Page 20 of Shâhzâdeh

“My grandson and my son. Good to see you both earning your keep for zhe family.” No affectionate greetings were exchanged, no hugs, handshakes or kisses on the cheek. Afshin who was nearly as tall as I was, stood to his full height as he looked at his father.

“Zhe two with zhe most in common always seem to find zheir vay to each other. Brother, I vasn’t made aware you vould be helping out on zhis project.”

Afshin ignored the barbs his brother sent to him by his brother, instead greeting his father with respect since all eyes were on him. I followed behind him doing the same but also greeting my uncle since he was technically my elder. It was humorous to watch as their eyes danced with assumed power all because I followed tradition for now. When those tables turned they would be the ones dancing to my tune.

“Ve, of course, needed someone who was an expert in zhe area to come and provide us viz information on how to be successful in zhis endeavor. It wouldn’t make sense to step to someone outside of zhe family in order to be advised. Vhy vould Afshin not be zhe likely choice?” My question was polite and pointed. A way to prick my uncle Ibriham’s pride in a subtle way. True to form, he couldn’t help but try to stay the center of attention.

“Vhy not me? I am zhe crown prince, after all. Am I not your favorite uncle?” It was a test and a weak one. One he knew I wouldn’t give into. His sons sucked up to him because they expected the old man to die at any moment and for their father to become king. I wasn’t one who needed him to eat.

With a quirked brow and a sly grin on my face, I expertly avoided his question and put him on the spot instead.

“I vas not aware zhat you held a degree in sustainable architecture viz a focus on ecology. Amoo Afshin, is zhat why you wanted to study zhose areas? To be more like your big brother?”

My uncle Ibriham’s face tightened into a scowl, and his nose flared. Too many eyes were on him since my grandfather went nowhere without a camera crew unless he was up to no good. Being seen at this project made him feel as though it was his to control even though he knew nothing about it.

Ibriham and my father vaguely resembled one another. Their mothers were of different ethnicities and it showed in their sons.

“It is not, baradarzadeh. Just an area of interest of mine dat I vanted to be more knowledgeable of vith zhe changing times.”

“How fortuitous was your curiosity.Shma mood loft khoda npastid.(You are favored by God).”

“Khoda bah man barkat dadeh est. (God has blessed me.”Afshin bowed his head humbly, his keffiyeh fluttering around his face as he did.

We all bowed our heads muttering the same sentiments with reverence. Seeing the hour, I knew my grandfather and his entourage would be heading back to Tehran soon so they wouldn’t missmaghrib.

“Before we go. Zhere is someone I vould like you to meet.” My face remained the same blank mask as my grandfather’s smiled in triumph at having successfully cornered me.

Behind him, a young lady in chador stepped forward with her head slightly bowed.

“Zhis is Farah. Her father is a good friend of your uncle Ibriham.” If my grandfather thought that would impress me, it didn’t. This woman would be offered to me as a bride and become a trojan horse within my home. Something that I would never allow to happen.

“Az didar shma khoshhalam.” I greeted her with a smile and a bow making sure I didn’t physically touch her. It was improper and given the chador on her head, I could tell she didn’t have a more liberal upbringing. You had to cover your hair in public spaces in Iran, but most women used a simple scarf down to a cap. She was wearing a full chador that prevented any part of her hairline from showing.

“It is a pleasure to meet you.” Her English was stilted, not uncommon for someone I was sure didn’t speak it often. My father’s family felt the need to speak English around me under the guise of ensuring I understood them. Truly, it was a way to distance me and my father from his heritage. I was American through and through, but nobody was going to segregate me from any part of my history.

“Oger bacpehtar est mi tavanam bah farsi, arbi ya englisi ba shma sahbat konam. Khanavadeh azizam faramush mi konand keh man bah besiari az zaban cepa mosalt npastam.” I ensured my inflection was perfect as I told her I could speak to her in Arabic, English, French or Persian, depending on her preference. I threw a shot by saying my beloved family often forgot I knew multiple languages.

“It is so difficult to remember vhat you know vhen I did not have zhe chance to watch you grow. Entering anamazdiwith Farrah would cure all of zhat.” The king’s eyes were glimmering and I tried not to sound too arrogant when I spoke.

“I am not sure how, since all of my business dealings are central to my location in the United States. And we do not know if zhat is somezing zhe lady would be open to.” I sure as fuck wasn’t, but that was neither here nor there. The assholes wouldn’t be forcing me into shit.

“Zhings always change, Xerxes.”

“Zhey do. I may have a home here, but home is always zhere.” I put a hand over my heart to give the appearance of me being respectful.

“Zhat is true. Ve know zhe culture here is so much different from yours.” My uncle tried to be slick but his words didn’t bother me.

“I still observe zhe culture and had an excellent teacher in my father zhe prince. I know you all need to head back now if you are to make it in time formaghrib.” I glanced purposefully outside of the window and toward the falling sun.

“Are you not joining us? Stay at zhe palace tonight for dinner.”

He had me fucked up. I knew that my meal would be drugged and this woman would be discovered in my bed by her father who would subsequently demand a wedding. They attempted to do the same thing years ago but Shoaib had been stationed in my room and held the would be woman at gunpoint at the door when she tried to sneak in. That reinforced my desire to never sleep in the palace.

“Please, Xerxes. It vould please me to get to know you better.” Farah stepped forward with lowered eyes but a hopeful almost cunning smile.

“Some other time, Farah. My business here is concluded and I have a flight to catch.”

“But it is your plane and you could tell zhem to stay vhere it is.” My uncle’s words were two-fold. To impress upon the daughter of his friend the life of luxury she could enjoy if she were to ensnare me, and to pressure me into staying. Neither of those things were to come to fruition.

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