is a letter for you!” – said the man again. Obviously, this was a postman, bringing the long-expected message.
Abdul, jumping from his seat, took the lamp and hastily approached the porch. The whole family flew up after him, anxiously waiting for the mail to be opened. Abdul, placing the lamp into Ali’s hands, tore the envelope open. Those few seconds, when he was intently peering into the paper, seemed eternity for everyone around. After a while, a smile lit his face.
“This is, what should have been expected! Expected from MY son! My genes! My blood!” – he exclaimed the words with a solemn accent, patting Ali on the shoulder. Look! Look at your scores!” – he handed the letter to Ali, who was in a state of physical shock – holding the results and not believing his eyes.
Hannah took his brother’s cold clenched hands in hers: “Ali, congratulations!”. She embraced him affectionately, landing kisses on both cheeks.
Observing all the happening as a nightmare, Leila stood petrified. She could not move, she could not speak, she could do nothing – but stare blankly into the darkness. She felt as if the foundation was shattered, leaving her head-to-head with her fears. Turning away, Leila let scalding tears out.
Seeing his mum’s shuddering shoulders, Ali came up to her. “Poor little mama,” – Ali wrapped his arms around her fragile body, – “please, don’t cry. Everything will be fine, I will be fine!”. These words meant to console her, but had the opposite effect: Leila burst into floods tears. Now both of them were standing at the entrance, clinging to each other and crying. Her tears were because of the upcoming grief of separation, his were – because of happiness.
It did not take the neighbors long to appear one by one at Abdul’s house, since they learnt the news of Ali’s admission to university without delay. Soon the whole garden was filled with full-mouth laughs, clapping hands and crying eyes – all of them were congratulating and complimenting on Ali’s success.
This was a tradition among the locals: whatever happened – no matter good or bad – neighbors were always there at the scene. This might seem a powerful community spirit for a stranger. It always looks like that from aside. But let the myth be dispelled: gathering up, the people would cheer each other or give their condolence in public, but later, safely housed, these very people turned everything witnessed into a topic of heated discussion to amuse and entertain themselves. It is not necessary to get entangled in anything scandalous or indecent to become an object for word of mouth. It is enough to cast a glance at the opposite sex, or comment on anything in a more cheerful way than others, or even attain something, which others failed – then God help you! They would put a mask of sorrow or joy, depending on what condition you are in, only to laugh behind your back or begrudge your success later. They would gossip about anything and everything, because gossiping was the only available entertainment in that grey gruesome “N”.
Chapter 3:
A Bash
Shortly on the reception of the long-awaited news of Ali’s admission to University, Abdul decided to throw a bash. Talking big about the success of his son, Abdul could not miss an opportunity to feed his boastful nature by showing off his financial superiority. The inferior position, which common people held, was partly the fault of those Abdul-like, working for the Regime. Their inequality was aggravated by the historical events of the time.
After the downfall of the Evil Empire, the country was swept with poverty. Rebuilding of economy required years and years of conscientious work. It could have been possible, if the power had belonged to a goodman, acting in the best interests of the state. Shamefully, rich oil-deposits of the country did not let it acquire the appropriate status on the global scale, because a Mr. X successfully managed to build a pipeline in 1999 and since then he was exporting the raw material to the external market – rather than improving the inner one. Huge profits, which were used to strengthen the authoritarian system, came in – due to high demands in the product. The governance undertook exceptional care of every single bolt in the System and oiled every detail in the Machine of Power. They did their utmost, so that it could work smoothly and flawlessly, i. e. to be constantly palm-greased to run affairs on wheels.
Ordinary people remained poor, witnessing speedy enrichment of the System. Commoners had nothing better to do – than to look up to the Abdul-like. Traditionally, governors were to be respected and even feared, but in reality, they were heartily despised. The burning hatred did not prevent citizens, however, from trying to enter the System themselves. With dubious success, they grabbed at the illusory chance to somehow ensure their existence – at least in the eyes of the similar. Well, after all who could blame them? It was only wise to follow the common sense and take the advice: “If you can’t beat them, join them!”. Citizens, who had no chance of being part of the Machine, felt their way in the corrupted society through befriending those in authority.
In the deprived areas of the city, Abdul was the only one, representing the Regime. Therefore, he was seen as someone to win over, and everyone was willing to gratify his whims. The offer of neighbours’ assistance in preparation of the upcoming celebration seemed absolutely natural. The party was to be held in Abdul’s house, as restaurants in general were a rarity back then.
Actually, there was a restaurant and a few cafds in the city of “N”, but they had such a poor menu and so frequently cooked with stale and rancid products, that no one would consider holding any event in those places. Besides, the restaurant was located too close to the river, which served as a drain for municipal sewerage lines. The unbearable stench saluted everyone, coming to the restaurant.
It was not only the stinking smell that put off citizens. People had no means to dine even at the beanery. This was the main reason, why the restaurant did not see the point in acquiring fresh food. The same food was frozen and de-frozen before being served to some rare clients, who dropped in once in a blue moon. So, as you have already understood, it was a catch 22.
If citizens had the means to afford such a luxury as throwing parties, they usually celebrated everything at their private houses.
Abdul’s house was a fair-sized two-storey grey building with a patio for at least fifty people. A steel square gate opened to the yard, where a narrow tiled pathway led to the house. Both sides of the pathway were covered with grey volatile sand, which at any sign of wind rose, blinding anyone, walking towards the house. Few apple trees were planted along the veranda: they awarded the place a status of a small garden. Contrary to the original purpose of bearing fruit and giving harvests, those trees were meant to prevent the sand from entering the place. A thick layer of dust covered everything, decorating the veranda. During summer months, it was a dining room. A heavy oval oak table occupied almost all the territory, leaving a narrow pass-way to the wooden door, opening into the living room.
Back then, living rooms were called aynabends. The word could be literally translated as a glass-room, because the walls of it were built with multiple doublesashed windows.
Abdul’s house was a fine example of this conventional style. Being rectangular in shape and no shorter than 9 meters in length, the walls of the living room were incorporated with a long row of windows.
From the point of view of practicality, these windows were a reckless thing to install, as under the Regime the city had no central heating. This construction could sustain comfortable temperatures during winter months, but in the blistering heat of summer, such rooms turned into boiling kettles. The sanity of people, who came up with the idea of these glass-rooms, could be questioned.
In her turn, Abdul’s wife never questioned the necessity of the windows’ decoration. They were dressed in tulle with brown boteh, which is a traditional almond-shape print, patterned on crimson portieres. A true match to them – Vinous Persian carpets covered the wooden floor, overlapping one another, hardly leaving a single spot bare. To finish this fabulous sight, a Czech crystal chandelier with twenty-four lights was installed by the hospitable mistress of the house.
Unfortunately, such wonderful chandeliers fulfilled only decorative function, as in the 2000th the city was devoid of regular electricity supply – to indulge in its luxurious light. Joyfully, it was not totally deprived of those happy bright hours. For two or –