The Book of Fate by Parinoush Saniee Page A

and while saying, ‘Hurry up before someone else shows up,’ she opened the envelope and started to read.
    â€˜Respectable young lady.’
    We looked at each other and burst into laughter. ‘Oh how funny!’ Parvaneh exclaimed. ‘Who writes “respectable young lady”?’
    â€˜Well, he probably didn’t want to be too familiar in his first letters and call me “Miss”. To be honest, I have the same dilemma. I don’t know how to start my letter.’
    â€˜Forget that for now. Read the rest.’
    Â 
    I have yet to allow myself to write your name on paper, although I shout it in my heart a thousand times a day. No name has ever been so becoming and befitting a face. The innocence in your eyes and on your face is so pleasing to the eye. I am addicted to seeing you every day. So much so that when I am deprived of this blessing, I find myself at a loss for what to do with my life.
    My heart
    Is a mirror hazy with sorrow
    Cleanse the dust off this mirror
    With your smile.
    Not seeing you these days, I am someone lost and adrift. In this solitude, remember me with a word or a message so that I can again find myself. With all my being, I pray that you regain your health. For the love of God, take care of yourself. Saiid.
    Parvaneh and I, dizzy and intoxicated by the beauty of the letter, were deep in fantasy when Ali walked in. I quickly slipped the book and the letter under my legs. With a belligerent look and a bristly tone he said, ‘Mother wants to know if Miss Parvaneh is staying for lunch.’
    â€˜Oh, no, thank you very much,’ Parvaneh said. ‘I’m leaving.’
    â€˜Very well,’ Ali grumbled. ‘But we want to eat now.’ And he walked out.
    I was angry and embarrassed and didn’t know what to say to Parvaneh. She had noticed my family’s cold attitude towards her and said, ‘I’ve been coming over too often. I think they’ve had enough of me. When are you coming back to school? You’ve been in bed for ten days. Isn’t that enough?’
    â€˜I’m going crazy. I’m tired and bored. I’ll probably come back on Saturday.’
    â€˜Can you? Is it all right?’
    â€˜I’m feeling much better. I will exercise my ankle until Saturday.’
    â€˜Then we’ll be free. I swear I can’t look your mother in the eyes any more. I’ll pick you up at exactly seven-thirty on Saturday morning.’
    She kissed me on the cheeks and ran down the stairs without bothering to tie her shoelaces. Out in the front yard, I heard her say to Mother, ‘I’m so sorry, but I had to come today. You see, we have a test on Saturday and I had to let Massoumeh know so that she can prepare for it. Thank God, it seems her ankle is much better. I’ll pick her up on Saturday and we’ll slowly walk to school.’
    â€˜That won’t be necessary,’ Mother said. ‘Her ankle hasn’t healed yet.’
    â€˜But we have a test!’ Parvaneh insisted.
    â€˜So you do. It’s not all that important. And Ali tells me there’s still a month left until school exams start.’
    I opened the window and shouted, ‘No, Mother. I definitely have to go. It’s a preparatory exam. Its grade gets added to the grade we get on the actual exam.’
    Mother angrily turned her back to me and went to the kitchen. Parvaneh glanced up at me, winked and left.
    I immediately started exercising my ankle. The instant I felt pain, I would lie down and put my foot up on a pillow. Instead of massaging my ankle with one egg yolk, I used two, and I doubled the amount of the oils. And in between all this, I grasped every opportunity to read the letter that was now my dearest and most valuable possession.
    I kept asking myself, why is his heart a mirror hazy with sorrow? He must have a difficult life. Obviously, working, supporting his mother and three sisters, and studying is a heavy burden.