As we ceaselessly create our thoughts, what ever we find in our minds, we must unite ourselves with them, for our hearts are not given to us by choice.. Part of human nature is warm, understanding, alive, striking,and telling; and its quintessence is more like a bird than a piece of object. We like to fly like a bird to unknowns until things become known to us. Nevertheless, the obstacles on our way, most of the time, are frightening, as they are for the birds.But do we face the challenges for they are there and we can not pass them in our flight without confronting them.
This whole situation for a man like Shahzdeh was provoking. It stimulated the core of his entity to a point that he even envied his own daughter, her choices, plans, her wanting to get higher education even after marriage, and her life style; nevertheless he was also proud and took some credit for bringing her to the world, raising her, and providing her with the best education that money can buy in Iran and later here in America. Now, if she would allow him to give, whatever he could, he would fell more of a man, it would make him to feel part of her life. But his brain said things against his heart, and for the first time, he was forced to follow his brain when It came to Anna, his only child, the love of his life.
On Friday afternoon, Steve took half a day off from work to go car shopping with Shahzdeh and Anna. Before leaving, Shahzdeh insisted on Stacy going with them. He liked her as she was her own daughter. The feeling was mutual.
Everyone had an idea what kind of car was best for Anna. Shahzdeh thought a big American car was the best.
"American cars are much safer and they last." He said.
"You're right. But those are the cars that they export. It's unfortunate that they don't build the same quality car for the domestic use." Steve responded to Shahzdeh's suggestion.
Anna wanted a small car, and Stacy though a mini van would be neat.
After checking many car dealership, when everyone was exhausted, Anna finally broke her long silence and said: "Dad, I don't want you to spend a lot of money. I agree you buy me a car, but I didn't agree to a new, and expensive one. Let's just buy a good used car."
Shahzdeh looked at her vehemently and sighed. "Sweetheart, let's do it right. A used car is someone else headache. Let me buy you a new car please." His voice was like a child then. Anna put her hand on her father's shoulder, who was sitting in front, and kissed the back of his head. She suddenly felt that this was the least she could do for her father- make him to feel important.
"Okay dad, whatever you say."
By the time they were done shopping, every one was extremely tired, Anna's new, blue BMW stayed in the dealership to be delivered the next morning to her apartment, and the delivery man would take position of Anna's old bug even though Shahzdeh thought it was a good idea not to trade in that car and keep it. In the finance office, where all the paper work was done, Shahzdeh paid cash for the car he bought in Anna's name. Steve and Stacy looked at each other with an amplified amazement. They had never seen that much cash and travelers check. They wondered if Shahzdeh always carried that much money in his briefcase!
Shahzdeh offered that they go to a restaurant for dinner. They all were hungry and exhausted. Car Shopping had taken seven hours. On the way home, Steve said: "I like to invite you to my favorite Italian restaurant tomorrow night." Then he looked at Shahzdeh who was sitting in front next to him while driving Anna's old bug: "If it is agreeable to you?"
Shahzdeh smiled. "Of course!"
"I come at seven. May be we all go with Anna's new car."
Shahzdeh had accomplished one of his goals, buying a good car for his daughter, but there was something else he wanted to know before going back to Iran. He wanted a date, a wedding date; he wanted to meet Steve's parents; but he did not know how to ask these questions without offending Anna and her sense of freedom. He didn't know much about American custom that sometimes people dated a long time before ring and a date. Dueling in his mind, he thought the best way to pursue this matter was to talk to Steve privately, man to man, rather than irritating his "INDEPENDENT" daughter. In front of apartment, he paused for a moment until the girls got out of the car. Then he turned to Steve and said: "I need to talk to you privately."
For some odd reason, Steve expecting this approach. "Sure, sir."
They got out of the car, too. Steve told Anna and Stacy: "You two go in. Shahzdeh and I want to walk a little."
The two friends looked at each other. They both guessed why the two men wanted to be alone. Anna thought. "How can they make a decision for me without me being there. My dad is invading my Independence again." She was deeply hurt, but she did not say anything and they went in.
To Be Continued
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