With swollen eyes and abused body, caused by sleeplessness and the heavy punches of Hamid, in the immoral world surrounding her, Hana staggers like a ghost and wonders about the disappearance of her karma. In a conversation, her other- self, Lila tells her about her visit with Hamid in the bathroom.
"I really scared him."
"I had to be punished for it!" Hana finds nothing funny about that act; while Lila laughs uncontrollably. Hana frowns and the furrow between her eyebrows deepens even more. She feels creating the other- self was another mistake she has made in her life. As strong and resilient as Lila is, Hana does not know how to get rid of this self invention.
Secretly from her family, she goes to a doctor. She hears about not only bruises all overs her body but also the sever damages to her private parts. The doctor asks her how did this monstrous act happen to her! Hana, angry for putting herself on display, does not say a word.
"You know in this country, we can put men in jail for this!" The female doctor says.
Hana, twisting in pain, shyly answers:
"He is not any man, he is my husband."
That is even worse. How can you take this cruelty?"
Hana bents her head while feeling sorry for herself. She deems as though she is at the point of breaking into a flood of tears.
"Why do you let him do this to you?"
"I can't do anything about it. He is very strong and he beats me."
Blood runs to the young, blond doctor's cheek. She says furiously:
"This is rape. You need a lot of stitches. May be men can do this to their wives in your country but not here. I must call the police and report this."
Hearing the word police frightens Hana tremendously. Suddenly, she jumps down from the examining bed and quickly puts on her clothes and is about to fly away.
"What are you afraid of?" The doctor tries to stop her.
Hana Pushes her aside and flies out of her office while is happy that she has given false name, address, and phone number.
Tehran-
Twenty one days passed from the spiteful argument at home over marrying Hamid. The day before, when Hana came to resolution that her family had been right, she had decided to let Hamid know first of changing her mind. However, that day, she despondently did not know how to say it or if she could say it. When three o'clock in the afternoon was announced by the school bell, she wished that the work day would continue or perhaps Hamid would not show up to accompany her in the bus to college. Walking to Bus station, she thought to take a taxi or not to go to college at all. However something inside of her was pushing her to the bus station, where she knew he was waiting for her. "I must do it today." She told herself. "How should I say it? You're not right for me. I am not ready to marry. I can't go against my family!" The more she thought, the more she knew it had to be spontaneous; and she could not practice for it like playing a role.
When they were in the bus and found two seats next to each other on the upper level of the bus, he held her hand.
"I have a good news for you."
She, who was engrossed in her vague thoughts, suddenly became alert.
"What is the good news?"
"My uncle has found somebody who might know where Van is."
The name Van rang in her ears; and she, who had almost forgotten about her imprisoned brother for being involved in her own chaotic life, secretly scolded herself while disguising a smile.
"Who is that somebody?"
"I am not sure. He wants to see you and your mother. We need to arrange a time for it."
She remembered her earlier decision for rejecting him that day. She realized at that moment she could not act on what she had planned for twenty one days. Now Van's situation was back on the surface again and it was more important that her dilemma.
"This is great. Let's see your uncle as soon as possible.
"All right. I talk to him tonight."
That evening at home, Hana finally broke the boycott of not speaking; and blissfully told her mother about the good news. Gol, who had a hard time to be optimistic, especially when it came to Hamid and his relatives, shook her head:
"I don't know. Somehow I can't be hopeful."
"Mom, any little news is better than no news. Let's see Hamid's uncle and then we'll see."
Hamid called the same evening to tell Hana of their appointment with his uncle for the next day. After a little discussion, he agreed to set the contact in the tea shop on P. Square. Gol, who was standing next to Hana, asked her daughter after she hanged up, what the discussion was for.
"Just for where we meet tomorrow with his uncle!"
"Why? Where did he want us to meet?"
"Here, in our home. I said no. So we'll see them tomorrow in the tea shop."
Gol frowned; and Hana did not dare to pursue the issue any further. In fact, at that point, Hana, herself, did not believe in Hamid. However, the slightest chance that Amir could help them to find Van was the only gleam of hope they had. They needed to solve the mysterious capture of Van. A fervid enthusiasm in her obscure room enlightened her exhausted soul and body; and after twenty one days of anxiety and sleeplessness, she slept comfortably that night.
##
To Be Continued
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