Suddenly, Abbas and Abrau realized that Ali Genav was in the room as well. They noticed their mother, as well as the absence of Hajer. Abbas realized what was going on.
Ali Genav finished the cup of tea, took the edges of his cloak in hand, and rose, saying, “So we’re agreed. We’ll go to the town on the seventh day of the new year.”
Mergan said, “God willing. I still have to whitewash five or six other houses, but once I’m done with that, I’ll have less to worry about.”
“God willing!”
Molla Aman also rose. “May you be blessed.”
Before Ali Genav set a foot outside the door, he turned to Abbas and said, “I’ve also discussed your work with my uncle. From tomorrow on, you can take the camels out to graze in the fields.”
Molla Aman exited with Ali Genav, then returned to the door, stooped to enter, and said, “He’s a good provider. And that wife of his is now useless. So this is all for the best! May God bring good for everyone.”
Abrau noticed that the tip of his uncle’s hat scraped against the ceiling of the room. Aman said, “So that’s that. You can come out now, our bride-to-be! Come out, Hajer!”
Molla Aman wasn’t concerned about what Hajer did or whether she came out; he was just speaking for the sake of it. It signaled the end of the ritual. He sat in his place and slid the empty teacup toward his sister Mergan, while saying to Abbas, “If you have any money to wager, go get your pieces and gather up a group to play. Get going! I’ve not had a game in Zaminej for over a year!”
Mergan filled the cup and placed it before her brother. Abbas rose quickly and selected a set of bajal pieces from his collection. Abrau drew himself into the shadows and leaned his head against the corner of the wall. As Abbas reached the side of the chest, he said, “Karbalai Doshanbeh was asking about you, Uncle!”
Molla Aman answered, just as the sound of his donkey braying rose from the stable outside. “He can go to hell! He thinks money can be skimmed off the top of water! Does he want me to go present myself to him and set a pile of bills before him just to pay the interest of his money? This time, if God helps me, I’m thinking I’ll just swallow the loan and its interest all at once. Go bring the pieces, now!”
Abbas brought his box of bajal pieces over and his uncle busied himself with setting up the game. Mergan was worried about her daughter, and she went to the pantry. She sat facing Hajer, who had stuffed the edge of the drape into her mouth to silence herself.
The pantry was dark, blacker than night.
2.
Everyone had work to do.
Abrau rose at dawn and went to the baths. Molla Aman had brought his small donkey to graze out by the door of the stables. Abbas was busy wrapping up his feet. Mergan had placed the tin cans and other bits and pieces she used in her whitewashing work in one corner and was waiting for everyone else to leave. Mergan was responsible for sending each of the others off first, and only then would leave herself. With the New Year came new work for Mergan: whitewashing houses.
Abbas was still running circles around himself and asking for things from Hajer from time to time—thread, a safety pin, a handkerchief and … In response, Hajer poked around in this hole or that one like an innocent kitten. As was usual, she went about her work without a word. Molla Aman entered the house and went to take the sack holding all his possessions outside. Hajer and Abbas helped him. Mergan took the bridle of his donkey and pulled the animal over to the doorway. They brought out the sack and loaded it on the donkey. As he was about to leave, Molla Aman put one hand into the sack and pulled out a handful of candy and wrapped it into the edge of Hajer’s scarf.
“And these sweets are for your wedding!”
Mergan asked her brother, “Will your path bring you this way again?”
“Certainly, of course, I’ll come again. If God wills it, the next time I may even bring Soluch back with me. People I know say that they saw someone who fits his description over near Shahrud. They’ve been building a factory there for the past year. And there are coalmines in the hills above Shahrud. Not just one, but several. Perhaps he’s gone there to find work! In any case, wherever he is, I’m sure he’ll eventually send word to you.”
“If he had plans to return, he’d never have left!”
Mergan turned to Abbas and said, “No need for you to spread your pearls of wisdom here! Get back to your work! Your father’s walking stick is over there—go take it and get on your way. Are you planning to wait till noon to take the camels out to graze?”
The Sardar was to provide bread for him to eat that day. Ali Genav had made the arrangements from before. Abbas took the walking stick from the house and prepared to leave. Hajer and Mergan stood beside him. Molla Aman embraced his sister and her children. Abbas stood beside the donkey, squeezing his hand around the walking stick. Molla Aman leaned over and kissed Abbas on the cheeks.
“You weren’t bad gambling last night. Let’s see how you do as a camel herder? And look at that amazing tuft of hair on the top of his head … aah!”
“Why ‘aah!’ Molla Aman? Are you just a fly-by-night friend? You don’t want to stay in touch? Now you’re just a stranger? You’ve forgotten all about us!”
It was Karbalai Doshanbeh. The news had reached him and he’d appeared like a genie. Trying to keep his wits in the presence of the man who he was in debt to, Molla Aman replied calmly, “So busy, no time, Karbalai! Running around looking for a bit of bread, I can’t keep track of my days or nights. I’m taking some goods to sell in the villages near here. I was planning to come to visit you as soon as I’d turned a profit from these goods. In your kindness, you’ll surely forgive a late visit from your former camel driver!”
Karbalai Doshanbeh straightened his bent neck, looked Molla Aman up and down, and said, “Looks like you’re growing taller day by day! Where are you going up there? Are you planning … to reach the heavens! Either that or I’m getting closer to the earth each day?”
“Karbalai, I’ve just lost weight, so I look like I’ve gotten taller.”
“Hmm … How can someone of your height and size come to Zaminej and escape the notice of my blind eyes?”
“Actually, I’ve hardly been here, Karbalai.”
“Hmm … so you don’t come from time to time? Then come more often!”
“Of course, Karbalai. Of course. But with your permission, I’ll be on my way then?”
“Yes, of course. Let the roads be open and the paths be clear for you!”
Molla Aman entered the alleyway, while continuing to joke, and called his donkey. Karbalai Doshanbeh shot a quick glance at Mergan and stepped over to Molla Aman.
“Still no news from that worthless man Soluch?”
“I have some news, Karbalai.”
Abbas was leading his uncle’s donkey. Molla Aman turned to look back at Mergan and Hajer, who were standing by the wall looking at him. In the early morning sunshine, Molla Aman’s shadow filled the alley. Next to Molla Aman, Karbalai Doshanbeh seemed tiny. Mergan could no longer hear the conversation between the two men. But it passed without incident; her heart began to calm.
“So go in peace, uncle. God speed. And hopefully you’ll be back to visit us soon.”
“God willing, I will.”
Ali Genav approached, shook hands with Molla Aman, and kissed him on the cheeks. It was as if he could smell what was happening with Soluch’s family from the distance of his home. Molla Aman rode his donkey away from Ali Genav, a smile still on his face. Ali Genav looked back at Soluch’s house. As soon as she saw him, Hajer ran into the house, but Mergan remained out by the wall. Ali Genav approached Mergan, who slowly stepped into the yard. He followed her inside and, while looking around for Hajer, greeted Mergan. She replied, “She’s just shy. Remember, she’s still just a girl! But come into the house.”
Hajer was nowhere to be found. Mergan sized up her work materials and, while looking at Ali Genav, asked, “So, girl, where are my shoes?”
There was no ans
wer. Ali Genav asked, “Where are you working today?”
“Zabihollah’s house. Karbalai Doshanbeh’s nephew.”
“It seems you’ve worked on the houses of quite a few people this year!”
“Not everyone’s house. But anyone who has a bit of extra to go around can afford to spend a few tomans to whitewash their house.”
Ali Genav looked around the smoke-stained ceiling and walls of Mergan’s house and said, “You should do a quick run over this house as well.”
“God willing. Once I’m done with all the other work.”
Eventually, Hajer brought the sack of supplies from the pantry and set it beside her mother. Hajer’s movements and her eyes were marked by fear. She acted anxious. With just a little attention, anyone could discern the torment she was suffering. Only Ali Genav didn’t notice this. Not because he was in love with her, but rather out of greed. His greed to conquer her. So he could not see Hajer as she was, however she was feeling. He could only imagine her in his bed. Just as a vulture must see a dead animal. With his eyes, he was devouring the girl and Hajer had no idea of how to hold out. Her innocence and fear were one thing, but her ignorance also made her defenseless. She felt so confounded that she couldn’t even move. She was paralyzed and could only bite her nails.
But Mergan was different. Although she perceived the minutiae of her daughter’s state of mind deep in the recesses of her consciousness, she actively tried to ignore anything disturbing about the situation. All of this, the nervousness of a girl before the man she is betrothed to, seemed normal. It’s possible to say that this was even based on a principle; otherwise, questions would have arisen. Because even if a girl consents to enter the home of a man, chaste behavior—although more as a performance—would have to be expected. And even if she has not consented to the marriage, as soon as her foot crosses his threshold, this kind of behavior would have to be quickly forgotten. At that point, the bride has no choice. So Hajer’s anxiety may have troubled Mergan’s heart, but it was not unexpected. And it would have to end in one way: as soon as she entered the bedroom, she’d have to give up her opposition. Hajer and Ali Genav were now technically betrothed to one another, and Mergan, in her role as a mother-in-law-to-be, found that she enjoyed it. She wanted to experiment with this pleasant feeling inside her, so she left the room.
Hajer and Ali Genav were alone. Hajer, frightened, stayed right where she was, standing against the wall. Then, desperate to escape, her fear was transformed into terror. She moved as if to hide herself in the pantry, but then froze again. Ali Genav laughed. The piece of bread in his mouth was dry. He didn’t know what to do or what to say. Just as Hajer had been frozen with terror, Ali Genav was frozen with excitement. He was speechless and felt self-conscious. He wished he knew what to say, even just a few words. If only he hadn’t lost his power to speak. But at this point, only his body was able to react, like an arrow set taught in a bow. It had to be released; it couldn’t be kept this way forever.
At that moment, more than anything, Hajer wanted to escape from the house. She had to make it to the alley. She leapt away. But Ali Genav caught the girl in midair and dragged her to the wall, as if he intended to hide her somewhere. He may have wanted a kiss from her, but Hajer fluttered like a bird in his arms. She didn’t make a sound, she only flapped and fluttered. It was as if her lips had been sealed with wax. Ali Genav also said nothing. He just held the girl within his coarse hands. He had not even noticed that he had lifted Hajer off the ground and was holding her against the wall, so much so that her feet were kicking in the air.
Mergan coughed. She had not gone far and was only sitting just outside the door. No doubt she wanted to break the ice between her daughter and her groom-to-be. In any case, with hearing Mergan’s cough, Ali Genav’s hands weakened and Hajer crumbled in the corner, breaking into fits of sobs. He felt as if his entire body was covered with sweat. He wiped his forehead with the edge of his robe and lowered his face, walking out just as Mergan stepped into the room.
Mergan acted as if nothing had happened. But she sensed that the girl could not accept her silence. Hajer had not yet reached that stage of maturity where a daughter can share an unspoken language with her mother. Between a mature daughter and her mother there are always things that are communicated and understood without recourse to words. However, although Mergan could have played the role of such a mother, Hajer was not yet ready to be such a daughter. She cried and complained to her mother with a tinge of fear still in her eyes and voice, “He … grabbed me … all of a sudden he grabbed me! He almost broke my arm!”
Mergan sat beside her daughter softly and tenderly.
“Ali Genav will marry you, my dear. In a short while, he’ll be your husband. It’s sanctioned for him. His name is upon you. You shouldn’t be frightened by him. You have to get used to each other!”
“I’m scared! He scares me. I’m so frightened!”
Mergan stroked the locks of her daughter’s hair, saying, “There’s nothing to be frightened of, my girl. What’s to be scared of? All girls marry; all men marry. So what’s to be scared of?”
Hager, between seemingly endless sobs, said, “He’s rough, too rough. He’ll crush me under his hands and feet.”
“You’ll get used to him, dear. There’s nothing wrong with a man being rough! A man needs to have thick bones. If not, that’s bad!”
“I’m scared. I’m so scared!”
“It’s just the beginning; it’ll get better. You’ll get used to it!”
“No! I won’t. I’m scared to be his wife. I won’t do it!”
“That’s enough, you little mouse! Do you want to be stuck next to me forever? How many times do you think good luck knocks on one person’s door? Don’t cry an ocean for me. It’s not for you to say what you want or don’t want, do you understand?! It’s not for you to choose. Do you want to wait for a prince on his horse to come for you from around the mountain? Here you have a man … at least he has all his bones in place. He has bread in the oven. He doesn’t need anyone. He has work and, knock on wood, he’s not without a sense of honor. And what else? You saw, even your uncle approves of him!”
Mergan’s voice slowly became firmer. Hajer was trembling. Ever since Soluch had gone, Mergan had not scolded Hajer like this. Hajer began pleading, “Don’t give me to Ali Genav, mother!”
“So whom am I supposed to give you to? Don’t tell me you fancy that starving fool Morad, Sanam’s son!”
“No, I swear!”
“So what then?”
“Just wait one or two years … Why can’t we wait a little?”
“One or two years?! How am I supposed to feed you until then? You think your father’s left you a nice inheritance? Can’t you see how hard I work, and I can’t even give you a full meal to fill your belly?”
“So … so … is that my fault? What I am to do?”
“Your fault is that you don’t listen. You just make up your own mind. You’re nothing special! I saw with my own eyes that they wed an eight-year-old girl to Karbalai Ghollam Sarban. She was eight then, and she’s had six children since then. And she wasn’t even as tall as your shoulder then.”
Hajer said with difficulty, “You just want to get rid of me, otherwise …”
“Otherwise what? I should make you into a crown and put you on my head?”
“No! But I … I’m … I’ve not become …!”
“Become what? Girls are of age when they are nine. You’re of age. You’re almost thirteen now. So what’s wrong with you? You’ve got such a good husband, where will you find someone better?”
“But … he has a wife!”
“A wife! That woman’s on her last legs. She can’t be a real wife! Haven’t you seen her? She’s just skin and bones. It’s like the poor thing is speaking from the grave. She’s shrunk in half since they took her to the hospital that day. Anyway, what was she before that? A storehouse of misery! When was Raghiyeh ever healthy?”
Hajer suddenly leapt
up, screaming at the top of her voice, “Are you going to force me? I don’t want to … I don’t want to get married at all!”
“You don’t want to? You little shrew, you don’t take to kind words do you? I’ll teach you to then!”
Mergan leapt up like a madwoman and threw herself on her daughter, grabbed her hair in one hand, and without hesitation made a fist of the other, raining blows on her head and body. Her fury had removed any sense of restraint, and she did not pause for a moment to consider what she was doing. She just kept hitting. The girl was almost unconscious when Mergan rose and released her, sat to one side, and began hitting herself with her fists instead, cursing herself until her sobs mixed with Hajer’s. The girl was lying fixed to her spot on the ground, crying from pain. Mergan looked at her daughter and her heart felt as if it was torn open. She could do nothing but wail. It was as if she was mourning for her daughter. She didn’t know what she could do to make up for what she had just done. There must be something she could do, but she could think of nothing but to beat and curse herself until she was exhausted. Mergan’s wailing made Hajer aware of her mother, and she looked at her. Mergan’s eyes were drenched in tears. Hajer dragged her battered body toward her mother, and Mergan embraced her daughter, pressing her head to her bosom. She moaned in unison with her daughter. “I wish I would die …”
Missing Soluch Page 19