Three days later, they again gathered in Arshad's office. From the faces of Gifar and Maksud, Arshad understood that they had learned news bordering on the truth about the creation of the world, no less.
Arshad even got scared to ask them what had happened. Gifar spoke himself.
"I've found out who he is."
"And who?" Arshad said in a frightened voice, looking at one, then at the other.
Gifar paused theatrical and said:
"He is Russian!"
There was silence. Maksud and Gifar already knew about this news and were now waiting for Arshad's reaction to it. Arshad was ready to hear anything, including a Lao or Vietnamese, but to find out that he was Russian ...
The first few minutes he stared at them blankly, then he just stared in front of him.
Then he laughed.
"Well, of course, how could I not have guessed at once by the amount of alcohol he had drunk! Only Russians can drink so much!" Arshad again laughed to tears in his eyes, remembering Kai, as he lay unconscious with a bottle of brandy in his hand.
Gifar pointed to the tablet.
"Here are some of his photographs."
Arshad took the tablet and sat down at the table, behind him stood Maksud and Gifar. Arshad ran his finger across the monitor. The screen came to life, and from it, Kai in military uniform was looking at Arshad. It was a standard photo from a personal file, ordinary, official, scrolling further, Arshad saw Kai sitting on an armored personnel carrier, with a submachine gun in his lap and with a scarf around his neck. Apparently, the photographer accidentally photographed him, since the main object of the photo was the passage of a convoy of armored personnel carriers. Turning a little more, Arshad saw Kai walking along the parade ground, in full dress, with orders on his chest. Again it was clear that they did not take a photo of him, he just got into the frame. Arshad brought the photo closer, the medals became more visible. And a few more shots, again random ones, where he got into the frame.
"Is it all?" Arshad raised his eyes to Gifar.
"Yes, it is. You don't know the main thing. He not only serves in the army, but he also works for special services, so all information about him is classified and there is nothing. Here are just these random shots. He is not a private, he is an officer. That's all I could find out about him.
Arshad automatically flipped through Kai's photos on the tablet monitor.
"But why! Why, of all nations, he turned out to be exactly Russian," finally exclaimed Arshad. " I do not understand them at all. This is a dark forest! They don't understand themselves. If he had been someone else, he would have jumped into my bed," Arshad flipped through the photos again. "Now I don't even have a chance."
"There are always chances, you said he liked it ..."
"Yes, he liked it, and then he lost his attraction. That's all because he is Russian. They are all like that. I do not understand them. I do not understand him!"
"Arshad, have you tried to talk to him about this?" Maksud smiled mysteriously again. "Of course, you are used to not talking with those you like, but here is another case. If this person is really important to you, talk to him frankly about your relationship."
Arshad got up from his chair and went to the window.
"Okay, you're right. I want to talk to him. By the way, what's his name?"
"Kai."
"How? Kai ... But this is not quite a Russian name."
"He was born in Moscow; his parents are Russian. He is Russian."
"That's what I'm talking about, that I don't understand them, Russians. I don't understand at all!" Arshad turned to Maksud. "Bring him to the garden today, when I smoke a hookah."
***
Kai lived a strangely calm life these days. He did not want to think about what had happened and did not want to think about what would be. He made the decision to just wait.
When Maksud said that Arshad was waiting for him in the garden, Kai knew that the waiting time had come to an end. He understood that he would find out his further destiny. It didn't scare him. It was much scarier to live in obscurity. The realization that now everything would be clarified filled him with inner joy and tranquility.
He walked through the beautiful fairy garden to the pavilion. Peacocks, smoothly shaking their magic tails, parted in front of him. The rose bushes were fragrant. Palm trees gave shade with their quaint crowns, and numerous fountains and ponds filled the air with freshness.
Arshad, as always, was reclining in the arbor and puffing on a hookah. He immediately noticed Kai and kept his eyes on him as he walked.
"Sit down, why are you standing?" Arshad pointed to the sofa opposite him.
Kai walked over to him and sat down.
"Hello, Kai."
Kai raised his eyes to Arshad. They looked at each other for a long time, Kai was the first to speak.
"You have found out everything about me."
"I've learned exactly as much as you can learn about a person working for the special services. Therefore, I want to know more about you. Are you really Russian?"
"Yes."
"And your name?"
"So my father decided."
"Why did you become a military man, why did you go to war?"
Kai shrugged vaguely. Arshad continued:
"Don't lie to me that you like it. I saw your face when you looked at the dead bird. I saw your eyes. Why are you in this war?"
"Becoming a military man is my father's choice. Everyone in our family was military."
"You are an obedient son. It's good. Or am I wrong?"
"Arshad, why do you need it? What do you want to know?"
Arshad took a drag on the hookah.
"I want to understand you. Our relationship. Perhaps I was wrong. I was in a hurry. But you ... I don't understand you ... why you don't want ... you don't want anything," Arshad tried to find the answer on Kai's face. "Just don't say that you were scared, I know that you stayed on the plane, allowing jumping off it to everyone. Did they know your parachute was torn?"
"Not."
"Did you know?"
"I knew."
"Why did you do it for them? Was there someone important to you?"
"Not. But this is what is usually done ..."
"Russians," Arshad interrupted him, "that's what I told Maksud that I was not lucky that you turned out to be Russian."
"If I were not Russian, you would have been hacked to death at your coup," said Kai angrily.
"Yes, you are right, only a Russian can, instead of running to the helicopter, save the one who dragged him across the desert for a horse. By the way, why did you help me?"
"You were alone. There were many of them. In such a position, I would help everyone."
"And I thought, or rather, hoped that I arouse you at least an ounce of sympathy."
Kai didn't answer. He poured the wine into a glass and took a sip.
"Let's continue our conversation," Arshad again took a drag on the hookah, then, looking at Kai, said. "I like you, you understand in what sense I say this. But why are you acting like that? What's wrong? Explain to me. I am ready not to force, not to rush you. I know that you have not slept with a man," Kai lowered his eyes. "I will be very gentle with you; I will not hurt you. Kai, look at me. I can't understand you," Arshad straightened up on the pillows. "Well, let's start with a simple explanation - am I unpleasant to you? Don't you like me?"
"Not! What are you, it is not so!"
Arshad looked at Kai's face and smiled, seeing that Kai said it too quickly, too emotionally, which meant he nevertheless liked him.
"Okay. Then what is it?" Arshad slightly moved to the table, looking at Kai point-blank. "You know; I never ask those whom I want about anything. I'm used to taking what I want. For the first time, I try to understand, although a wave of my hand is enough - and you will lie on that bed face down, butt up. Don't be silent, explain to me why you are behaving this way with me?"
Kai understood that Arshad was trying to give him a chance to say, although earlier he just took what he wanted.
Kai slipped his hand under the collar of his shirt and took out a cross on a chain hanging from his neck. He showed it to Arshad.
"I am a believer, baptized. According to the Orthodox faith, sodomy is a terrible sin. I will be damned and go to hell. I just live according to the laws of my faith," Kai put the cross back.
Arshad moved away from the table and lay down on the pillows again. He waved his hand, pointing to the burnt coals in the hookah. A servant ran up and fussed.
Kai and Arshad silently watched as the servant changed coals and re-inflated the hookah. Then Arshad dragged on again. It was seen that he was thinking. Kai did not bother him, occasionally bringing a glass of wine to his lips.
So twenty minutes passed.
Finally, Arshad spoke:
"I have deep respect for people who honor their faith. It doesn't matter if this belief contradicts mine. For me, any believer is worthy of respect. I realized that you are not hiding behind religion, you say what you have in your soul. That is why I have pondered your words for so long. Now I understand you and your behavior," Arshad looked into Kai's eyes. "Listen to my decision: I do not want to become the one who will send your soul to hell. I will not take such a sin upon myself, my God will punish me for it. Therefore, I want to come to a reasonable agreement with you in our relationship with you. I have already said that you have nothing to fear, I will not become the culprit of getting you into hell. It can be if only you make a decision for yourself to be with me. But if you decide to be with another man, then you must be with me. I want you to swear on your cross that you agree to such a treaty."
"Do you want me to swear on the cross that I will sleep with you if I sleep with someone else?!"
"I want you to swear that you will fulfill our agreement," seeing Kai's indignant face, Arshad continued. "Do not test my patience, it was very difficult for me to make such a decision. I don't usually suffer from heightened virtue for my ... those whom I want."
"You said that your god would punish you if you did it."
"This will be done with you by my guard in front of my eyes, and then I will continue."
Arshad was not joking. His eyes turned black as night.
"I agree to our contract with you. I will fulfill it," Kai took out the cross and kissed it. " I swear."
Arshad exhaled and smiled.
"There was the risk, I was ready to change my mind, but now you have sealed my words with your oath. Remember this. Remember our contract."
Arshad leaned back on the pillow and took a drag on the hookah.
"Now let's talk about the first clause of the agreement, according to which you've left me a chance to hear from you - yes," Kai averted his eyes. "Well, why are you embarrassed? Let me take care of you, maybe you want to yourself?"
Arshad smiled slyly, Kai drank his wine nervously. Arshad continued:
"I know your faith well. I will kiss you, even if they are between men, they are not a mortal sin, well, let's just say it is a sin, but you and I have many such minor sins. So let's sin a little?" Arshad waved his hand. "Come to me. Kai, don't try my patience. Do you hear? We have a contract. You gave me a chance yourself to gallant you. How am I supposed to do this? At a distance, or what?"
Kai understood that it was better not to anger Arshad, and so now a miracle happened. Arshad would not touch him if he did not agree to this himself or there was no other man in his life, but Kai did not even think about such things. All this for him was from the realm of the unreal. Therefore, after thinking, he got up and, uncertainly walking around the table, walked over to Arshad.
He watched the guy's move, and then abruptly grabbed the floor of the brocade robe and pulled on himself. Kai lost his balance from surprise and fell directly into the arms of Arshad, who was waiting for this. Arshad immediately fell to his lips with a long kiss. At first, Kai jerked, and then decided not to, and relaxed, allowing himself to be kissed.
Arshad felt this change in him and instead of a greedy kiss, he slowly began to enjoy it, knowing that now he was his.
Arshad kissed now eagerly and passionately, now tenderly, but so skillfully. Kai felt that no one had ever kissed him like that in his life. He didn't even know that it was possible to kiss like that and that it could be so good when men kiss you ... - further Kai was afraid to voice this thought in his head. And then there were no more thoughts, only lips giving him this pleasure.
He woke up from the loss of those sweet lips, opened his eyes, and saw the dark, bottomless eyes of Arshad.
"I want wine," Kai whispered.
Arshad's lips stretched out in such a bewitching and forged smile. He stretched out his hand, took a glass of wine, drank, and, lifting Kai's head, pressed the guy's lips to his. Kai parted his lips and felt the taste of wine, which poured into him, penetrated and intoxicated.
"Do you want more?" Arshad breathed into his lips.
"Yes."
Arshad again drank wine and again fell to Kai's lips. How long the kiss lasted now, Kai did not remember. He did not remember himself, did not remember where he was and who, but he clearly understood that these were the lips of Arshad on his lips, and this was his embrace, in which he was now.
Once again waking up from strange oblivion, Kai met the eyes of Arshad, looking down at him.
"There are enough kisses for today," Arshad smiled slyly again. "Let's take a break. But I can show you another pleasure," seeing the lack of understanding in Kai's eyes, Arshad continued. "Did you smoke that?" he pointed to the hookah.
Kai nodded his head in the affirmative.
"Lie down," Arshad took a pillow and put it on his lap.
Kai did not argue, rested his head on the pillow, fully stretched out on the couch. Arshad reached for the hookah.
"I will now breathe in the smoke, and you open your lips, I will breathe it into you. Breathe it in and hold your breath."
"So what is next?" Kai felt Arshad's hand stroking his curls, tangling in them with his fingers and plunging into them.
"You will see."
Arshad sucked in the hookah smoke and bent down to Kai's lips, he did as Arshad said, and then the world spun into a motley merry-go-round. He felt like a butterfly fluttering over a flowering meadow. He flew, it was easy and good for him. Nothing darkened his consciousness. Around him flashed color pictures of beautiful fields, rivers, and fragrant gardens ...
Arshad continued to play with his curls, winding them around his fingers, then releasing them, watching the elastic curl slip, leaving the feeling of black silk. He saw that now Kai was well. He felt good too, probably for the first time in all these years. It was good with the man who was now lying on his lap - so handsome, young and so rebellious, unbroken, strong. Arshad admired and delighted him.
He heard footsteps and raised his eyes, Maksud and Gifar entered the arbor, who did not hide their joyful smiles, seeing this idealistic picture.
"Have you agreed"- Maksud smiled sincerely, seeing now the face of Arshad.
"Yes. We've made a contract."
"Even a contract? Is everything so serious?"
"Yes, it is very serious," seeing that his friends listen to him with attention, Arshad continued. " Kai is a believer, for him, relations with a man is a sin. I respect his faith and will not become the culprit of his fall. Only if he changes his mind himself or if he has relations with another man - then he is mine."
Gifar and Maksud fell into a sludge from this, realizing that Arshad was ready to wait, and not to take by force what he so wanted.
Seeing their surprise, Arshad continued:
"This is not the version of a boy who cries theatrically for a couple of days and then consoles himself with a bank account."
"You have become wiser. I am proud that we have such a ruler," the eunuch bowed.
"The Almighty has sent me a test, I think I've made the right decision."
"I don't understand, but why? After all, you like him," Gifar still could not believe the essence of what was said.
"That's exactly why. If I take what I want, he will hate me. Then I will lose him forever and ever. I do not want it. I want to be with him. Let it take time. I will be patient. Patience is a test and a gift. If a test of my patience is sent to me from above, then I will be rewarded for this ... someday," the Sheikh thought, continuing to caress these silky curls.
"You have a business," the eunuch interrupted his thoughts.
"Yes," the Sheikh began to get up, gently lifting Kai, and then put him back. He bent over him, kissed him on the lips, then stood up. "Now he won't come to himself soon, you will take care of him," he looked at Maksud.
"Don't worry, my master."
They went towards the palace, leaving Kai asleep in the arbor.
When he woke up from a dream, although it was not even a dream, but a transition to another reality, he realized that he was lying in the arbor in this Garden of Eden. Turning his head, Kai saw a peacock walking slowly along the path and fluffing its tail. Birds chirped over him. The incredibly beautiful butterfly sat on a glass of wine, and then flew up."
His soul was peaceful, calm, and quiet. By this contract, he removed the tension and uncertainty in his fate. Even so, even if not everything was clear to the end, the main thing between him and Arshad had now been clarified. Life had acquired at least some stability, it was not so bad in his position. He understood that. Now he did not want to think about what had allowed Arshad, maybe in that distant world of his it caused condemnation, but here, when his life had no value, everything was completely different.
Kai smiled, feeling that his lips were swollen from kisses which were so sweet, delightful ...
The day passed quietly. There were also kisses, it was felt that Arshad was enjoying what he had wanted for so long. In the evening he sent him to bed, saying that in the morning they would go for a horse ride.
***
The next day brought with it even more pleasant surprises. First, they rode on horseback through the desert, overtaking the wind and each other.
Returning, Arshad drove up very close and, grabbing Kai by the silk belt, pulled him towards himself. Their lips met. He tore a long kiss from his beautiful lips, feeling his breath, either by a jump or by this kiss.
Kai was embarrassed, whispered that they were not alone. But then he saw that for Arshad, all the people around him did not matter.
Getting off the horses, Kai again fell into his arms when the Sheikh, jumping off first, was next to his horse. Kai did not expect this, staggered, and Arshad's strong arms hugged him, and his lips made him forget about everything again.
Unsaddling the horse and leading it to the stall, Kai was pinned down there by Arshad, and they kissed for a long time, listening to the tired horse crunching with pleasure with fresh hay at their feet. Arshad pressed him against the wall of the stall, grabbing the bars of the grate on both sides of his head with his hands and putting his knee between his legs. Kai tried to remember only one thing, that one should not touch the Sheikh. He held his hands down, grabbing the wall and the hem of his robe, and gasped at those demanding lips.
***
After breakfast, Arshad, taking him by the waist, led him to his office, telling Maksud and Gifar to follow them.
Kai was in Arshad's office for the first time. It was a large room, again in an oriental force, with carpets, stucco, gold candelabra, and magnificent mosaics. At the same time, there was modern expensive furniture for offices: a table with a huge armchair, a conference table and a sofa with armchairs against the wall. Everything was equipped with modern office equipment.
"You probably need to call, say that you are alive," said Arshad, watching as Kai is interested in examining his office.
Kai didn't even immediately grasp the meaning of what was said. He looked at Arshad in surprise.
"Here is the phone," he pointed to the table. "Only, please, speak on the speakerphone and in English, and you have only one call," he took Kai by the shoulders and led him to the phone on the table.
Gifar and Maksud also had no less surprised faces.
"Well, tell them that I'll let you go soon, let them not worry."
Hearing this, Kai was completely at a loss, leaning on the table. Then he forced himself to concentrate. He dialed the number. The signal passed, he spoke in English.
"How do you do, Pyotr Ivanovich. This is Kai."
At first, there was silence in the receiver, then Russian swearing, and only then a voice in English answered him.
"Alive! And we kept thinking ... so much time has passed since the disappearance of the plane. Likely alive? Is everything intact?"
"Don't worry, Pyotr Ivanovich, I'm safe and sound. There was no way to inform about myself earlier."
"I understand ... and now I understand everything," the colonel guessed, if Kai spoke English, it meant that everything was not so simple.
"I have to return soon, I don't know for sure, but I will. You will inform the center about it."
"Yes, immediately. We will wait for your return."
"How is the aircraft commander? Did his mate and everyone else survive?"
"Yes, everyone is alive. Our people found them, they were all picked up. The commander has a very serious wound, but he will live. Those two are feeling better, they are already on the mend," the colonel thought, and then said very seriously. "You are great. I'm proud of you. Come back!"
"Thank you, Pyotr Ivanovich."
Kai hung up.
"Hero, then, " Arshad also looked at him very seriously, then waved towards the door. "Go."
Kai realized that he could go. He left the office and, still not believing in what was happening, went towards the library.
"Will you let him go?" Gifar sat down at the table.
"In what status can I leave him here? A boy for comfort? Unfortunately, he is not suitable for this role. I have nothing to offer him besides me. I want to remain his friend."
"You are becoming very wise, our ruler," Gifar bowed politely.
Then they moved on to the pressing issues of government in their country.
***
Kai was enthusiastically reading the next work of Arab philosophers when he felt hot hands on his shoulders and the burning heat of breath on his cheek.
Arshad bent over him, hugging him from behind, and began, slowly, covering his cheek, cheekbones, chin with light kisses, and then his ear, at the end biting his lobe. Kai groaned, clenching his hands on the table.
Arshad threw back his head and, raising his chin, fell to his lips.
"What are you reading?" through kisses, he asked.
"Philosophical views of Al-Farabi."
"Is it so interesting?" Arshad had already regained his breath and, going around the table, sat down in another chair. "What will you say? Share your opinion."
At first, Kai's thoughts were still confused, but gradually his mind gained clarity, and his voice - an even presentation. The Sheikh was a very educated and well-read person, and therefore it was interesting for them to talk to each other about such exclusive topics as the philosophical treatises of Al-Farabi of nine hundred years and the influence of the works of Plato on his philosophy. So gradually they found each other in conversation.
***
In the evening, Maksud, having dressed Kai in incredible clothes for its luxury and beauty, brought him to a huge hall, where Arshad was reclining on ottomans. They settled down comfortably next to them, a light supper was brought to them, which they had to eat reclining, and a show unfolded in front of them.
Acrobats and equilibrists performed. Then there were circus acts with animals. Later, when the snacks were replaced by sweets and the lights in the hall became more subdued, dancers came to the center of the hall. These were girls and boys who replaced each other. They danced in translucent dresses to oriental music. Their dances were erotic and frank.
Arshad beckoned Kai to him and he, feeling a kick from Maksud, moved to the Sheikh. Rather, he again found himself in his arms and, having settled comfortably, reclined with his back on his chest, allowing himself to be hugged. So they watched the performance. Kai sipped wine, the Sheikh - a hookah and regularly pressed close to his lips.
Arshad watched Kai through half-closed eyes how he looked at the dancers. When the girls danced, the Sheikh saw that Kai's eyes were looking at them, but it was rather an admiring look, as children look at outlandish animals in a zoo. When half-naked youths came out, Kai usually averted his eyes and was distracted, looking at his surroundings.
"Do you like girls who dance?" finally asked Arshad.
"Yes! They are like that, well, you will not see such girls on the street. I didn't even think that there are such, and there are so many. They are all incredible!"
"And young men, look at their bodies, they are also perfect."
"I've seen enough of these bodies in the barracks," Kai muttered.
Arshad burst into laughter, and then, seeing the frowning Kai began to kiss him until he forgot everything and melted in his arms.
From these embraces, Maksud took him and carefully led him to bed. Arshad remained to continue the fun, but already in the night apartments with those whom he had chosen in the dance.
Now, this was how their time passed. In the morning - a horse ride, or rather, a frantic race, then breakfast, then Arshad minded his own business and found Kai in the library, where they could talk, discuss, argue for hours, then an evening performance, which Kai mentally called for himself "folk amateur performance". But the most important thing in this pastime was the constant kissing of Arshad. He always did this, finding moments, drew Kai to himself and did not let him come to his senses, and then, smiling, he pulled back and continued to ride, walk, talk as if nothing had happened. But Kai for a long time then restored his breathing and calmed the heart leaping out of his chest.