Page 79 - Javanan Magazine Issue # 1904

From The Desk Of The Editor ISSUE No. 1902
JAVANAN
Shahrokh, Southern California drawn into selling drugs in my bar, a
For many years, I was cruel, friend informed me that due to vari-
ous disturbances and rumors about
unfair, and indifferent Pouri's and my life, she finally lost
her patience, packed her bags one
day, and left with the children. She
went to Mexico to stay away from
one who got me addicted to co- rumors.
"Why Mexico?" I asked.
caine. My happy life changed "So that maybe as a stranger she can
completely. My relationship
with the dancer and my ad- be happy among people she doesn't
diction made my behavior know." He said.
towards Pouri so unfair. I I heard all these, but I was so shame-
less because of the drugs that I felt
ouri was the most beauti- beat her several times. I even like they were telling me a story.
locked her in the garage once
ful girl in our neighbor- and if it wasn't for the twins About six months ago, there was a
Phood, Chaharsad Dastgah, crying, she would have serious fight between me and the
Air Force. Many football play- stayed there until morning. dancer; I saw her in the arms of a
ers and rich kids in the neigh- Because of that dancer, man. It turned into a physical fight.
borhood were in love with her. I sold my share to Bijan Before the police arrived, that wom-
But Pouri was indifferent to all and went to Las Vegas an and her new lover shot me. I was
of them and behaved in such a with my bank savings. I injured in my right hand and leg and
way that hardly anyone would bought a night bar and was transferred to the hospital. There
dare to tease her or offer friend- that woman became my I told the whole story of my life to a
ship. bar's manager. I would government lawyer and he came to
I had a long-standing friendship serve her like a slave. I my aid. In the meantime, they man-
with his brother, Homayoun. So, had completely forgot- aged to arrest them. I found out that
sometimes I would also go to their ten Pouri and the kids. they were working with drug deal-
house and talk to Pouri. I felt that Pouri was working in ers as well. They closed the bar and I
she was paying special attention to a clinic to support their decided to sell it. Soon a good buyer
me. Once when Homayoun and I living expenses. I was was found and I sold the bar with
beat one of Pouri's stubborn stalk- overwhelmed with the help of the same lawyer. Mean-
ers, Pouri turned to her mother. "If love without any con- while, I was hospitalized in a clinic
all the boys in the neighborhood had cern for them. That and despite many difficulties, I quit
the character of Shahrokh," she said, dancer was exchang- my addiction. After many years, I
"the girls would walk safely in the ing kisses with other men came to my senses and remembered
streets, and there would be no need wear- in front of my eyes. Once when I Pouri and my kids. How cruel I was
for such harsh confrontations." ing a proper hijab tried to protest, she sent her police to them, how indifferent, how mean.
I shyly thanked her. "Actually, I'm and was even given a whipping friend to scare me. After many years, I returned to Los
considered a family member," I said. sentence, but the execution of the It had been two years since I heard Angeles. I asked everyone, but no
Homayoun punched me in the back sentence was postponed due to the anything from Pouri. One night she one knew where Pouri was. Until
jokingly. "Yes, you are." He said. influence of her uncle, who worked called me. one day, an old friend sent me her
"My family is your family." at the top levels of the regime. We "One of the kids is sick and in the address and phone number. I went to
Although I could go to university, I kept the documents of this incident. hospital." She said. Mexico. In a remote neighborhood,
decided to continue my father's busi- In the meantime, I went to one of the "Take care of the kid yourself." I in a not-so-clean clinic, I saw Pouri
ness. But Homayoun went to univer- government offices to get a license, said, "I'm busy." through the window. She was thin
sity. And Pouri, who loved nursing, and because of one of the official's "So let's get a divorce. I want to and pale, busy working. My heart
continued her studies in the field. unreasonable behavior, a heated ar- know what I should do with my sank. I cursed myself, hitting my
Then Homayoun's family moved to gument broke out between us. He life." head against the wall. Then I went
Malek Street near the old Shemiran sued me and made huge accusations "I'll come if I have time!" forward, opened the clinic door,
Road. There was some distance be- against me due to his influence. I I heard from a friend that Pouri had and knelt in front of her. Everyone
tween us. But I still visited them a was summoned to court. I conclud- vacated the house and was living around us was watching.
couple of times a month. I was still ed that the best opportunity to leave in a small apartment. Her brother "Forgive me," I said tearfully. Then
in love with Pouri. I wanted to talk Iran has been provided. I took a lot Homayoun was also looking for I turned to others. "You ask her to
about it with Homayoun in the fu- of money from my father and we me everywhere. I knew very well forgive me. Ask this angel, this kind
ture, in a suitable situation. Finally, left Iran without informing Pouri's what I had done to my life, my wife, mother, this devoted person to for-
the opportunity came and I talked family, who were against our immi- and my children. I knew I had ru- give me. I was wrong, I was cruel,
to him. Homayoun was very glad to gration. We went to Turkey and this ined everything. I did not want to I was unfair. But I have returned to
hear it. Preparations for the marriage time we applied for asylum with the face Homayoun and his family. My make up for everything."
were made so quickly that one day documents we had. Our asylum was friends told me that Pouri works Pouri came to me and kissed my
when I opened my eyes, we were on accepted very soon and six months day and night and one of her close head. "I'm not the one who should
our honeymoon trip to Turkey. later we went to Europe and then to friends is taking care of the children. forgive you." She said. "It's the
Traveling to Turkey and meeting a the US. After some time, we bought Although the kids had grown up and kids."
group of Iranian immigrants made a restaurant in Downtown Los An- were going to school, they needed a I hugged her legs and cried. People
us think of moving to the USA. We geles with an old friend and our nurse and a mother. When I heard around us also cried with me. Sud-
tried to get a visa, but it was not pos- business soon flourished. With the that Pouri had undergone surgery denly, my now grown-up children
sible. Then we decided to apply for birth of our twins, I was filled with due to breast cancer, I still didn't came out of a room. They looked at
asylum, but we had no documents energy. Meanwhile, Bijan, my part- come to my senses. Again, I was un- me shocked and confused.
and no reason for it. So we decided ner and old friend, would take me der the influence of drugs and that "Daddy?" They both said.
to return to Iran and try to achieve to clubs. We would go to Las Vegas evil woman who had taken over my It was the most beautiful thing I'd
this goal. After her return, Pouri was together on weekends. There I fell life. I had no will of my own. heard after so many years.
once summoned to court for not in love with a dancer. She was the After years, when I was gradually Translation: Massi Zokaei
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