"IN THE NAME OF GOD" "" LEYLA " a film by Daryoush Mehrjoui" "Leyla Hatami" "Ali Mosaff a" "Jamileh Sheikhi, Mohammad Reza Sharifi Nia" "Touran Mehrzad, Amir Payour" "Shaqayeq Farahani Parisa Zare'e, Vahideh Mohammadi" "Music composer:" "Keyvan Jahanshahi" "Editing:" "Mostafa Kherqeh Poush" "Script:" "Daryoush Mehrjou'e" "Producer  director:" "Daryoush Mehrjou'i" "Peace be upon the prophet Mohammad and his household" "Don't burn it" " Turn down the fire" " We already did that" "Easy" "Wait" "Bring the rose water Nazgol" "That's enough" "Don't pour anymore it's enough" "People will say there's no color to the " Sholeh Zard " mother" "Give it to me" "Let Leyla stir some" " The saffron is enough now" " Go Golnaz" "Pour the rose water" " Anyone who has a wish can stir it" " Should I pour it Aziz?" "Go on dear" "Say prayers while you do it" "Peace be upon the prophet Mohammad and his household" "Keep doing it" "More rose water Aziz?" " Make wishes" " Oh Imam Hasan" "Make any wishes you want to" "Let me taste it a bit dear" "You keep eating uncle" "But it has to be tasted, doesn't it?" "Don't move it too much" "Go on Hossein, go on dear" " Hi Hossein" " Hi Amir" "How are you?" "They're cooking " Sholeh Zard " over at my friend's house and he's brought you some" "The guys are here uncle" " Uncle!" " Yes?" " Hi" " May it be accepted by God" " My friend Reza" " Hi Reza, how are you?" "He brought us some " Sholeh Zard "" "Leyla, Reza is Amir's friend he's brought us some Sholeh Zard" "Would you fill this for Narges auntie?" "Reza is one of my good friends" "Welcome, thanks a lot We were busy too..." "The first time I saw Reza..." "It was during the cooking of Sholeh Zard" "Reza had brought a bowl of Sholeh Zard for my brother Hossein" "Let's judge them all" "I want to know where I'm standing Who is better?" "Me or your friend Reza?" "A little of this and some of that" "Have some of this one first" "I'll test the one Reza brought first" "Amir is mutual Which one is better honestly?" "This one is tasteless" "Here, look at this one" "We're one up as far as the sweetness is concerend" "And as far as the decoration is concerned too and the color" "The nuts are better too" "This is grade one Pistachio uncle" "I married Reza in the same year" "A couple of months later on my birthday..." "I realized I couldn't get pregnant" "What is this?" "How pretty!" "Let me see, where did you get it?" " They call him the big jackass" " Oh Reza!" "It's so cute!" " It's even as tall as I am" " It looks like you too" "Where did you get it?" "Look at the hair" "Is this mine as well?" "How pretty" " Let me see, give it to me" " Hold on, you're tearing it" "What are you laughing at?" "What are you laughing at?" "I'm choking" "I know what you're laughing at" " Do you want me to tell you?" " Go on" "I'll tell you if you don't" " Go on" " Should I?" " Should I?" " Go on" " I will you know!" " Go ahead" "The night we were invited at your mother's house" "My husband's family knew it was my birthday too" "So we arranged to go there first and then to go to my mother's house" " Hi" " Hi, how are you?" " Come in" " Are you alright?" "Happy birthday" "Why did you open the door dad?" "Isn't Mohammad in?" "He wanted to get the door himself" "Why are you so late?" "I was waiting for you" "Reza takes for hours..." "To get ready dad" "Come in" " Look at the flowers they brought you" " Thanks, thanks Leyla" " Hi" " Happy birthday" " Hi my dear Reza" " Hi brother" " Hi" " How are you?" " Happy birthday" " Thanks" " Sit next to me Leyla" " Okay" " Welcome guys" " The traffic is horrible out there..." " Reza driving and..." " Leyla took her sweet time too" "How old are you now?" "What a question lady" "About your age" "I got you something small Leyla" "I hope you like it" "Without wrapping for your petite fingers" "Wow dad!" "Thanks a lot, it's pretty" "This is what's written on it, " The kingdom belongs to God "" "I also have a small gift for you Leyla" "I hope you like it" "I don't know what to say mother" "It's nothing for you dear" "Hopefully next year at the same time with your pretty little boy..." "We'll have a huge party right here" "We'll invite your mother and your brothers as well" "We'll see each other here" "I can't tell you how much I want to see Reza's boy" " Hi brother, hi Leyla" " Hi Homeyra, how are you?" " Hi Reza" " Hi Javaher" " Thanks a lot" " This was brought from Mashad" " It's nothing for you" " Thank you" " Here you go" " Thanks Gol Mohammad" "And this is my gift to you" "And it's bigger than all others" "And more expensive" "It's more recreational Specially for Reza" " I don't know what to say" " It's nothing dear" "Reza loves to drink tea" "He drinks tea all day" "And this is for you" "But only if you promise not to make delicious food or my brother will get fat" "Don't worry, he has a long way to go" "We'll beat him up if he's a bad husband" "Oh no, don't say that" "Leyla, it's Farideh on the phone" " It's for you" " Thanks" "Yes?" " Hi Leyla" " Hi Farideh" " Happy birthday" " Thanks" "Hopefully your birthday" " I've gotten you something small and I'll give it to you later" " Why did you bother?" "It's nothing for you" "Thanks" "Say, what did the father give you?" "A chrysoprase ring" "So he must really love you then" "The ring used to belong to my mother" " Let me see it later" " Okay, fine" " Bye" " Thanks dear, bye" "I'm feeling great God!" "I feel like I'm flying" "Over the clouds" "Thank you God" "Thanks" " Reza!" " Yes?" "How many children would you like to have?" "Two a year" "I'm serious" "I don't know, what kind of a question is that?" "A hundred, or two" "The more the better" " What if I can't get pregnant?" " That's even better" "So you won't divorce me if I can't have babies?" "Hear this once and for all I want you for yourself" "And not for babies and anything else" "This creature is called Leyla" "This creature wants to have babies" "And not just one or two" "But a couple of hundred ones" " Hi" " Hi" "Happy birthday" " Hi Aziz, how are you?" " Hi" "Why can't we carry on with this somewhere warm instead of freezing?" "How dare you say I've grown old?" "See how it takes me an hour to move this heavy fire-pan?" "Go on Hossein, play on" "Just a moment please" "Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to give Leyla's present before dinner" "Hold on" "One of this is from me to you Leyla" "And the other one is from my dear spouse" " And it's nothing for you" " Thanks a lot" "It's not my fault, it was her choice" " Wow Aziz, I love you" " Leyla dear" "Now to the next present" "Your name and Reza's name both are carved on it" "Thank you very much" "I can't believe it" "You should have done more" "Nazgol's present" "It's directly from Paris" "Any more presents?" "Yes from your dear uncle" "A pair of canaries all in one piece" "Thanks a lot" "Well, Hossein's present" "And this is from all the pigeons and canaries" "The next day me and Reza went to the doctor" "I told her that it was a while since we got married and?" "That I still wasn't pregnant" "She said..." "It happens all the time, There's nothing to worry about" "Sometimes it can be genetic" "And nothing can be done about that" "But if men have the problem..." "Then there's definitely nothing can be done" "But if it's the woman..." "It's possible to do things..." "With treatments or even surgeries to become pregnant" "Nevertheless I'll have you tested" "Bring me the result and I'll know then" "Next Sunday the same time" "If you have a problem..." "It's not important to me at all" "I'm quite happy with what we've got right now" "But what if I have a problem?" "I'm happy with what we have as it is as well" "What he said calmed me down a lot" "I felt I was not alone" "But promise not to tell anyone till Sunday" "No one" "I promise" "Yes?" " Hi leyla" " Hi, how are you?" " Are you alright?" " Thanks, nice of you to ask" "Where were you?" "To see the doctor?" " Yes" " How did it go?" "What did she say dear?" "He's going to take a test" " Is that so?" " Who is it?" " Which laboratory?" " Is that mother?" "You'd have to be sure He can't go to just any place Leyla" "It's not a joke, they might give him a wrong result" "But you should know Leyla" "That Reza doesn't have any problems" "We've never had anything like this in the family before" "Thank God Reza's ancestors..." "All had all kinds of children" " And you know Reza has four sisters" " Give me the phone" "I wish them all the best" " Hi mother, how are you?" " Hi Reza" "This is not a good time for this mother" "But I now you're not the one with the problem" " It doesn't matter" " What do you mean?" "It matters a lot" "But we still don't even know what's what yet" "Why don't you come here for dinner" " Thanks but I don't think so, bye" " Bye" " Hello?" " Hello?" " Hi" " How is it going?" " You're alright?" " I want to talk to Leyla" "Parvin wants to talk to you" "Tell her I have a headache" "Can't talk" "Leyla isn't feeling well" "And neither am I" "What did the doctor say?" "We have to take different tests" "Ask mother, she'll tell you all about it" " Can't you tell me yourself, spoiled brat?" " Okay" " What okay?" " Bye" "Hello?" " Hi Reza" " Hi Firouzeh, is it you?" "How did it go?" "Tell me" "What's going on?" "Why are you so worried?" "I'm not worried but I do want to know..." "You'd have to wait for the results" "I hope it's all good and well" "But you need not worry Reza" "It's not a problem from our side" "It make no difference to us" " It's six of one or half a dozen of the other, bye" " Bye" "Listen Leyla..." "Don't answer it, it's either mother or my other sister" " Don't get hurt" " I'm not" "Believe me what I told you" "Don't get carried away by what everyone's saying" "I understand" "You are the only son of the family after all" "It's only natural you have to have a son" "It'll be alright hopefully" "Let's not talk about it for now, okay?" "What should we do tonight Leyla?" "I don't know" "Whatever you say" "I think..." "Let's stay home, we'll cook something up" "We'll eat, and we'll enjoy each other" "And we'll watch a movie afterwards" "How is that?" "Leyla!" "Leyla!" "Okay then, it's great" "This must be my dear auntie" "[ Come on }" "[ Hurry up }" "You don't have any problems" "It's from the lady" "According to the tests..." "Your hormone count is very low" "And in order for you to be able to hold the sperms..." "You'd have to produce strogens or progestrones" "Is there a cure for it?" "I really don't know, I'll write you some medicine" "You might get suggested of various ways to get pregnant but..." "It's very unlikely with such a low count of hormones" "One way to cure is Pulsatale Administration of Gonadotropin" "It helps you to produce more than just one egg" "Six or seven until one of them comes through for you" "Another solution is artificial insemination" "Of course it's very expensive and it takes a long time" "And you'd have to go on the waiting list a year bef ore doing it" "But if someone can't hold the baby at all..." "She'd have to lay down for nine whole months" "With no movements and take Hormone injections" "Yes?" "Hello" "Sure, you can come over" "Next week, yes" "Don't worry about that" "I've checked your test results You don't have any problems" "But do come here I need to change your medication" "No, no problems at all" "Sure thing, bye" "Leyla!" "Don't cry outside please" "For God's sake Leyla!" "Let's go" "Where to?" "Home" "But if mother should call, that I'm sure she will..." " You talk to her" " Okay" "And you promise me to forget this totally" "I do not want a baby, and that's that" "Please Leyla" "Don't make this into a hell" "I swear to God it's not important to me You know it" "Leyla!" "Don't cry please" "Nothing's for certain yet" "Didn't you hear the doctor say" "That there are all kinds of cures and tests" "Besides we've only checked with one doctor" "I was busy carrying out the lady doctor's orders for a long time" "I used to take hormone pills like crazy at first" "But they were no use" "Next I went to do the Pulsatale Administration of Gonadotropin" "But after going through a lot of trouble" "The daily examinations didn't work" "Reza no longer agreed with the artificial insemination" "And I wasn't too thrilled about Endoscope" "Specially since I had to go on the waiting the waiting list for a year" "Not knowing whether it would help or not" "And during this period I was tossed from one doctor to another" "And between new medications and traditional ones, everywhere" "Even one day me and Reza went to an orphanage to adopt a child" "A couple who come to us to adopt a child..." "Must have certain criteria" "They have to be Muslims and educated" "They most certainly need to have..." "Economical, social..." "Cultural and religious conditions" "Most importantly they need to show proof that they can't have a baby" "In order to start a file..." "They need to go to the city court" "And present certain documents there" "And then they'll be ref erred to The Ameneh Orphanage" "Once their residence is checked out..." "And once the family gets approved in every way..." "They'd still need to go on the waiting list..." "That's because we are short on children" "And there are many families on the waiting list" "Who request a baby girl" "Small girls who won't have any religious problems" "But there's no way to tell and it might take up to two years" "Just a moment, don't raise your arm" "...tells the rabbit that" "He'd pull out its teeth if it went there one more time" "But the rabbit goes again and asks for carrots and the guy pulls its teeth out" "So the next day the rabbit goes and asks for carrot juice!" "Well, what do you think?" "I don't know, it's hard" "They all feel to be strangers" "Although some of them are truly angels" "Why don't you tell him what's on your mind?" "Why won't you tell him that why do you want to raise..." "Someone else's child when you can have your own?" "You know what Reza?" "I think this is very selfish of me in a way" "You can have babies" "Why do you have to raise someone elses' kid?" "Who wants some Kebab?" "Give me some tomato" "Tomato is an excuse for you to eat the Kebab, right?" "Reza!" "Careful not to drop the child" "Okay, I'm careful" "Poor thing hasn't had any experiences" "It's not is fault" "Poor baby, he loves children" "I know what's going on in his heart" "He's a mess inside" "But he won't say anything since his wif e can't get pregnant" "His wif e has cut his tongue completely" "Whatever she says it goes" "Are you here Leyla?" "Why don't you go and play?" "Are you alright?" "I have a headache" "Why don't you go and lay down on that blanket dear?" " With the others" " Yeah" "Do you really think Reza is tolerating me?" "I heard what you said I'm bewildered" "Reza has told me many times he doesn't want babies" "Listen Leyla I raised Reza and I know him well" "If he doesn't say anything it's just for your sake" "But deep down inside he loves children" "So do I Everyoe loves to have children" "What can I do though?" "There's lots you can do" "I've done everything" "But none of them worked" "Well, that's fate" "It's not your fault but you can do a good deed" "Like what?" "You need to do something" "What?" "Be a good girl..." "And let Reza have another wif e" "What if Reza had the problem?" "Would you have said the same thing?" "No, I don't know..." "I guess this is God's wll" "But do something if you love Reza" "It's getting late" "She's a mother, maybe she's right" "I don't have any children to know how she is feeling" "I don't know what to do" "Just say yes, that's all" " Say yes?" " Yeah" "Okay?" "Okay" "God bless you my dear" "I wish the best for you" " I hope you become the happiest person" " What's going on?" "It's a good thing" "Congratulations!" "I hope your second wif e won't have the problem I'm having" "There's no way to tell" "I'd never have married you had I known I couldn't have babies" "What are you saying?" "Are you trying to test me?" "Test you?" "To find out how much I love you" "It's not a test" "I want you, your mother..." "You'd have to have children" "And a second marriage is the only way" "Didn't you see how happy your mother was?" "She shouldn't be" "It's none of her business anyway" "She got happy" "What are you talking about?" "What's this all about?" "Are you really going to go through" "Tolerating another woman in this house?" "Have you lost your mind?" "I hope you can understand how I feel" "I understand you very well" "I even understand how my mother feels" "I understand how everyone feels" "But why is it that nobody wants to understand how I'm feeling?" "How dare you and mother decide about what I should do?" "Shouldn't my opinion count as well?" "Why do you let others interf ere with our marriage?" "What's it to them whether I want children or not?" "They keep telling you that you can't have babies" "But why are you getting upset?" "I'm not" "I'll throw a party" "But you can have children and shouldn't waste your lif e on me" "Don't worry, I know what's good for me" "I've told you many times bef ore and I'll tell you again" "I'm glad we don't have any children" " It's better this way" " No it's not" "Fine, let's both commit suicide and get it over with" "This is not the way to do it" "Do you know how much you've been annoying me for?" "Medications, doctors, tests" "I do not want any children" "And I don't want you this way neither" "What happened to the old you?" " Where are you going?" " I'm going to see Hossein" " He can relate to me" " No" "No one in my family knows about this" "It will be horrible if they find out" "Reza!" "Don't go" "I'll change to how I used to be" "Are you happy?" "Look" "Like this..." "So many children in the world" "Why can't I have one of them?" "Are you taking revenge?" "Have I committed a sin?" "Tell me" "I'm stupid God, forgive me0" "Right, he stood up to his family big time" "He told them that it's nobody's business and that they shouldn't interf ere in our lif e" "Good for Reza, so he did stand up to them" "Yeah, you should have seen his mother" "She must have gotten really upset" "You don't know how much better I am Golnaz" " Good!" " I feel like a load is off me" "I feel like flying I'm so happy" " So lif e's sweet" " Yeah" "I'm cooking Chinese food for his dinner now" " How I envy Reza" " He'll have a ball" "But don't make him too fat" "Who is it?" " Hi mother" " Hi" "I'm so glad to see you" "Too bad Reza isn't home" "I know, I called his work" "Come in, what a surprise" "You never did this bef ore" "I hadn't heard of you for a week" "I was starting to miss you a lot" "I thought it'd be nice to stop by to see you" "I'm glad you're here" " Here you are mother - i'm tired" "I know, let me take your Hijab" " Thanks" " Here you are" "I'll be right with you" "What are you up to dear?" "Cooking Chinese food" "Reza likes it a lot" "You've forgotten all about yourself since you love Reza so much" "You don't think about yourself" "Don't bother yourself Leyla" "I've already eaten everything" "I just came by to see you on my way home" "We have guests tonight" "How is father?" "The kids?" "Everyone's fine" "Would you and Reza like to come over too?" " It's the auntie" " Thanks a lot" "We're going to my mother's house" "We haven't seen them for a while" "Are you making pickles?" "Yes" "I've made a lot of pickles this year" "I'll bring some for you Don't you bother yourself with anything" "Thanks a lot mother" "Thanks dear" "I've been meaning to give you this for a long time now" "But I didn't find the chance" "I was taking out my watch out of the drawer today..." "And I remembered this" "My mother-in-law gave it to me at my wedding" "So I figured it should be given to you" "Everything goes to boys" "Boys mean everything to parents" "Boys are the cream of the crop" "Specially to me since I only have one boy" "God gave me four girls and a boy" "I wish them all the best" "Everyone has a diff erent fate" "Yes" "Thanks" "How pretty mother!" "You really shouldn't have!" "I never expected it" "You don't expect anything from anybody" "You are not a materialistic person Leyla" "Why don't you put it on then?" "It looks good on you" "Reza had told me how much you love pearls" "In the old days they used to say pearls didn't suit everybody" "They look good on some and not so well on others" "It's always looked good on me though" "That's why you brought them for me" "You must think I don't like you, right?" "Only if you knew how much I've prayed for you" "In order for you to get pregnant" "All those nights I didn't sleep" "I cried" "I prayed for you" "What diff erence does it make?" "You're just like my own daughter" "I have nothing against you Leyla" "But you're mistaking" "You're young now" "What about when you grow as old as I am?" "Reza will marry someone else eventually" "Reza loves children" "He's told me many times..." "He's asked me to pray for him when I go to Mashad..." "To pray so..." "And God might feel sorry for us and give us a child" "But he doesn't tell you any of that" "He knows it makes you sad" "Last year when Auntie Shamsi went to Syria..." "Last year when Auntie Shamsi went to Syria..." "Reza told her to pray for him too" "Just so he could have a child..." "He also wanted to go to Zeinab's holy shrine" "What can he do though?" "He can't announce it in the media that he wants to have a baby" "Just so you believe him?" "Leyla, listen to me" "I want what's best for you" "Be a good girl..." "And let us find a wif e for Reza" "Later on when you grow old..." "You'll suddenly realize..." "That Reza has gotten married behind your back" "But then you'll be old and embarrassed" "You'd have to hide yourself..." "From the neighbors then" "You don't know how men are" "They can go through with everything" "To get what they desire" "Specially when it comes to having a child" "This is not a joke" "Specially in our family with just one son" "Leyla, if I had another son..." "I wouldn't be begging you so much" "Don't cry mother please" "You get Reza to accept it" "I have no objections" "But it's no use if I get him to accept it..." "But you complain to him from the other end" "I haven't said anything" "Well when men love someone..." "Even if that someone can't have a baby..." "They love her no matter what" "It's obvious" "It's obvious Reza is in love with you" "Is there anyone who doesn't know it?" "Okay mother" "Whatever you think is the best" "I have no objections" "God bless you dear" "I hope you get whatever you want in lif e" "I hope all your wishes come true" "I wish you happiness Leyla" "What's that on your neck?" "Mother gave it to me" "Was she here?" "Did she brain wash you again?" "She says you want a child badly but you're too shy to say so" "I guess you've told Auntie Shamsi a couple of times as well" "You've told her to pray for you to have a baby" "But this goes back to the time you were going through all sorts of medication..." "I can't believe how mother takes advantage of the things I say" "You can't fight the destiny Reza" "I want to hear you say it too Say it, say you want a baby too" "Is that you Reza?" "Were you sleeping?" "Did I wake you up?" "No turn on the light" "I didn't want to ruin your sleep How are you?" "Were you at mother's house?" "No, it's impossible to talk to her" "I was over at your brother's house" " How was Mehri?" " Not bad" "But the kids didn't let us have a few words together" "They were either crying or fighting or having stomach aches" "And they kept calling their mother" "What they meant was that no one should talk..." "Or do anything else Just sit and watch us" "Don't talk of children anymore please Reza" "I swear to God it's not like mother told you" "During the heat of the moment of medical examinations" "And all that medications and tests" "And all other things..." "I was stupid to say one word" "I told her to pray for us" "And only for your sake" "Just so you'd be comf ortable" "Why can't you understand it?" "Why do you insist on me marrying again?" "What do I need another wif e for?" "The first time was by force too!" "My mother kept persisting about our generation not becoming extinct" "But so what?" "What have we done for our people anyway?" "So many people One less won't hurt" "What diff erence would it make?" "I feel you're growing cold Leyla" "You're becoming distant" "You no longer love me" "What have I done to you?" "Nothing" "But I can't go through it anymore" "Our lif e's been revolving around the baby issue for the past couple of months" "So many medications, so much worry" "I'm tired anymore Reza I have no energy left" "Well this is a kind of a medication" "What do you mean?" "I keep telling myself..." "If Reza loves me..." "He shouldn't care about another woman" "She'll only give him a child" "Nothing would change" "And that our love will keep on existing" "Why are you putting all the responsibility on my shoulders?" "What about you?" "Me?" "I'm here" "I'll be careful" "I'll stay with you" "I'm giving my consent" "And I'll go through it" " Hello?" " Leyla!" " Hello mother" " Hi" "How are you?" " How are you dear?" " Thanks for asking" " How is father?" " Not too bad" "Did you talk to Reza dear?" "Hello?" " Leyla!" " Yes?" " Did you talk to him Leyla?" " Yes" "Will he do it?" "I'll make him" "So should I start looking for a girl?" "Yes" "I have one in mind as a matter of fact" "I'll make the arrangements for this week" "My sister knows a lot of girls" "There is a colonel in her neighborhood" "He has a nice daughter who has a high school diploma" "They are a nice family" "She's not very pretty..." "But, she's not a bad girl" "I'll talk to my sister and set a date" " Okay dear?" " Sure" "Is there anything else?" "Bye mother" "Bye" "Mother called today" "She said your Auntie Shamsi has f ound a nice girl for you" "For marriage" "She's the daughter of a colonel" "What?" "She is a colonel?" "No, her father is a colonel" "I guess she's not too bad looking neither" "She's not pretty but..." "What if she's too old?" "I'm certain she's got dentures" "And she's got rubber eyes too" "And she's probably bald" "With gold teeth Only four on each side" "She's probably got iron arms and legs and she tightens the screws every night" "Mother called two days later" "And she set up a date for Thursday afternoon" "Close to Auntie Shamsi's house" "In Mirdamad St., near Mohseni Sq." "Asef St., number 15" "Thursday afternoon I helped Reza get ready myself" "As if I was sending my kid to school" "I chose his outfit" "His shoes, his shirt" "He looked nice and shiny" "He asked me how he looked" "I told him he looked quite handsome" "And that the girl would certainly f all in love with him" "What?" "Why are you laughing?" "How pure and innocent my husband's gotten" "Just like a sweet and shy little kid..." "He's going to propose to a girl" "Wicked!" "It's very stupid, isn't it?" "I can't believe you've gotten me to do this" "Is this it?" "Next street" "I'll hang around here for an hour" "I'll do some shopping till you come" "You will come, won't you?" "Everyone's after something" "But nobody can even guess what I'm doing here" "Who can believe that I'm here..." "Till my husband gets back from asking a girl's hand?" "Well, congratulations" "You should have been there Leyla It was a lot of laugh" "She's six feet tall" "With a bad attitude and old" "And she kept chewing on her nails" " Was she scared?" " I couldn't tell you" "Besides she has a slight nervous tick like this" " Stupid!" " I swear to God" "And then her father started to talk and..." "And asked me about my job" "And how lif e is hard and expensive nowadays" "Next the girl asked me" "Whether I've ever been abroad" "I told her that I have" "She asked where and I said Italy, France, America..." "She asked which one did I like most?" "I told her" "That Iran is the best place to live" "But she suddenly frowned" "But it was obvious they are a rich family" "About a kilo of gold was hanging from them" "I wish you could have seen Auntie Shamis" "That's enough" "Why don't you make your usual tasteless sauce tonight..." "To go with the grilled chicken?" "You know the one you mix them all up" " Yoghurt,..." " Sure, keep it up" " Hello?" " Hi, how are you?" "Hello mother" "Look, Auntie Shamsi told me all about it" "You want a baby..." "So what do you care about her appearance?" "Besides you should thank God for giving you a second wif e with so much gold" "It'll be great for the future of your kid" "What do you mean mother?" "What does gold have to do with a baby?" "What are you talking about mother?" "Okay, don't worry" " I'll find another girlk" " Okay, take it easy now" "I have to go for now, bye" "Reza had gotten super kind for the next couple of days and nights" "He was trying to be too kind to me..." "Just so I don't forget he loves me" "And he kept on buying gifts for me" " Leyla dear, Auntie Shamsi found a girl" " Yes" "The daughter of the retired director general of the Ministry of Agriculture" "She is thirty two years old" "She's been married once..." "But got seperated after a year" "I guess her husband couldn't get her pregnant" " Sure" " Leyla dear..." "I'm sure this one is suitable for Reza" " Yes dear" " Sure" "We'll set a date for next week..." "And so we were off the next afternoon" "And like the last time Reza wanted me to be with him" "As if he was going to take an exam" "He didn't want me to be home alone" "And to annoy myself" "But I guess I was getting used to it" "Strange that I'm not scared" "I can even imagine them all sitting around" "What does she look like?" "No" "No, I'll go crazy like this" "I should look at these" "There he comes" "I missed him a lot" "So?" "It was great" " Just great" " Really?" "She's got a normal height" "Very quiet and the type who is always keeping to herself" "Then she told me about her marriage" "She was in love with her husband" "But she divorced him since he couldn't get her pregnant" "And no matter how much the man begged..." "It was useless" "That was when Auntie Shamsi started to sweet-talk" "She told her that she did well by divorcing him" "And that lif e is hell without kids" "And other bullshit and I was starting to get bored out of my mind" "I mean come on, I have a wif e and I'm in love with her" "And I seem to want her more by the day" "So what do I need another wif e for?" " Hi" " Hi" "Well well, to what do I owe this pleasure to?" " Reza and Leyla here!" " We've been so busy" "Yes I know..." "You've been elected as Africa's prime minister..." "And that's why you've been so busy" "Come in, here's your girl" " Hi, I missed you all a lot" " What a surprise!" "My sweetheart" " Hi mother, how are you?" " Hi" "Come in, come" "Tell me how it went" " It didn't go" " Why not?" "I guess the girl divorced her husband f or not being able to get her pregnant" "And no matter how much the poor soul begged her but it was useless" "It seems she is very ruthless" " And?" " And Reza didn't accept it" "You don't know how painful it is though Nazgol" "I'm on pins and needles all the time" "I don't know, but deep in my heart..." "There's a wound or a pain somewhere" "And it's burning me up" "Why don't you do something then?" "What can I do?" "What do you mean?" "You can do lots" "You can stand your ground and say no" "You can say you won't let it happen" "Besides, Reza too keeps saying that he doesn't want another wif e" "His mother forced him, so?" "What are you two mumbling about?" "Tell us about it too" "Or is it about lovie-dovie stuff?" "Is it another girl?" "There goes the uncle again" "No uncle, Nazgol is careful" "But once love comes along..." "You'll get down on your knees no matter who you are" "So much for the uncle" "He sticks his nose into everything" "Nazgol dear, where is Leyla?" "Where were you sweetie?" "I was starting to miss you a lot How are you?" " How is Reza?" " Fine" "I always tell Hossein to stop by your house" " But he never moves" " Why didn't you come by yourself?" " How is Reza's father?" " He's fine too" " His mother, what about his sisters?" " They're all just fine" "Doesn't Reza's little sister want to get married yet?" "I don't know" "Why are you standing there Leyla?" "Have a seat" " How are you?" " Fine, thanks" " What's this?" " For the kids" "Do you have to work for them even when you're at a gathering?" "Where are you two going?" "Go after them Alireza Or do I have to do this too?" "I got stupid once already" "But it won't happen to me again" "Besides I'm way ahead of you all when it comes to that" "Am I wrong?" "There are lots of girls who'd love to marry me" "But I won't give in to marriage so easily" "I have my conditions" "She must have a house, a car" "And she'll have to fill my pockets up with money every month" "Without me knowing it" "On top of that, she must be young pretty and educated too" "She shouldn't talk too much" "That's right" "But such a woman must be super stupid to become your wif e uncle!" "What's wrong with stupidity?" "It's better than the brain you have Nazgol" "You and your fiance" "You slime!" "You have nowhere to escape this time Nazgol" " It's all over with" " Where are you going?" "Come in" "Where are you Leyla?" "You seem down" "I'm a little tired" "What do you want me to play for you?" "This is just fine" "But mother wasn't going to give up" "Three weeks later she found another girl" "She is thirty years old" "Her parents are both teachers" "And they work for the Ministry of Education" "Her parents were decent people" "But the girl..." "She was one of those shameless girls..." "You should have seen her" "Her father began to talk and" "Asked me about my job" "I told him that me and my dad have an engineering company" "And that we have a decent income" "Then the girl said" "" How has your wif e allowed you to have a second wif e?"" "Well?" "And all I could do was to stare at her like an idiot" "So she had to answer her own question" "What did she say?" "She said, " Right, she can't get pregnant "" "Then she said that having children without love in lif e would be meaningless" "And that how could you be in love with two people at the same time" "And she told me to divorce you and marry her" " Just like that?" " Yeah" "So?" "I told her that you'd have to like her for the starters" "And that it'd be impossible if you didn't like her" "And that was when she got all quiet" "Then her mother said..." "" So your wif e makes the choice? "" "What else did they say?" "I told her that I was in love with you" "And how great you are" "And the only thing is that you can't get pregnant" "The the girl said" "" Come back whenever you divorce your wif e "" "I told her sure, but don't hold your breath" "That night we went to the Japanese Restaurant again" "It's just like engagement perios It was great" "We laughed so much while the food was being cooked" "It was as if we had just met" "Our house, our marriage..." "They all had a diff erent feeling" "I kept telling myself..." "That this baby issue isn't so bad" "I just realized how I can love someone" "Now I understand that love is just like a living thing..." "And it can grow" "Where were you?" "I called a hundred times" "Yes we went out for dinner last night" "We got home late" "Where is Reza?" "Why didn't he go to work?" "Reza was tired and stayed home to sleep" "With all the things he does it's no wonder he's tired" "Why does he bother us so much?" "His Auntie Shamsi is trying so hard" "To find the right girls" "She keeps at it" "But he comes along and rejects the girl" " Have you told him anything?" " No mother" "My girls are all so naive" "I ask them if they know anyone" "But they say no and that they don't know anyone who has a daughter" "It's obvious they don't approve of their brother remarrying" "They don't even call to ask..." "How it goes" "I have to call them myself" "And tell them about Reza's dilemma" "Hello?" "Leyla?" " Are you still there?" " Yes" "For the love of God..." "Tell me if you've said something to Reza to discourage him" "I swear to God no Reza isn't discouraged" "You find a good girl, and sure" "What was wrong with the ones we've found till now?" "Okay I'll let you know" " Bye" " Bye" " Who was it?" "My mother?" " Yeah" "I wish I hadn't woken up at all" "To hear that bullshit again sleeping is great" "I'd go nuts if it weren't because of sleeping" "Let's run away and go somewhere else" "Somewhere that nobody knows us" "And we can have a comf ortable lif e" "This is all my fault" "What do you mean?" "I wish you'd be standing up to me instead of going through with all this" "I wish you'd tell me that you didn't want me to remarry" "Why won't anyone understand that I don't need any children" "I like my lif e just the way it is" "But my mother doesn't want our family to become extinct..." "And so I'd have to do..." "Things I don't like at all" "Eversince Auntie Shamsi started the hunt for a girl..." "Father's become very formal with me" "I tried talking to him a couple of times but he didn't give me a chance at all" "I was talking to him a couple of days ago in the car..." "And I told him, " Why don't you talk to mother? "" "He said, " I talked to your mother the very first day "" "She wanted you to marry Auntie Shamsi's daughter but you didn't..." "And now she's taking revenge" "There are many couples who can't have babies..." "But they kept on living their lif e" "You tell me that you love your wif e a lot and that..." "You're quite content with your marriage" "But at the same time you go to various girls' house to evaluate them for marriage" "You should be ashamed of yourself!" "What sin has your poor wif e committed?" "Do you remember what Leyla told your mother the first day?" "She said that what if it were Reza who couldn't have children?" "Would you have done the same thing?" "Tell me, what if you couldn't have a baby?" "What if Leyla wanted to divorce you to marry another man?" "What would you do then?" "But I never said I wanted to divorce her" "This is a kind of a divorce" "You don't know what she's going through" "I've heard you're upset and sad as well" "Your mother keeps talking about you" "That you're getting destroyed" "Why don't you stand up to everyone and tell them you don't want to do this?" "What's all this then?" "The problem is that Leyla is okay with this" "No, you're the only one okay with this Not Leyla for sure" "Your mother and aunt keep saying that you'll do it next year if not now" "They say you'll eventually divorce her anyway" "I never said I want to divorce her dad" "Bye" "I realized how much I've missed father" "I wanted to cry" "I tried to stop my tears" "When Reza was talking..." "I felt he was a sort of jealous of my patience" "And that's what was bothering him the most" "But he didn't want to let it show" "Had I acted diff erently..." "Perhaps Reza wouldn't be jealous at all" "I know he loves me deep down" "There aren't any women who can go through what I've been" "God didn't give me any children..." "But instead he's given me lots of patience" "Mother started to come by after a few days again" "And we set a date for a day after tomorrow afternoon" "You get Reza to go through somehow" "Sure" "Why don't you go with Reza to see for yourself" "Everyone already hates me here as it is" "Let alone if I try to go along with him for the proposal" "Do something for God's sake dear..." "So Reza accepts this one" "We'll both be out of this misery" "I'd better go now" "How are Aziz and the others?" "Just fine, thanks" "But they don't know anything about this so remember not to say anything to them" "Okay, I won't" "Besides suppose they know..." "They'll realize Reza is only doing this to have a baby" "They don't know I can't get pregnant" "So they must think Reza has a problem" "What a shame!" "No mother, they think we don't want to have any children" "They think we don't want it now" "Very well" "Bye, I gotta go" " The cab is waiting" " Bye" "There's someone head over hill in love with you" "He's trying to tell you something..." "But he doesn't know whether to say it or not" "What?" "He wants you to escape with him to the mountains" "To be rid of everyone here" "Look, this is the mountain" "This is the valley, and the escape route" "You see?" "Let's see what does yours say" "There is a woman in your lif e who loves you a lot" "She wants you to have every good think in the world" "There's also another woman waiting for you" "She's young" "She'll make you happy" "What is it?" "Did mother call again?" "She came by" "She's found another girl" "She's twenty four years old" "She knows you won't divorce your wif e" "She knows I can't get pregnant" "The day after tomorrow at four" "No, not anymore" "I don't want to" "Anyone who brings a child into this world..." "Is only trying to hide his fraud" "He has to be crazy and madly in love with himself" "To want to bring someone else into this disaster" "Why do you let others to interf ere with your lif e?" "Do you even know what you're doing?" "I swear to God she doesn't know She's way off" "The day we went to the orphanage I told Reza..." "That I pref ered to raise his child" "And he said that anyone who was going to be his wif e..." "Would have to accept his first wif e" "What do you mean?" "She might consent verbally..." "But it's impossible literary" "Another woman in your house?" "Who's supposed to have a baby?" "What if he falls in love with her?" "What would happen to you?" "Well that's why I say this is all a test" "If Reza's love is for real..." "What Reza?" "What about you?" "I've heard you even intend to raise the baby too, is that right?" "What about the mother of the baby?" "What if she didn't let you?" "Show me a kind second wif e" "You'd be a step-mother" "Don't you get it?" "Have you forgotten Esmat, the wif e of Jalil?" "As soon as he married another woman..." "She was forced to leave with two kids" "No it's diff erent" " The woman Reza is choosing..." " Is Reza choosing?" "Who the hell is Reza?" "[" "He's just a man like all others are" "Do you any man who doesn't like to have a second wif e?" "Specially when a baby comes a long too" "And that's when the love for the baby's mother grows extremely" "I don't know But I do know that I'm tired anymore" "Suppose I say no to tomorrow What about two years later?" "Mother isn't and won't be giving up ever" "Weren't you the one who said..." "That once mother decides on something there's no stopping her?" "And that she's got a will of steal?" "Frankly I can't tolerate mother's stares anymore" "And I don't want to be walking on egg shells all the time" "Whatever she wants" "I give up" "I feel this time is diff erent" "I feel everything will be clear this time" "And that I'll be out of this uncertainty" "What will happen?" "Do you think everything will go on nice and quietly?" "You idiot, get reay" "And be strong" "Don't be afraid" "Don't shake" "Well, how did it go?" "I guess this one wasn't so bad" "Why do you say that?" "You've become very serious" "What can I say?" "I'm embarrassed" "Oh dear, are you now?" "Are you embarrassed because you've accepted this one?" "Have you?" "I don't know" "I really don't" "Congratulations" "Tell me about it" "Nothing, her husband's dead" "Norman middle-class" "Very shy" "I told her that I have a wif e and that she'd have to approve as well" "Her mother agreed" "She said that she wouldn't allow it to happen unless you were okay by it" "Frankly I really liked what her mother said" "So left is for me to see her and approve" "I guess so" "I can't believe this" "Unbelievable" "Yes?" " Hi Leyla, how are you?" " Hi auntie" "I'm fine, thanks" "So how did it go sweetie?" "Did he approve of her?" "Yes, he did" "Thank God then" " Put Reza on the phone then" " Sure" " Hi auntie" " Hi dear" " Did you like her?" " Yes" " I'll set the date for two days later at six" " Okay" "Her mother will be coming too You know it's tradition" "Okay, bye" "The girl is coming at six in two days f or you to meet her" "Her mother is coming as well" "Listen Leyla, should you not like her..." "You'd have to tell me for sure" "Because if you don't..." "There's no way I'll accept it" "What's wrong?" "You look like a statue?" "Listen Leyla, you are forcing me to go through with this" "But if you back out later and don't want to go on..." "And if you leave me..." "I'll be devastated" "Think it through There's still time" "It's beyond that anymore" "Let's go out, I feel like I'm choking" " Hi" " Hi" " Well my Leyla" " Hi uncle" "Hi uncle, how are you?" "Glad to see you" "Long time no see" "I'm glad you're here I want you to meet her too" " Who are you talking about?" " Amir, a friend of Amir and Hossein" "Who is Amir?" "He's the one who caused you and Reza to get introduced" "He's coming over tonight" "Why?" "He wants to ask for Nazgol's hand" "Congratulations" " Hi Leyla, how are you?" " Hi" " How are you?" " How are you Mehri?" " Hi auntie" " Hi" "Welcome" "I'll be right with you" "What's wrong sweetie?" "Is something going on?" "It's nothing Aziz" "It's my pressure I'll be fine in a minute" "But why?" "What's wrong?" "I'll be fine" " Hello Mr. Groom, how are you?" " Hi, how are you?" "How are you?" "Amir is here" "The groom is walking right in the trap, come in" "Hello, how are you?" " Welcome" " Hi ma'am" "Come in please" "Very kind of you" "Everyone keeps telling you not to get stupid" "You're just starting your lif e" "Why are you trying to put yourself in a lot of trouble?" " What can I say uncle?" " This girl's putting us through hell" "Nazgol will skin you alive" "I'm telling you" "The uncle is trying to bargain" "No, living expenses are very high nowadays" "And the uncle is raising up the ante" "This is useless anymore" " You'll become stupid" " Yes" "But I want you to learn from your dear friend" "He's fifteen years overdue to get married..." "But he still won't be trapped" "Where is Leyla?" "Leyla!" "Leyla!" "Leyla!" "Did you vomit again dear?" " What is it?" " It might be due to pregnancy" "I don't know" "What if she is pregnant?" " My pressure's dropped" " What's wrong again?" "It's her blood pressure uncle" "Her pressure?" "Where did it drop to?" "Why doesn't this ever happen to us?" "Let's eat dinner at least" "Are you alright?" "Did you stop vomitting?" "No" "What about your headache?" "It's better" "Is this egg broiled?" "It's for you" "You eat it, I'm not hungry" "I'll pass by in five minutes" "I really hope you won't like her though" "There's no way I'll accept if you don't like her" "Tell Auntie Shamsi not to say anything to me when she sees me" "Why am I standing here?" "To see whether I'll approve of my husband's new wif e?" "Who'll believe it?" "I'm not made of steal" "What if I burst of sorrow?" "God..." "I felt a strange calmness by seeing her" "I think I liked her a sort of" "She had a calm and pure face" "As if she no longer was my rival" "I don't know why..." "But I wasn't my usual self anymore" "I'd gotten strong" "I no longer was scared of Reza being taken from me" " The green one" " Sure" " Is this it?" " Yes please" "Well, did you like her Leyla?" "Leyla dear!" " Do you approve of her?" " Yes" "She seemed to be a good and innocent girlk" "I sure hope she'll be good for Reza" "Thank God" "Well?" "Tell me how it went" "Both families are supposed to have a gathering this week" "So the bride and groom can get to know each other better" "Anyway, it seems everything's coming to an end nice and clean" " Listen Leyla..." " This is " Shah Maqsoud "" "I bought it for you" "Thanks" "I can never understand women" "They do anything they want to" "I truly don't know what to do" "Why don't you water the flowers pal?" " Bye Leyla" " Bye" "Well, did you get a good look at her Leyla?" " Do you approve?" " Yes" "My God" "Why are you standing?" "Sit down dear" "Sit" "Don't be sad" "This is my destiny" "What is it Homeira?" "What is it?" "What are you doing?" "Get out of here, now" "This one and this one please" "And so we went to buy the ring f or the bride starting tomorrow" "Since Reza's sisters wouldn't go with him" "This is sapphire but there's a lot of gold on it as well" " How is this one?" " It's fine" " Put this one on" " What for?" "I want to buy it for you" "I don't want you to" "Thanks" " Are you sure?" " Yeah" "How much is this one?" "Neither of us approved of it" "But mother is very sad" "And Firouzeh thinks of the future" "The wedding is in a couple of days" "Should we go?" "Should we not go?" "So we want to ask for your advice" "Of course Parvin" "Why not?" "Both of you should go" "That poor girl is innocent here" "You should even be present at her wedding ceremony too" "Everything must go on nicely" "How are you?" "You're back so soon" "I missed you, I didn't even have lunch..." "So I came earlier to have dinner together" "I got this for you" "Listen to it and see if you like it" "What's wrong?" "I don't feel too well" "I'm not in the mood for this shotgun wedding" "Did you go to Giti's house?" "Yes, with mother and Auntie Shamsi" "We stayed there for an hour" "Then I showed them the ring" "I told them you chose it" " You shouldn't have" " Why not?" "They complimented you a lot" "And then Homa and Firouzeh went to buy the wedding dress" "The same place you recommended" "Giti's mother invited everyone to her house for dinner" "Dad called to see how you were doing" "He was trying to make sure you won't be left alone tomorrow night" "He told me to take you there" "Reza!" "Reza is here, get ready" "Why are you so late Reza?" "I got stuck in traffic" " You should have left sooner then" " We're here anyway" "But it'll cause embarrassment for us" " What are you doing here Leyla?" " Hello father" "Let's go out, the weather is nicer out there" "Let's go for a walk, why here?" "Don't stall" "Homeira, this is too heavy" " Change your Hijab then" " It's fine mother, we're running late" "It's very late Reza, run" "Too bad you're not coming" "Just what I said" "Tell them she was sick and couldn't come" "I hope they don't take it personally" "They won't, take care" "I'm surprised mother didn't even ask me once how I was doing" "Doesn't she know what I'm going through?" "Can't she put herself in my shoes for even a moment?" "How selfish can she be?" " Drink your tea please" " Thanks a lot" "I'm glad you came here Leyla dear" "I'm glad you're not home alone" "Have faith in God" "Try to have faith in God in times like now" "Until Tuesday and the night of the wedding..." "I started to clean the house" "I felt I had to clean everything" "I wanted everything to shine" "Reza came home at noon" "He was excited and restless" "I cooked him some chicken kebab" "But I had no apetite to eat" "Neither did Reza but I insisted and he ate some anyway" "He went to take a nap after lunch" "He was supposed to go to the hair stylist and take a sauna afterwards" "And to get ready for the wedding" "He returned in the evening" "He was red and shiny" "I had his suit ready on the bed" "Don't stay home all alone for God's sake" "Go to your mother's house" "No" "I'll stay" "I'll wait for you" "I prepared the guest house for myself the last day" "I was all numb because of so much pain" "I thought that was it" "I brought it upon myself" "I thought no one was supposed to come Who are these people though?" " It's tradition dear" " What tradition?" "Nobody was supposed to come" "It's alright dear, don't worry" "We'll be here for ten minutes The poor bride has done nothing wrong" "Congratulations" "Excuse me" "I sure hope you won't frown at me tonight Reza" " Take some fruit and other things" " Thanks" "You attend to the fruits Shokouh" " Where are the herbs?" " Here you are" " Now light it up" " What should I do?" "You take care of the tea Goli" "Bring the tea cups from there" "Leyla!" "Leyla!" "Open the door, Leyla" "I couldn't stop them" "I'm sorry" "Go on Reza, go" "Giti, I wish you happiness dear" "Bye dear" "Bye dear, thanks" "Take care" "Aziz!" "What have I done to be torturing like this?" "Why couldn't I have a baby?" "Why didn't you tell me?" "Why did Reza do this to you?" "Reza didn't want to, I forced him" "But why?" "Leyla, I had to tell them" "I'm coming" "Is Leyla here?" "Hi" "Hi" "Do you hate me so much?" "You planned to get rid of me like this, right?" "Good God" "I swear to God she forced me to do it" "She wanted to make my mother happy" "I wasn't important to her" "I swear we were happy" "We didn't need any children" "We had everything Everybody can testify to that" "She didn't approve of a baby from the orphanage" "She said that she wanted it to be my own child" "Didn't you want a child as well?" "Yes I did Nazgol" "But her child and not anyone else's" "Do you really expect Leyla to stay in that house..." "And to live with your new wif e?" "That's what she said herself" "She said she wanted to raise my child" "Why didn't you come to talk to us pal?" "I tried to talk to Hossein many times..." "But she wouldn't let me" "She didn't want any of you to find out" "That you'd all get sad if you knew" "Hossein, don't make so much noise" "We're fed up" "What do you want now?" "What are you saying?" "Leyla must keep her promise" "She married me and she'll leave my house only when she dies" "I'll get Giti a house to live in" "Leyla can come back to her house" "Why did you go along with it if you didn't want any children?" " That's exactly what I'm..." " Why don't you divorce your new wif e?" "I will, if Leyla wants me to" "Nothing's happened yet" "I left the house when Leyla left last night" "I walked all night" "For God's sake Aziz Do something!" "For the love of God" "Uncle!" "Talk to her yourself" "Leyla!" "What are you trying to take out on me Leyla?" "What have I done to you?" "Why don't you answer me?" "Don't be so stubborn Leyla" "You know damned well I did all this for you" "You wanted it, isn't that so?" "Get up Leyla" "Come back home" "I promise to put her up in a diff erent house..." "In a couple of days" "Or I'll divorce her if you want me to" "Get up Leyla" "For God's sake get up" "I'd never seen Reza so helpless and disappointed bef ore" "The way he was begging" "But I'd turned into stone" "Although I still loved him but..." "It was like someone dear who had died" "I couldn't step in that house anymore" "Reza called a couple of times and said the same things" "Then his sisters came to see me" "You've truly destroyed Reza" "All he ever does is to fight with mother" "He says that mother's ruined his happiness all for her selfish reasons" "Father keeps arguing with mother as well" "He says that you can't be blamed" "He tells mother that she ruined everyone" "The newly bride keeps complaining" "That Reza doesn't pay the least of attention to her" "I couldn't talk anymore" "I had nothing to say" "Everything was over" "A week later Reza took his new wif e to a new house" "And she got pregnant after two months" "Mother was so happy she couldn't contain herself" "And she delivered the baby after nine months" "A baby girl named Baran" "Mother got sad all over again" "It hadn't made any diff erences for Reza" "The girl had told Parvin..." "That Reza wanted her for Leyla" "And now that Leyla isn't here I don't exist neither" "At first I thought love could come between us again" "But it didn't" "Then I told myself that the baby..." "Might be able to save two people's lives" "But now the baby is born..." "I'm prepared to get seperated from Reza" "And instead perhaps Reza might think..." "That by stabilizing my lif e..." "He could clear his conscious" "Reza accepted it" "And he'll divorce her gladly" "And he'll pay her the dowry, and give her the apartment in full" "The girl has money now..." "And after a few months" "She marries her cousin who has been wanting to marry her" "And Baran stays with mother" "I'm tired" "I'm very lonely" "Reza stopped by to see me a couple of times" "He talked, and begged" "He told me how miserable and how lonely he is" "And how every corner of the house still smells like me" "And how my things are intact" "And how ruthless I am" "And how selfish I am" "But it was all useless" "I couldn't stop my silence fasting" "A better lif e with less children" "A shorter lif e with more children" "Reza was alone with that big house" "He didn't divorce me" "Neither did he marry another woman" "But he was hopeful deep down inside" "He'd told his older sister that" "This year on the twenty eighth of the month of Saf ar when they cook " Sholeh Zard "..." "He was going to bring some to our house just like he did a few years ago" "To be able to persuade me" "To go back with him in that house" "Take it" "Let me fill up Auntie Shamsi's plate too" "But " Sholeh Zard " was much better this time" "Platters are here" "Hi Reza, how are you?" "Long time no see" "Hi Hossein, good to see you too" " How are things?" " Not too bad, thanks" " How are you?" " How are you little one?" "How are you dear?" "Did you say hello to Uncle Hossein?" "The guys are all inside" "Let's go in" " How is everything?" " Not too bad" "Perhaps when I tell this story to Baran, Reza's daughter, someday..." "She will laugh" "If it weren't for mother's persistancy..." "She'd never be in this world" "" THE END ""