[ Something about this demonstration just feels like a microcosmic representation of their entire lives.
Jamil's hands are deft, skilled, and subtle. They're sure. They weave artful success out of nothing, and Kalim has always been so very impressed by his ability. Awe-struck. Jamil knows everything. Jamil can do anything. He's so staggeringly capable, Kalim has never had to worry about a thing and his gratitude could never be quantified. It overflowed. It still does, and it always will, except--
There's more that's tangled up with that now. Being vocally and unabashedly grateful wasn't enough to stem Jamil's resentment, and he doesn't want to -- has never wanted to -- exercise this extraordinary talent to Kalim's benefit. He doesn't want to be Kalim's friend. He probably wishes he had nothing to do with the Asim family whatsoever. But what other choice does he (did he) ever have?
Obligation. That's all. It's so hard for Kalim to remember that. But Jamil makes the bow look so full and pretty.
And then, miraculously, Kalim manages to seize on the smallest little detail, and it blossoms into a pressing curiosity. ]
You don't talk about her much. Your grandmother. [ Kalim pulls his bare feet up onto the edge of the ottoman, and hugs his knees to his chest when he settles his attention on Jamil. ] Did you learn a lot from her?
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Jamil's hands are deft, skilled, and subtle. They're sure. They weave artful success out of nothing, and Kalim has always been so very impressed by his ability. Awe-struck. Jamil knows everything. Jamil can do anything. He's so staggeringly capable, Kalim has never had to worry about a thing and his gratitude could never be quantified. It overflowed. It still does, and it always will, except--
There's more that's tangled up with that now. Being vocally and unabashedly grateful wasn't enough to stem Jamil's resentment, and he doesn't want to -- has never wanted to -- exercise this extraordinary talent to Kalim's benefit. He doesn't want to be Kalim's friend. He probably wishes he had nothing to do with the Asim family whatsoever. But what other choice does he (did he) ever have?
Obligation. That's all. It's so hard for Kalim to remember that. But Jamil makes the bow look so full and pretty.
And then, miraculously, Kalim manages to seize on the smallest little detail, and it blossoms into a pressing curiosity. ]
You don't talk about her much. Your grandmother. [ Kalim pulls his bare feet up onto the edge of the ottoman, and hugs his knees to his chest when he settles his attention on Jamil. ] Did you learn a lot from her?