The Kite Runner Chapter 17

Hearing Rahim's story, Amir felt the enormity of his sin once again. Many old memories he sealed started to overflow but time stole all the details.

     Amir received a letter and a Polaroid picture of Hassan and Sohrab. In the picture, Hassan was with Sohrab. The letter was written in Farsi with wrong grammar and handwriting but very heartwarming.

     Hassan talked about mainly five topics in the letter. Firstly, about how Hassan loved sharing his nostalgic memories with family. In contrast, Amir avoided remembering them as much as possible. Secondly, he depicted the Afghanistan situation by saying fear is everywhere and the Taliban doesn't care about human decency. Thirdly, Hassan felt very proud and lucky to be Sohrab's father. Sohrab was a clever child and deadly at slingshot like his father. They spent time together reading books and walking the streets. Fourthly, about Rahim Khan's health. He was very ill and Hassan also felt farewell with him is near. Lastly, Hassan talked about the dreams he sees recently. Nightmares he saw had precognitive I felt his never-changing loyalty when he gave dream of a reunion with Amir as an example of a good dream.

After Amir read the letter, Rahim told him that the Taliban had killed Hassan and Farzana a few months ago. The reason was that the Taliban thought Hassan was a liar and a thief that lives in a gorgeous house that was incompatible with the status of Hazara. Discrimination and socioeconomic tension became even more desperate by the Afghanistan conflict. Old Rahim could do nothing but leave Sohrab in a Kabul orphanage. He wanted Amir to bring back and raise the child. Of course, Amir was really baffled because of the floodlike information he got in a few hours.

     Pouring salt on the Amir's wound heart, Rahim Khan confessed the shocking fact. Sanabaur wasn't Ali's first wife and the reason of Ali divorce was that the child wasn't born. In fact, Ali was sterile and Hassan was a child between Baba and Sanabaur. Amir and Hassan were actually a brother but the shameful situation was kept secret for long years.