Late pigeons
Шрифт:
Our trampled and destined to be forgotten values, spiritual heritage, legacy of our scholars, who gave light to the world, were restored.
The president of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev stated that Islom Karimov’s name, who got our country and people through difficulties and hard times after achievement of freedom, must be on a par with the names of famous statesmen like George Washington, Charles de Gaulle, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.
Otabek was brought up in a family of educated people in Zarqaynar Makhalla of the Old City of Tashkent. The minarets of Hazrati Imam Complex, enriching the beauty of the city, can easily be observed from their house. He is the only child in the family, he studied in Uzbekistan National University Foreign Languages Department for both BA and MA degrees, and now doing his PhD regarding the history of Japan. He serves as a guide for Japanese travelers when he has free time from education. His father – Yusufbek – is a colonel of interior affairs. His mother – Kimyokhon – is from the genus of Kiyamiddin Ishan. Yusfbek, loyal to his family, respects Kimyokhon as required, and perhaps because of this the manners and behavior of this family can be examples for many.
Otabek was making his future plans in his room when his mother Kimyokhon appeared and said:
“Son, next week our neighbor has a wedding party, you know that I hope. They always participate in our ceremonies. A good family.”
“Mommy, I have guests from Japan. I guess I can’t attend the wedding…”
“Do not do so, son! You know neighborhood and they left an invitation as well. You are travelling much recently. Oh, these Japanese tourists! What would be if they do not come during wedding time?! Look at the mirror, you look pale. You could sit at home and do your translations instead! Now you are not young boy, you should stop wandering from city to city…”
“All right, mommy! I am planning so, there is a little left to finish my thesis.”
“We have discussed with your father and planning to marry you next year. Look at me! You look pale and drawn, I hope you are not ill. Or you have fallen in love with a Japanese girl?! Do not think of this even, you are my only child, be aware!” – said Kimyokhon, joking to her son.
Yes, who is who, but mothers immediately understand the changes in their children.
“Mommy, I met a girl in Samarkand, and I can’t forget her…”
“You, do not fall in love with the first one you meet in the streets, OK? I have planned to marry you with the daughter of a generous family. She has never gone out of her home. Your father accepted it positively. You will marry her. I am sure you will like her. You can’t find such a beauty even in Samarkand. That’s it!”
His mother left his room with no respect to his calling her afterwards…
3
Otabek spent that week at home. He attended the weeding party of his neighbor. Although he was in the wedding party physically but was still thinking of her with sincere eyes, and of her face flushed…
Otabek doesn’t believe in love. He thinks that love exists only in movies and books. In his thoughts falling in love is just a factor for getting married. Then kids come by, life problems and so on… Falling in love is natural. For instance, a beautiful girl is adored by everybody or a smart guy can be close to hearts and etc. …
As for the girl from Samarkand, it is true that she is beautiful. So what? Otabek is also a smart boy. And he is sure she will like him. And if Otabek ask her to marry him, for sure, she will consent to. Then a wedding party, kids…
What does love have to do with this? That is the matter. Otabek was struggling with himself to prove that. Reason confirms his thoughts, but his heart would not acknowledge it…
What is love? Love is a universal miracle that happens to everybody who reaches the age of majority. The one who is sick with love can walk in the universe in a second, no matter their legs are on the earth they are always flying. They don’t care for this world’s deeds, he is Majnun and he only thinks of his Layli… But unrealized love can show its power, and the beloved become a legend. For example, in the work of a great writer Abdulla Kodiriy “The past days” – two sincere hearts -Otabek and Kumush – love each other, they could live peacefully if there were not any bloodshed, various slandering and gossiping to keep them apart from each other, even such a book couldn’t have ever been written …
4
Raykhona changed her clothes and went out to the yard of the house, entered the kitchen to help her mother. Her mother realized the change in her daughter at once and said:
“You look different, is everything all right?”
“Everything is well, mommy. Today Japanese tourists bought bread from me. They pointed at me and talked with each other in their language, I couldn’t understand them. Then their guide approached us and said: “They say that you are a beautiful girl!” and I got embarrassed…”
“These Japanese know everything. I hope they haven’t jinxed you!” – her mother said and went out to light a harmala shrub.
Raykhona couldn’t tell the truth to her mother. Her embarrassment didn’t allow her to speak out. She couldn’t stop remembering the shining eyes of the guide…
What is it – is it love? No, this is not love. At first sight… Why does his deep stare shake her heart? She doesn’t know him at all. Maybe he has a family, kids and a wife?! If so, why the boy tried to say something to her but he couldn’t…
No, this can’t be love… perhaps it is love… Raykhona tried to calm herself with these thoughts. No matter and how hard did she try to erase the incident from her mind, the good-natured figure of the boy kept appearing in front of her eyes…
***
After his neighbor’s wedding Otabek guided Japanese tourists to Samarkand. They checked in the hotel at noon and he went to Siyab Bazaar, to stall of bread. There he couldn’t find the girl among the saleswomen. He returned without a word. The next day he again went there. Raykhona was selling bread.
“Good day to you! How do you do?” – he said to the girl. But he had no more strength to utter a word more – as if someone was taking away the earth from the bottom of his legs. He felt dizzy and couldn’t say a word. If truth be told he was planning to tell everything to her meaning to get acquainted with her, to say that he liked her and others. And as a result, when he saw the girl he forgot not only himself but also all the words he was planning to say. Raykhona also recognized him from the first sight – it was him who bought bread from her. The girls, selling bread, started whispering to each other, gesturing and murmuring. Their eyes met each other, their glances found each other…