The Iranian Gift by David Yaron

Author:David Yaron [Yaron, David]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-08-24T22:00:00+00:00

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******* Nickname of Tottenham Hotspur an English football club in London.

******** Blues – nickname of Chelsea an English football Club in London.

Chapter 6

The huge 747 aircraft was resplendent, poised on the broad concrete yard outside the hangar. It was twilight, and the sun’s last rays danced over its white body. Above the aircraft’s windows, in proud red letters, was the name: AIR INDIA. Its four engine covers gleamed with their new coat of bright red paint. The aircraft’s tail, also painted red, rose to the height of a six-storey building; orange stripes upon it resembled the rays of the sun. On the front of the tail, the name of the Indian airline was written in a strange-looking Hindi script.

A white van approached the concrete yard, stopping a few meters from the mobile stairway which was already connected to the aircraft’s front door. Captain Raza’i emerged from the van, followed by First Officer Rafssani, Flight Engineer Barawi and Busherai, the thrower. Each of them held a large fabric bag. When they saw Kabadi standing at the foot of the stairs, they made their way to him and he welcomed them with a broad smile.

Kabadi walked to Captain Raza’i and gripped his shoulders. Raza’i bent his head to Kabadi’s and whispered in his ear. Kabadi let go of the Captain and turned to First Officer Rafssani; the two embraced and exchanged the customary kisses on both cheeks. Rafssani turned, climbed the stairs and disappeared inside the body of the aircraft. Kabadi exchanged similar farewells with the flight engineer and the thrower, and they too hurried off to board the aircraft. Only Kabadi remained, standing face to face with Captain Raza’i. Kabadi was aware that the captain was extremely tense; he looked around restlessly and had trouble meeting his companion’s eye.

Kabadi took a small green Koran******** book, out of his pocket and pressed it into the captain’s hands. “Take it, take this, Raza’i my brother. Keep it in your pocket. It will help you and your team carry out the mission successfully and return safely to the homeland.”

The captain looked at the booklet in his hand. “Thank you, sir”, he mumbled quietly. He brought the booklet to his mouth, kissed it and put it in his pocket.

Raza’i, with uncharacteristic nervousness, moved his weight from foot to foot. Suddenly he reached forward and gripped the startled Kabadi’s hand tightly.

“I need your word on something very important”, he said in a quavering voice. “I need your word of honor as an officer in the Air Force.”

“Whatever you ask, brother.”

Raza’i brought his face closer to Kabadi’s. “Promise me that you’ll personally take custody of my wife and two sons, if I don’t come back from this mission. That’s all I’m asking. Just promise me.”

Kabadi saw that the captain’s eyes were moist. He removed his right hand from Raza’i’s firm grip and placed it over his heart.

“My dear brother, I swear to you in the name of Allah the merciful.” Raza’i still looked into Kabadi’s eyes for a few seconds, then turned quickly on his heels and climbed the stairs.

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