Page 79 - Javanan Issue#1909_Neat

ISSUE No. 1909
From The Desk Of The Editor
JAVANAN
Mahbubeh, Toronto, Canada

To get here, I went to the brink of death several law, who worked in a government
office, proposed to me. I was still
not ready, but seeing the great af-
my honesty and sense of respon- fection and attention he showed
sibility. "I'll give you 40 percent me, I gradually became interested
of this workshop's shares." She in him. We got married the same
said. "Now you can work more year. Sohrab also joined our busi-
comfortably. Then, she gave me ness and brought us better facili-
an independent room with all the ties. We were at the height of our
facilities in her big house. "Your success when Shila was diagnosed
presence in my house makes me with breast cancer. I panicked and
feel safe." She said. "I never want took her to every doctor I could
It was 28 years ago that I to be away from you. you're the find. I was so scared that I neglect-
found out on a cold winter symbol of blessing and humanity." ed to take care of myself and lost
night that my husband, Meh- Since Mehrdad and the children 20 pounds. I was afraid of losing
rdad, is temporarily married to had moved to a bigger house Shila like I lost Soheyla. I could
a young woman and sleeps with around Karaj, I completely lost not bear the pain anymore. Fortu-
her in the same apartment most contact with them. Soheyla, the nately, comprehensive treatments
nights. I heard that he takes my workshop owner, had been sick yielded good results. In those days,
two daughters and my only son for about three years, and despite Shila's husband also had a heart
to shopping, movies, and res- my nursing and compassionate attack. I kept talking to God and
taurants with that woman, that care, she passed away one morn- begging him not to take my loved
woman buys various gifts for the work- ing. I was devastated because, af- ones away from me now that I had
children with my husband's mon- ing in a tailor shop into my ter that huge heartbreak from my reached a peaceful life. I only had
ey and pretends to spend her own handbag, and left the house in family, my only spiritual refuge them in my little world. Sometime
money on them. One night, due to the freezing weather. I took the was Soheyla. Then I was surprised later, Shila's husband regained his
Mehrdad's negligence, we did not bus to the house of a colleague by another strange news. Soheyla health. The doctors had high hopes
have electricity or gas. I heated the in the tailor shop. The woman had given her houses, villas, and for Shila's recovery, and I worked
house with two small oil heaters. I lived alone. She welcomed me her bank savings to her two sons day and night with Sohrab so that
was waiting for Mehrdad to come kindly. I told her everything. She and had left all her share, even the our business would not suffer. Fi-
and decide for his future, me and cried with me. "Stand on your tailor shop, to me. I cried when nally, that blessed day arrived and
the children. I thought the children own feet." She said. “Leave them. I heard this news. What a kind Shila's doctor announced that the
would defend me and blame their They don't know you anymore." knowledgeable lady she was. test results had come and the can-
father. When Mehrdad came back, A week later, I found a job in a big I don't know why I couldn't bear cer had been eradicated. I sang
I started talking. "Why?" I shouted. tailor shop. I was supposed to work the hard work or even stay in Iran. and danced with joy. We arranged
Mehrdad answered my question there from 7 am to 10 pm. After 20 I found Shila, one of my school- to have a big party on Shila's
with several hard slaps. To my days, the owner, who was a kind mates through an acquaintance in birthday, which was a day later.
great surprise, my children de- lady, prepared a room for me on the Canada. When she came to know That day, I woke up at 5 am, deco-
fended their father. "Our father top floor of the tailor shop. "Stay about my life story, she was very rated the hall in the most elegant
has the right to have four wives, here." She said. "You don't have to upset. She promised me she would way, and got in touch with the ca-
let alone a temporary one," they pay for rent anymore. Fortunately, help me in any way possible. In- tering about the food and reception.
told me. "Why do you oppose? the heater here is always warm." deed, she remained faithful to her Many guests were invited. At four
Doesn't our great-aunt live with Whenever I missed my children, word. After six months, she finally in the afternoon, the walls were cov-
her husband's second wife? Hasn't I would watch them from a dis- hugged me at the Toronto air- ered with colorful lights and every-
our neighbor calmly dealt with tance. Then, I would deeply en- port. "I promise you will find true where was full of music and dance.
her husband's other two wives?" gage in work so as not to feel the peace in this country." She said.
In a moment I felt empty. I felt ex- bitterness of the times. I heard that Shila was a kind helpful friend. Suddenly, Sohrab approached
tremely alone in that house; It was Mehrdad had taken that woman She immediately arranged my stay me. "There are three people at
as if I had no one in this boundless home saying to her that I got angry in the country. After a few months the door," Sohrab said. "They
world; as if no one could hear me and went to my family in Shiraz. of living in her house, she bought ask your permission to come in."
crying. I looked at my children. After a year, through a friend, I me a house and suggested that I "Today I welcome every gues
"Why are you saying this?" I told told Mehrdad to divorce me. He, start my work in the way of To- who comes here," I said.
Sima and Mina, my daughters. who had many friends in the judi- ronto life. She said she would be "Even those who wronged you?"
"Mom," they both answered. ciary, divorced me in absentia due my partner and my guide. We both I did not wait for Sohrab to continue.
"You should be grateful that to disobedience and running away started working. It took a year until I opened the door and faced my chil-
your life is secured financially." from home. I finally felt a heavy we finally managed to design and dren; The children who were now
"Mom," my son said. "Roya is weight lifted off my shoulders. produce suitable clothes accord- grown taller and more beautiful.
a kind generous woman. She I was working 16 hours a day and ing to the stores' and boutiques' "Mom," said Sima. "Will you
wants to come here to meet you." surprisingly, I was not tired at all. demands. After two years, I finally forgive us?"
At that moment, I felt that I no Because of all these efforts, the felt that a good future awaits our I opened my arms to them. All
longer had a place in that house. I owner entrusted almost all the business. The quality of our work, the guests were watching and
felt like a stranger among them. I work to me and went on a three- Shila, her husband, and my hard crying along with us. My chil-
had no strength to fight anymore. month trip to visit her grandchil- work, gave life to this new busi- dren couldn't stop crying and I
At midnight, I packed my suitcase dren in Canada. I did everything ness. Our income increased so was just laughing and singing.
with clothes and necessities, put to the best of my ability. When she much that I did not even imagine
the small savings I had saved from returned, she was amazed to see it. Then, Sohrab, Shila's brother-in-

79