Hamid, the only boy in a family of a mother, father, and three sisters, was raised to become a hateful person, especially when women were involved. His father, a high class, sophisticated, and successful man in his career, he was the Minister of Road, was an alcoholic. For that weakness, his wife had taken control of everything. The first of each month, he cashed his paycheck and gave all the money to his wife. He did not want to be bothered with anything. His drinking normally began when he was done with that day's work. He never drank at work; and that habit never caused him any trouble at work. He was not a blustery alcoholic but a nonchalant one. On the other hand, Hamid's mother, a woman from a very poor family who had never seen luxury or comfort in her parents', now being in command, abused the money her husband gave her for household and children expenses, for her selfish need which were mostly buying jewelry. She, who had worked in the farm from dawn to dusk to help her sick father, and had always had calluses in her hands because of the hard work, now had maid, money, and control. She treated her daughter and son in a different way. Occasionally she bought clothes and other necessary things for her daughters; but rarely for her son. Mostly Hamid wore his father's old clothes, and when his sisters got married, his brother- in laws' hand me down shirts and pants served him well. There was never a pocket money or allowance for him. His mother never cared for his school or well being. If he was sick, the old medicines in the cabinets were all he got. He learned to take care of himself at early age by stealing money from his parents. He hated his mother and thought if one's mother is like his; then all women are evils. Around age twelve, he began coming home late, got involved with other boys who all did terrible things; and had his first sex with a mother of one of his friends. His mother was completely ignorant and his father thought his wife was taking care of things. Around the same time, he discovered accidentally his father's liquor in the basement. He made a copy of the key and kept it. He brought his friends there secretly, and they all got drunk.
Hamid's older sister after seven years of marriage and three children got a divorce. Since their mother did not allow her to return home, which was a customary thing in Iranian culture, and she did not have any skills to work, she became a prostitute and gradually a drug addict. She got arrested many times; nonetheless, when she was released, she went back to her old habits. Should she have a chance, she would lie to family members and borrowed money that she never returned.
The second daughter, a year and half younger than Hamid, had had many nervous breakdowns. In a party, she met a military officer, and soon they got married. Her smart husband found out the instability of his wife' family, and soon after their marriage, he accepted to be transferred to another province only to get away from them. As the saying goes: "They lived happily ever after!"
The youngest daughter, spoiled, stupid, and very much like her mother, quited school at age fourteen and became close to her mother and waited for her chance for marriage. Soon she met a man, thirty years older than her, who worked for Iranian Oil Company and was very wealthy. They married shortly after and she stayed spoiled, stupid, and pampered. This was Hamid's background, whom Hana was falling in love with.
~~
When Amir, Hamid's uncle showed up, being forty five minutes late, both Hana and Hamid were deeply engaged in their conversation. For a moment, They did not even notice that another man pulled a chair and sat at their table. He was dressed very casual, a plaid shirt and a worn out jeans. It seemed to Hana that he was in his early thirties. When Hamid finally noticed him, They both started laughing.
"How long have you been here?" Hamid asked him.
"Just a minute or so!" Amir answered.
This is Hana, the girl I told you about." Hamid pointed to Hana as though there was another woman sitting at that table.
"Nice to meet you. " Amir politely said.
"Likewise, sir." She shyly responded.
"Let's talk about our business, if you don't mind." Amir said hastily.
"Of course, that is why we're here." Hamid answered.
Hana answered all Amir's questions about her brother's disappearance and arrest as honestly as she could. She also repeatedly promised that she would not tell anyone about their meeting after perceiving Amir's worriment. When Amir asked her about the name and the location of the prison Van was held, she simply said that she did not know.
Amir, who was taking notes while sipping his tea, asked Hana if there was anything else she had forgotten to tell him. Hana shook her head for no.
"Well, I must go now. I get in touch with you soon." Amir hurriedly shook Hana's hand and patted his nephew's shoulder and left. Hana, who was standing for saying good bye to Amir, did not sit after he had gone.
"I must go now."
"I walk with you outside." Hamid began following her.
In the hallway, where the exit door was, in front of the desk of the cashier Hamid searched all his pockets and with a sad, disappointed face he looked at Hana.
"I guess I forgot to bring money with me. Will you pay. I pay you back later."
"Don't worry about it. You don't have to pay me back. This was my deal and I am grateful to you and to your uncle." She said while taking the cash out of her wallet, the money she had saved up for the next day's grocery.
In the bus, going back home, she was drowned in her thoughts. Her feelings were torn between good and evil. A new sensation, she had lost it after Saied's suicide, was warming her heart along with a gleam of light which gave her tortured soul a peaceful gratification. She was somewhat hopeful to find her brother, van; and she had some answers to her mother's unstoppable questions. Nevertheless, a dark cloud of ambiguity was covering those blissful sentiments. "What if Amir can't do anything! What if these are all fantasies!" In the obscure light of the bus, she looked around and then outside and saw the darkness of the night and small stars and the full shinning moon. She could see a picture of a man with a big head, long arms, and no legs in the moon. "If he can't help us, why did he ask all those questions?" She asked herself loudly. When she had left home for that meeting, the sun rays were blinding her eyes; now the penetrating moon's arcs like circles of light were floating in the universe.
To Be Continued
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