For you a thousand times over

Loyalty is a beautiful thing. It is not easy to find a faithful friend.

As I put down the book (The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini), the image of Hassan running tirelessly through the alleys of the neighbourhood, in search of a blue kite, continues to play in my mind. He has promised Amir that he would bring it back to him and Hassan, against all odds, has stayed true to his word. Not even the threats and attacks by a bunch of neighbourhood bullies could stop Hassan from fulfilling his ���mission���.

But it stopped Amir from being a loyal friend. When Hassan was not back after many hours have passed, Amir, like a good friend, went to look for Hassan. An anxious Amir saw a merchant nearby and asked if he happened to see Hassan. When Amir was asked how he was related to Hassan, the very words that Amir uttered pained me. ���He���s our servant���s son���. Nothing more. It was a friendship Hassan would pay any cost to protect; but it was one Amir, in the darker recesses of his heart, was ashamed of.

Amir finally found Hassan in one of the alleys being attacked by a bunch of neighbourhood kids. Amir could choose between ���step [ping] into the valley��� to ���stand up for Hassan��� or running and in so doing, leave Hassan in a lurch. He ran.

In the days that follow, Amir was guilt-striken. In a bid to rid himself of these feelings of guilt each time he sees Hassan, he resorted to planting a watch and some money under Hassan���s pillow. That way, Hassan had to leave his house. Standing in-front of Amir���s father, Hassan willingly admitted to all the accusations he had never committed. And Amir understood that that was ���Hassan���s final sacrifice for me [him].���

It is in the dark that light shines brighter. It is through Amir���s betrayal that Hassan���s unwavering loyalty becomes all the more apparent.