The Cigarette-Flavored Tea and Strindberg

The alley is quiet. The light of lanterns illuminates the ground. A vague shadow trembles inside a car at the end of the alley. Reza approaches the car within a few meters. Suddenly, the car door opens, disrupting the balance of the alley. The equilibrium of raindrops and the balance of Reza’s motorcycle wheels. He is close to hitting the ground. He stops. In front of him, in the darkness, a shadow gradually takes shape and becomes like the figure of Shahab. Shahab is furious. His hands firmly grab Reza’s collar and slam him against the wall. The veins on his neck are bulging. Adrenaline in his blood tightens the muscles in his arms. He screams. Curtains are pulled back from the windows. Light spills from inside the houses into the darkness. A few people look outside. Reza is wandering. He wants to distance himself from Shahab. A punch is enough to keep Shahab away from him. He keeps Shahab away from himself. Defeated, Shahab moves towards the car. Something catches his throat, and he stifles his breath. He does not want to share his Tabasom with anyone else. The car swerves crazily towards Reza. Reza gives way. The car disappears. The alley is quiet. The cold and sets in under Reza’s skin. The corner of his lips is burning. Rain wipes away the thin blood streak on his lips. A long horn sound comes. The sound of an accident… the sound of silence… Curtains are drawn. The memory of the alley is forgotten. Few memories twist and sit on the body of the wall.

Sedigheh Javidi, a distinguished Iranian writer, hails from the picturesque coastal city of Bushehr. Her journey into the world of art and literature began in childhood, and she later enriched her experiential knowledge by studying Performing Arts and Literature at the Tehran College of Fine Arts. Over the years, she has created an impressive body of work, including more than a dozen books and screenplays, some of which have reached a global audience through English translations.

Sedigheh is renowned for her imaginative storytelling, viewing narrative as the essence of all artistic forms. She deeply believes in the transformative power of human imagination and sees literature as a vital force for shaping societal values. Through her impactful stories, Sedigheh aspires to contribute to the creation of a just and compassionate world, where honesty, loyalty, and kindness serve as guiding principles.

With a deep and enduring love for children, Sedigheh dreams of a future where the shadows of war, poverty, and illness no longer darken the lives of the innocent. Her stories, rich with hope and humanity, reflect this vision, offering a beacon of light in a complex and often challenging world.