Arash Pourzarabi
Arash Pourzarabi: The Tick-Tock of a Beating Heart
Tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock… boom!
His wristwatch had stopped at 7:14, its glass shattered, like his heart, and like the poppy on his shoulder that had withered. The poppy had said that life doesn’t stop for anyone. Yet now, everything was frozen in a single moment. After six minutes of flight, exchanging warm smiles, lingering glances, and tracing hot fingertips on each other’s hands, in an instant, their hearts fell. Their bodies shrank, their eyes filled with fear, and their gazes dimmed. They reached for each other’s hands and embraced. Count one, count two… count nineteen. From their nineteen to their twenties, what they endured was unbearable. Like overturned tulips, they bent toward the earth and became travelers of dust. Arash’s arrow dried in the bow. His ears grew deaf to the enchanting flute, and the heart of his love would remain forever longing. So lost in your hair, so intoxicated by your scent…
Born on November 10, 1993, in Tehran, Arash Pourzarabi lived in Rasht until he was two and a half years old, before moving back to Tehran. Sweet-tongued, quick-witted, and talkative, he loved his mother so much that he refused to go to kindergarten. He passed through his school years, from preschool through high school at Allameh Tabataba’i, with unmatched joy, effort, and perseverance, leaving a lasting impression on many hearts. In high school, due to his passion for computers, he regularly attended Olympiad classes. After passing three stages of the exam, before finishing his third year of high school, he joined special courses at the Young Scholars Club and won a silver medal in the national computer Olympiad. Afterwards, he entered the pre-university program and prepared for university entrance exams.
A bright and handsome young man, among the 2012 freshmen at Sharif University, who attended computer science classes, Arash had devoted his heart to a girl with red shoes for about a year. He had first seen her on the day of the Olympiad exam. Not many were admitted, so he remembered her cheerful face and red All-Stars. When he saw her again among his Sharif classmates, his heart leapt, and blood rushed to his face. His temples throbbed, his cheeks flushed, and his hands sweated. He approached, and their eyes met in a gaze that radiated mutual affection.
-Were my Converse red that day? The exam day? I don’t even remember!
-But you surely remember having those shoes?
-Yeah, I guess.
-And me? Do you remember me?
-No. However, I’ve heard your name mentioned by the teachers frequently.
-Thank God we had the same teachers. Finally, the teachers were useful for something!
Both laughed.
From that summer, they grew closer, and their first romantic date took place on a cold day in February at the “Jo” restaurant. From then on, love blossomed at Vesal Crossroad, with walks and café outings led by Mr. Ghafari, Poneh’s former teacher.
Alongside his studies, Arash worked as a teaching assistant, helping other students, and actively participated in extracurricular activities at the faculty. Two years into his bachelor’s program, he gained foundational skills while working at the knowledge-based company “Bayan.” Eventually, in 2017, Arash and Poneh, hand in hand, went to Canada on a scholarship from the University of Alberta for their master’s studies, so their love could melt the cold and hardships, and they could stay together, study, and build a shared future. Both were passionate about artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. Together, they enjoyed listening to Reza Yazdani’s music, watching Game of Thrones, traveling, and playing games with friends.
-Hello, how are you? What’s up?
-I was video-calling Ali. I sent him a few links about that new car system… I also spoke with Mom and the others; they’re fine. What about you?
-I’m good. I found the Lana Del Rey CD you were looking for.
-Really? Thanks! I have a box of macarons waiting for you as a reward.
-Darling… tonight we’re invited to Tina and Amir’s house, don’t forget.
-No, I remember. I’ll come straight from work. Don’t forget your weekend trip plans, too. Try to lighten your university workload.
-Okay, see you tonight.
-I love you.
-Me too.
When the weekend arrived, near Edmonton, Arash’s heart raced. He pulled the rental car to the side and tried to stay calm in front of Poneh’s questioning eyes. Like always, when he managed everything perfectly and the kids jokingly called him “Dad,” could he handle this too…? With sweaty hands, he took out the rings, two simple gold bands to make their bond permanent. Poneh screamed and jumped into his arms, utterly surprised. They planned to go to Iran for Christmas to celebrate their union with family and friends.
They went, and with a few stems of daffodils, they went to the registry office and got married. With a beautiful bouquet in the bride’s hands and a small gift pinned to the groom’s lapel, they entered the wedding hall and greeted the guests. They celebrated the official start of their life together with friends and relatives, cheering and dancing.
The following Wednesday, with countless greetings and blessings, they boarded a plane to return home. Alas, the air was poisoned, and instead of delivering their flowers to the greenhouse of love, the plane cruelly carried them both away and left their ashes in an eternal home.
Tomorrow turns dark. Dreams turn to dust. The wedding album sinks in the mud, and instead of congratulations, the grandmother mourns the bride, her eyes forever welling up with tears of disbelief.
Yet at the University of Alberta’s final graduation ceremony, Arash and Poneh, along with Elnaz, Nasim, and Saba, were the only graduates transformed into a large, beautiful bouquet, their memory bringing tears to eyes and smiles to lips.
Writer: Razieh Ansari
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