A Memory of the Infidels' Dance (ePub)

Born privileged in Afghani society, a young man retains his innocence despite the expectations to pursue a tainted ambition. He drifts through life in the challenging streets of Kabul until an accidental encounter with his family's enigmatic patron and the daughter, who becomes his wife. Love blossoms from the start. Oblivious to endemic corruption, Abdul enjoys his bride and the illicit Spanish music and dance she introduced. The fickle winds of political turmoil break his bubble. His wife, Jasmine, a capable and strong-minded woman, sends him on a dangerous trip to Lashkar Gah to the security of her cousin. Their journey from there descends into unimaginable horrors, hardship and separation. With his mind damaged, Abdul flees within himself, hiding from further trauma. Only his loving memory of Jasmine keeps him tethered to his sanity. Holding Jasmine's image as an icon, he links it to the echoing, haunting strains of the Spanish melodies they once shared. Discovering hidden talents, they use them to survive the storms assailing them. For Jasmine, it's the art of writing. For Abdul, the emergence of Spanish dance's genie. Blossoming into an untouchable master and partnered by a maiden of the dance, Caterina, they burst onto the performing stage like two exploding stars, each hiding a secret. Years of strife plagued the couple as they attempt to reunite. From the harsh environment of the Hindu Kush to the unwelcoming atmosphere of California – violence, intolerance, and cultural differences are constant. Despite this, they still meet rare people with golden hearts.