Cry for Rain by Melineh Petrosian

Author:Melineh Petrosian [Petrosian, Melineh]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: personal memoir, iran, armenian
Publisher: eLectio Publishing
Published: 2018-07-18T00:00:00+00:00

I Think I Can!

THE SHAH’S NEW RULE encourages women to join the military. Eda finds this out through the afternoon newspaper.

“Look at this,” Eda says, pointing at an article.

“What is it, Eda?”

“Here it says all women aged eighteen to thirty-five must sign up for military service.”

“Really, Eda? You get to be a soldier?”

“Yes, Ariana! Can you believe it?” As I stare at my sister, her eyes light up.

“Do you think Papa will let you join the army?”

“Well, here it says if I don’t sign up, there will be mandatory drafting.”

As Eda and I read the newspaper, Papa comes home.

“Hi, Papa!” we both say. I run to shake hands with him.

“Hello, Baless.” He returns my handshake and caresses Eda’s long silky hair. “What are you two girls doing?”

“Papa, have you heard the Shah’s new rule?” Eda asks.

“What rule? Now he comes up with new rules? What good has he done with his old ones that he now has new ones?” Papa murmurs.

“Papa, this is for real. There is a call to duty for women, and signing is mandatory.”

“Ha, there is no such thing! Wishful thinking. Iran is not ready for it.”

“But Papa, listen. All women aged eighteen to thirty-five have to sign up within two months. If not, their signing will be mandatory,” Eda says seriously. “This is not a joke.”

As Eda finishes her sentence, I carry on, “Papa, won’t it be interesting to see Eda in a uniform?”

“No. Eda isn’t going anywhere.”

“Papa, I have to sign up,” Eda insists.

“No, you don’t.”

“But if I don’t, I’ll get in trouble!”

“Baless, this is not going to take place. And don’t worry, in a week or two, they will come up with some kind of excuse and dismiss the rule.”

“You think so, Papa?” I ask.

“Of course, Baless. Now let’s eat something. I’m starving. By the way, where is your mother?”

“She’ll be home soon. She went to visit Auntie Emma,” Eda replies.

Several weeks pass and the news gets even more serious. Eda keeps updated by reading the newspaper every day. Even I am curious to see what will happen.

Soon, an announcement is made that those who haven’t signed up by the end of the month will be prosecuted.

“Mom, I must sign up. I don’t want to get in trouble. Papa keeps saying they will dismiss the rule, but obviously, it isn’t going to happen.”

“Okay then, go and take care of it.”

Eda quickly grabs her documents, along with the address for the military office, and heads out the door.

***

Eda is gone for almost the entire afternoon. When she gets home, I’m working on my latest crossword puzzle.

“Hi,” Eda says, dragging her feet.

“Hi, Eda. You look tired.”

“I’m exhausted. I stood in line for hours.”

Mom walks in from her bedroom. “So, what happened?” she demands.

“Well, since I was late for signing, I have to join the military. For me, it’s mandatory. I must go,” Eda answers.

“Yay, Eda! You’ll get to wear a soldier’s uniform.” Not knowing the details of what’s in store for Eda, I’m happy for her.

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