Steve took Shahzdeh to Joe's cafe, where Anna had first found it on her own and then had taken Steve there. They ordered coffee.
"You know the reason I came here, don't you?" Shazdeh began.
Steve looked out to the dark of the night and city lights. "Yes, I think so; to see me."
"To see you and your family and above all to see Anna and her choice. I knew she would not make a mistake. I like all her decisions, and I think you're a decent human being."
Steve sighed of relief. "Thank you, sir."
"you can call me Ali!"
"I thought your name was Shahzdeh!"
"Shahzdeh is my title. Ali is my name."
"Tittle! I don't understand. Does every Iranian have a title? What does it mean?"
"Like Sir or Lord for British. In Farsi Shazdeh means Prince, or the descendant of an aristocratic forefathers. I am related from both my parents side to the last dynasty, Qajars. In fact Mohammad Ali Shah, the last that ruled the dynasty, was my first cousin. He was nephew to both my mother and father. My parents were cousins. In Iran, you know, cousins do marry, it is very customary practice." Shahzdeh, subliminally, wanted to tell Steve who he was.
"Then I prefer to call you Shahzdeh. I like the name and the concept of it. I like what it means. Is it okay to call you Shahzdeh?"
"Sure, but I am not here to discuss name. Before I go back to Iran. I like to meet your parents." Then he paused for a moment and started two cigarette and gave one to Steve. "I like you two get engaged while I am here; and then we can set a date for the wedding." Shahzdeh felt exhausted for his intrusion; however he could no go back home being in limbo not knowing what the two young people were doing. Just a proposal from Steve was not enough for him. Steve and his family should know that Anna had come form a different culture.
"I agree with you. I was thinking to bring up this subject tomorrow night."
"That is great. How about your parents? When can I see them? You know I can't stay here for ever."
"I can arrange that. I think tomorrow is a short notice for them. May be next weekend we have a little get together with them and I give Anna an engagement ring."
"That sounds great."
"But we can't tell Anna that we made this decision. We talk it over tomorrow night in front of her. I know it's going to lose its element of surprise: and I know perhaps Anna would prefer something more private like just between the two of us. But on this point, I agree with you completely."
Shahzdeh smiled and admired Steve's perception about his daughter and his respect for their culture.
At home, Anna and Stacy wondered what the two men were talking about.
"I bet they're talking about engagement and wedding." Anna was very annoyed
"You're right; but don't be upset. Let your father take control at this point. You've made your choice, let him follow through."
"I guess you're right. But I wish they talked it over with me first."
"Isn't marrying Steve what you want?"
"Yes."
"Then let your father works on the rest of the details. He is a great man."
"I know."
Walking back from Joe's cafe, Shahzdeh tempted to suggest another issue that was bothering him. Steve realized Shahzdeh's struggle within himself in his silence.
"Is there anything else you like to ask or know, Shahzdeh?"
Shahzdeh stopped walking and faced Steve. He was amazed by Steve's sensitivity; nevertheless, this issue was very important to him. " About your job, are you going to stay with CIA?"
"Don't you like me to work for CIA? That is an honorable and good paying job."
"I know, but there is a lot of danger and secrecy involved working for CIA." He was just a father wanted to protect his daughter and his future son-in-law.
"There is danger everywhere. We may get hit with a car. However, very soon I'll get my law degree and when I pass the Bar Exam, I guess I cam become a lawyer and leave CIA."
"That is great. Are you willing to do that for Anna and for my peace of mind?"
"To be honest, I've been thinking about it for a long time myself. Besides I'll do anything to please you and Anna."
"When will you get your degree?"
"I have only two more courses left. It's taking me longer than I expected because of my work and traveling a lot. I intend to finish this fall."
*
The engagement party was held in their favorite Italian restaurant. The Williams came to town the day before. Shahzdeh liked them at once. They also admired Shahzdeh's gentleness and dignity. In the private room, the Williams, Stacy, Steve, Shazdeh, Anna, and some of their close family and friends dinned. There, after dinner, Steve gave Anna the engagement ring they had bought it together a few days back. In the course of dessert, Steve said: "We need to set a date. I thought of January first, Anna' twentieth birthday." Then he looked at Anna begging for a pleasant response with his eyes.
Everyone thought that was a great and intelligent day Steve had chosen. Anna nodded her head for yes looking at Steve. Shahzdeh gave Steve a gold bracelet and a gold necklace to Stacy he had brought both from Iran. Anna wondered why he had not given those gifts to them earlier; but immediately she knew the answer to her question. "He wanted to make sure that everything is going to work out. He is a business man after all."
In bed, Anna relived that entire evening anew. To forget or to remember! Let it remember or prosper like weeds among grass, or not consider it at all? Somehow that evening had not been what she expected to be. It seemed to her that all was an intrusion to her freedom or to the sense of her liberty. But on the other hand, Steve, who was her choice, now had become her father's choice, too. She fought with herself not to rebel against it. What did she want then? Her relationship with Steve was becoming her transformation of him. This did not seem like the story of passion and a pending marriage. She felt like she was metamorphosing, just like an experiment. Self, no longer was a theoretical issue but it was an existential problem. To regret what was said in that delirium or disregard it? Everything seemed like a passing semblance of a distraught liberal, or assertion to her weakness, or the murmur of a confused woman, who had wanted to astound the world, but had she?
To Be Continued
Showing posts with label Breaking Obstacles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Breaking Obstacles. Show all posts
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Twenty Two, B ||||||| Breaking Obstacles
As we ceaselessly create our thoughts, what ever we find in our minds, we must unite ourselves with them, for our hearts are not given to us by choice.. Part of human nature is warm, understanding, alive, striking,and telling; and its quintessence is more like a bird than a piece of object. We like to fly like a bird to unknowns until things become known to us. Nevertheless, the obstacles on our way, most of the time, are frightening, as they are for the birds.But do we face the challenges for they are there and we can not pass them in our flight without confronting them.
This whole situation for a man like Shahzdeh was provoking. It stimulated the core of his entity to a point that he even envied his own daughter, her choices, plans, her wanting to get higher education even after marriage, and her life style; nevertheless he was also proud and took some credit for bringing her to the world, raising her, and providing her with the best education that money can buy in Iran and later here in America. Now, if she would allow him to give, whatever he could, he would fell more of a man, it would make him to feel part of her life. But his brain said things against his heart, and for the first time, he was forced to follow his brain when It came to Anna, his only child, the love of his life.
On Friday afternoon, Steve took half a day off from work to go car shopping with Shahzdeh and Anna. Before leaving, Shahzdeh insisted on Stacy going with them. He liked her as she was her own daughter. The feeling was mutual.
Everyone had an idea what kind of car was best for Anna. Shahzdeh thought a big American car was the best.
"American cars are much safer and they last." He said.
"You're right. But those are the cars that they export. It's unfortunate that they don't build the same quality car for the domestic use." Steve responded to Shahzdeh's suggestion.
Anna wanted a small car, and Stacy though a mini van would be neat.
After checking many car dealership, when everyone was exhausted, Anna finally broke her long silence and said: "Dad, I don't want you to spend a lot of money. I agree you buy me a car, but I didn't agree to a new, and expensive one. Let's just buy a good used car."
Shahzdeh looked at her vehemently and sighed. "Sweetheart, let's do it right. A used car is someone else headache. Let me buy you a new car please." His voice was like a child then. Anna put her hand on her father's shoulder, who was sitting in front, and kissed the back of his head. She suddenly felt that this was the least she could do for her father- make him to feel important.
"Okay dad, whatever you say."
By the time they were done shopping, every one was extremely tired, Anna's new, blue BMW stayed in the dealership to be delivered the next morning to her apartment, and the delivery man would take position of Anna's old bug even though Shahzdeh thought it was a good idea not to trade in that car and keep it. In the finance office, where all the paper work was done, Shahzdeh paid cash for the car he bought in Anna's name. Steve and Stacy looked at each other with an amplified amazement. They had never seen that much cash and travelers check. They wondered if Shahzdeh always carried that much money in his briefcase!
Shahzdeh offered that they go to a restaurant for dinner. They all were hungry and exhausted. Car Shopping had taken seven hours. On the way home, Steve said: "I like to invite you to my favorite Italian restaurant tomorrow night." Then he looked at Shahzdeh who was sitting in front next to him while driving Anna's old bug: "If it is agreeable to you?"
Shahzdeh smiled. "Of course!"
"I come at seven. May be we all go with Anna's new car."
Shahzdeh had accomplished one of his goals, buying a good car for his daughter, but there was something else he wanted to know before going back to Iran. He wanted a date, a wedding date; he wanted to meet Steve's parents; but he did not know how to ask these questions without offending Anna and her sense of freedom. He didn't know much about American custom that sometimes people dated a long time before ring and a date. Dueling in his mind, he thought the best way to pursue this matter was to talk to Steve privately, man to man, rather than irritating his "INDEPENDENT" daughter. In front of apartment, he paused for a moment until the girls got out of the car. Then he turned to Steve and said: "I need to talk to you privately."
For some odd reason, Steve expecting this approach. "Sure, sir."
They got out of the car, too. Steve told Anna and Stacy: "You two go in. Shahzdeh and I want to walk a little."
The two friends looked at each other. They both guessed why the two men wanted to be alone. Anna thought. "How can they make a decision for me without me being there. My dad is invading my Independence again." She was deeply hurt, but she did not say anything and they went in.
To Be Continued
This whole situation for a man like Shahzdeh was provoking. It stimulated the core of his entity to a point that he even envied his own daughter, her choices, plans, her wanting to get higher education even after marriage, and her life style; nevertheless he was also proud and took some credit for bringing her to the world, raising her, and providing her with the best education that money can buy in Iran and later here in America. Now, if she would allow him to give, whatever he could, he would fell more of a man, it would make him to feel part of her life. But his brain said things against his heart, and for the first time, he was forced to follow his brain when It came to Anna, his only child, the love of his life.
On Friday afternoon, Steve took half a day off from work to go car shopping with Shahzdeh and Anna. Before leaving, Shahzdeh insisted on Stacy going with them. He liked her as she was her own daughter. The feeling was mutual.
Everyone had an idea what kind of car was best for Anna. Shahzdeh thought a big American car was the best.
"American cars are much safer and they last." He said.
"You're right. But those are the cars that they export. It's unfortunate that they don't build the same quality car for the domestic use." Steve responded to Shahzdeh's suggestion.
Anna wanted a small car, and Stacy though a mini van would be neat.
After checking many car dealership, when everyone was exhausted, Anna finally broke her long silence and said: "Dad, I don't want you to spend a lot of money. I agree you buy me a car, but I didn't agree to a new, and expensive one. Let's just buy a good used car."
Shahzdeh looked at her vehemently and sighed. "Sweetheart, let's do it right. A used car is someone else headache. Let me buy you a new car please." His voice was like a child then. Anna put her hand on her father's shoulder, who was sitting in front, and kissed the back of his head. She suddenly felt that this was the least she could do for her father- make him to feel important.
"Okay dad, whatever you say."
By the time they were done shopping, every one was extremely tired, Anna's new, blue BMW stayed in the dealership to be delivered the next morning to her apartment, and the delivery man would take position of Anna's old bug even though Shahzdeh thought it was a good idea not to trade in that car and keep it. In the finance office, where all the paper work was done, Shahzdeh paid cash for the car he bought in Anna's name. Steve and Stacy looked at each other with an amplified amazement. They had never seen that much cash and travelers check. They wondered if Shahzdeh always carried that much money in his briefcase!
Shahzdeh offered that they go to a restaurant for dinner. They all were hungry and exhausted. Car Shopping had taken seven hours. On the way home, Steve said: "I like to invite you to my favorite Italian restaurant tomorrow night." Then he looked at Shahzdeh who was sitting in front next to him while driving Anna's old bug: "If it is agreeable to you?"
Shahzdeh smiled. "Of course!"
"I come at seven. May be we all go with Anna's new car."
Shahzdeh had accomplished one of his goals, buying a good car for his daughter, but there was something else he wanted to know before going back to Iran. He wanted a date, a wedding date; he wanted to meet Steve's parents; but he did not know how to ask these questions without offending Anna and her sense of freedom. He didn't know much about American custom that sometimes people dated a long time before ring and a date. Dueling in his mind, he thought the best way to pursue this matter was to talk to Steve privately, man to man, rather than irritating his "INDEPENDENT" daughter. In front of apartment, he paused for a moment until the girls got out of the car. Then he turned to Steve and said: "I need to talk to you privately."
For some odd reason, Steve expecting this approach. "Sure, sir."
They got out of the car, too. Steve told Anna and Stacy: "You two go in. Shahzdeh and I want to walk a little."
The two friends looked at each other. They both guessed why the two men wanted to be alone. Anna thought. "How can they make a decision for me without me being there. My dad is invading my Independence again." She was deeply hurt, but she did not say anything and they went in.
To Be Continued
Friday, June 25, 2010
Twenty Two, Breaking Obstacles
There are times, many times, I want to fly;
Somewhere high, very far, even into sky.
There are times, many times, I want to break chains,
And free myself of leading to pains.
When they block my vision, they impede,
My liberty, my freedom, my need.
No matter that my endeavor is in vain.
The shadows around always remain.
I flow like a river, I rise,
Above all obstacles, even with closed eyes.
*
Steve's deliberate witticism, which was his inborn nature and the way he was, granted him Shahzdeh's admiration immediately. Anna's dad, who always had an aura of a mentor and a father figure, was also received very favorably by Steve. Their conversation began with ordinary things and soon was transformed into much profound subjects; nevertheless, the core of their talks was mostly politics, CIA, and political, financial, and cultural condition in Iran. Occasionally Anna and Stacy participated, too; but mostly they sat back, relaxed, and enjoyed the uniting of the two men, soon to be family.
Anna felt something new in her blooming, a creative thing, a feeling of completeness; yet, a sense of confusion was still in her, that subjective chaos that had outlived all other disorders. However, the trembling of that scared creator, herself, was behind her. She suspected the beauty and drama of her life, the delicacy, enchantment, and empathy of this serene life and feeling for the past few months. Who was this new person? Where was that emotional anarchy that had long dominated her existence?
She had thought when the two men she adored would meet, she would be shy and to some extent reserve; for no girl in her family had introduced her future husband to her father. It has always been the other way around. But now, she had no sense of shame. Quiet differently, she was proud and relaxed; for she was certain that her father approved of her choice.
In the kitchen, when the two friends were washing the dishes after dinner, Stacy squeezed Anna's arm and whispered in her ears: "Do you see what I see?"
Anna smiled and kissed her on the cheek. There was a glow in her eyes.
Around eleven, Steve got up to leave. He had noticed Shahzdeh's sleepy eyes.
"I enjoyed talking to you a lot, sir. I must go now. Tomorrow is a work day."
Shahzdeh got up from his chair. He looked tired but somehow Anna felt that he did not want Steve to leave, not yet.
"I enjoyed talking to you, too. We talk more in coming days."
Steve offered his hand for a shake, but Shahzdeh embraced him instead, Persian style. Steve was lingering from one foot to another because he wanted to talk to Anna privately before leaving, he did not know how to ask her to step out for a minute in front of her father. Shahzdeh perceived his ambiguity and with a sweet smile, it had been lost from his face since Aria's death, said: "Anna, why don't you walk with Steve to his car?"
Steve was stupefied. :He read my mind." He thought. Anna and Stacy were astounded, too. Anna, shyly closed the door behind her and walked with Steve to his car.
"I like your father a lot. He is not a man that I thought would be."
"What kind of man did you think he would be?"
"I don't know, stern, backward, not intelligent..."
"You haven't seen anything yet. His collection of books is one of the best. He has willed them to Iranian National Library when he passes. He reads all the time."
"I've had a very pleasant visit. To be honest I was frighten of this first visit."
"I am glad."
They stopped next to his car. He pulled her to him and kissed her lips. Now that Anna knew her father's consent, she kissed him back and stayed in his warmth for as long as she wanted. Steve caressed her hair and back and kissed her more. She was melting beneath his kisses and caresses while feeling his wet, warm lips on hers. Her sense of freedom was aggrandized while the obstacles of past seemed disappearing. She was free to kiss him back and to melt of pleasure and not feel bad about it.
*
To Be Continued
Somewhere high, very far, even into sky.
There are times, many times, I want to break chains,
And free myself of leading to pains.
When they block my vision, they impede,
My liberty, my freedom, my need.
No matter that my endeavor is in vain.
The shadows around always remain.
I flow like a river, I rise,
Above all obstacles, even with closed eyes.
*
Steve's deliberate witticism, which was his inborn nature and the way he was, granted him Shahzdeh's admiration immediately. Anna's dad, who always had an aura of a mentor and a father figure, was also received very favorably by Steve. Their conversation began with ordinary things and soon was transformed into much profound subjects; nevertheless, the core of their talks was mostly politics, CIA, and political, financial, and cultural condition in Iran. Occasionally Anna and Stacy participated, too; but mostly they sat back, relaxed, and enjoyed the uniting of the two men, soon to be family.
Anna felt something new in her blooming, a creative thing, a feeling of completeness; yet, a sense of confusion was still in her, that subjective chaos that had outlived all other disorders. However, the trembling of that scared creator, herself, was behind her. She suspected the beauty and drama of her life, the delicacy, enchantment, and empathy of this serene life and feeling for the past few months. Who was this new person? Where was that emotional anarchy that had long dominated her existence?
She had thought when the two men she adored would meet, she would be shy and to some extent reserve; for no girl in her family had introduced her future husband to her father. It has always been the other way around. But now, she had no sense of shame. Quiet differently, she was proud and relaxed; for she was certain that her father approved of her choice.
In the kitchen, when the two friends were washing the dishes after dinner, Stacy squeezed Anna's arm and whispered in her ears: "Do you see what I see?"
Anna smiled and kissed her on the cheek. There was a glow in her eyes.
Around eleven, Steve got up to leave. He had noticed Shahzdeh's sleepy eyes.
"I enjoyed talking to you a lot, sir. I must go now. Tomorrow is a work day."
Shahzdeh got up from his chair. He looked tired but somehow Anna felt that he did not want Steve to leave, not yet.
"I enjoyed talking to you, too. We talk more in coming days."
Steve offered his hand for a shake, but Shahzdeh embraced him instead, Persian style. Steve was lingering from one foot to another because he wanted to talk to Anna privately before leaving, he did not know how to ask her to step out for a minute in front of her father. Shahzdeh perceived his ambiguity and with a sweet smile, it had been lost from his face since Aria's death, said: "Anna, why don't you walk with Steve to his car?"
Steve was stupefied. :He read my mind." He thought. Anna and Stacy were astounded, too. Anna, shyly closed the door behind her and walked with Steve to his car.
"I like your father a lot. He is not a man that I thought would be."
"What kind of man did you think he would be?"
"I don't know, stern, backward, not intelligent..."
"You haven't seen anything yet. His collection of books is one of the best. He has willed them to Iranian National Library when he passes. He reads all the time."
"I've had a very pleasant visit. To be honest I was frighten of this first visit."
"I am glad."
They stopped next to his car. He pulled her to him and kissed her lips. Now that Anna knew her father's consent, she kissed him back and stayed in his warmth for as long as she wanted. Steve caressed her hair and back and kissed her more. She was melting beneath his kisses and caresses while feeling his wet, warm lips on hers. Her sense of freedom was aggrandized while the obstacles of past seemed disappearing. She was free to kiss him back and to melt of pleasure and not feel bad about it.
*
To Be Continued
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