“Bardou”
Bardou, aren’t you sleeping?
No.
Why?
I had a dream.
Good Lord! What were you dreaming of?
Bad dreams should not be told.
If you tell a bad dream it won’t come true, son. Say it.
Mother, I am really worried about you.
I’m alright son. Don’t worry.
Mother!
Yes dear?
Never mind.
Bardou! Son, what’s wrong with you? Bardou?
Bardou has grown up. He worries about me.
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Get offboys!
Hamid! You seem sad. Is something wrong?
No Captain. I’m a bit under the weather, it’s nothing important.
Are you sure?
Yes sir.
Pay attention to everything. Don’t fall asleep.
Yes sir.
Let’s go. Goodbye.
Bardou! Bardou!
What’s the matter?Keep your head up. Put it up. Open your mouth.Nabi! Wake up! Fetch the sprays.Breathe! Yes, breathe!I told you a hundred times let us leave this place but you don’t listen.
Please don’t die, Mother. I have no-one Mother!
My poor Mother!
But these are empty!These are empty!
Come Bardou! Mother is dying. Mother is dying.
My poor Mother!
Come Einou! My Mother is dead!
What’s going on Bardou?
My Mother is dead! My Mother is dead!
Tell me what happened!
Einou! Give a puff of spray quickly!
Give another puff!
Another one!
Spraying has restrictions.
I don’t care about restrictions. Spray!
Nabi! Go fetch some water for your Mother.
Mother! You petrified us!
Give some water to your Mother.
The late Ali Mo’men would farm in winter and summer and at last was hit by the thunder and he was bed-ridden for six months.It’s been two months since he has passed away. You don’t listen to me. Come to the village so that if you get sick there would be someone to helpyou. And you are not abandoning this grave.
If Bardou hadn’t called me last night to say that your spraywas finished, God knows what would have happened to you.These children don’t have a father. Should their mother be dead, too?
------
Did you take it out?
Take what out?
Well the thorn.
Yes.
Amir! How can I endear myself to the captain?
Endear yourself?
Well yes.
Are you not a bit old for that?
I’m serious.
It sounds like a motorcycle.
Hey. Damn it.
Who was that?
I don’t know.
Why didn’t he stop when you whistled?
He was far away and didn’t hear it.
Did he have any gun?
I could hardly see him.
Was he one of the quarrelling folks?
How can I know?Maybe he wasand maybe not.
You want to endear yourself then?
Let’s go on patrol!
Let’s go!
My eyes are going blind! Pour water Bardou!
It is my wish to come to your grave and cry but for the sake of the children I can’t.
I don’t know what to do. Oh Lord!What could I do without a penny to my name?
What should I do for Bardou and Nabi?What should I do for Bardou?
Mother! Mother! Can’t you hear me?
What is it, son?
I want to go to Nasir to get the 500 thousand Tomansand to sell the extra stuff. That will make around 1.5 million Tomans. We will move to the village to be near people.If something happens there will be somebody to take care of us.
Why don’t you understand, son? I cannot abandon this grave.
Do you think I do not love Dad or do not care about this grave?I swear to God I do care. My Dad was my protector.I see him in my dreams. I do not have a proper sleep on the roof at nights.God loved us. God had mercy on us.Let’s do something to make Daddy’s soul happy.
I cannot abandon this grave.
Am I not the man of this house? So why don’t you listen to me?You mean my word does not count even a small amount?Nabi and I willbe going to school soon. If you feel bad, who will come to your rescue?Uncle Nowrouz is also doing his military service. Come on, listen.I promise I will always bring you to the grave.
Come on, agree so that I could happily go and get the money.
------
Stop! Come here! What are you doing here?
I was walking.
Why?
Huh?
I said why?
I was just walking.
Turn it off! Turn it off!
Why didn’t you stop when I ordered?
The volume of the cassette player was up and I didn’t hear you.
I ordered ten times! Then you pretend that you haven’t heard me.
Huh?
I’ll show you what it means. Hamid! Hamid!
He doesn’t let me be for a minute!
Hamid! Come here!
What is this? Who is he?
He’s a child.
Don’t call me a child.
You hurt his feelings!
Shut up!
Where are you going?
Kalaayeh.
Kalaayeh?
Didn’t I say that he’s one of them?
Don’t you know there’s been a fight there?
No, really?
Well yes. Someone is dead.
He looks like one of those fugitives.
Why are you making a bustle? I am talking.
Which tribes were involved?
You mean you don’t know?
I swear on my Father’s soul.
Aha.
He’s lying Sanjari. Don’t believe him.
Don’t swear at me, I’m not lying.
We’ll see.
I should go.
Stop saying “I should, I should”.
He is looks suspicious. Search him.
Put your hands up!Higher!
Gently, gently!
I don’t have anything.I was just walking.
I know you were walking but some people take the wrong path, bro!
No this is the way to Kalaayeh.
What is he driving at?
He’s parrying. He wants to foolus.
Be careful. Captain is here.
Take this.
Sanjari who is this?
He looks suspicious.
Was I talking to you?
Sorry sir.
Sir we searched him. He didn’t have anything with him.He was on his way to Kalaayeh.
You can’t go.
Why not?
It’s none of your business.Why do you want to go there?
Someone owes me money.
Who?
I should go get money from someone.
What’s your name?
Bardou.
Huh?
It’s Esmaeil but everyone calls me Bardou.
Aha Bardou. Whose son are you?
Ali Mo’men.
Which Ali Mo’men?
Ali Mo’men Baraati.
Yeah. I know him, the one who was famous for his voice?
Yes sir.
May he rest in peace. He was a nice person.Don’t stay around son. There was a fight here and you might get into trouble.Let’s go!
Go!
But I should…
I should, I should! You are so stubborn! Thank God he didn’t arrest you.
Go son,go!
You crazy! I’m talking to you. Stop! Give me the tape!
I like the tape.
And I like these. But should I take them?
You cannot speak with them.
I’ll take these if you don’t give me the tape.
Are you scaring me?
Give me the tape.
I like Ali Mo’men’s singing.
Don’t do something so that I would break your head, you will lose your way home.
I will break it.
You are crazy!
You asked for it!
You are crazy!
Hi. Where are you going?
I’m heading to Bali Bangoun.
Take me to Kalaayeh crossroads then.
Hop on.
Thanks.
Hello.
Congratulations to the bride and the groom.
Thanks. What are you doing here?
I’m going to Kalaayeh.
Are you one of the sides in the fight?
Do I seem like one of them?
You do.
Whose son are you?
Ali Mo’men.
Which Ali Mo’men?
Ali Mo’men Baraati.
God rest his soul. Ali Mo’men the singer?
Yes.
I wish he would sing at my wedding. Pity it’s not possible. Can’t you sing yourself?
No, I’m not able to sing.
Can’t you sing anything?
No. if I could I’d sing for you.
I understand you. Nasir has also rendered me helpless.I don’t know what to do.
Where is Nasir?
Nasir is the man of fields and hills. I don’t know when he’ll be back.Drink your tea.
What do I want the tea for? Give my money back. Do not fool me.I give you two more days. Don’t give my money backand see what I’ll do to you.
Ok.
There is no use fooling me.What an abusive woman!I should be after this money in this hot weather day after day! Husband and wife are worst than eachother.They make me nervous in this hot weather.
Hello Auntie Zivar!
Hi Bardou! How are you?
I’m ok. IsUncle Nasir home?
No, he’s not. I don’t know where he is.
Who was this grumbling woman?
She was one of our acquaintances. Nasir owes her 45 thousand Tomans.She came and ruined our reputation.
Would you give me some water?
How’s your Mother?
She sent her regards.
Auntie! Was there a fight in Kalaayeh?
Yes. There was one yesterday. God have mercy on us!
Was Uncle Nasir involved?
No one gets into his work!
Why is he always after trouble?
That’s because the wrath of God is on him.
Auntie! You know about our condition.Our house is in a remote area and my Mother often gets sick. I wanted you to ask Uncle Nasir to give our money back so that we can move to the village to be near a clinic. I will find a job and make money so that we can manage to move to town.
Speaking to Uncle Nasir is like banging your head against a brick wall.What can I say?
Hey Moraad!
My Dad is here.
How are you? Take this. Why did your slippers fell off?
My feet sweat and they slip out of the slippers.
Hello Zivar.
How can you say hello when we are disgraced because of you? Kowsar was here and disgraced us because of only 45 thousand Tomans.
Take these fruits and don’t utter a word.
Everybody let themselves speak when they get here.
Hi Bardou! How are you man? What’s up?
Go and prepare food. It’s none of your business.
No, it’s not like what you say.
Bardou!There was a doctor on TV last night. She said if you wash your feet in cold water, half of the tiredness will go away.
Bardou! What do you do? Why are you so thin?
You know about our condition.
How is your Mother by the way?
Her life depends on God’s will.
May God heal her!
What’s your Uncle Najaf doing?
He is doing his military service since two months ago.
Is your house still there?
Yes, it is.
Will you stay there?
No, if you sort our problem out.
Me?
Yes,you.It is as if I’m talking against a brick wall.
Stop it son. Stop it!
Behave! We have a guest.I’m getting old.Are you alone Bardou?
Yeah.
Come up here. Sit.How’s your Brother doing?
He’s good. He is with my Mother.
Well, good. Take this pillow. Getting old is so hard.
You won’t let me down if I ask you something, will you Uncle?
Stop it son! We have a guest.
Uncle, I’m talking to you.
Stop it son!I’m at your service.
Uncle! I want to gather our stuff with the 500 thousand Tomans that you owe us, and move to the village to be near a doctor.
Bardou! You witnessed 15 minutes ago what Bibi Kowsar did for 45 thousand.
If I had money I’d give it to her. I don’t have any money to pay you back right now.
I don’t want to accuse you of lying but I know that you have money and don’t want to pay me.
So you mean a grizzled man is lying.I don’t have money and I swear to the friendship between me and your Father. I swear to the shirt you are wearing.
I’ve been coming to your for the past year, taking this road but you always say you don’t have any money.
You mean I’m lying just over 500 thousand Tomans.
I’m obliged to respect you.But will you respect our pride too?I’m not here to beg you. I’m not here to take Moraad’s rights.I’m here to take my own money.Be beneficent enough and pay us back.
Bardou! Give me another two months so that I can borrow money from somebody and then pay you back.
Two months? My Mother almost died this morning!
Let me see what I can do for you Bardou.
Let me call Kavous.
He is not reachable.I’ll call him again.You are lucky. It is ringing.Hi Kavous! How are you?What’s up?Where are you now?Weren’t you supposed to visit me in Ghorogh so that we could sit down and have a little chat?You remember you told me to buy you something?Yes,yes,that box. It’s ready.There’s someone called Bardou, the son of Ali Mo’men Baraati.He will give it to you.Take it from him and give the 500 thousand Tomans to him. When he gives you the indication that we had rice andgrass pea with local oil…Take the box and give him the money.
Try not to forget. Alright?If he returns with no money you’ll see what I’ll do to you. Goodbye.Bardou! That’s all I can do. Kavous owes me some money. I’ll give you a box. Take it to Tang Zard. Give it to Kavous and receive your 500 thousand.
Do you know how far Tang Zard is, Uncle?
That’s all I can do.
Stand up!Did I scare you?
My blood ran cold!I thought I got shot and died.
I can’t figure out what’s going on today. First it was those soldiers and now this sound of shooting! God have mercy on us!
There has been a fight in Kalaayeh. The region is insecure. Their men are rebelling in this very mountain.
So this sound of gunfire is because of the fight?
No, I was cleaning my gun when it accidentally fired.
Then God helped us!
If you are going somewhere I can give you a ride.
I’m heading to Tang Zard.
Hop on.
Thanks.
Your stuff is very heavy, isn’t it?
Pardon me?
I said your stuff is heavy. What are you carrying?
It’s just something to be delivered.
Whose son are you?Are you from Tang Zard?
No.
Be careful. The road is insecure.
It’s the same boy.
Yeah, it’s him.
What are you doing here?
I was heading to Tang Zard.
But weren’t you heading to Kalaayeh?
I went there, I have to deliver thistoTangZard and get my money.
Deliver to whom?
To Kavous.
Kavous?
I knew that there’s something fishy about him.
Hamid! Search him.
Yes Captain!
Take this.
Hurry up! Put your hands up! Give that to me.Your feet apart!
Captain! I didn’t do anything wrong.
We’ll see.We’ll see now.
Come on!
Sir he does not have anything with him.
What’s that then?
The thing to be delivered.
Open it up.
Sir it’s not good to open a thing that should be delivered.
No it’s not bad.
Sir it’s locked.
Break the lock.
Sir it should be delivered. Do not break it. I beg you.
I told you to step back!
Sir! Look at this.
I swear to God these arenot mine sir. I didn’t know they were inside the box.
What are these? To whom are you delivering these?
I swear to God these arenot mine. I wanted to deliver them. I didn’t know about them.
You didn’t know?
I didn’t open it sir. I swear.
That’s what you wanted to deliver. Huh?You carry cartridges?
I didn’t open it.
He was suspicious from the beginning.
No problem. We’ll go to Kavous’s house and see.
Take him boys. Hurry up.
Yes Captain. Go, go!
It’s over.
What should we do sir?
Hush! It’s time son. Go to the house. Give them the box. If they take it you can go. Understood? Go on!
He’s very suspicious!
I know…
Hello.
Hello.
Come in.
Hello.
Who are you looking for?
Is this Kavous’s house?
Yes it is.
I want to have a word with Kavous.
I am Kavous.
Nasir gave me this boxwith the indication thatyou and him had rice and grass peas with local oil.
Take this box and give me the 500 thousand Tomans that you owe him.
Nasir?Which Nasir?
Nasir Kaavali, Nasir Hodjat Pour, Nasir Sorkeh.
Oh yeah. I know Nasir. But he wasn’t supposed to send me anything.
I was there when you were arranging for that on phone.
My cell phone fell in to the toilet last night. I don’t have acell phone.
Why are you lying? Take the box.
Am I lying? Get out!
Here, take your box.
Get the hell out of here!
Hey you! What are you doing?Stop there.
Are you Kavous?
Yes Captain I am.
How many people by the name of Kavous live in Tang Zard?
I’m the only one.
Do you know Nasir Hodjat Pour?
Yes Captain. He’s my friend.
He’s send you this. Why don’t you accept it from this child?
He wasn’t supposed to send me anything.
Why are you lying?
Shut up kid.
Let’ssee.You saw our car when we were on our way, didn’t you?
No I didn’t.
Are you sure?
Yes I am.
I swear to God he is lying Captain!
Keep quiet! Didn’t you know we are coming to your house?
I’m damned if I did!
Don’t lie to me!
You, be quite. Hamid take him to the car.
Yes Captain. Come here!
We’ll complete the report at the police station.
Get dressed. We are going to the police station.
Why should I come to police station?
You will see when we get there. Go!
He’s suspicious from tip to toe. Let’s go.
Let me get changed.
You’re fine!
Hurry up!
Yes Captain!
Oh dear God! Who the hell are they?