Odyssey...@@ 10- Monster

While Hamid was trying to change Gol's coldness towards him impatiently, Gol's affliction sizzled beneath her smiling face, which was so strange to Hana. This was the first time that Gol was meeting Hamid and his uncle. Amir, as usual came late; and after the normal introduction, Hana realized her mother's first impression for Amir, who was a professor of law and a major in military, was positive. On the other hand her mother, it was obvious, could not stand Hamid. She did not need to hear anything from her mother to know how she felt. She knew every movement of that familiar face; and she could interpret them to words. Therefore, when Hana deemed that mom liked Amir, she was very right. Even Hamid noticed Gol's liking to his uncle.

In the frenzied struggle, Hamid thought that he was one step closer to marry Hana, Gol's daughter, since he knew she would not marry him without the blessing of her family. He wished that his uncle's news would be a real good one. He knew any help to find out where they kept Van and what charges was, if it came from his uncle, would soften Hana's strong willed family. To impress gol, he ordered the best and the most expensive pastries with cinnamon and tea for everyone. While trying to be hospitable, as though the cafe was his home, he practically showed all his anxiety and nervousness. Amir, who was studying his nephew's behavior around these mother and daughter, was smart enough to see Hamid's real reason.

"Sit down Hamid. This is not home. Why are you doing the server's job?" If he could only tell the two women to run from his nephew. He did not care for his brother's family at all. His brother's wife had brought them up to be like monsters even the girls.

Hamid, shocked, realized the hidden message behind his uncle's words, and quietly sat down.

Amir's hesitation to beging the conversation seemed not like a good news Hamid had told Hana the day before. Both mother and daughter felt an impetuous empathy that connected them in their despairing apprehension. When Gol opened her mouth to talk, Amir's words were already in the air:

"Any news is better than no news. I wish I had some good news for you. " He paused and raised his eyes to see the flare in Gol's eyes.

Hana on her chair, shivered for that beginning, while Hamid felt his chance for marrying Hana was diminishing. After a minute of silence, Amir continued:

"Anyway, you may know that there are hundreds of thousands political prisoners all over the country. I've found out that van is in Evin Prison, right here in Tehran."

Evin Prison rang in Gol's ears like a loud drum. She knew that prison was the worst of all. It was notorious for killing all its prisoners and throwing away their bodies somewhere unknown, and never even gave their dead bodies to the families. Gol's thought traveledd to her daughter's mind, who was still shaking on her chair. . Amir, who noticed The two women's breakdown, did not know how to continue. Finally, Gol, through the haze of her eyes, looked at Amir dramatically and stammered:

"Please go on."

"I understand how you feel. I really can't do much. Usually Savak don't respect military much. You know that is a separate organization to protect Monarchy from domestic terror. They specially don't like people like me , who leave Savak and join Military. They call us bad names. They tell us that we use Savak for a few years to become an officer in Military. However, my close friend , who I went to school with, works for Savak. He gave me this information." He stopped at this moment to take a sip from his tea. It seemed as though his emotion was getting him down, too. He continued:

"He also told me in a very near future, about thirty prisoners will be executed..."

At this point, Gol broke in to a hysterical cry. Hana got up from her chair and hugged her head from behind while trying to control her own hysteria . Gol, with a wave of hand told Hana to sit down and turned to Amir and Said: "I am sorry, please go on."

Amir, completely shook up to be the one to give these news to this grieving mother and daughter, continued.

"Where was I... Oh, yes, another twenty prisoner will be transferred to the prisons in other cities; and only a few will be set free. My friend said that he did not know what would happen to Van! I am so sorry to be the one to tell you all these news. But let's pray that your son will be among the one would be freed.'" He was very sincere in his talking about what was fact and what was his own emotion. He wished he had not been involved in this case.

The startling news brought Gol and Hana to their final collapse. Hana, losing her electric vitality, broke into a hysterical cry that she was trying to avoid because of her mother. Suddenly Hamid got up from his chair and walked to Hana and held her. Gol's uncontrollable rage caused her penetrating eyes to pierce Hamid through and in a voiceless manner, she told him: "How dare you to touch my daughter?"

Petrified Hamid went back to his seat. Intelligent Amir was aware of those exchanging looks. He tried to put himself in Gol's place and a cold flow of horrible thrill entered his body.

"I am so sorry. I wish I could do something. One thing my friend promised. He said that he will let me know when the transferring or the other happen."

"You mean after they happen! Won't be that a little late to do something for my son?" Gol's voice was now completely inaudible.

"I am, so sorry. I have no control what Savak does. I believe in my heart that Savak organization is wrong and causes more people turn agains the Shah and government. That is why I got out. I couldn't take it anymore." Amir's voice showed his expressive sorrow.

"Well.thank you. At least now we know where he is. We must go now. Hana find the waiter. I want the check." Gol said firmly. All those beautiful pastries had stayed untouched except Hamid's.

Hamid got up from his chair and in a very respectful manner said:

"No, please, let me pay the bill."

Hana was surprised that he had brought money with him that day; and she thought: "He wants to impress my mom."

To Be Continued