12-11-2025, 01:13 AM
(This post was last modified: 12-11-2025, 01:35 AM by Demeter. Edited 5 times in total. Edited 5 times in total.)
The next day was Wednesday. They both had to go to work and there wasn't much conversation at breakfast.
During Meena's lunch break Jalal called.
Jalal: "Hi baby, are you OK? No pain?" he laughed.
Meena: "You stupid man, the other way around, a nice feeling down there," she replied.
Jalal: "I'm glad, then he did well, I mean little Jalal."
Meena: "Yes, of course, but he's not that small, I can't complain," Meena laughed again.
Jalal: "He's still half-awake since then and is waiting impatiently to see you again."
Meena: "Are you coming back tomorrow?"
Jalal: "Yes, should I pick you up from work?"
Meena: "What are you planning again?"
Jalal: "First dancing and then come to my place..."
Meena: “You haven't forgotten that I'm a married woman, I hope,"
Jalal: "Do you think Doki has something against it? I don't think so,"
Meena: "Then call him, it's better if you ask him yourself,"
Jalal: "Maybe I'll do that too..."
Meena: "But it's good that you're doing it over the phone, because you never know how he will react, he's moody at the moment,"
Jalal: "Did something happen after I left? Should I be worried?"
Meena: "No... No... You know, I told him nothing about yesterday, and he was a little irritated, that was it."
Jalal: "Did he ask about it?"
Meena: "Yes, but it's my business whether I tell him or not, after all he started it with his stupid initiative..."
Jalal: "But seriously, what do you say to my suggestion?"
Meena: "I say no, Jalal, I'm sorry, but you must not forget that despite everything, I love him more than anything and I won't hurt him seriously,"
Jalal: "But you did yesterday..."
Meena: "Don't make the mistake of thinking that I want to do something behind his back, I am not doing that, Jalal,"
Jalal: "Then why did you sleep with me yesterday when he was gone..."
Meena: "Yes, because I wanted to and I was horny for you, but sorry, more importantly, that was also an emotional revenge,“
Jalal: “Revenge?!”
Meena: “Yes, he should be taught a lesson, but now unfortunately work is waiting and I have to stop,"
Jalal: "When will we see each other?"
Meena: "Call me Jalal, this evening,"
Jalal: "Yes, I will and don't forget that I'm leaving soon,"
Meena: "No, I won't forget that, bye, see you in the evening,"
Jalal: "Yes, of course, where?"
Meena: "Oh, I mean hear you…, but seeing next, for sure,"
* * *
In the evening Nadir came home a little later. Meena was preparing dinner.
He went straight to her and hugged her from behind in the kitchen while she was cooking and kissed her on the side of the cheek.
Meena just said, "Hello, be careful, I'm at work."
"How was it?" he asked.
"How was what?" Menena wasn't sure what he meant.
"Today I mean, work, lots to do?" Nadir spoke.
"Yes, of course, as always." she answered.
"Can we talk after dinner?" Nadir asked.
"Yes, of course, I also need to know where you stand and what's going to happen to us in the next few days," Meena replied.
She sounded a little serious.
Nadir noticed that she was still irritated, and he should be careful how far he goes.
After dinner, as they were sitting in the kitchen before getting up and cleaning up the dishes,
Nadir suddenly said: "I am sorry for yesterday, it was my fault. I should have talked to you first. But Jalal didn't give me any time. He was suddenly there, and I had to decide."
“Nadir, please, go and sit in the living room, I'll be right there, and we'll talk further." Meena got up.
After some minutes, he was looking at some magazines as Meena entered and sat down face to face.
Meena started, "First of all, I accept your apology, as always, what else can I do, you are reckless and you know it very well … but I still love you and listen Nadir, I won't trade you for anyone or anything … you are the content of my life, maybe a stupid content, but still the content of my life.
Secondly, I don't want to talk about yesterday anymore. You left me alone even though you knew exactly what would happen then..." She paused briefly.
"I just wanted to know if…" Nadir took advantage of her short pause.
Meena interrupted him, "Yes, we had sex, what else did you expect, are we going to sit and play chess when you leave and and even more, make it known?"
"And you especifically told me to tell him that you were leaving the house, you also disarmed me and offered him your wife in golden plates and said, 'Yes, Jalal, come take her and do what you want with her…' I am still very angry Nadir. Nevertheless, I accept your apology…
But you have to understand that you have done something incredibly stupid and stop with your endless self-love and your search for your personal inclinations and harm and hurt others, in this case directly your own wife who you claim to love more than anything..."
She paused for a moment and took a breath.
Nadir said nothing but just looked at the floor and then into her eyes.
Meena continued, "Okay. You say nothing. You have no excuse for why you did it and I am right… if you expect me to start telling you today and now how and what and how often something happened, you are wrong.. I am not going to sit here and describe to you everything how and when and why. I had sex with him. That was it, I slept with him like you wanted and planned and that's it..."
"Is there anything else?" she asked.
Nadir just shook his head as a sign of no. He wanted to say something but before that, his cell phone rang.
He got it, looked at the screen and said, "Aha…" then answered.
Nadir: " Hi Mitra, how are you?"
‘---‘
Nadir: "Thank you, Meena is also okay, and you?"
‘---‘‘
Nadir: "Yes, sure, I hope we'll see each other very soon."
‘---‘
Nadir: "Can I call you tomorrow? We'll plan something, is during the week good?"
‘---‘
Nadir: "Yes, some day in the evening, until tomorrow then, have a nice evening."
‘---‘
Nadir: "She sends her regards too, bye Mitra, and thank you for thinking of me."
And then he hung up.
He smiled and was clearly happy.
He said, "It was Mitra, I'm glad. Can we meet her on Monday or Tuesday evening?"
Meena said, "Surely we have still no plan to go out next week,"
"Can you please make a reservation at the Italian restaurant main street? Then I can call her tomorrow and inform her," Nadir said.
“I could tell Jalal too, he knows a very good Italian restaurant where we went together, of course, if that doesn't bother you..." Meena said and smiled.
Nadir looked uncertain at first but then said, "no, I don't mind, if you want, sure we can and added, "as long as he holds the red line..."
"What a line Nadir, you gave him the ticket to fuck your wife and now you're talking about a red line? Do you feel good? I don't understand you Nadir, I am sorry..." Meena's face was now rather blushed and she was a little agitated again and sounded angry.
“I mean…" Nadir tried to correct his statement and begin a rescue attempt.
"I don't care Nadir what you in this regard mean Nadir. You don’t understand or care how fragile other people's emotions are and how sensitive this topic is and you don’t change your manner, no matter what happens and what we talk. You are not in your operating room where you are God, and everyone dances to your music and you decide about life and death. Open your eyes Nadir, stay on the ground and in real life and agree with the others, at least every now and then. I really have had enough regarding this topic..."
“I won't take him with me to that dinner with Mitra, but my activities from now on, and what I do or don't with him is my business and I decide that. Done," then she got up and continued, "now tell me what your decision is for the weekend, I mean ranch visit. He will asked about because he has to make preparations, yes or no?" She asked.
"We can go on Saturday morning, but I want to go back in the evening. I don't want to spend the night there. You can stay with him if you want, it doesn't bother me…" Nadir said as he leafed through the magazines on the table, irritated and with slightly shaking voice.
"Okay, thanks for your offer. I will decide what I'm going to do, do you have to work then on the weekend?" Meena asked.
"No, I have the whole weekend including the holiday, Monday, off. But I don't want to stay at his ranch or spend the nights there," Nadir stated.
"Thank you. I'll tell him, like I said maybe I'll stay there for the rest of the weekend. It will surely be nice and exciting," she said and moved towards stairs.
“Yes for sure exciting…" Nadir murmured.
Meena heard his comment but said nothing and climbed the stairs…
Nadir’s Naration:
Thursday was not a day of major changes either.
We were still a little reserved and irritated by the discussion the day before.
I knew and sensed that Meena was very upset about my comments and decision regarding the weekend.
Meena: "We will come on Saturday morning, but unfortunately we have to return in the evening, Nadir has no time."
Jalal: "Too bad. Can't you stay longer, Meena? You know you would make me very happy."
Meena: "Yes, but I think you already know that I won't stay without him, but thank you."
Jalal: "and next week?"
Meena: "I can't say anything yet, maybe on Wednesday. Nadir is busy at work then but I have the afternoon free."
Jalal: "Yes, great, we can go dancing first..."
Meena: "No... No dancing, listen Jalal, I just want to go for a coffee and chat, no other plans please."
Jalal: "Okay, okay, but before I travel and leave the country forever, I want to go dancing with you one more time..."
Meena: "I don't mind but only I go if Nadir is also there."
Jalal: "Okay, whatever you want, if it has to be, I'll accept that too,"
Meena: "Okay, then until Saturday for now, please send me the exact address of the ranch."
The atmosphere between us was still cloudy until we met Mitra on Friday.
She seemed even prettier to me. Compared to Meena, she was not taller but slimmer and more playfully...
Meena was and is always rather shy and reserved, when she met somebody for first time, no matter if male or female.
But after an hour they became very close to each other. They talked about everything and Meena was much happier. I was happy that I had suggested that day for meeting.
Mitra talked about my suffering days at the coast and our drunken state afterwards in the evening.
As a final sentence about it, she said, "Thank God that I am not interested in men at the moment, otherwise, I would be a rival for you, Meena. I like your husband very much but only as a friend. And now that I have met you, I know why he loves you so much. You two are an ideal couple."
I guessed she noticed that there was a cold atmosphere between me and Meena at the moment. When they exchanged phone numbers as we said goodbye, I was sure that soon they would talk about our relationship and Mitra, being the person she is, would definitely try to get us back together, no matter what the cause of the problem is.
* * *
As we were on our way home, I had the impression that our meeting with Mitra had done us both a lot of good.
In the car, we both apologized each other for behaving a bit selfishly.
I asked her opinion about Mitra and Meena spoke very enthusiastically and positively about her.
She even suggested that we take Mitra to the ranch tomorrow.
I replied, "Yes, I agree, then if you stay there overnight, I could drive back with her," and looked at her and smiled.
Meena gave me a light slap on the upper arm and said, "Did you really think I would stay there without you?"
"Yes, you said you would decide about it later, and you will not take into account what I mean, am I right?" I asked, smiling.
"Don't talk nonsense, you know me, Nadir," she replied and added, "Besides, I'm not letting you drive home alone with such a pretty woman like Mitra, wrong plan! Sorry," and giggled.
Then Meena called Jalal in the car and said that we would probably take a guest with us and asked if he was okay with that. Without hesitation he said yes and then she contacted Mitra by phone, she apparently hadn't planned for the next day and said that she would be happy to come along.
When we got home, it was very late and since we had to get up early the next morning, we went straight to bed.
* * *
It wasn't even 8 o'clock in the morning when Mitra showed up at our door.
I brought her in and then quickly went to our nearby bakery and got some fresh bread for breakfast.
By the time I got back, Meena had prepared the breakfast table outside in the garden by the swimming pond.
An hour later we were on our way. And it was about ten o'clock before noon when we arrived at Jalal's Rach…
Meena’s Narration:
Tahir had two very beautiful and well-behaved dogs with him, who did not move apart from his side. They were both large male dogs, grey-haired, about 60-70 cm tall.
Meena and Mitra were fascinated from them. Mitra asked about their breed.
Jalal said, “These two guys are his nearest family.”
Tahir smiled and added, "They are Weimaraner breed. This is Thunder, he is slightly larger, very strong and fast, Thunder say hi to ladies.”
Thunder took a step towards them and sat down again.
Tahir said to Meena and Mitra, “don't be afraid, just show him your hands.”
Thunder came forward and lifted his right front paw and shook hands first with Meena and then with Mitra! Then he went back.
Tahir said, “and this guy is Sherlock. Sherlock is very curious and very intelligent. Sherlock say hi to beautiful ladies,” Sherlock did the same.
Meena asked, “They are Hunting dogs, right?”
"Yes, they are from hunting breed," Tahir replies.
"But Tahir is not a hunter, he hates hunting, he never went hunting with us, with me and Farzan, not even when he was young, and we went hunting with our fathers. He is against killing wild animals." Jalal said.
"The animals are never wild, they are natural as nature intended, we humans are wild because we kill animals just for fun," Tahir said.
Jalal continued, "A large field with forest on his property is reserved for wild animals. When they are sick or injured, they are brought to him, to his forest, and they can live happily, there. He has even a special vet to check on them. He's a nature lover, isn't he?"
Meena was looking at Tahir with some moisture in her eyes, with a mixture of fascination and empathy.
Mitra said, "It's admirable."
"But I don't do it to be admired, I really feel a kinship with them, and I think I'm responsible, otherwise I'd have a bad feeling."
After some clinking glasses and a short chat, the group toured the huge ranch, the stables, and the fruit and wine fields in two jeeps for about two hour and were back in front of the house shortly after 2pm.
Over lunch, that had been prepared in their absence on the long table, Jalal told them that he has sold everything, and the ranch now belongs largely to Tahir, and he will probably leave much earlier than planned. His son will join him in a few weeks.
While talking, he often looked in Meena's direction for a long times and said, "Our new house is in New Jersey and if any one of you ever visits us, you are welcome," and added, "I am of the opinion that if somebody is not happy with the situation, must fly on, like a bird, and look for new nest, perhaps happiness awaits him somewhere else..."
The last sentences were addressed directly to Meena and probably only Nadir and Mitra noticed this.
All afternoon, Jalal tried to approach Meena and perhaps have a quick chat with her alone, but to no avail.
Meena hardly left Nadir's side the whole time.
She often held her husband's hand demonstratively, like young lovers.
The lawyer, Farzan was more in conversation with Mitra, who is also a lawyer, and they often talked about outdated and even uncivilized laws in the country which were newly enforced.
Jalal has often talked about his plans in USA and his new company there.
Meena asked if he was planning to have a ranch there too and he smiled and replied, "If not a ranch, then definitely a big garden, I can't live without flowers and plants, they will remain my companion if I don't have an ideal woman by
my side," and added, "they will remind me of my roses here and the beautiful memories of my house and garden, here in the homeland!"
Tahir often talked about the childhood of the three musketeers and what a happy time they had together.
Farzan, the lawyer friend of the two, was also very talkative about their youth.
He said that Tahir was always the initiator when it came to doing bad things and always provoked the two good boys. He was the middle one who always mediated and calmed everything down and Jalal was the very well behaved one.
Meena listened with interest and often looked in Jalal's direction with a smile.
Once she said, "Then he hasn't developed so optimally and always well," then laughed and winked at him.
Jalal laughed too and said, "I'm not as bad as you think, I just look like that, life hasn't given me much of a chance to show my good side," and added, "I was always too late to get together with the good guys, when I reached them, the good and pretty ones were already taken, and I had to spend my life with these two ugly guys and especially that dirty lumberjack."
And pointed with his head towards Tahir.
"You can't drag my name through the mud in front of good and pretty people, now that you are disappearing. Maybe I'd like to get together with good and pretty people sometime..." looking winked towards Meena and Mitra, and laughed.
His girlfriend, Sara looked at him angrily and said, "this woodcutter is not allowed to drink more wine," and hit his arm with the back of her hand.
Mitra seemed as if she was having a lot of fun, laughed and was very happy and once even tried to ride a small pony. The time passed very quickly, and it was soon evening and Nadir said that unfortunately they had to leave.
One might notice that the three became very close to everyone there and even kissed others goodbye.
During the trip home, Mitra talked about her life and what she does and how she is very carefree and happy now that she lives alone. She said that life is much simpler and easier than the people imagine.
Her last comment that evening was, nobody should be so hard on himself and on others, because the life is shorter than you think…
Meena’s Narration:
On Sunday afternoon Jalal got in touch again and spoke to Meena on the phone.
Jalal: "Good day lady, did you sleep well?"
Meena: "Hello Jalal, yes, thank you. Are your guests gone?"
Jalal: "No, everyone is still here. Only Tahir and Sara went to his place overnight. But they only live 5 minutes away and are coming back for dinner. Farzan is leaving tomorrow."
Meena: "It was lovely yesterday with you and others, Jalal. We really enjoyed ourselves, thank you again."
Jalal: "And Mitra?"
Meena: "She also had a lot of fun and said thank you."
Jalal: "Meena, will we see each other on Wednesday? I'll be away for a week starting Thursday and the following week I'll be here for three days and then it's off. There's been a change regarding my residence permit and green card and I have to rush to the embassy of my destination country in a neighbouring country as soon as possible."
Meena: "That means..."
Jalal: "That means we have just some days left for us."
Meena: "JalaI as I said we can meet on Wednesday after my shift for a coffee."
Jalal: "When I get back, before I leave forever, let's go out for dinner and dance. I know what your answer is, I mean with Doki. I just want to dance with you, to hug you, to feel you… can I just do it one more time?"
During Meena's lunch break Jalal called.
Jalal: "Hi baby, are you OK? No pain?" he laughed.
Meena: "You stupid man, the other way around, a nice feeling down there," she replied.
Jalal: "I'm glad, then he did well, I mean little Jalal."
Meena: "Yes, of course, but he's not that small, I can't complain," Meena laughed again.
Jalal: "He's still half-awake since then and is waiting impatiently to see you again."
Meena: "Are you coming back tomorrow?"
Jalal: "Yes, should I pick you up from work?"
Meena: "What are you planning again?"
Jalal: "First dancing and then come to my place..."
Meena: “You haven't forgotten that I'm a married woman, I hope,"
Jalal: "Do you think Doki has something against it? I don't think so,"
Meena: "Then call him, it's better if you ask him yourself,"
Jalal: "Maybe I'll do that too..."
Meena: "But it's good that you're doing it over the phone, because you never know how he will react, he's moody at the moment,"
Jalal: "Did something happen after I left? Should I be worried?"
Meena: "No... No... You know, I told him nothing about yesterday, and he was a little irritated, that was it."
Jalal: "Did he ask about it?"
Meena: "Yes, but it's my business whether I tell him or not, after all he started it with his stupid initiative..."
Jalal: "But seriously, what do you say to my suggestion?"
Meena: "I say no, Jalal, I'm sorry, but you must not forget that despite everything, I love him more than anything and I won't hurt him seriously,"
Jalal: "But you did yesterday..."
Meena: "Don't make the mistake of thinking that I want to do something behind his back, I am not doing that, Jalal,"
Jalal: "Then why did you sleep with me yesterday when he was gone..."
Meena: "Yes, because I wanted to and I was horny for you, but sorry, more importantly, that was also an emotional revenge,“
Jalal: “Revenge?!”
Meena: “Yes, he should be taught a lesson, but now unfortunately work is waiting and I have to stop,"
Jalal: "When will we see each other?"
Meena: "Call me Jalal, this evening,"
Jalal: "Yes, I will and don't forget that I'm leaving soon,"
Meena: "No, I won't forget that, bye, see you in the evening,"
Jalal: "Yes, of course, where?"
Meena: "Oh, I mean hear you…, but seeing next, for sure,"
* * *
In the evening Nadir came home a little later. Meena was preparing dinner.
He went straight to her and hugged her from behind in the kitchen while she was cooking and kissed her on the side of the cheek.
Meena just said, "Hello, be careful, I'm at work."
"How was it?" he asked.
"How was what?" Menena wasn't sure what he meant.
"Today I mean, work, lots to do?" Nadir spoke.
"Yes, of course, as always." she answered.
"Can we talk after dinner?" Nadir asked.
"Yes, of course, I also need to know where you stand and what's going to happen to us in the next few days," Meena replied.
She sounded a little serious.
Nadir noticed that she was still irritated, and he should be careful how far he goes.
After dinner, as they were sitting in the kitchen before getting up and cleaning up the dishes,
Nadir suddenly said: "I am sorry for yesterday, it was my fault. I should have talked to you first. But Jalal didn't give me any time. He was suddenly there, and I had to decide."
“Nadir, please, go and sit in the living room, I'll be right there, and we'll talk further." Meena got up.
After some minutes, he was looking at some magazines as Meena entered and sat down face to face.
Meena started, "First of all, I accept your apology, as always, what else can I do, you are reckless and you know it very well … but I still love you and listen Nadir, I won't trade you for anyone or anything … you are the content of my life, maybe a stupid content, but still the content of my life.
Secondly, I don't want to talk about yesterday anymore. You left me alone even though you knew exactly what would happen then..." She paused briefly.
"I just wanted to know if…" Nadir took advantage of her short pause.
Meena interrupted him, "Yes, we had sex, what else did you expect, are we going to sit and play chess when you leave and and even more, make it known?"
"And you especifically told me to tell him that you were leaving the house, you also disarmed me and offered him your wife in golden plates and said, 'Yes, Jalal, come take her and do what you want with her…' I am still very angry Nadir. Nevertheless, I accept your apology…
But you have to understand that you have done something incredibly stupid and stop with your endless self-love and your search for your personal inclinations and harm and hurt others, in this case directly your own wife who you claim to love more than anything..."
She paused for a moment and took a breath.
Nadir said nothing but just looked at the floor and then into her eyes.
Meena continued, "Okay. You say nothing. You have no excuse for why you did it and I am right… if you expect me to start telling you today and now how and what and how often something happened, you are wrong.. I am not going to sit here and describe to you everything how and when and why. I had sex with him. That was it, I slept with him like you wanted and planned and that's it..."
"Is there anything else?" she asked.
Nadir just shook his head as a sign of no. He wanted to say something but before that, his cell phone rang.
He got it, looked at the screen and said, "Aha…" then answered.
Nadir: " Hi Mitra, how are you?"
‘---‘
Nadir: "Thank you, Meena is also okay, and you?"
‘---‘‘
Nadir: "Yes, sure, I hope we'll see each other very soon."
‘---‘
Nadir: "Can I call you tomorrow? We'll plan something, is during the week good?"
‘---‘
Nadir: "Yes, some day in the evening, until tomorrow then, have a nice evening."
‘---‘
Nadir: "She sends her regards too, bye Mitra, and thank you for thinking of me."
And then he hung up.
He smiled and was clearly happy.
He said, "It was Mitra, I'm glad. Can we meet her on Monday or Tuesday evening?"
Meena said, "Surely we have still no plan to go out next week,"
"Can you please make a reservation at the Italian restaurant main street? Then I can call her tomorrow and inform her," Nadir said.
“I could tell Jalal too, he knows a very good Italian restaurant where we went together, of course, if that doesn't bother you..." Meena said and smiled.
Nadir looked uncertain at first but then said, "no, I don't mind, if you want, sure we can and added, "as long as he holds the red line..."
"What a line Nadir, you gave him the ticket to fuck your wife and now you're talking about a red line? Do you feel good? I don't understand you Nadir, I am sorry..." Meena's face was now rather blushed and she was a little agitated again and sounded angry.
“I mean…" Nadir tried to correct his statement and begin a rescue attempt.
"I don't care Nadir what you in this regard mean Nadir. You don’t understand or care how fragile other people's emotions are and how sensitive this topic is and you don’t change your manner, no matter what happens and what we talk. You are not in your operating room where you are God, and everyone dances to your music and you decide about life and death. Open your eyes Nadir, stay on the ground and in real life and agree with the others, at least every now and then. I really have had enough regarding this topic..."
“I won't take him with me to that dinner with Mitra, but my activities from now on, and what I do or don't with him is my business and I decide that. Done," then she got up and continued, "now tell me what your decision is for the weekend, I mean ranch visit. He will asked about because he has to make preparations, yes or no?" She asked.
"We can go on Saturday morning, but I want to go back in the evening. I don't want to spend the night there. You can stay with him if you want, it doesn't bother me…" Nadir said as he leafed through the magazines on the table, irritated and with slightly shaking voice.
"Okay, thanks for your offer. I will decide what I'm going to do, do you have to work then on the weekend?" Meena asked.
"No, I have the whole weekend including the holiday, Monday, off. But I don't want to stay at his ranch or spend the nights there," Nadir stated.
"Thank you. I'll tell him, like I said maybe I'll stay there for the rest of the weekend. It will surely be nice and exciting," she said and moved towards stairs.
“Yes for sure exciting…" Nadir murmured.
Meena heard his comment but said nothing and climbed the stairs…
◊ ◊ ◊
Nadir’s Naration:
Thursday was not a day of major changes either.
We were still a little reserved and irritated by the discussion the day before.
I knew and sensed that Meena was very upset about my comments and decision regarding the weekend.
During dinner I suggested to meet Mitra on next day, Friday as we both had time.
Meena accepted.
After dinner, I called Mitra. I suggested to meet on Friday evening, if she has time, and she said yes.
Meena looked for a suitable restaurant, found it and made a reservation.
I had to prepare some things for my teaching in the university next day, then I went into my study while she was watching TV…
Meena accepted.
After dinner, I called Mitra. I suggested to meet on Friday evening, if she has time, and she said yes.
Meena looked for a suitable restaurant, found it and made a reservation.
I had to prepare some things for my teaching in the university next day, then I went into my study while she was watching TV…
◊ ◊ ◊
Meena called Jalal after Nadir left for his study.
Meena: "We will come on Saturday morning, but unfortunately we have to return in the evening, Nadir has no time."
Jalal: "Too bad. Can't you stay longer, Meena? You know you would make me very happy."
Meena: "Yes, but I think you already know that I won't stay without him, but thank you."
Jalal: "and next week?"
Meena: "I can't say anything yet, maybe on Wednesday. Nadir is busy at work then but I have the afternoon free."
Jalal: "Yes, great, we can go dancing first..."
Meena: "No... No dancing, listen Jalal, I just want to go for a coffee and chat, no other plans please."
Jalal: "Okay, okay, but before I travel and leave the country forever, I want to go dancing with you one more time..."
Meena: "I don't mind but only I go if Nadir is also there."
Jalal: "Okay, whatever you want, if it has to be, I'll accept that too,"
Meena: "Okay, then until Saturday for now, please send me the exact address of the ranch."
◊ ◊ ◊
Nadir’s Narration:
The atmosphere between us was still cloudy until we met Mitra on Friday.
She seemed even prettier to me. Compared to Meena, she was not taller but slimmer and more playfully...
Meena was and is always rather shy and reserved, when she met somebody for first time, no matter if male or female.
But after an hour they became very close to each other. They talked about everything and Meena was much happier. I was happy that I had suggested that day for meeting.
Mitra talked about my suffering days at the coast and our drunken state afterwards in the evening.
As a final sentence about it, she said, "Thank God that I am not interested in men at the moment, otherwise, I would be a rival for you, Meena. I like your husband very much but only as a friend. And now that I have met you, I know why he loves you so much. You two are an ideal couple."
I guessed she noticed that there was a cold atmosphere between me and Meena at the moment. When they exchanged phone numbers as we said goodbye, I was sure that soon they would talk about our relationship and Mitra, being the person she is, would definitely try to get us back together, no matter what the cause of the problem is.
* * *
As we were on our way home, I had the impression that our meeting with Mitra had done us both a lot of good.
In the car, we both apologized each other for behaving a bit selfishly.
I asked her opinion about Mitra and Meena spoke very enthusiastically and positively about her.
She even suggested that we take Mitra to the ranch tomorrow.
I replied, "Yes, I agree, then if you stay there overnight, I could drive back with her," and looked at her and smiled.
Meena gave me a light slap on the upper arm and said, "Did you really think I would stay there without you?"
"Yes, you said you would decide about it later, and you will not take into account what I mean, am I right?" I asked, smiling.
"Don't talk nonsense, you know me, Nadir," she replied and added, "Besides, I'm not letting you drive home alone with such a pretty woman like Mitra, wrong plan! Sorry," and giggled.
Then Meena called Jalal in the car and said that we would probably take a guest with us and asked if he was okay with that. Without hesitation he said yes and then she contacted Mitra by phone, she apparently hadn't planned for the next day and said that she would be happy to come along.
When we got home, it was very late and since we had to get up early the next morning, we went straight to bed.
* * *
It wasn't even 8 o'clock in the morning when Mitra showed up at our door.
I brought her in and then quickly went to our nearby bakery and got some fresh bread for breakfast.
By the time I got back, Meena had prepared the breakfast table outside in the garden by the swimming pond.
An hour later we were on our way. And it was about ten o'clock before noon when we arrived at Jalal's Rach…
◊ ◊ ◊
Meena’s Narration:
There was a lot more going on than they expected.
In front of the large, rather colonial-style ranch house, a few people were standing around a large and long table with champagne glasses in their hands.
Jalal welcomed them and kissed Meena on the cheek and shook hands with Mitra and Nadir.
In front of the large, rather colonial-style ranch house, a few people were standing around a large and long table with champagne glasses in their hands.
Jalal welcomed them and kissed Meena on the cheek and shook hands with Mitra and Nadir.
“Hi Doki, everything is OK," he said and laughed.
"A very nice house, you have," Nadir spoke.
Jalal replied, "Wait until you see Tahir's mine looks like a bungalow opposite his," and laughed.
Then he introduced the others.
There was a young and shy guy, his son Cyrus, He was as tall as his father, only slimmer and more delicate, with slightly long hair, and he only had a glass of orange juice in his hand. Jalal’s friend, Tahir, whom Meena met in Jalal’s house already, and Tahir’s girlfriend, Sara.
Tahir was a somewhat corpulent, funny guy with a beard and brown-reddish hair. He was maybe a little taller than Nadir, but definitely heavier. Tahir seemed to be in mid-fiftees.
Sara, his girlfriend, was an elegant woman in mid-forties, with too much make-up and with very revealing cleavage.
In addition to the three ranch wait staff, there was one more person. A man in his mid to late fifties with greying hair, a sportive-elegant, good-looking man who seemed very polite and kissed the ladies' hands when introducing themselves.
Jalal introduced him as his and Tahir's childhood friend, Farzan, and now long-time lawyer of both.
Sara and Farzan both lived in the city. He owned a well-known law firm, and she worked in a ministry as an office manager. Apparently, Tahir did not want to share his life with a woman and never had a steady partner. According to Sara, the two had been together for 3 years.
There was a young and shy guy, his son Cyrus, He was as tall as his father, only slimmer and more delicate, with slightly long hair, and he only had a glass of orange juice in his hand. Jalal’s friend, Tahir, whom Meena met in Jalal’s house already, and Tahir’s girlfriend, Sara.
Tahir was a somewhat corpulent, funny guy with a beard and brown-reddish hair. He was maybe a little taller than Nadir, but definitely heavier. Tahir seemed to be in mid-fiftees.
Sara, his girlfriend, was an elegant woman in mid-forties, with too much make-up and with very revealing cleavage.
In addition to the three ranch wait staff, there was one more person. A man in his mid to late fifties with greying hair, a sportive-elegant, good-looking man who seemed very polite and kissed the ladies' hands when introducing themselves.
Jalal introduced him as his and Tahir's childhood friend, Farzan, and now long-time lawyer of both.
Sara and Farzan both lived in the city. He owned a well-known law firm, and she worked in a ministry as an office manager. Apparently, Tahir did not want to share his life with a woman and never had a steady partner. According to Sara, the two had been together for 3 years.
As they shook hands, Tahir said to Nadir with a laugh, "Young happy man, Doki, I would also have enjoyed having been accompanied by two beautiful angels, this poor Jalal doesn't even have one!"
Tahir had two very beautiful and well-behaved dogs with him, who did not move apart from his side. They were both large male dogs, grey-haired, about 60-70 cm tall.
Meena and Mitra were fascinated from them. Mitra asked about their breed.
Jalal said, “These two guys are his nearest family.”
Tahir smiled and added, "They are Weimaraner breed. This is Thunder, he is slightly larger, very strong and fast, Thunder say hi to ladies.”
Thunder took a step towards them and sat down again.
Tahir said to Meena and Mitra, “don't be afraid, just show him your hands.”
Thunder came forward and lifted his right front paw and shook hands first with Meena and then with Mitra! Then he went back.
Tahir said, “and this guy is Sherlock. Sherlock is very curious and very intelligent. Sherlock say hi to beautiful ladies,” Sherlock did the same.
Meena asked, “They are Hunting dogs, right?”
"Yes, they are from hunting breed," Tahir replies.
"But Tahir is not a hunter, he hates hunting, he never went hunting with us, with me and Farzan, not even when he was young, and we went hunting with our fathers. He is against killing wild animals." Jalal said.
"The animals are never wild, they are natural as nature intended, we humans are wild because we kill animals just for fun," Tahir said.
Jalal continued, "A large field with forest on his property is reserved for wild animals. When they are sick or injured, they are brought to him, to his forest, and they can live happily, there. He has even a special vet to check on them. He's a nature lover, isn't he?"
Meena was looking at Tahir with some moisture in her eyes, with a mixture of fascination and empathy.
Mitra said, "It's admirable."
"But I don't do it to be admired, I really feel a kinship with them, and I think I'm responsible, otherwise I'd have a bad feeling."
After some clinking glasses and a short chat, the group toured the huge ranch, the stables, and the fruit and wine fields in two jeeps for about two hour and were back in front of the house shortly after 2pm.
Over lunch, that had been prepared in their absence on the long table, Jalal told them that he has sold everything, and the ranch now belongs largely to Tahir, and he will probably leave much earlier than planned. His son will join him in a few weeks.
While talking, he often looked in Meena's direction for a long times and said, "Our new house is in New Jersey and if any one of you ever visits us, you are welcome," and added, "I am of the opinion that if somebody is not happy with the situation, must fly on, like a bird, and look for new nest, perhaps happiness awaits him somewhere else..."
The last sentences were addressed directly to Meena and probably only Nadir and Mitra noticed this.
All afternoon, Jalal tried to approach Meena and perhaps have a quick chat with her alone, but to no avail.
Meena hardly left Nadir's side the whole time.
She often held her husband's hand demonstratively, like young lovers.
The lawyer, Farzan was more in conversation with Mitra, who is also a lawyer, and they often talked about outdated and even uncivilized laws in the country which were newly enforced.
Jalal has often talked about his plans in USA and his new company there.
Meena asked if he was planning to have a ranch there too and he smiled and replied, "If not a ranch, then definitely a big garden, I can't live without flowers and plants, they will remain my companion if I don't have an ideal woman by
my side," and added, "they will remind me of my roses here and the beautiful memories of my house and garden, here in the homeland!"
Tahir often talked about the childhood of the three musketeers and what a happy time they had together.
Farzan, the lawyer friend of the two, was also very talkative about their youth.
He said that Tahir was always the initiator when it came to doing bad things and always provoked the two good boys. He was the middle one who always mediated and calmed everything down and Jalal was the very well behaved one.
Meena listened with interest and often looked in Jalal's direction with a smile.
Once she said, "Then he hasn't developed so optimally and always well," then laughed and winked at him.
Jalal laughed too and said, "I'm not as bad as you think, I just look like that, life hasn't given me much of a chance to show my good side," and added, "I was always too late to get together with the good guys, when I reached them, the good and pretty ones were already taken, and I had to spend my life with these two ugly guys and especially that dirty lumberjack."
And pointed with his head towards Tahir.
"You can't drag my name through the mud in front of good and pretty people, now that you are disappearing. Maybe I'd like to get together with good and pretty people sometime..." looking winked towards Meena and Mitra, and laughed.
His girlfriend, Sara looked at him angrily and said, "this woodcutter is not allowed to drink more wine," and hit his arm with the back of her hand.
Mitra seemed as if she was having a lot of fun, laughed and was very happy and once even tried to ride a small pony. The time passed very quickly, and it was soon evening and Nadir said that unfortunately they had to leave.
One might notice that the three became very close to everyone there and even kissed others goodbye.
During the trip home, Mitra talked about her life and what she does and how she is very carefree and happy now that she lives alone. She said that life is much simpler and easier than the people imagine.
Her last comment that evening was, nobody should be so hard on himself and on others, because the life is shorter than you think…
◊ ◊ ◊
Meena’s Narration:
On Sunday afternoon Jalal got in touch again and spoke to Meena on the phone.
Jalal: "Good day lady, did you sleep well?"
Meena: "Hello Jalal, yes, thank you. Are your guests gone?"
Jalal: "No, everyone is still here. Only Tahir and Sara went to his place overnight. But they only live 5 minutes away and are coming back for dinner. Farzan is leaving tomorrow."
Meena: "It was lovely yesterday with you and others, Jalal. We really enjoyed ourselves, thank you again."
Jalal: "And Mitra?"
Meena: "She also had a lot of fun and said thank you."
Jalal: "Meena, will we see each other on Wednesday? I'll be away for a week starting Thursday and the following week I'll be here for three days and then it's off. There's been a change regarding my residence permit and green card and I have to rush to the embassy of my destination country in a neighbouring country as soon as possible."
Meena: "That means..."
Jalal: "That means we have just some days left for us."
Meena: "JalaI as I said we can meet on Wednesday after my shift for a coffee."
Jalal: "When I get back, before I leave forever, let's go out for dinner and dance. I know what your answer is, I mean with Doki. I just want to dance with you, to hug you, to feel you… can I just do it one more time?"
Meena: "Yes, I think we can do it, I talk with Nadir about…”
◊ ◊ ◊
Smell it, but don't tear it off
Demeter
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-- tbc --
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