what actually happened?
– Actually nothing! I just remembered long-forgotten friends and decided to remind myself. It happens.
– It happens. I do not argue.
– If something ever happens to you, remember, you can always count on me. Igor carefully looked into Amir’s eyes. Amir mutually looked into Igor’s face and did not say a word. With these words, they hugged tightly and continued their gatherings. Amir flew to Laos for the summer holidays, and Lyosha stayed in Moscow.
CHAPTER 2
In Laos, Amir was waiting for the same life as before. Nothing has changed except for himself. The parents immediately noticed the change, but did not say anything. In the evening, at dinner, the father made a speech and praised his son, saying that the year of study had done him good. The mother did not say anything, she immediately noticed a change in him, and felt the danger that was coming, just like her son. After dinner, Amir and his father locked themselves in the study.
– Tell me, are you using your inherited gift for its intended purpose.
– Yes, Father, I use it. But I need to talk to you very seriously.
– What happened?
– It is okay so far. But, my gift, it’s much stronger than I expected.
– How does it manifest itself?
– When I see the lines of people, along with their fate, I also see the exact time and date of what is going to happen. I can predict it, and I am good at it. I have already put this into practice.
– «Is that all?»
– No. In addition to all this, when I am next to a person, I see his lines of fate without examining his legs. True, these are still blurry lines, they are not clear, but I can see.
– You are doing great. I am proud of you. But you said its okay so far. I hope nothing should happen, or I am wrong. Amir stood confused and did not know how to tell his father that he was scared.
– Father. I am scared. Sometimes, I feel like something is going to happen to me. This fear does not go away, and the more time passes, the closer my feelings get.
– This is normal. You are much stronger than your grandfather or me and that is why you are scared. Do not be afraid. You are a strong boy. My boy, I am proud of you. His father hugged Amir, and they left the office.
The mother had been eavesdropping on the conversation all this time. She realized that her fears were not in vain. The son could not tell his father everything, and she took a picture of Amir’s legs while sleeping. The next day, the father arranged a reception at their house and decided to advertise his son’s abilities. Amir considered many of the feet of notable people and predicted to them the exact dates of the conclusion of profitable deals, to some he called the dates where they are waiting for failures and deals that need to be abandoned. He predicted bankruptcy for one of the guests. Many people did not like it, but there was nothing to be done, his prediction soon came true.
– Son. Soon you will take my place. Learn how to receive visitors. Amir listened to his father’s instructions with pride. The next day, a woman and her daughter came to them; she asked them to predict when her daughter would finally get married. The father carefully examined the girl, and walked from side to side. Then he called Amir over and said, «It’s time for you to find a bride. I take it you are not in love yet. Amir wanted to object, but listened to his father to the end. – This girl is very well mannered; she comes from a good family. I know her late father.
– Dad, I did not even have time to read her fate.
– And you do not need to read her fate. I read it.
– I am not ready for such an acquaintance. I am still too young. I study.
– And no one is forcing you to get married right now. You will just be wooed and that is it. And over time, you will love the bride and marry her. We will celebrate this event and arrange a holiday in our house. Amir had no choice but to agree. This event, which happened so unexpectedly in his life, was not to his liking. Besides the fact that he was not ready to get married, he did not like the bride herself. Although she was pretty, but she did not sink into his soul, and could not hook him in the way that usually happens when you meet your love at first sight. Amir could not tell his parents about this, and decided to leave everything as it is. There was time, he thought. Everything will have time to change before the wedding. Alternatively, maybe my father is right, maybe I will fall in love with her and we will have a strong family. Especially since my father watched her feet, so he knows what is best for me. Rashid decided that if he married his son in his homeland, he would be able to move him back, and this would solve the problem that loomed.
The family was preparing for the engagement. On the appointed day, the groom’s family had to go to the bride’s house to ask for her hand in marriage. Deep down, Amir hoped that this wedding would not take place. Still he went to this engagement. The bride’s family welcomed the guests as befits this celebration. Everything was prepared for the arrival of the welcome guests. While both families were celebrating the holiday, the Sultan’s girlfriend lived in another country, in the same provincial city. And at the moment she wasn’t having as much fun as about the aforementioned newly-made bride.
Sultana was born in the country of Cambodia, the city of Poipet. The religion is Islam. She was born into a poor family, and grew up in complete poverty. Unlike Amir, she had a completely different relationship with her father. They were friends. Sultana told her father everything, shared secrets, asked for advice. It was a full-fledged happy family, despite the fact that it was poor. Sultana, just like Amir, was spoiled, and despite the fact that she grew up in complete poverty, she possessed beauty and greatness. It was given to her from above, and it was very becoming to her. This girl looked like an empress, but her poor background left an imprint on her, and she knew about it. Her mother died when she was twelve years old. Her father never married again, he devoted himself to his daughter, and they lived together. Ahmed earned his living by working as a handkerchief seller. He worked for well-known people, and this money was enough for them to live. One day this man had problems, and he had to bury his store for a while, Ahmed, out of respect for his friend, was waiting for the store to open, but it all dragged on and poverty set in in the family. At that time, Sultana was sixteen years old, and she went to work as a dancer. Her father was categorically against it, she managed to persuade him, and this allowed her and her father to improve their financial situation. Sultana has been dancing since childhood, her mother taught her to dance. A year later, she became the best dancer in the city and was offered to go to Phnom Penh. She was against it. From that moment on, people began to come to their house and threaten. At first, these threats were not taken seriously. But the Sultan’s last threat did not want to leave, and even more so to leave her father alone horrified her, she was told that if she did not agree, her father would be killed, and she would never be able to dance again, much less get married. Sultana agreed, and reluctantly left her home.
Sultana danced better and better, and gathered a huge audience. Cafes and restaurants were crowded. It was ordered for private banquets. Over time, Sultana began to regret that she had once gone dancing. She wanted so much to return home, to her father, to her poverty. But nothing could be returned. She felt so alienated and rejected in this city, she had no one to tell about her condition and this made her stronger. One day Sultana overheard a conversation that concerned her. The mercenary
