The Book of Fate by Parinoush Saniee Read Free Book Online

more she goes to school the cheekier she gets. It’s all her father’s fault for doting on her, as if she’s so special.’
    And still grumbling, Mother walked out and Parvaneh and I burst out laughing.
    â€˜Thank God Mother didn’t catch on, otherwise she would have said, since when do you become a doctor with a diploma in literature?’
    Parvaneh, wiping away the tears of laughter rolling down her cheeks, said, ‘My silly girl, I didn’t say you are going to be a doctor, I said you will be the missus of a Mr Doctor.’
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    In those bright and blissful days, there was no need for a rational reason to laugh. I was so happy that I completely forgot the pain in my ankle. After Parvaneh left, I fell back on my pillow and thought to myself, He is worried, he misses me, I am so content. That day, even Ahmad’s shouts as he scolded Mother for Parvaneh’s visit didn’t bother me. I knew Ali, the spy, had given him a full report, but I didn’t care.
    Every morning I woke up and while hopping on one leg I tidied up the room. Then, with one hand on the railing and the other holding Grandmother’s cane, I slowly climbed down the stairs, washed my hands and face and ate breakfast. And again I laboured back up the stairs. Mother relentlessly complained that I was going to catch pneumonia or fall head first down the stairs, but who was listening? I made do with the small paraffin heater. I wouldn’t exchange my privacy for the world and felt so warm inside that I didn’t sense the cold at all.
    Two days later, Parvaneh came to see me again. I heard her at the front door and quickly made my way to the window. Mother greeted her coldly, but Parvaneh ignored her tone and said, ‘I have brought the exams schedule for Massoumeh.’ And then she darted up the stairs, ran in, closed the door behind her and stood leaning against the door, gasping for air. Her face was flushed. I didn’t know whether it was from the cold or from excitement. Without taking my eyes off her, I went back to bed. I didn’t have the nerve to ask any questions.
    Finally, she said, ‘You’re a clever one: lying here in bed and getting wretched me into trouble.’
    â€˜What happened?’
    â€˜Let me catch my breath. I ran like a madman all the way from the pharmacy.’
    â€˜Why? What’s going on? Tell me!’
    â€˜I was walking with Maryam. When we reached the pharmacy, Saiid was standing at the door. He started nodding and gesturing with his head. And you know how sly Maryam is. She said, “Mr Handsome is motioning to you.” I said, “No. What would he want with me?” I ignored him and kept walking. But he ran after us and said, “Excuse me, Miss Ahmadi, would you please come inside for a minute, I need to speak with you.” Your Haji Worrywart was as red as a beet. I was terribly nervous and didn’t know what to do with that nosy Maryam. I said, “Oh yes, I forgot to pick up my father’s medications. Are they ready?” But the idiot just stood there and stared at me. I didn’t wait for him to answer. I quickly apologised to Maryam and told her that I had forgotten about my father’s medications. I said goodbye and told her I would see her in school tomorrow. But little Miss Nosy wasn’t about to give up on such an opportunity. She said she wasn’t in a hurry and would come with me.
    â€˜The more I said it wasn’t necessary the more suspicious she got. Then she said she had forgotten that she, too, had to buy a few things from the pharmacy and walked in with me. Fortunately, Haji Worrywart got wise to the situation. He put a box of medicine and an envelope in a bag, said he had included the prescription and that I should make sure to give it to my father. I quickly stuffed it in my schoolbag. I was afraid Maryam would snatch it from me. I swear, I wouldn’t put it past her. You know what a snoop and a