The Book of Fate by Parinoush Saniee

bored. After finishing the daily household chores, I would go upstairs to the living room and watch the section of the street that was visible from the window. This partial view was my only connection to the outside world. And even that, I had to keep secret. If my brothers found out, they would probably brick up the window. My one dream was to see Parvaneh or Saiid out there on the street.
    By then I knew that the only way I could ever leave that house was as someone’s wife. In fact, this was the single solution to the dilemma that everyone had voted on and ratified. I hated every corner of that house, but I didn’t want to betray my dear Saiid by throwing myself from one prison into another. I wanted to wait for him until the end of my life, even if they were to drag me to the gallows.
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    A family expressed interest in asking for my hand in marriage. Three women and a man were coming to visit. Mother got busy, diligently cleaning and arranging the house. Mahmoud bought a set of sofas with red upholstery. Ahmad bought fruits and pastries. Their unprecedented cooperation was strange. Like drowning people clinging to a piece of driftwood, they were willing to do anything not to lose the suitor. And once I saw the potential groom, I realised he was indeed nothing but driftwood. He was a heavyset man with no hair on the crown of his head, about thirty years old, and he slurped while eating fruit. He worked with Mahmoud in the bazaar. Fortunately, he and the three women who had accompanied him were looking for a plump and fleshy wife and didn’t take a liking to me. That night I went to sleep happy and peaceful. The next morning, Mother told Mrs Parvin all about the event, in great detail and with much embellishment. Her deep disappointment over the end result made me want to laugh.
    â€˜What a shame,’ she said. ‘This poor girl has no luck. He is not only rich, but comes from a good family, too. What’s more, he is young and hasn’t been married before.’ (It was funny, the man was twice my age, but from Mother’s viewpoint he was young… and with that bald head and big paunch!) ‘Of course, Mrs Parvin, between you and me, the man was right in his decision. The girl is too scrawny. The man’s mother said, “Madam, your daughter needs medical attention.” If I’m not wrong, that imp had done something to look even sicklier.’
    â€˜Oh, my dear, the way you talk it’s as if he was a young man of twenty,’ Mrs Parvin argued. ‘I saw them out on the street. It’s all the better that they didn’t take a fancy to her. Massoumeh is too good for you to hand her over to that big-bellied midget.’
    â€˜What can I say? We had big dreams for the girl. Forget about me, her father used to say Massoumeh has to marry a man who’s a somebody. But after all that disgrace, who’s going to come for her? She will either have to marry beneath her or become a second wife.’
    â€˜Nonsense! Let things simmer down. People will forget.’
    â€˜What will they forget? People investigate, they ask around. The sister and mother of a decent and proper man will never let him marry my ill-fated girl whose mess is known to the entire neighbourhood.’
    â€˜Wait,’ Mrs Parvin counselled. ‘They will forget. Why are you in such a hurry?’
    â€˜It’s her brothers. They say as long as she is in this house they have no peace of mind and can’t hold their heads up in public. People won’t forget… not for a hundred years. And Mahmoud wants to get married, but he says he can’t do so as long as this girl is still here. He says he doesn’t trust her. He’s afraid she will lead his wife astray, too.’
    â€˜What drivel!’ Mrs Parvin said dismissively. ‘This poor thing is as innocent as a child. And what happened wasn’t all that serious. All beautiful girls her age have boys falling in love