UNFULFILLED- Sixteen-✍✍✍✍ The Will

Both Sohrab and Maryam knew that they could not argue with Neda. They were aware of her generosity. Sohrab asked Neda:

"What about father? You know when he hears about all these, he'll be outrageous!"

Neda laughed:

"He lost that privilege by trapping me into a marriage only to get rid of me, he failed me when he gave my child away, and made the situation as though I had never given birth! I am only kind to those who are kind to me!"

Father had not seen Sohrab and Neda for the last six years. He never showed any interest to see them, or to see his grandson, Aria. Now this news, which was told to him by his first wife, Mehri, brought up the memory of his children back to him; not in a kind way, but a disgusting manner.

Neda always took care of her mother, Mehri. She had a monthly check from Neda, which would continue if Neda would die. So she was in her will, too. She had a permanent salary from her daughter as long as she lived. She did not have to ask Jalal, her husband, for spending money. Neda had taken her mother to a bank and opened a saving account for her. She told her mother that it should stay between the two of them. Then she said:

"Mom, if dad finds out about it, he'll take all the money from you; and that will result that I won't give you money anymore."

So Mehri was very careful that no one in her home knew about this arrangement between her and Neda. In the bank, she had given Neda's address as hers so the monthly statement would not go to her own house since Jalal always checked the mail.

Sima, father's second wife, was now completely in charge of the home. Her daughter, Mina, Neda's half sister, was now twelve years old. Mehri sometimes brought her to Neda's home. Neda loved her little sister, but not the way she loved her nephew. The two wives had found their right ways now, so they lived peacefully together. There was no more fight or envy between them.

Life, however, was very unpredictable. Neda had never thought that her father would be after her wealth. Why was he like this? Wasn't she her favorite child at one point? What had she done to him? Why had he ruined her life? Why? There were questions Neda asked herself that she would never find the answer! she wondered why her father was not happy for Sohrab, his only son, Mayam, and his grandson? She almost understood why he was not happy for her; if anyone made more money than him, he or she would be in her father's hate list!

He had a plan to take Neda to court! Mother told Neda about it. What could she do to get him out of her back? He had changed since his marriage to Sima; but that was fourteen years ago, when Neda was only sixteen years old. Now she was thirty. Wasn't fourteen years of animosity towards his own child, children enough?

Two years passed. The enmity continued. He did, by the way, take Neda to court. Neda had no choice but to hire a lawyer. Things dragged out; it was how the system worked. That was how lawyers made money. However, in the final analysis, one day Neda's lawyer called to tell her that everything was over and the judge's decision was that her father had no right to her wealth since she already had a will.

That evening when Sohrab and Maryam were there, Neda said with her own style of announcing things, without any prior warning, while Kasra, who was there all day, was not even told of:

"I won the case; the one that my own dad was after me and sued me!"

Everyone took a sigh of relief. Their lives were all in disarray because of this father- daughter dispute for the last two years. Then Neda continued:

"We celebrate tonight, even though I feel sad for father. By the way, I could not have won, if I didn't have a will. Can you believe that he had a right to all my wealth if there was no will."

Maryam and Sohrab were shocked to hear that. They had no idea that Neda had a will.

"Kasra, please bring my will. I think tonight is the right time to read it."

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In the moment of nihilism, the lavish breeze

Is torn between dark and light in an isle.

All prospective thunders please.

And the only inquisitive man is vile.

Within his absolute vain in darkness;

And the gift of nature are shown.

He doesn't see in his spiteful blindness-

Rain- flower, and a script on the stone.

The dissipative clouds are crowned in white;

Soaring majestically into sunset.

And the mountains near in site.

Naked and unrivaled, they are set.

A tremendous sensation, so to speak;

A sumptuous abyss, deep and profound.

The nihilistic exasperation of man isn't unique;

As it hasn't been for many ages around.

✍

To Be Continued