Mahmoud Dowlatabadi - Missing Soluch

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.

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 answer. 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.