Multaza looked at Kirill in disbelief. There was no surprise on his dirty face, only confusion. This little guy probably didn't even assume what would happen after the war, because he didn't do it well at all.
Preparations for the end of the war.
"It's over, the war is over."
Kirill was far more excited than Multaza. He hugged the other party and said excitedly, "Multaza, the war between us is over! We are no longer enemies! We can try to become
Friends!"
"The war is over?"
Multaza let Kirill hold him, but he stared blankly at Soraya and Joya, who were also in a daze by the fireplace, and the two babies they held who were drinking milk from syringes.
At a certain moment, these three children cried in grievance.
It was only then that Wei Ran realized that three months had passed.
In the past three months, Kirill's face has become full of beard and his hair is messy.
There was only the last goat left in the cave, and not far away you could see a pile of shaved donkey skeletons and a large amount of firewood.
Obviously, in order to survive and fill their stomachs during these three months, they not only ate the sheep, but they probably also ventured back to the valley and brought back the donkeys that had been killed in the bombing.
He couldn't imagine how Kirill and the five children spent these three months, but just looking at Kirill's skinny appearance, he knew that he was probably no better than the Leningrad people who were besieged back then.
How much.
After hugging Kirill, whose eyes were red with excitement, Wei Ran walked out of the cave.
Outside the cave, the dazzling sunlight forced him to squint his eyes, but the wind blowing in his face was no longer as cold as before. Wherever he looked, he even saw a weed that had sprouted buds.
Closer, there is an old Lee-Enfield rifle placed on one side of the cave entrance, which is Multaza's weapon.
On a stone next to the old gun, there was a wild goat that seemed to have just been killed. The wound on its shoulder blade was still dripping with sticky dark red blood.
Farther away, on a meadow, a female goat was tied there and bleating. Apparently, it was used to lure wild goats.
Just as he was looking around, Kirill also walked out of the cave. Fortunately, his injury seemed to have healed.
"The war is over, what are your plans next?" Kirill asked.
"Let you answer this question first." Wei Ran threw the question back.
“I want to go to Kandahar”
Kirill sat down and said, "I want to find my father."
"Then go..."
"But now I want to take them away from Afhan first."
"What did you say?" Wei Ran, who had just sat down, looked at Kirill next to him in astonishment.
"I said, I would rather take them away from Afhan first."
Kirill's tone became more serious, "Joya has a letter from Hakim to his girlfriend, so I want to take them to France to try to find the woman named Vida. If...
..”
"What?"
"If she could be found, she might be willing to take care of them."
Kirill said, "I can't let Multaza, Joya and Soraya wander in Afhan with two babies, they will die."
"Can you find it?"
At this point, Weiran simply asked before the other party spoke, "What if we can't find them? Leave them in France?"
"If you can't find it..."
Kirill paused, "If they can't find them, I will try to invite them to live in the Soviet Union."
"Are you sure..."
"I know exactly what I'm talking about"
Kirill said, "It's just a few kids, they're just kids."
"This requires a lot of money," Weiran had to remind.
"I'm going to sell the camera my dad left me"
Kirill said as he took off his boots, then took out the insole, took out a small wad of rubles and a gold ring and shook it, "I still have some money, which is enough for us to go to Kabul, and from there
Find a way to leave Afhan."
"Do you want to be a deserter?" Wei Ran asked with a frown.
"Whatever"
Kirill said as he hid the belongings back in his shoes, "I can't leave those children here."
"When will we set off?" Wei Ran took a deep breath and asked.
"Let's go now." Kirill stood up as he spoke.
"Have you convinced them?" Wei Ran also stood up.
"It makes sense"
Kirill stopped and said, "While they are at their most confused, in the name of delivering the letter."
"Then let's go"
Wei Ran said and followed him into the cave.
"Can we really go to France to find Aunt Vida?" Qiao Ya asked immediately when she saw them coming in.
"Of course it's true"
Kirill nodded, "Since the war is over, let's set off now, leave the mountains, and go to Kabul. I have a way to take you out of Afhan."
"You won't take us to the Soviet Union, right?" Multaza asked with the last trace of vigilance.
"If I want to take you to the Soviet Union, there is no need to be a deserter. This will bring me and Victor to a military court."
Kirill said seriously, "I have just explained to you, so are you willing to help Hakim deliver the letter to Ms. Vida?"
"Yes! We are willing!" Soraya said immediately.
"Then don't waste time"
Kirill had already put away his home-made mineral radio as he spoke, "Multaza, go and bring back the sheep outside. We need to set off quickly."
"I...I'll go right away." Multaza said, turning around and running out of the cave.
At the same time, Kirill also asked Wei Ran to take off the tattered and dirty Afhanka uniform and put on the robe he had originally received.
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! When Multaza came back with the ewe that was used as a bait outside, Kirill said, "Children, no, friends."
In the subconscious faces of Multaza and others, Kirill said, "The war is over. We have to find a way to leave Afhan. In order to avoid unnecessary trouble, Victor and I need to borrow
Habibullah and Hakim's names, we need your permission for this."
"We agree," Joya said first.
"Then from now on, I am Hakeem." Kirill said, "Victor is Habibullah, okay?"
"Okay! We agree." Soraya followed.
"Is that okay?" Kirill looked at Multaza and asked again.
"You can't use this name after you leave Afhan," Multaza said reluctantly.
"certainly"
Kirill replied matter-of-factly, and at the same time scratched the beard he had grown over the past few months, "Let's set off now."
"Before that, how about we take a group photo first, right at the entrance of the cave?" Wei Ran suggested, he also had the miniature camera on him.
"We really need to take a picture," Kirill said as well.
"It would be nice if they were here too"
Multaza muttered something in a low voice and dragged the two ewes out of the cave first.
Soon, under Wei Ran's command, three older children and two babies, as well as Kirill and two sheep, stood together and allowed Wei Ran to press the shutter towards them.
After Kirill also helped Wei Ran take a photo with the children and goats, the two babies were also tied to the back of a goat respectively.
"Murtaza, don't take the gun." Kirill said to Multaza who subconsciously picked up the gun, "The war is over."
"Okay...okay."
Multaza nodded, and after much hesitation, he returned the gun to the cave and hid it. For him, it was the only relic left to him by his parents.
"Murtaza, do you know the way?" Kirill asked.
"Where is the way?" Multaza asked.
"Kabul"
"I have never been to Kabul," Multaza replied.
"Then do you know the way back?" Kirill asked again, "The way back to the big cave."
"Yes, I know the way there!" Multaza replied immediately.
"Then let's go there"
Kirill said, "Just walk behind me and show me the way."
"If we go forward, we have to climb several mountains." Multaza raised his hand and pointed in one direction.
"Is there a road near here?" Kirill asked again.
"Yes, go in that direction." Multaza raised his hand and pointed in another direction.
"Then let's go in the direction of the highway," Kirill said, having already changed the direction of travel.
"Can we find Aunt Vida in France?"
Qiao Ya asked worriedly, "Will she be willing to see us?"
"Yes, definitely."
Kirill answered this question, "France is very small, and Montpellier in France is even smaller. We will definitely be able to find Vida. How could she not want to see you."
"What happened after meeting Vader?" Soraya asked after him.
"We will come back after delivering the letter," Multaza said.
"What are you going to do when you come back?" Kirill's question made the three children fall into silence and confusion. They didn't know what they would do when they came back.
"Want to listen to my advice?" Kirill and Wei Ran asked after looking at each other.
"What advice?"
Multaza asked warily, "We will not go to the Soviet Union with you."
"I can't take you to live in the Soviet Union."
Kirill smiled and said, "But I think you might as well stay in France. Vader will definitely take care of you."
"Why should we stay in France"
Multaza said subconsciously, "We want to go back..."
"The war is over"
Wei Ran said, "Afkhan no longer needs guerrilla fighters. Afkhan now needs people who can rebuild the country and people with knowledge.
If you stay in France, you will have the opportunity to study, and when you learn enough knowledge, you will become the person Afhan needs."
"Are they as knowledgeable people as Teacher Abdul and Teacher Mahbub?" Qiao Ya asked.
"Yes, you have to be more knowledgeable than them."
Kirill said without looking back, "Soldiers have no way to end the war. Only knowledgeable people have the right to decide when the war will stop. If you become knowledgeable people, you can lead your Afhan to become stronger.
It would allow her to avoid war."
"Really?" Multaza asked.
"Really, of course it's true."
Wei Ran echoed, "If you have knowledge, you can fly helicopters, pilot fighter jets and tanks, and you can protect your Afhan."
"I may not be able to let you go when the time comes."
Soraya said abruptly, "Kiril..."
"We are Hakim and Habibullah now," Kirill, who was walking at the front with his back to the children, reminded as he wiped the corners of his eyes.
"Okay, Hakeem, and Uncle Habibullah, I may not be able to let you go. If we stay in France, will you stay in France?"
When Soraya asked this question, Kirill couldn't help but fell silent.
But soon, he asked with a smile, "Joya, and Multaza, what about you? Will you be reluctant to leave us? Do you want us to stay with you in France?"
"I won't let you go," Qiao Ya said matter-of-factly.
"And you?"
Kirill turned around and looked at Multaza with a smile, then quickly turned around and wiped the corners of his eyes again.
"I..." This time it was Multaza's turn to fall silent.
Just when Kirill was about to say something more, Multaza said, "You also have families."
"You guys are my family"
This chapter is not over yet, please click the next page to continue reading the exciting content! Kirill smiled as if he had made a decision and explained, "Multaza, if you also want to keep me, then I will stay."
I'll stay with you in France. I told you, I'm already a deserter. I'll be court-martialed when I go back. I don't want to go to jail."
"I..."
Multaza gritted his teeth, "Hakim, stay...stay and live with us, I mean, after you get to France."
"Then it's settled"
Kirill said firmly, "We will find a way to go to Montpellier, France, to find Vida. After delivering the letter to her, we will stay in France."
"Can we stay in France?" Multaza asked hesitantly.
"Leave it to me to figure this out," Kirill said confidently.
"Do you really have any idea?" Wei Ran couldn't help but ask in Russian.
"There will be a way" Kirill replied, but his tone was also full of uneasiness.
Under the guidance of Multaza, their group and two sheep finally saw a winding road before the sun set.
Perhaps because of the news about the end of the war on the radio, this road was extremely lively. Looking from a distance, there were people walking with their families, people leading goats or donkeys, and even riding horses.
Traveling on a bicycle or motorcycle.
"Let's go there"
Kirill said, already walking towards the road.
Fortunately, thanks to the full beard and headscarf, those who were busy on the road did not notice Wei Ran and Kirill.
In particular, an old man driving a donkey cart even warmly invited the three children headed by Multaza and the two babies to ride in his cart.
Naturally, no one would refuse such an invitation. After the children got on the car, the two goats were tied to the donkey cart, and Wei Ran and Kirill walked on the left and right sides of the donkey cart.
During the casual chat, Wei Ran also learned from the old man named Muhammed that this road leads to Kabul. The reason why these people rushed to Kabul was because they heard
Here comes the good news that the war is coming to an end.
In the midst of casual chats, the setting sun gradually sank below the horizon, and pedestrians on the road stopped one after another, lighting large and small bonfires on the roadside.
Just at this moment, a group of Soviet trucks drove out from the direction behind them, and the Afghans who were busy on the road subconsciously hid on the side of the road.
But at this moment, Kirill ran onto the road, shouting "Friends!" in Russian.
"crunch"
The truck at the front stopped. A gun barrel was first stretched out in the direction of the co-pilot. Then the Soviet soldier sitting in the co-pilot asked, "What's wrong?"
“Our children are too young”
Kirill pointed at the frightened Qiaoya and others on the roadside, and begged in Russian with many grammatical errors on purpose, "We have been walking on this road for a long time, and the children have been unable to walk without food all day."
Now, can we take your car to Kabul?"
"Who did you learn Russian from?" asked the soldier sitting in the passenger seat.
"My teacher, his name is Mahbub."
Kirill replied, "When he was more than ten years old, he went to Moscow to work for a while."
“It turned out to be an old friend.”
The soldier in the co-pilot generously handed out a handful of candy bars, waved his hand and said, "Take your children and get in the car, we are going to Kabul."
"Thank you, thank you friend!"
Kirill said loudly and gratefully, and then quickly ran back to the roadside amidst the disdainful but unavoidable envy of the surrounding Afhan people. He first distributed the candy to the three of Multaza, and at the same time whispered, "We
We took advantage of the darkness to hitchhike for a while and didn’t talk much on the road. We could only say that we were hungry and thirsty.”
As he said that, he had already picked up the two babies, "Hurry up and follow them."
"Your sheep," said the old man also named Muhan Mode.
"Give it to you"
Wei Ran said, urging the somewhat reluctant Multaza, Qiaoya and Soraya to catch up.
The group of them walked to the back of the car, and immediately there were a few young but drunken soldiers who enthusiastically picked up the children and dragged the two of them aboard.
"Thank you, thank you." Kirill deliberately repeated the word "friend" in non-standard Russian.
"Don't be afraid"
A young soldier who looked to be in his mid-twenties and smelled of alcohol enthusiastically patted Multaza on the shoulder, then took out a pack of biscuits from his pocket and stuffed it to Multaza.
Before he could react, another soldier handed him a kettle.
Seeing this, Kirill immediately kicked Multaza gently with his foot. The latter reacted, immediately took the biscuit and put it into his mouth, chewing it almost mechanically, and then took the water bottle and drank it hard.
One big mouthful, two big mouthfuls, three big mouthfuls, and finally I choked and coughed repeatedly.
At the same time, more young soldiers also took out various snacks and stuffed them for Soraya, Qiao Ya, Wei Ran and Kirill.
In the introduction of Kirill, who is "the only one who speaks Russian", Multaza is Soraya and Joya's brother, and Weiran is their uncle. As for Kirill himself, he becomes the two little babies.
's dad.
Also in his introduction, they rushed to Kabul to treat the two babies, while Wei Ran and the others were refugees who were preparing to return to Kabul after hearing the news that the war was over.
It was also during this chat that Wei Ran also learned that the people in this car were basically this year's recruits. They were evacuating to Kabul from the base where they were previously stationed, and then would be lucky enough to return to the Soviet Union.
"The war is over, friends!"
In the innermost part of the carriage, a slightly fat soldier said that he had pulled out a bayanqin, "Let's sing a song to welcome our friends who are getting on the carriage!"
After saying that, the soldier had already played the bayan, and the young Soviet soldiers in the car also sang a song like "Don't tell mom, I'm serving in Afghanistan."
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! "This is your last chance"
Wei Ran said to Kirill in Farsi, "If you reveal your identity, you can leave with them."
"I can't do that"
Kirill, who had just subconsciously been about to sing along, pursed his lips and replied in Persian, "How can I abandon these children? This war is already a mistake. If I abandon these children again, I...I will do it."
Less than.”
"You want to go home too..." Wei Ran asked in a low voice after a long silence.
"I will go home." Kirill subconsciously touched the miniature camera hidden in his boot. In addition to hesitation, his tone also contained fear of the unknown.
Compared to a long walk on two legs, it only takes a few hours by truck.
Along the way, they even passed the mountain road where Abdul led Hakim and others to ambush.
At about seven or eight o'clock in the evening, the convoy finally entered Kabul and finally stopped.
"You guys can get off the bus right here."
The soldier who was sitting in the passenger seat walked to the back of the car and greeted Wei Ran and others, "We are going to enter the military camp next, and you can't get in there."
"Thank you, thank you, friends."
Kirill said gratefully. He was the first to jump out of the carriage and took the two babies handed to him by the soldiers. At the same time as he spoke, Wei Ran also picked up Qiao Ya and Soraya.
"I wish you can start a new life as soon as possible, friends."
As he said that, the soldier took out a handful of candy bars and distributed them to everyone, "We will leave Afhan soon. The war is over."
After saying that, the soldier gave Kirill a flashlight produced in the Soviet Union, then quickly ran to the co-pilot's seat, climbed in, and continued to drive forward with the convoy pulling the soldier.
"us..."
Wei Ran paused, "Where are we going?"
"Come with me." Kirill looked around, then led everyone to choose a direction and walked out.
"Where are we going?" Multaza asked slightly warily.
"black market"
Kirill replied in a low voice, "Don't worry, most of the people there are Afghans and it's very safe for you."
"You seem to be familiar with this place?" Wei Ran hesitated and asked in a low voice.
"They... I mean, when Ruslan and the others were still alive, they brought me here several times."
Kirill explained in a low voice, "I tried to buy information about my father here, but failed."
"So we..."
"Just come with me and you'll know. I'll explain the rest later."
Kirill said as he led them through an alley and then got into a two-story dilapidated house.
"I want to sell some medical supplies"
Kirill walked into the house and said, "Also, before that, would you like to give these children some hot goat's milk? They are very hungry."
"sure"
As the old man spoke, he had already picked up a Soviet tank soldier's kettle and poured a cup of warm goat's milk for everyone, including Wei Ran.
At the same time, Kirill had already taken out from under his robe the medicines and a set of medical equipment he had selected from the medical bag before departure.
After just one glance, the old man nodded with satisfaction, took out half a gold ring from his arms and handed it to Kirill.
"This price..."
"The war is over"
The old man reminded, "The Soviets are leaving soon, and we will have no shortage of medicines in the future."
"All right..."
Kirill took the ring and asked, "Can you let them finish drinking the goat's milk?"
"Can"
After the old man finished speaking, he took the medicines and medical equipment and left through another door to an unknown place.
"Where should we go next?" Wei Ran continued to ask.
"Go find a friend of mine"
After Kirill finished speaking, he also picked up a glass of goat milk and drank it into his stomach.
After Joya and Soraya fed the two babies with syringes, Kirill immediately took them away, walking anxiously along the dim streets.
After passing several intersections, a house with a red cross flag appeared directly ahead.
“This is the ICRC office in Kabul”
After finishing speaking, Kirill had already walked to the door and said to the guard in Italian, "I'm looking for Marcelo Chauca. I'm his old friend. I have something very important to see him."
With that said, Kirill handed his miniature camera to the other party, "Show him this, and he will know who it is."
"Wait a moment." The guard was quite easy to talk to, so he took the camera and ran in.
Not long after, an old man who looked to be about fifty years old walked out quickly.
"My friends and I and our children need your help," Kirill said before the other person could speak.
The latter was stunned for a moment, then waved and said, "Come with me."
"Do you speak Italian?"
"My dad taught me"
Kirill explained in a low voice, and held Multaza by the hand and walked in first.
Seeing this, Wei Ran grabbed Soraya and Qiao Ya, who were holding their children, and walked into the building that maintained neutrality.
Under the leadership of Marcelo Sciocca, a group of seven of them, large and small, got into an inconspicuous single dormitory.
"Oh God, you are still alive!"
Almost as soon as he closed the door, Marcelo said excitedly, and then hugged Kirill.
"I'm dead"
Kirill switched to Farsi and said, "Marcelo, I died to save these children."
"what is going on?"
Marcelo then switched to Persian. His Persian was not very good, but the chicken feet he subconsciously made were particularly flexible and standard.
"I want to save these children"
Kirill said, "I will take them out of Afhan to France."
"Go...are you crazy?"
Marcelo widened his eyes and asked, "Kirill, you are rebelling, you will be killed by your KGB..."
"For my dad's sake, can you help me?"
Kirill pleaded seriously, and at the same time, he took off the belongings he had prepared in advance, the miniature camera that the other party had just returned to him, and the Wrigley watch on his wrist and placed them on the table, "This is mine.
With all the money I can spare, Father Marcelo, I have the necessary reasons to take them to France."
"you..."
"I also have such a camera, please." Wei Ran said, taking out his silent camera and placing it on the table.
"Wait here," Marcelo gritted his teeth, turned and left the dormitory, and locked the door from the outside.
"Who is he?" Wei Ran didn't ask until this moment.
"The friends my father made in Italy"
Kirill said, “He came to work in Afhan when the war just started, and he wrote to my father about it, but by that time my father had already disappeared in Afhan.
When I came here in 1986, I found him with the letter he wrote to my father that year. After he learned that my father was missing, he has been helping me find clues about him over the years."
Just after the brief conversation was finished, Marcelo opened the door again and walked in, and then said apologetically, "I asked, I can only take one adult and four children away. This is the limit."
"In this case, I'll stay."
Wei Ran said, "I'm staying. I'm also a doctor. I plan to join the Red Cross."
"I'll stay too"
Multaza said, "I didn't plan to go to France."
"Marcelo, help me think of a way to bring an extra child." Kirill said seriously, "They cannot be separated."
"You are a Soviet soldier, I just took you away..."
"In this case, take them away"
Kirill said, "Multaza is considered an adult, let him take the four of them..."
"Where should I send them?" Marcelo asked.
"Is it okay at your house?"
Kirill didn't know how to be polite at all, "I will pick them up after I think of a way to leave."
"I have adopted two children," Marcelo reminded with a frown.
"The war is almost over, isn't it?" Kirill asked, "I will pick them up as soon as possible."
"You are causing trouble for yourself because of me!" Marcelo said seriously.
"Their families are dead"
Kirill said, "Their family shot down my and Ruslan's helicopter and captured us, but they all died. Only Victor, me, and these innocent children survived."
After a pause, Kirill said, "I can return to the base at any time, but what will they do? They will die here."
Taking a deep breath, Marcelo gritted his teeth and said, "Just wait a moment."
With that said, he turned around and left the small room again.
This time, Marcelo didn't open the door again until an hour later.
"Kirill, you have to work in my clinic for five years to repay this debt."
Marcelo said, returned the watch and camera to Kirill and Wei Ran, and said to Wei Ran, "I can't bring one more person with me, but if you want, you can stay here and work.
If you are really a doctor."
"Let him..."
"You can only take them away." Marcelo stared at Kirill and said, "I am willing to help you just because your father helped me back then, but I can't watch you give up the opportunity to others."
"I'll stay"
Wei Ran said nonchalantly that his return mission was just to help Kirill leave. As for himself, the difference between leaving or not was really not that big.
"Don't hesitate, we are leaving now."
Marcelo said, "We happen to have transshipment work tonight, come with me."
Hearing this, Kirill looked at Wei Ran apologetically, and then left the small room with the children.
He followed them through a door and walked into the yard. At this time, several people were busy carrying medicine bottles from a truck. There were also some wounded waiting to get on the truck under the direction of a nurse carrying a gas lamp.
"Just follow this car."
Marcelo whispered, "Kirill, you go to the cab, you are the driver, and the co-pilot's guide will help you show the way. Remember, you are from Kabul, not the Soviet Union."
"I understand." Kirill nodded, watched the children get into the car one after another, and then walked to the driver's seat.
"Will he leave Afhan safely?" Wei Ran asked Marcelo in Italian.
"Unless the Soviets were prepared to kill Red Cross workers"
Marcelo took off his glasses, rubbed the corners of his eyes and sighed tiredly, "God, how could I become friends with the Soviets? This is simply a disaster for the life that is about to end."
"Fortunately, he has a friend like you," Wei Ran said sincerely.
"I worked on the same boat as his father Nineel"
Marcelo said with great nostalgia, "At that time, I was just an intern and had no experience, so I got into a lot of trouble. Ninel helped me."
Having said this, Marcelo smiled and said, "That miniature camera was the one I gave to Nineel."
"It has been given as a gift many times," Wei Ran said with a smile.
"That's probably Nineel's best gift."
Marcelo pointed to the truck, turned around and walked back while reminding, "They are leaving soon, aren't they going to say goodbye?"
"never mind"
Wei Ran shook his head and watched the truck drive out of the yard. He also breathed a sigh of relief, "I just want to know that he left alive...fuck! Come back! Come back with your special code! Stop! Stop..."
Amidst Wei Ran's exclamations, he clearly saw Multaza jump out as the truck drove out of the yard, and quickly ran into the dark alley on the street.
However, before he could call out the other party's name, and he didn't even have time to see the truck driven by Kirill slow down, a strong white light swept over, swallowing up everything in sight with ease.