Page 78 - Javanan Magazine Issue #1905

From The Desk Of The Editor ISSUE No. 1902
JAVANAN
Bahar, New York me to get a new passport and leave
I searched the lands to find my for Dubai quietly. There, my uncle's
friends were waiting for me. For-
lost love tunately, I was supported by some
kind families in Dubai and tasted
happiness and peace again, although
my heart was empty of love.
out with him, get to know him, In Dubai, I got a US visa with the
and then decide!" help of a government employee who
After two dates, I told my was an acquaintance of my uncle's
story to that man, and for- friends. At the New York airport, I
tunately, according to my was greeted by one of my uncle's
request, he made my father friends and his family. They intro-
understand that his daughter duced me to a charity foundation
and because of my capabilities and
hadmehr and I were in was not mentally balanced fluency in three languages, the char-
love. We have loved each and it was better not to get ity foundation applied for a green
Sother since childhood. married at all. card for me.
Shadmehr was my constant sup- Unfortunately, my father
porter. As we grew up, we real- did not give up. With- I spent my days in that foundation.
ized that this interest is actually out my knowledge, he Salary was not important to me; I
love. At 16, we confessed our arranged an unwanted was immersed in helping the chil-
love to each other and decided marriage with one of his dren of a kindergarten and elemen-
to get married in the future, but employees. But on the tary school. I worked from 7 am to
we both knew that there would be day of the wedding, I 7 pm. No one saw a sign of fatigue
many problems due to religious cut a vein in my hand on my face, nor heard a complaint
differences. and they took me to from my mouth. This established
my position as the head of an im-
We both continued our studies, be- the hospital. I almost portant part of the foundation within
came school teachers, and decided died due to a blood four years.
to leave Iran and join each other disease and my blood
there. We were preparing to get a being thin. After this In this kindergarten and elementary
passport when we realized that girls incident, my mother school, I knew the children by their
needed their father's permission to stood up to my fa- first names. Usually, we were not
get a passport and leave the country. ther. "Leave this girl allowed to access their documents
So, we decided to get married se- alone." She said. and family history. I am saying this
cretly and leave Iran as husband and From "You've made her sick and mad because I was once curious to know
wife. In a remote office, we received that day on, I locked and you're still torturing her?" the cause of a 5-year-old girl's ex-
the marriage documents by paying a myself in My father finally gave up. "You're cessive distress, but the foundation
bribe, and then we bought tickets to truly crazy." He said. "Just live and official told me that they would in-
travel to Turkey by bus. die with your madness!" vestigate the matter themselves.
A week before our leaving, my fa- my room. I didn't call anyone and It was two years after these events I remember it was two weeks ago
didn't bother to meet people. I could
ther accidentally found my pass- hardly even eat and was extremely that I started looking for Shadmehr. I that I saw signs of familiarity in the
port and marriage documents in thin and emaciated. One day my wanted to know where was the only eyes of a 6-year-old boy among the
my closet. A big fight happened at mother talked to me. love of my life. What did he do af- children. I don't know why I saw a
home. My elder sister was going to ter the divorce and breakup? Once shadow of Shadmehr in that inno-
get married in two months. "Why are you doing this to your- when I tried to talk to his sister, she cent face. I unintentionally showed
him special attention, so that he
"Not only will I lock you at home self?" She said. "Why are you de- screamed and hung up the phone became very attached to me. He
stroying yourself? Maybe you'll be
and destroy all your marriage, pass- able to leave Iran someday. At least so hard that I didn't dare to call his would hug me tightly when saying
port, and travel documents, but I'll keep your health." family anymore. Then, I went to so- goodbye.
also cancel your sister's marriage," cial media to find him, but he didn't
My father shouted, "Unless you My mother's words made me think. leave a sign anywhere. "But your mother is waiting for
you," I told him one day when he
come to the courthouse with me and After that, I was laughing on the Then, I happened to meet one of his wouldn't leave.
ask for a divorce." outside but crying inside. While I friends who already knew about our
I did not sleep that night. I was not was going to English and Spanish love in a store. "You did such an in- "I don't have a mother." He said.
classes and teaching in schools, I
able to contact Shadmehr either. My justice to Shadmehr that he was fed I was very sad to hear that.
mother and sisters begged me to do was also thinking about continuing up with life," he said angrily. Shad- One day I got curious and went to
whatever my father wanted and end another field of study. mehr wandered in Turkey for three the building behind the school to see
this mess, otherwise our lives would Two years after my sister's marriage, years and then went to the US. No who would take him home. From
be ruined. With tearful eyes, I went many suitors came to our house. I one knows where he is. He is not that distance, I saw a familiar face
to court with my father and, as he re- used to make excuses for each of even in touch with his family. You and froze in surprise. I could not
quested, filed for divorce due to re- them. Whenever a family came to wronged him gravely." believe my eyes. It was Shadmehr.
ligious differences and Shadmehr's propose, I would do unreasonable my dear Shadmehr. He was sitting
political background. The influence things without my father knowing Hearing this news broke my heart behind the wheel.
of my father's friends and our seem- so that they would leave and never and I became more depressed. But
ingly convincing reasons caused the come back. This caused my father to my mother again encouraged me to I ran to his car. "Shadmehr," I shout-
judge to issue the divorce decree in stop the suitors from coming for a leave Iran and start an independent ed. "My lost love! I'm here!"
absentia and inform Shadmehr two while. But then, he introduced me to peaceful life. Shadmehr jumped out of the car and
days later so that he would also be his friend's son. "This gentleman is In the meantime, my great-uncle we hugged each other like there was
present to sign the divorce papers. your future husband." He said. "Go came to my aid and arranged for no tomorrow. "my God!" Shadmehr
JAVANAN INTERNATIONAL WEEKLY MAGAZINE (ISSN# 1087-4682) PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY JAVANAN, INC. 21133 VICTORY BLVD. #214 CANOGA PARK, CA
91303-2828. SUBSCRIPTION PRICE $100 YEARLY PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT CONOGA PARK, CA AND AT AN ADDITIONAL MAILING OFFICES.
POSTMASTER SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO JAVANAN INTERNATIONAL WEEKLY MAGAZINE 21133 VICTORY BLVD. #214 CANOGA PARK, CA. 91303-2828.
79