Odyssey... {}{}33- Cheering Stars

As much as they both want to wake up in the morning in a same bed, Mario never insists for staying over. He does not want to irritate Hana. However the desire for being with her all the time captivates his mind. He thinks that she is the perfect woman for him, a woman of virtue and honesty, a woman who lives with old values, yet is intelligent enough not to be like his grandmother. He hates this arrangement of driving back and forth to his or her place. He wants it permanently. He wants to be her husband. However being afraid of what her reaction would be, stops him of any deed. But he must do something. He is the man and it is him that must take the initiative, so he finally does.

Their favorite Italian restaurant is located on Turtle Creek Road, where the art of cooking and sculpturing, formality and being at ease, the old accordion player, and the modern bar, all together made Hana to fall in love with it the first time Mario took her there. To him that romantic restaurant will be a perfect place for asking her for marriage. He knows how much she appreciates not only good food, since she is a food cook herself, but the totality of fine arts in that place, like the music, the statues of ancient artists or their works, like Michael Angelo or Leonardo Da Vinci. Besides she feels good every time they dine there.

When they are there, during the different courses, Mario asks the old accordion player to play some folk Italian music. As he spoke with his broken Italian to the old man and put a ten Dollar bill in his hand, Hana thinks what she has done to deserve this elaborate treatment from this adorable and generous man.

"What did you tell him?" She asks

"Let's listen to the music and then I tell you." He responds with a playful smile.

The old man plays his accordion vehemently while two lovers holding hands. There is no doubt in her mind that the music is a romantic song. The old man sings in Italian with his asthma stricken throat. She listens with intensity. "Definitely a romantic song!" She says it in her speaking mind. How can it not be? He looks at this beautiful woman with shinning eyes, which were dull when he first met her. She is wearing a soft make up, which she just recently does while before Valery's wedding, has never done it before. She is wearing a red silk dress that reflects the beauty of her olive color skin and brown eyes and hair. He thinks that they would make a perfect and beautiful couple. He conjures up his last years with his sick wife, when he faithfully took care of her and never strayed even though she was not capable of intimacy because of her extreme weakness. Nevertheless, even in their good years, he never felt the same way for her that he does for Hana now. That was a young, passionate love right after high school and they married during his college years. With Hana, everything is different. Their relationship is not only about love, but it is about maturity, understanding, and having many things in common. While his wife never had any idea about anything, just being a good, faithful wife, who stayed home and raised their daughter, Hana is a challenge with the mind of her own. Mario sees beauty in their relationship even when their ideas and point of views clash and they disagree. Hana is not only a woman in bed, but she is someone to talk to, exchange ideas, and do things with. Even though at the beginning she was reserved and bitter, but he has been able to bring out the real Hana out of the shell of a hard working woman who has worked all her life to support others and has never heard how beautiful or intelligent she was. She can be his wife and be proud of her femininity, be his friend and fulfill the primary need of every human being, yet have her own identity not his, as his dead wife did. He can take her to his social events with high class people and be confident that she will not embarrass him since her social grace is supreme, and her intellect and knowledge are ideal. Even though he knows Hana has not socialized at all because of her former life style, he is sure when the occasion arises, she can be as good as any woman who has.

After the main course, while Hana sipping grand mariner, she has recently discovered a taste for it, and Mario is drinking strega, his favorite Italian liquor, he is struggling how to propose to her. But he must. The diamond ring he has bought her is ready to be put in her finger.

"Hana, I have something for you." He finally begins.

She intuitively knows that tonight is an unusual evening.

"What is it?"

"I want to marry you. There is no need for us to act like boyfriend and girlfriend anymore. Will you, please?" He takes the small box out of his pocket and put it on the table in front of her.

Even though she has waited for this moment, the thought of being married again brings her back a flood of what she has been through. However, losing Mario for her past miseries is out of question. As she is on spot and feels she must answer Mario, she remembers that Sam, her son, does not even know that she has a boyfriend. How is she going to tell him? "Sam, I'm getting married!" What is he going to think? She does not have any problem with Farhad, for he has told her many times that she needs to get married. Farhad has witnessed his mother and Mario's gradual friendship to become something else. He has gotten to know Mario.

As Mario impatiently waits for her answer, he can also read her confused mind.

"Do you want to think about it more? You don't have to answer me now!"

How understanding and loving he is. She thinks to herself. As she has waited for this moment for a long time, why is it that she is so frightened now that the moment is here? How can she be so befuddled and how can she do this to this man? This is the chance of her life time. She is sure that a lot of single women envy her for this opportunity. Collecting all her thoughts and feelings, she talks with her speaking mind: "I thinks about Sam tomorrow."

"Yes, Mario, I marry you."

She opens the box and looks at the shinning blue diamond and lets Mario to slide it in her finger.

To Be continued

Odyssey... ~}{~33- Cheering Stars

The idea of having a computer occupies Hana's mind. In fact, she looks at many of them one afternoon and asks the sale person many questions. However, she has never spent that kind of money for herself. She has no problem of buying it. But paying for something that is not vital seems obscene to her. It is not the lack of money that hold her of buying the computer since she financially is better now than any other time in her life, but it is the idea of spending money for herself, because she has never done that. She does not know what self worth means, for all her life she has taken care of others and has never learned to take care of herself or buy something nice just to make her feel good. While dueling in her mind by visiting the computer store many times, one evening at dinner time, Mario casually says:

"Did you decide to buy the computer?"

"Not yet, I'm still thinking about it."

"Why is that? Why are you struggling to do things for yourself?"

"I don't know. I'm happy with my typewriter; and besides all the great writers of past never had a computer. Shakespeare wrote all those master pieces with a goose pen!"

Mario listens to her explanation and smiles.

"There were no computers in Shakespeare's time. I bet he would have used it if they had it."

"Can we talk about something else?" She is irritated because his remark seems like invading her privacy.

"All right. We don't talk about it anymore. I want to go to my car to get some cigars."

Hana ignores him and begins cleaning the table. After a few minutes she hears Mario is coming back inside. She wonders if he is hurt by her attitude while thinking about what he said. She makes up her mind at that moment to buy the computer the next day. When Mario calls her in the living room, she is ready to apologize for her rudeness, but what she sees on the coffee table trembles her, a big box. She instinctively knows the content of that box.

"What is that box, Mario?"

"A computer, I bought you a computer."

Hana is outrageous.

"Why? Do you think I am poor? I can buy it myself. I want you to take it back. I won't accept it."

He has been ready for this, for she has never accepted a gift from him.

"Listen Hana, you need to stop this. I love you. What is the difference who bought the computer? people do give gifts to each other all the time. What is wrong with you? I can't do anything for you! It makes me feel good if you allow me to buy you things. Everybody in a relationship like ours do it."

"I don't need you charity. I've been taking care of myself all my life. I don't need someone to take that away from me now."

Even though Mario is very hurt by her behavior, he understands her adamant state of mind. As a matter of fact, that quality is one of the factor he likes about her.

"I'm sorry Hana. You're right. I should not have done this without asking you. I take it back; but I wish you let me do things for you once in a while."

Hana stays silent. She realizes that he is hurt. The thought of losing him is beyond her imagination.

"I'm sorry, too. I wish you've told me what you were planning to do so you didn't have to go through all these troubles. Okay, let's make a deal; I don't mind from now on that you buy me little gifts, but computer is a lot of money. Friends don't buy expensive things for each other."

"Oh, my God Hana; we're more than friends. You're everything to me. I love you. I've never loved anyone the way I love you."

She hugs him passionately because his sincere talking makes her feel good.

By the time the evening is over, she is softened enough to accept the gift, her very first gift from a man.

As Mario has predicted, it takes her a very short time to learn how to work with computer; and for a few problems she has, Mario helps her. In a week, she works with her new machine, as though she has known it all her life. This is the time she begins typing the newest version of her manuscript on her new computer.

To Be Continued

Odyssey... ~~33- Cheering Stars

Hana and Mario's relationship become more than two lonely people who were in search of fulfillment. Even though their intimacy becomes more meaningful than what it was at the beginning, it is not any more for satisfying a lost desire for any of them; but it is a part of strong love that roots deeply in them. As time passes, more qualities are added to their relation. They become best friends; and after so many years Hana feels that she has found her soul mate and lost dreams. Somehow Mario reminds her of Behroz, her dead uncle, whom she trusted and befriended. What makes this affinity so perfect is the totality of it not small details. Mario, who is the top executive of an oil company is not a man to use or abuse her. He does not need her money or support like Hamid, her dead husband did. They talk about various things; nonetheless, as they have similar interests, literature and philosophy become the center of their conversation. Should some one does not know they are lovers as well, he may think they are two colleagues teaching in university.

When Mario finishes reading her manuscript, he is astounded. He has thought Hana was just a solitary woman who put her feelings on the paper; however, this work, to him, is not only good but it is a sophisticated writing. He is the first to read Hana's writing, for she has never felt comfortable to have someone reading her works. Because of her lack of confidence, she has never believed that her writing was good. One evening when Farhad, Sylvie, and Mario are in her home, she hears praises by Mario about her work. First she thinks Mario's remark about her work is only for pleasing her; however during the conversation, she realizes that he means what he says.

"Farhad, did you know that your mother is a great writer?"

Farhad lays his fork on his plate and looks bewildered.

"Well, I know she writes. In fact, I've seen her writing all my life; but I had no idea what she writes. She never told or showed us."

"You should read this manuscript. It's excellent. The way she describes things and uses words is just fantastic.; and let me tell you about her poems, oh, my God. I've never seen anyone that English is her second language to write this well." Mario says.

Hana blushes and wishes Mario stops for she is not used to be admired.

"Oh, Mario, please..."

"Don't be so modest. Go and look at the books on the book shelves of the bookstores. Except the classics, they are filled with worthless books. I am sure there are still many good writers, but unfortunately today the market is flooded by celebrities who think they can write."

"I know. I've always thought why can't these movie stars, singers, sport figures, and politicians do what they know best and leave the writing for writers." Hana speaks something that perhaps it is the absolute irritation for real writers today.

Sylvie, as she is struggling for something to say, finally breaks her silence:

"Hana, Can I read your manuscript?"

Although Hana is pleased that someone shows interest in her work, she truly does not want anyone to read her work. Mario is different. He is her soul mate, her other- half, her childhood Mesa, and her double, Lila.

"Thank you for showing interest, Sylvie, but I need to work on it a little longer.

With Mario's insistence, Hana begins searching for an agent. She goes to library and writes down many names and addresses from the "LITERARY MARKET PLACE" book which can not be checked out from library. She sends query letters to them. More than hundreds of letters and sample chapters are mailed. Mario makes sure that with every rejection, she does change her mind or get disappointed. Meanwhile she begins retyping the whole manuscript so she can have a clean copy. Mario tells her to buy a computer.

"If you had a computer you didn't have to retype the whole thing. I know it is too late now; but it is not late to rewrite your manuscript in the computer so when you find a publisher and they ask you for changes, you just can go and change that part instead of retyping the whole thing since you're using a type writer."

"Oh, Mario, I don't know how to use a computer. Besides I am happy with my typewriter."

"You don't know what you're missing. Computer can speed up your writing and rewriting tremendously. As the saying goes, 'writhing is all about rewriting'. If you had a computer, you can write more. With your talent, I wouldn't stop with this book. Besides as smart as you are, I bet you can learn how to use the computer in no time."

Hana thinks about this man who admires her writing for real, who has becoming her double, and who admire everything about her and compare it with her former life and marriage. To Mario, she says:

"I think about it."

To Be Continued

Odyssey... 33- Cheering Stars

As depressed and sad Hana is, not only she helps Farhad for moving, she also gives him and buys him many necessary things. In the mist of this new happening, she get to meet Sylvie's parents. An immediate rapport makes the three parents to feel a little better for their children's move; and Hana slowly begins feeling good about her son's decision. However as a deep rooted part of her, the part that still believes in some Persian custom, still dominates her new life she asks for a favor.

"You two want to get married eventually. That is what you told me, right?"

Farhad, confounded, listens. He sees mom is impatient for his answer.

"Yes, mom, why are you asking?"

"Why don't you get engaged? Give her a ring. It makes me feel better."

Hana's request has not been for testing her son's credibility; nonetheless, Farhad takes it that way.

"Mom, you don't believe me. We will get married. I can't afford to buy her a ring now."

"I help you."

Farhad has nothing else to say,

The engagement party is in Sylvie's parents' restaurant, where over twenty five people participate in the privet room to celebrate this blissful event. Hana invites Valery and Mick and dares to invite Mario. In fact, Farhad convinces her to do so.

"Mom, we live in America. It is all right for a woman your age to have a boyfriend."

First She is reluctant, for she thinks how Sylvie's parents will think of her, but as Farhad and Sylvie and Valery talk to her, she decides to do that courageous act. She is not going to hide Mario from this new addition to her family for ever. She is sure that Sylvie already has told some details about their lives to her parents.

The party is a success, and the food are delicious. After the dinner, they play a record of Italian folk and traditional music, Tarantella. Sylvie's side of family all dance with that beautiful music. Mario joins them as well, and Hana realizes how much his mother has influenced him. The unity between Hana and Sylvie's family are quick and pleasant. How can it not be? They have so much in common. During the party, one thing like a terminal disease, however, eats her from inside. She desperately wishes that Sam was there to share this happy moment. Somehow she is suspicious that he could have taken a few days off to come for his brother's engagement, but he said otherwise on their last conversation:

"Mom, please, leave me alone. I can't come."

As she drives home alone to go to her apartment and begins a lonely life without any one around for the first time, she prepares her mind for a letter. She is intending to write to her son, Sam. Even though he knows about everything, she thinks by writing to him, she can appear him like a magic to the room and talk to him even if it is temporarily.

In the middle of December, after Farhad's move, Hana also moves to a smaller apartment, one bedroom in the same complex. As she postpones her earlier decision to buy a house, she feels no need for a two bedroom apartment. She can use the extra money to help Farhad and send more money to Sam. This new life brings Mario and Hana closer to each other; and almost everyday after work, they are together; however Hana refuses Mario to sleep over or she sleeps over in his place. Farhad and Sylvie come a couple of evening a week for dinner which seems strange to Hana to have her son as a guest not a resident in her home.

To Be Continued