'm tired and hungry. Let's go to the kitchen and get something to eat."

Amir nodded and they both got out of the water and went inside. It was nearly evening now and the wind was starting to blow. In a couple of hours the sun would be setting.

"We better hurry. I want to finish before my Madaar comes home." Assef said.

They went back into the water and Assef told them him to try to swim on his own. "Just trust yourself forward and then do the moment I showed you." Assef said.

Amir jumped forward then began to paddling kick would his arms and legs. He got very far though. He soon began to sink. He got up and looked at Assef.

"Just keep practicing." He said.

And Amir tried and tried and tried. After his eight time, he was almost about to call it quits but then he thought about Baba. About thought about how proud he would be if he learned that his son could swim. And learned in one day. Then he took a big deep breath and with that picture in mine, Amir jumped forward and began to swim. Actually swim! He swam for a few meters and then stopped. He looked over to Assef and saw that he was actually smiling. He gave thumbs up like in those American movies he and Hassan watch in Aryara Theater.

He swam for a few more laps then stopped and went back to Assef.

"Now let's go to the deep end and play"

Amir's smile faded. He wasn't so sure about going to the deep end. Assef poked him in the chest and said

"What? Now that you know how to swim you don't have the balls to go to the deep end?" Assef mocked Amir.

"I remember how proud you are my father was when I learned how to swim and dived to the deep in all by myself. He called all his friends and said how much of a man I was becoming."

Amir couldn't help but think how Assef was just saying all that to manipulate him. The sad part was that it was actually working and Assef knew it.

Assef began to grin evilly. He's so weak and helpless. It's so cute when he's confused. With what? Assef was confused and it showed. He was no stranger to his feelings about boys but he never suspected that he would feel the way towards Amir. It always made him mad when he saw Amir with that hare-lipped Hazara boy. He would make Amir his, only his.

Assef woke up from his daydream.

"Well?"

"Well what?" Amir asked.

"I asked if we're going to go to the deep and are you going to stand there and stare at me with that idiotic face of yours"

Amir walked towards the deep of the pool followed by Assef. Amir stopped at the edge anxiously. He was too afraid and he didn't know what to do. He Jan around to save an irritated SF.

"Just jump in and swim!" he barked.

Without turning back Amir took a big breath and jumped. He landed in the water and began to swim with all his might. He managed to swim but he was still tired from before. He couldn't stay afloat for too long. The floor was too far away. Once more panic overtook him. He began to thrash around, trying to grab something. Amir couldn't take it anymore; he began to sink and plunged into the abyss

Assef was still on land watching as Amir tried and failed to steady himself. At first he thought that Amir was playing around trying to fool him so that he would come to rescue him only to be or maybe Amir was just pretending so he could then claim to be sick and ask to stop. People had tried to fool Assef before but this was no joke or game. It was real. And as soon as Amir went under is when Assef reacted.

He dove into the water and swam towards Amir. He took a deep breath and dove under. There was Amir floating meekly at the bottom. He didn't seem to be breathing so Assef swam down and grabbed him by the waist. Amir was slightly conscious and later on in his dream he would recall the image of Assef saving him. His blonde hair floating in the water, his body illuminate by the ethereal light of that water world, and his eyes, those piercing blue eyes, that locked with his own, bore into his soul. And the most of all the precious moment when Assef leaned in and kissed him. And then-darkness.

Amir wasn't sure that what had just happened had been real or just an illusion produced his oxygen deprived brain. He was slowly coming into himself. He could feel the warm, smooth marble underneath him. The cool breeze flowing through his hair and gently caressing his skin. The soft light that was quickly fading away and I soft warm pressure on his lips.

Now that was something that was out of place. He slowly opened his eyes to have his vision blocked by a lock of blond hair. He moved slightly and made a sound of protest. Assef sat up and stared into Amir's face. He said nothing and his expression gave no emotion. But there was something in his eyes, something that Amir had never seen before-it was longing. Assef lifted his hand and began to stroke Amir's cheek, almost tenderly.

"You gave me quite scare, Amir jan." he said. "Never do that again."

His voice wasn't raised above a whisper but there was no denying what the sentence was. It was an order, a command, and also a reprimand. Amir couldn't believe what his senses were telling him. He came to the conclusion that he was either dead or in a coma as Hassan had feared. It was neither. Assef cupped Amir's cheek and slowly lowered his face only inches from Amir's. His hot breath fell on Amir's parted lips. And Amir, in a flash second, lifted his head just enough for their lips to meet. Assef's lips were soft but firm.

Slowly Assef began to move his lips, urging Amir to open his mouth. Amir complied and Assef began to kiss, to suck, and to play with Amir's mouth. And Amir moaned, ever so slightly, giving Assef the final signal that he needed. He slid his tongue into Amir's mouth like a snake, feeling all of the crevices and counters within.

He found Amir's tongue and slowly stroked it, edging into movement. Amir began to move out of his own will. He wrapped his arms around Assef's neck while Assef Amir's torso, lifting him up into a sitting position. Their lips never and they began to kiss in tandem. Assef calling the shots and Amir moving in to comply.

Assef was beside himself. He had actually dreamt about this once. He even tasted the same as in his dream. Like pomegranates. Amir smelled and tasted like pomegranates. That delicious fruit that was the symbol of lovers and passion. They stayed that way for a while. But they needed to breath and broke apart.

They panted in happy contentment. Suddenly Assef look at Amir and said.

"You can't tell anyone about this. You understand?" Amir too deep in a daze said.

"Hmm. Why not?"

At that moment the soft, almost tender Assef, was replaced by a cold evil beast. The change was so drastic that Amir wouldn't have believed it except for the fact that he had experienced it in his own skin. Assef grabbed Amir's hair and pulled down hard. Amir's head snapped back and he cried out in pain.

"You will not tell anyone about this. You understand?" Assef said his voice icy cold. Amir didn't respond. Assef pulled harder and lowered his head.

"You will not talk. Understand?" he said. His eyes were as cold as daggers. Amir swallowed, choking back the tears that were forming in his eyes.

"I will not talk." he said meekly.

"You won't what?" Assef said almost pulling Amir's hair out. He cried softly and answered.

"I won't talk Assef agha. Whatever you say."

"Good." Assef answered in return, letting go of Amir's hair and kissing him lightly.

"Now you are mine."


Hey there, sorry it took so long but school is getting busy. But I'm thankful and happy people are enjoying the story also i know this chapter isnt perfect so if you see any mistakes what so ever, please tell me. So thanks for all the kind reviews and messages, untill next time.