Unforgettable Love
Martin Shiro, USA
The three of us worked together in a small laboratory at a research institute. The youngest employees of the laboratory were we - Maneh, a beautiful and jealous girl who had already managed to be divorced, Hovik and I. The rest of the employees were older and more serious, because they were dealing with very serious scientific problems.
We were often separated from them because of our age. Sometimes, we went out for lunch together, and since Maneh’s apartment was quite close to our research institute, we had been at her apartment from time to time.
One day, during a break, ManeH invited us to their apartment to taste the cake she had made. I should mention, that she cooked quite tasty, and we, of course, gladly agreed. The three of us, in high spirits, walked to Maneh’s apartment. On the way I bought pomegranate juice and my friend, Hovik bought ice cream. Hovik was joking all the way. I noticed a long time ago, that he was not indifferent to Mane, although Maneh did not seem to notice. Maybe the reason was Hovik’s height; he was short! But that did not stop Maneh from being jealous of all the girls we dared to look at in her presence. That’s why we tried to be restrained in Maneh’s presence and not show our admiration for other girls.
Maneh’s mother opened the door. Maneh led us to her room, which was very comfortable, and the many flowers and abundant natural light made it look as if we were in the lap of nature. We sat on the couch, in front of which was a small table, and a little away from the couch was a large-screen TV. Maneh loved watching TV. She had her favorite channels and programs.
While we were watching TV, Maneh brought the cake, which was decorated with different kinds of berries and fruits. The colors were so well chosen that Hovik and I applauded lightly. Maneh smiled contentedly, obviously satisfied with our assessments. Then she brought ice cream, juice, coffee, and turned to me, and complained smilingly that one of the TV channels, the one she often watched, did not show well. I approached the TV and started checking the picture quality of the channels to find the one that showed poorly. Since the image quality of the other channels was good, I realized that the problem was in the position of the indoor antenna. By moving the antenna and finding a proper position, I was able to get a high-quality image. Satisfied with my work, I turned around and noticed with surprise that a girl of extraordinary beauty was sitting between Maneh and Hovik! In an instant, these Teryan lines passed through my mind:
I want to love someone tenderly,
I want to cherish someone sweetly… *
The girl was so beautiful that she immediately captivated me. I looked at her and wanted to look at her again and again! I thought, did my dream come true, and I finally met my desired second half, but no, she was more than the girl of my dreams, because she was more than I expected. At that moment, I could only see her, and my friends seemed to be in the fog, like in a camera, when only one is in focus and the others are out of focus. Despite my admiration, I could clearly see that Maneh was not jealous of the girl, moreover, she seemed to be encouraging me with a sweet smile, and Hovik was looking at me in surprise and did not share my admiration for her at all. I was not only impressed with the girl but also surprised by the strange behavior of my friends.
Anyway, after coming to my senses, I got acquainted with the girl. Her name was Nvard. We talked to each other without noticing the presence of my friends. Realizing the seriousness of the moment, they were silent and did not interfere in our conversation. Only Maneh kept smiling mysteriously, and Hovik became more and more serious and sad. It was very strange, because he was a talkative and joking boy. I thought Maneh was smiling and encouraging our new relationship.
Our break was coming to an end; it was time to go back to work. Maneh asked me to turn off the TV. I approached the TV, once again quickly checked the quality of Maneh’s favorite channels, and turned it off. I turned around and saw that Nvard had gone! She used that short period to go without even saying goodbye. I was surprised again and asked my friends what happened to Nvard. They, as at the time of her appearance, laughed strangely.
All three of us were silent at work, deep in thought. Something important happened. I was in love, but something happened to my friends that I did not know and did not understand. I sometimes looked at their faces, trying to read their minds, but they carefully pretended that nothing had happened and that everything was the same. The tension grew as it went on. I could not endure and, approaching Hovik, asked him to take a short walk after work. He immediately agreed. Obviously, he liked it.
We had walked with Hovik many times, but this time we both had a different feeling. Hovik said that Maneh also wanted to join us, but he categorically refused. It was very clear that my friends, both of them, wanted to talk to me about Nvard.
I started the conversation. I told him how fascinated I was by Nvard, that my intentions were so serious that I was ready to marry Nvard right now, even if I did not know her well. He listened to me carefully, then, after taking a deep breath, said:
“Don’t do that!”
“But why?” said I. “Can you give me such an answer after hearing my confession?”
“Yes,” said he, “because you do not know everything. Do you think it was a coincidence that Nvard appeared unnoticed to you and disappeared just as unnoticed without even saying goodbye to you? I met Nvard several times at Maneh’s apartment. Nvard is Mane’s girlfriend and at the same time her neighbor. Nvard is the only girl that Maneh is not jealous of because she is lame on both legs! If you saw how Nvard moves, yes, yes, moves, not walks, you would not be so impressed. You were so impressed with her appearance, weren’t you, and her appearance, to put it mildly, is not very attractive. Nvard is born disabled. She was ashamed of you; Nvard did not want to show her disability to you. That’s why, taking the opportunity that you were near the TV and standing with your back to us, she came unnoticed and sat on the sofa and ran away unnoticed! Yes, Nvard ran away from you, because she saw you look at her in love, and that hurt her. Nvard is a smart girl and very sensitive! She understands very well, that you will never be happy together! After all, as a disabled person, she has an inferiority complex, and by marrying you, it will deepen, accompanying her throughout her life. Nvard is too proud and too weak to compromise. She rejects you and has asked Maneh to tell you!”
Years passed. Eventually, Maneh and Hovik got married and had children. I also got married, and I am happy with my family, but sometimes I remember Nvard and feel a dull pain in my heart! Maybe, I would be happier with Nvard! Oh, my God, why did nature treat her so cruelly?
We are separated forever. The dust of days
Has not blurred your beautiful, pale face yet,
But I’m already strange to that memory,
Where the dream was noble but fortune – stingy! *
* Vahan Teryan, “Spring,” excerpt from the poem
* Vahan Teryan, “Irrevocable Past,” excerpt from the poem
Glendale, California
4 October 2014
