Marianna moved out the next day. She already had rented an apartment. Shahzdeh felt bad and guilty for this new thing in her daughter' life. But Anna assured him that she knew it was coming and new situation was much better for her. She told her father of Marianna's boyfriend, a loser in Anna's eyes, who did not go to school, did not work and used women in his life like his mother, older sister and Marianna. "You know I feel bad for her because she doesn't want to understand how he is using her. I didn't like it when he stayed here. There is always other roommates, dad. Beside I don't mind to live alone for a while.
That evening they went to the restaurant, where Aria worked. She did not know how her brother would handle the shock of seeing their father; but there was no other way. He would not answer her calls, or let her in his apartment. When at twelve midnight Aria walked out of restaurant towards his car in the back parking, he found Anna and his father standing there. He knew his father was in America. Anna had left a message on his answering machine. He did not seem shocked. They stood there looking at each other for a while. Finally he said:
"Anna, remember the first day when you came here you told me that you would be a bother in my life, I didn't think so then, but I do now."
Anna shuddered and stayed speechless. Shahzdeh looked at his son with his penetrating eyes:
"How I hate men when they belittle women. We're going to Anna's house. Leave you car here. We can come for it tomorrow morning."
"No, I follow you. Beside Anna doesn't have room for all of us while Marianna living with her." He was almost babbling.
"Marianna moved out this morning. You're going with us." Their father's voice was sharp and yet worn out.
Aria got into back seat of Anna's Bug. Shahzdeh sat in front and Anna drove to her apartment.
That night! Anna could never forget that night. What was said in that night was more than solving a problem. Shahzdeh accepted his daughter as qualified as himself or any other man. She had finally proven herself to him. It was a bliss for her to discover something so grand at the time of a much greater calamity.
First Aria was adamant and did not want to give in to their love; and love was what the father and daughter were giving him, a pure love without any condition and lots of obligation. Then he opened up to them. They left him no choice. Even though he knew their dedication, however he had never known the degree of the love these two had for him. Searching deep within his soul, he realized these people were the only ones that loved him truly and never would betray him.
He began telling them about his wounds, his pains and suffering. Now that they all knew the problem, it was time for a solution. Shahzdeh offered that Aria would go with him to Iran for a while, to see the family, to be pampered by his mother, to see old friends and the people that worked for them. Anna thought that was a brilliant idea; to create a positive change for him. However Aria refused. Then Anna said:
"I know that you're not ready to go back to school. I think father's idea is a very good one, but you don't want to do that either. How about seeing a therapist?"
"That is a great idea." Shahzdeh breathed a sigh of relief and thought again how grown up his eighteen yeas old daughter was.
At first Aria was reluctant; however, the rain of love from the two people that loved him unconditionally finally softened his inflexible attitude.
"I talk to a good professor I know tomorrow. He can help me to find a good therapist." Anna said.
Shahzdeh stayed for a month. The therapist did not think it was a good idea for Aria to move in with his sister. After all he was twenty six years old. After each session, Anna called the doctor to hear Aria's progress. The doctor always assured her that everything was going well. Anna, who only a short while ago was not aware of her act and feeling and paralyzed by a dark despair, was overwhelmingly happy for her brother's progress according to his doctor. However, one thing still bothered her; Aria did not want to see her as much as she wanted, or talk to her about his issues and his sessions with the doctor. He kept a painful distant from her, as though she was responsible for his pains. Anna talked to his doctor in a special appointment about this attitude of Aria.
"It seems to me that you need therapy, too. Leave him alone. Let him heal on his own. Don't be so obsessed with him, or don't show it to him. He is an adult. I know your intention is good but your overdoing it. When he is ready, he'll come to you."
Anna did not know what to do. The doctor's advice did not seem right. She hated that silence. Eventually she became worrier than before. All her attempts contacting Aria remained unanswered.
A month later, one Sunday afternoon, her endeavor to concentrate on her studying stayed as poor as before. To her father, who had called earlier, she had lied.
"I see Aria everyday. he is much better."
"Why doesn't he answer my calls?"
"Dad, leave him alone. Let him heal on his own." She realized that she had said to her father what Aria's doctor was telling her.
That Sunday afternoon terrible thought passed through her mind. She felt hopeless and helpless. When she called Aria's home, there was a recorder that said this telephone was no longer in service.
Driving to his apartment, she pictured horrifying scene; nonetheless when she saw his car parked in front of his apartment, she was relieved. He opened the door. He was pale, as white as a sheet, unshaven, and had lost so much weight,
"What are you doing here?" His voice rang as dry as breakage of a dry wood. When he finished his sentence, his face was wholly motionless. There was no spirit in his eyes.
"Your telephone...!"
"I don't need one."
"Why? I thought you are better seeing a therapist. He told me you're better."
"Spying again! I don't care what he told you. Just leave me alone." He stood in front of the door and would not allow Anna in. She smelled a heavy odor of alcohol on his breath. She took a glance from above his shoulder since he was blocking her view. Everything was messier than before.
"let me come in. Let us talk."
"No, leave now." He pushed her out and closed the door.
Anna stood outside frozen. She felt more helpless than ever. There was only one thought passing her mind: "I need to take him to the hospital." But she did not know how.
To Be Continued
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