The Book of Fate Read Online Free PDF Page B

saying no to Mr Ahmadi was difficult for him, as was having to deal with the fights and arguments at home. Instead, to gain Mother’s favour, I agreed to take sewing classes, so that I would at least have one talent when I went to my husband’s house.
    Coincidentally, the sewing school was on the road next to the pharmacy. Saiid quickly caught on to my every-other-day schedule and, no matter how, he would make his way to the door on time. One block away from the pharmacy, my heart would start pounding and my breathing would become more rapid. I would try not to look towards the pharmacy and not to blush, but it was no use. Each time our eyes met, I turned red up to my ears. It was so embarrassing. And he, bashfully and with an eager look in his eyes, would greet me with a nod.
    One day as I turned the corner, he suddenly appeared in front of me. I became so flustered that I dropped my sewing ruler. He bent down, picked it up and with his eyes cast down quietly said, ‘I’m sorry I frightened you.’
    I said, ‘No,’ grabbed the ruler from him and scurried away. For a long time, I wasn’t myself. Every time I remembered that moment I would blush and feel a pleasant tremor in my heart. I don’t know why, but I was sure he was experiencing the same feelings.
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    With the first autumn winds and the early days of September, our long wait came to an end and Parvaneh and I headed back to school. There was no end to all the things we wanted to tell each other. We had to share everything that had happened over the summer, everything we had done and even thought. But ultimately, all our conversations kept coming back to Saiid.
    â€˜Tell me the truth,’ Parvaneh said. ‘How many times did you go to the pharmacy while I was away?’
    â€˜I swear I never went there,’ I said. ‘I was too embarrassed.’
    â€˜Why? He has no clue what we think and talk about.’
    â€˜So you think!’
    â€˜No way. Has he said anything? How do you know?’
    â€˜No. I just think so.’
    â€˜Well, we can pretend we don’t know anything and just do our own thing.’
    But the truth was that something had changed. My meetings with Saiid had taken on a different tone and colour and felt more serious. In my heart, I felt a strong, though unspoken, bond with him and hiding it from Parvaneh wasn’t easy. We had been going to school for only a week when she found her first excuse to go to the pharmacy and dragged me along with her. I felt so self-conscious. It was as if the entire city knew what was going on in my heart and they were all watching me. When Saiid saw us walk in, he just froze where he stood. Parvaneh asked him for aspirin a few times, but he couldn’t hear her. Finally, Dr Ataii came over, said hello to Parvaneh and asked about her father. Then he turned to Saiid and said, ‘Why are you just standing there looking dumbfounded? Give the young lady a box of aspirin.’
    By the time we walked out, everything had been exposed. ‘Did you see the way he was looking at you?’ Parvaneh asked, surprised.
    I said nothing. She turned and stared into my eyes.
    â€˜Why have you turned so pale? You look like you’re about to faint!’
    â€˜Me? No! There’s nothing wrong with me.’
    But my voice was shaking. We walked in silence for a few minutes. Parvaneh was deep in thought.
    â€˜Parvaneh, what is it? Are you all right?’
    Suddenly, she exploded like a firecracker and in a voice louder than usual she snapped, ‘You are so mean. I am as stupid as you are cunning. Why didn’t you tell me?’
    â€˜Tell you what? There was nothing to tell.’
    â€˜Right! You two have something going on. I would have to be blind not to see it. Tell me the truth; how far have you two gone?’
    â€˜How could you say such a thing?’
    â€˜Stop it! Stop playing the mouse. You are capable of anything. From that headscarf to now