Forbidden by Destiny by Negeen Papehn

Author:Negeen Papehn [Papehn, Negeen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-949090-21-5
Publisher: City Owl Press

Maman and Baba are sitting on the edge of the couch, eyes fixed on the television when I walk in.

“Hi,” I say.

“Shh!” Maman demands, raising a hand in my direction.

Baba is running his fingers thoughtfully through his beard, a perplexed look on his face as if he’s trying to solve some sort of riddle. My attention is drawn to the newscaster. She’s a thin, blonde, blue-eyed goddess in her designer suit. The powder blue blazer accents the ocean-like tone of her eyes. The epitome of what I wished I looked like as a little foreign girl in my dominantly Caucasian elementary school.

She’s sitting forward in her chair, eyes slightly crinkled, showing concern for the material she’s reading off of the teleprompter. I catch the tail end of her report, not quite sure what the hoopla is all about.

“Leyla, you need to be careful when you go out at night,” Maman suddenly says.

“Why?” I ask. “What’s going on?”

“There’s some crazy man after young women,” Baba explains.

“There’s always some lunatic on the loose,” I reply, making light of the situation.

“I know. But you can never be too careful. You’re a young woman, which makes you a target. This guy,” he says pointing to the mugshot on the screen, “is believed to have kidnapped two girls who are still missing. God knows what he’s done to them.” He shakes his head in despair. “This country isn’t like Iran. We never worried about these sorts of things while we grew up.”

“You mean to say there were no crazy people in Iran?” I laugh.

He smiles. “There may have been, but we never heard about it. Fathers and brothers would bring their own justice to anyone who tried to harm their women. It was like a code of conduct of sorts. A different breed of men. Not like these boys here.”

“Just make sure you’re not alone and you aren’t going into any dark alleys, okay?” Maman says.

“I never go into dark alleys. Who does that?” I tease.

“You know what I mean,” Maman answers, laughing. “I feel much better knowing Arash is there to protect you now. I’m glad you guys are getting serious.” She always appears as giddy as a schoolgirl when she talks about him.

Serious? It’s been three dates. She acts like I’m wearing an engagement ring already!

Before I have a chance to correct Maman on her misguided interpretation of my relationship, Raha bursts through the front door. Her energy is high and dramatic, as usual. Always a grand entrance and exit for that one.

“Leyla, what did you do? I hope it’s good,” she says, winking at me.

I shake my head at her in disbelief. Why does she always assume I’ve done something? I’m about to shove her when Baba speaks up.

“We’re just telling your sister that you guys should always be careful when you’re out at night. You never know what kind of ashghal, trash, is around. We want you to always be safe.”

“Actually, Maman was telling me that she’s so happy that I have Arash now to protect me since we are serious.

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