Two Brothers

We went to one of the border cities for the memorial ceremony of the Martyr Shahbazi. According to the norm and tradition of that area, the memorial ceremony lasted from morning till noon. At noontime they brought a water jug and bowl for the guests. After washing their hands, the program finished with lunch. When I entered the ceremony, Javad was sitting at the top of the room and Ibrahim was sitting next to him. I went and sat next to Ibrahim. Ibrahim and Javad were very close friends. They were like two brothers for each other. Their jokes were interesting in their own way. At the end of the ceremony two of the mourners brought the jug of water and the bowl. The first person whom they went to was Javad. Ibrahim said something in the ear of Javad who didn’t know anything about this ceremony! Javad asked loudly in surprise, “Are you serious?!” Ibrahim said calmly, “Hush, don’t say anything!” Then Ibrahim turned to me. He was laughing very much but without a sound. I said, “What has happened Ibram?! It’s not nice. Don’t laugh!”He told me, “I told Javad, ‘When they bring the jug wash your head completely!!’” A few seconds later that is exactly what happened. After washing his hands Javad put his head under the water and… Javad was looking around in surprise while water was dripping from his head and face. I said, “What did you do Javad! Did you think that this is a bath house?!” Then I gave him my Chafiah to dry his head! One day we were informed that Ibrahim, Javad and Reza Gudini were coming back from the border checkpoint after a mission which had lasted for a few days. We became very happy to hear they were well. We gathered in front of the Andarzgu Headquarters. After a few minutes their car came and stopped. Ibrahim and Reza got off. The soldiers gathered around them happily and welcomed them. One of the soldiers asked, “Mr. Ibram, where is Javad?!” Everyone was quiet for a moment. Ibrahim paused briefly. With a lump in his throat he said, “Javad!” Then he looked slowly at the back of the car. A person was lying down there. There was a blanket on him too! Everyone became silent. Ibrahim continued, “Javad… Javad!” Suddenly he started crying. A few of the soldiers started shouted while crying, “Javad, Javad!” And, they went towards the back of the car! While everyone was crying, Javad suddenly woke up! He sat up and said, “What? What has happened?” Javad looked around in surprise. The soldiers were looking for Ibrahim with tearful and angry eyes; but, Ibrahim had gone quickly into the building!