CHAPTER FOURTEEN
"Run, Yas, run!" I whispered to myself. I abandoned my cleaning supplies and bolted from the room. To put it clearly: I preferred flight over a stand-off. Seeking salvation, I fled toward the first floor at the speed of light. I burst into the kitchen, panting heavily, and leaned my back against the door.
"Whew, that was close. If Ryan had been there, he would have drained my blood for sure. But did I lie? If I'm a midget, then he's a camel, isn't he???"
After recovering from that critical situation, I downed a glass of water and waited for Sophia. Still, the fear that Isar might follow me down here kept my mood sour.
"God, if only Ryan were here..."
"Hello!"
The moment I heard Ryan's voice, I lost myself in joy and instinctively sought refuge in his arms. Did I act against custom? He had appeared in that lonely kitchen like a savior. How could I not react? How could I hide my delight?
"Oh, my Ryan is here! I'd sacrifice myself for my tall doctor!"
Ryan stood motionless for a moment, so silent I couldn't even hear his breath. What was it that made his heart stop for a second?
With a smile, and completely unaware of the effect I had on him, I pulled back from the circle of his arms and said excitedly, "I wish I had asked God for something else—you have no idea how perfectly timed your arrival is!"
It seemed Ryan regained his scattered focus, for with a faint, sweet smile, he took up the thread of conversation. "Yas has made a mess again, hasn't she? That's it, isn't it?"
Since his guess was right, I let out a loud laugh. "Hahaha! And what a mess! But it was his own fault. He should speak properly if he wants a proper answer!"
As he looked at me, Ryan laughed—a soft, pleasant sound. I put my hands on my hips and said demandingly, "Why are you laughing? Look, I've told you a thousand times that Isar teases me, yet you never say a word to him. My words don't have a shred of value to you, do they!?"
Ryan took my hand and led me toward the seats. I completely forgot that this was a kitchen and not a fitting place for Ryan to sit. "Alright, tell me what Isar did."
"Tell you what he didn't do! He calls me a midget and tells me 'pity your in-laws.' It's true he helped me clean the room and I thanked him, but then he pretended not to hear me and disrupted my whole nervous system!"
"And?"
"Ryan, what do you mean 'and'!? 'And' and death! I'm telling you about my pain and you say 'and' while that camel is killing me!?"
Ryan's face suddenly flushed red, and a moment later, he started laughing. "Hahaha! You impudent girl!"
"Your brother is the impudent one, not me!!!"
Ryan gave me a charming smile. "So, he helped you and you rewarded him with the title of 'Camel'? Is that it?"
I put my hand to my head dramatically, as if I were on the verge of madness. "You don't understand me either! That rude brat calls me a midget. If I'm a midget, then he's a camel. Where is the flaw in that logic, huh?"
"There is no flaw at all. You did well, darling."
With a smile I could no longer suppress, I said happily, "So you're on my side, Naneh Jan?"
"How could I not be? Besides, I'll discipline Isar. Come with me."
Ryan stood up, and I followed behind him like a child. "Ryan, what if he retaliates later? Tell him to leave me alone."
"I will, darling, I will!"
"Don't call me 'darling.' Call me 'daughter'!"
"Hahaha! Alright, daughter!"
I don't know exactly what lies between Ryan and me, but he has a power over me that I cannot deny. Without him, I wouldn't be this happy, fearless Yas. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to compare Ryan to the "Water of Life." He keeps me alive. If it weren't for him, I would have drowned in hatred and sorrow long ago. If he hadn't come, I would have undoubtedly turned to ash.
We reached the room, and my smile hadn't left my lips for a second. Ryan entered Isar's room without knocking and caught Isar's attention with a "Hello." Isar was sitting in a chair, exhausted.
The moment Isar heard Ryan's voice, he stood up quickly and said warmly, "Welcome back, Lala!"
You lucky flatterer, hahaha! Now watch how you enter the realm of humans, Mr. Camel!
"Rest well... didn't you go out today?"
"No, Lala, I was free today. Why are you back so early? Is everything okay?"
"I have a headache; I couldn't stay any longer. Besides, Isar, didn't I tell you not to bother Yas?"
Peeking from behind Ryan with a mischievous look, I shot him a wink. Isar looked at me, stunned and bewildered, and shaking his head, he said innocently:
"Lala, I swear I didn't bother her! I even helped her. Right, Yas?"
I raised my eyebrows and said slyly, "No, never. Why did you call me a midget?"
"And you called me a camel! That makes us even, doesn't it?"
I hopped out from behind Ryan and said proudly, "Of course not! But just don't bother me when Ryan isn't around. Also, I forgive you—don't cry, my friend!"
Ryan was shaking with silent laughter. Isar was speechless at my audacity.
"Lala, do you see this midget!?"
"Don't worry, she sees the camel too..."
"Fine, take advantage of the moment, Lady Yas. My turn will come."
"Oh, Ryan, do you hear him? He's threatening me already! Hey, Camel, I'm not afraid of you. It's always my turn as long as Ryan is here. Can you even look at me sideways when he's around, huh?"
Ryan suppressed his laughter and said firmly, "Don't doubt it!"
Isar, who was now laughing, said confessingly, "Your wit has no rival. You prevent the disaster before it happens. I'm glad to be your friend."
"Really?"
"Really..."
"Well, if I send Ryan to his room, there's no problem, right?"
Both Ryan and Isar were laughing, and I was thrilled to have been saved from a major predicament.
"By the way, Lala, Anna is planning a trip to Afghanistan. She might come next week."
Who is Anna? Ryan's cousin?
"Very well, let her come. We are good hosts, aren't we?"
"Yes, undoubtedly."
"Now, if Lady Yas has no objection, may I go?"
"Yes, yes, of course you can go..."
"Come with me too. Bring me a tablet."
Ryan opened the door and stepped out, followed by Isar's worried voice: "Lala, hadn't you gotten better?"
Ryan paused and said somberly, "I'll be fine, don't worry. Also, when Israr comes, tell him my tablets are finished and to bring another pack."
"I'll get some right now—"
"No, it's not necessary now. I just need sleep."
Isar nodded, and Ryan went toward his room. What headache are they talking about? Why am I uninformed?
"Was he having headaches before?"
Isar sat back down and said sadly, "Hmm, for several years. But it had gotten better lately. I don't know why it's back."
"Is it serious?"
"To an extent! He gets very intense pain, and its persistence becomes a problem."
In those few moments, Isar's whole demeanor changed, as if something major had happened. "Don't be worried, he'll be fine. He's not so weak that he can't handle a headache. I'll go give him his medicine. You can enjoy your idleness."
Isar gave a weak smile. I went to the kitchen for the tablets. Sophia still wasn't back—I assumed she was busy cleaning. I took the water and the medicine and headed to Ryan's room.
Ryan was sitting in a chair, pressing his head tightly between his hands. I put the water and tablet on the table and asked softly:
"Are you okay!?"
Ryan lifted his head and smiled. "Yes, My Lady!"
"Why didn't you tell me before? Is it serious?"
"It's not that serious. Just an ordinary headache, that's all."
"Ordinary? I don't think so."
"Don't take Isar's words seriously; he worries for no reason!"
"Fine. Take this tablet."
Ryan took the tablet and swallowed it with a glass of water. "How is it?"
"Darling, let it reach my stomach first, then ask."
"Doctor Sahib, let me know when it reaches your stomach. I have to go now."
"Yas!"
"Yes!?"
"If you aren't too tired... could you massage my head for a few minutes?"
Ryan asking for permission? This headache must really be severe.
"You don't even have to ask. Lean back!"
With a "Thank you," Ryan leaned his head back on the chair and closed his eyes. I began massaging his head, and remembering the name "Anna," I asked curiously:
"Ryan, who is Anna?"
"My cousin."
"Aha... how old is she? And why is she coming? Is she a good girl or is she like the aristocrats around here?"
Ryan laughed softly. "She's Isar's age. She's a good girl. I think she's coming for a holiday."
"Hmm, I hope so... Does she know Dari?"
"Fifty percent!"
"She must be very beautiful, right?"
"Not as much as you."
"No, she must be tall with golden hair, colored eyes, and milky-white skin..."
"Fine! Beauty isn't about those standards anyway. You are incomparable to any girl on this planet!"
Every word Ryan spoke felt like a heavenly sweet, bringing a taste of happiness to my soul. Day by day, Ryan's tenderness reached new heights. I don't want to leave this place; this palace is full of vibrant colors because of him.
"I don't care much for physical beauty. I believe more in the beauty of fate."
"And I believe in forging my own fate. I found the beauty I was searching for. Now, I don't think fate can stop me. Can it, Yas?"
If I denied the fear and anxiety that washed over me, I'd be lying. If Ryan gets married, will he still be this good to me, or will he forget me completely? This was what made me terrified of the future.
Driven by that fear, I said quickly and sadly, "Ryan, promise me you'll stay like this after marriage. Don't change like other people and put on a different mask."...
END OF CHAPTER FOURTEEN