BIRTHDAY

On 15 September 1969, Bahadur Maniyev’s son was five last birthday. The date was inconvenient, since it was necessary to urgently finish repairing an apartment of a client. The problem was that Bahadur had opportunity to do that in the evenings only, except for Saturday and Sunday. Also, an emergency job was announced at Bahadur’s working place, since a new school construction in Baladjary was behind schedule. Meanwhile, Bahadur was impatient to celebrate his son’s birthday properly.
“For all that, the fifth anniversary talks place once five years, - he explained to his wife, - so everything has to be done to please people. I am going to invite my friends from the old courtyard and show them the way my family lives. I have received my new flat several years ago, however, nobody but Eldar and Stout Hasan has ever seen it. It is opportune moment now to let them see how I live. I failed to see them at the wedding, so I should like them to attend my Rafik’s birthday ceremony. I shall find money, as I have already agreed with a client”.
Bahadur’s wife treated her husband’s enterprise listlessly. First, she did not believe that Bahadur’s friends would attend their son’s birthday ceremony: they declined to attend the wedding, so they were unlikely to come to the birthday ceremony. Second, she had their own plans for money Bahadur was going to take from a client as final repair charges. She believed it to be senseless to expend them for the unnecessary birthday, while the boy needed a coat, warm boots for winter, other small things. The problem was that the boy shot up in the summer-time and his previous clothes proved to be too tight. On the other hand, it was Bahadur who disposed of money in the family. For this reason, Bahadur’s wife ventured to protest just one time, and then preferred to be silent, though dissatisfied.
Before going to work in the morning and upon return home in the evening, Bahadur was busy with counting the number of quests to attend the birthday ceremony. A figure stood at twenty guests, so he weighed up a rough estimate of expenses worth two hundred roubles.
His parents stayed in the third, smaller room, but Bahadur declined to initiate them into his plans. He just hinted his mother that he was going to invite friends from the old courtyard, and his mother rejoiced very much. She missed the old house where they had lived their life before moving to the new flat.
Note that Bahadur received the new flat half year before he had been called up for military service. To be exact, Bahadur’s father received the flat: since 1954 he had been engaged in lodging applications to everywhere which described intolerable housing conditions of his large family. In the reviewed period, Bahadur was thirteen but, in fact, sixteen, to judge by a birth-certificate. It would be appropriate to recall that besides Bahadur his father had three daughters – Sonya from the first wife, Seva and Sima from the second wife, Bahadur’s mother. In the end, his father accomplished the goal and obtained a new flat for his family.
Meanwhile, the time did fly, father grew old, retired on a pension; Bahadur gave up studies, grew up, changed several jobs, and finally succeeded to earn much. On receiving the said flat, Bahadur had already become family’s bread-winner. In fact, the flat was owned by Bahadur, though father considered to be a tenant.
Bahadur was at odds with his father. He could not remember his father before the war, since he was born in 1938 (in 1941 according to passport). Father returned embittered from captivity in 1945.
As mother used to say. Bahadur’s father worked prosecutor in Gazakh, and the family moved to Baku before the war. Later on, Bahadur saw his father’s survived documents but he could not reconcile with the fact that the latter had been a prosecutor: father could not stop; he shut himself off his neighbours, kept on feigning that everything was all right.
Subsequently, he worked as conductor, earned enough to maintain his family. But it lasted not long: he was dismissed for intrigues. And again he was jobless for two years, sat at home near a desk lamp and kept on scribbling…
As the war started, mother went to the maternity house and worked as junior nurse there. Father found faults with her, hissed, trembled with fury and even beat her in his spare time. She wept on the quiet and hid everything from children. There were two of them in the period under consideration: Bahadur and his stepsister Sonya, born in 1937.
Bahadur was on friendly terms with her. She was not greedy. On her later mother’s part she was a relative of the distinguished writer, famed in the city. Once a week, she went to her mother’s aunt who fed and gave her presents. Something came Bahadur’s way as well. Sonya was not greedy.
Bahadur remembered the war vaguely. He thought of long bread and kerosene queues; tasty hunks of bread; a case of his mother’s watch – his father’s wedding present which he filched from a table and carried on his lean thigh. His poor mother looked for the watch but to no effect, she wept, interrogated all the boys in the courtyard, and finally discovered it in two months when Bahadur was asleep.
Also, Bahadur recollected another case with worms which all the courtyard are but he was the single to have poisoned himself; he recalled red flags of Spivakovs, his neighbours from the second floor, whose son Mosya was at the hospital, and later on were an iron waistcoat reminiscent of armour of German knights in the film “Alexander Nevskiy”. Note that these flags meant towns captured by the Soviet troops. And aunt Riva Spivakova gave a spoonful of jam to Bahadur for each liberated town.
Bahadur kept firmly in his mind the Victory Day. A carpet was laid in front of shoemaker Zarifyan’s door which overlooked the street, and the neighbours delivered speeches, while Zarifyan was asked to go round the courtyard to reach his abode. Everybody hoorayed and cried with joy. This occurred in 1945, when Bahadur attended the first form.
Both Bahadur and Sonya failed to get education. He remained in the same from and gave up studies in his sixth form. Sonya finished eight classes and even entered an oil technical school which she deserted too. In 1957, she left home, gave birth and worked an accounting clerk at the port customs-house.
It was not bad life conditions that impeded Bahadur’s getting higher education. According to his mother, they were temporarily lodged at the old flat while a regional executive power was looking for more convenient housing to comply with Bahadur father’s status. They had two rooms, without windows, common corridor, so a lamp was switched on all day long. Nobody had windows on this side of the courtyard; some light came from a glazed corridor, so they had to use electricity. There was a lot of children in the courtyard. Faik and Ismet with their sisters in the first floor; two brothers Ramiz and Eldar on the second floor. The Leybins, Spivakovs and Stout Hasan lived on the second floor of another balcony. The Spivakovs has just one child – Mosya, and Boris Leybin grew up together with Bahadur and others. They spent all days together, attended one and the same school #171. Boris Leybin, Ramiz and Faik were senior pupils; Stout Hasan, Ismet and Eldar went to study simultaneously with Bahadur. And all of them got higher education Boris just managed to finish the school and entered a physical training institute. Now he works as race coach at the children’s sporting school; other lads are engineers.
In 1963, Bahadur came from the military service; Eldar defended a candidate’s thesis; Ismet worked chief engineer of the agricultural construction trust; Faik was post-graduate. All of them kept on living in the old courtyard while Ramiz had married and moved to Sumgait.
All of them got on in their life. It was Stout Hasan only who gave up his specialty and worked at a crockery warehouse of the central department store. He conceived a liking for drinking. Aged seventeen-eighteen, they often drank, while Stout never touched wines. He was afraid of his father, Sharia adherent. When Stout grew up, he tried vodka and took to drink. He was treated several times but it did not help. In the end, he fell down from a balcony on the third floor and suffered from concussion of the brain. To all appearances, he survived because he was tipsy. Bahadur’s mother wrote to him about the incident when he was on the military service.
After Bahadur moved to a new flat, he could not forget his old courtyard and frequently called on his friends. Straight after the work he changed his clothes, washed his hands with petrol – he worked a house-painter at the oilmen’s hospital – went to his old friends. By six p.m. they gathered in the courtyard and played “nards” or went for a stroll. Sometimes they drank a little.
Troubles began when Bahadur’s family received a new flat. Call-up papers came one after another, and Bahadur’s father feared to be behind with flat’s repair. For this reason, Bahadur had to postpone meetings with his friends and thus kept away from them. There was also another reason for Bahadur to behave in that manner. It was so easy in the recent past: they lived in the common courtyard, jointly went for a walk. When his friends stayed at home, Bahadur did the same. Now the situation has changed: he comes home after work, there is no nobody in the courtyard. He would sit on a bench for an hour or so, chatter with a neighbour and then go to his home, in the remote part of the city. Another variant is as follows: all of his friends are at home, but they are busy with home affairs, he visits one of them, then another, third, and finally, he has to go home. He cannot lounge away his life-time endlessly.
It was the military service that completely estranged him from his former neighbours. Sometimes he met one of them in the street, exchanged a few words, or seldom, phoned them.
Bahadur kept on working as house-painter and earned enough to live fairly. While at the military service, he joined the Communist party. Managers treated him with respect. It was no mere coincidence that he was appointed a brigade-leader.
Meanwhile, mother urged him to marry. However, there was neither desire, nor appropriate bride. The problem was that Bahadur did not get higher education though he was grown wise with life experience and dreamt of getting on in his life. However, he failed to attain his goal… not because he had no money to keep a future family. Ultimately, he earned not lesser than an engineer. Despite all efforts, girls he liked were indifferent to him; they showed interest in highly educated, well-read guys.
In the meantime, he remained absolutely indifferent to those who liked him.
In his view, girls of this category were ne’er-do-well and muddle-headed. When he lived in the old courtyard, they assembled together with girls, students, danced and drank a little everything was all right but when the guests parted, his friends took girl-partners with them while he, Bahadur, remained lonely. Sometimes, he had to tell lies as saying he was a student too, but they did not believe him. He even sewed a suit in a sewing workshop where his friends did – at the crossroads of Azi Aslanov and Vorontsovskaya streets. But it did not help. Unlike his friends, he stumbled over his words since he read few books. True, the guys were not well-read either. It was Eldar and Ramiz only who in their childhood took interest in books but they ruined their eyesight and had to wear spectacles.
Bahadur was fond of cinema. He tried to go to the cinema in the very first day of a new film showing, especially in his childhood.
He used to go to the cinema-theatre on Monday, usually the first housing, instead of going to the school. He watched “The Twelfth Night” for twenty times, knew it by heart, quoting the film so ridiculously that his friends fell about laughing.
“All her life is an idle talk, my duke; she dropped not a word about her love, kept it in secret “or” No, take away your purse, I’m not a servant, it’s duke that needs a reward”.
He had another habit as well: he liked to string words to get a film name. should his friend say a word, he would add one or two more, a name of the film was ready. He watched a lot of films of every sort and kind.
From time to time, he was inclined to think that he was unlucky with girls because he smelt of paint; to be sincere; he did not like house painting because of dirt. He even gave up hall house painting and began working at a watch shop, first as apprentice, then opened his own watch shop at Shemahinka, near his old house. It was a good time, his friends came to see him, drank tea, played nards. However, girl students did not like watch makers, as they did with house-painters. He had few clients and earned just some 100 roubles a month. So he had to give up watch making and return to house painting.
Note that he was busy with house painting in the army, the construction battalion. He stood well with his commanders, otherwise he would not have joint the Communist Party.
Among his friends, it was Faik who was Communist Party member. However, he failed to enter the post graduate courses. He became stout, grew moustache, however, failed to defend his candidate’s thesis. Note that he studied very well in the school. His mother is very ill, but keeps on working. She is a doctor, so it is not very difficult to work.
Little Ismet is an engineer of the trust. Like Bahadur, he went hungry during the war; others lived better, while they were fed worse. That’s why their height was small. True, he is taller than Ismet, yet, he is puny as compared to other guys.
Ismet’s father lost his life in the war. His mother upholstered boxes at tare depositary. She had to keep two sons and two daughters – the elder one was eight, the youngest – three. All of them got higher education. Daughters are physicians, Ismet is building engineer, Farhad, the youngest, attends the medical institution and goes in for fencing, newspapers wrote of him.
Ismet was unprepossessing; he had a white scum on his lips. His mouth was big, teeth white and long. He knocked eggs very well in his childhood. In general, he was very cunning. He trade it in newspapers at the market and paper bags as well. From time to time he was a thief. Note that he studied rather well though it was difficult for him to learn sciences, so he had to cram. He has not yet married, because he waited his sisters to marry first.
Boris Leybin had two children. His wife is Azerbaijani, teaches English at the school. They repaired their apartment, built numerous wall closets; divided the room into two parts: his mother Liza lived in one room; Boris and his wife lived in another room. They live on friendly terms. Boris turned grey very earlier, stooped, dried up. In his youth he had a fine figure. Each summer he went to the pioneer camp and worked as pioneer leader. He went back sunburned with muscles bulging out.
However, relations between Boris and Bahadur became worse. In summer 1966 he came to Bahadur and asked him to paint windows, doors and a ceiling. When Bahadur had lived in his old courtyard, he did everything for guys: painted, papered glazed tile. It went without saying. They were young, and nobody knew who he would become. It seemed inadmissible for Bahadur to change his dress and begin working in everybody’s presence. The problem for him was that he had not lived in the old courtyard for years, come to see his old friends in a black suit, drank tea and informed his neighbours about his business. He told them that he married, had a child, lived in 3-roomed apartment, and purchased Romanian furniture. In considering this it seemed unbearable for him to put on paint-smeared trousers, a shirt, worn-through straw hat and clime a step-ladder. One thing when he was engaged in house-painting in a stranger’s flat and quite another thing is to do the same in his old courtyard, in his friends’ flat.
He told Boris about it, however, the latter did understand: “you do this work for other people, and everybody knows about it”.
Bahadur explained Boris that one thing is to repair flats of strangers; another thing is to repair flats of all friends. And again Boris did not understand his friend and felt hurt.
Earlier Bahadur fell out with his friends, though all of them stressed that unlike his father he was complaisant. When they lived in the old courtyard and quarrelled, relations between them got right very quickly, in a week or so: it was very difficult to avoid each other when seeing friends everyday. But now Boris felt hurt and this lasts for three years already.
None of guys nursed a grievance against Bahadur for so long. Faik did not talk to him for a month, but the reason was serious: the question was about honour. Sonya, Bahadur’s elder sister gave up technical school and behaved improperly. True, she worked but behaved unworthily, standing near the gates with unknown lads for ours, clearing up her relations with them, sometimes she shouted. At first, he said nothing because she was elder and good person: in his childhood she purchased shirts for him, washed, sewed and ironed.
One day Faik took him apart and said: “this cannot last any longer, the whole courtyard is indignant at Sonya’s behaviour”. Bahadur as her brother and defender of family honour must put an end to this shame.
Faik always gave his advices to Bahadur, taught him to behave properly in society, to invite a girl for dancing. However, when he touched upon Sonya, Bahadur felt unpleasant. He was ashamed for his sister: that’s what she had come to. To his surprise, he felt that he had no anger against his sister. In the end, she trade to enjoy in her life. They were hungry but hoped that when their father would return home from the war they would live like other people. However, when father came finally back, the situation went from bad to worse. Sonya had to give up her studies, and it was natural: she wanted to dress her self like others, while she had scholarship only. And she was reproached at home, which was natural too: father did not work while there were two little girls in the family. Note that mother was not native, she was tranquil but she was step-mother. You could not get sense out of Bahadur: he earned much but he spent much for suits, films, drinks, Sonya went to work, dressed well, cut hair and guys liked her. She is fool to stand with gays and clear up relations with them, yet, Bahadur does not condemn his sister for her behaviour.
What could he tell to Faik? It is impossible to explain him everything. He will not understand the situation: one thing is to have mother-physician, another thing is to have mother – nurse.
- Yes, - said Bahadur, - it is wrong to act like this.
- You must put an end to this, - repeated Faik. – And Bahadur had to agree with him.
It took Bahadur one month to persuade Sonya, and Faik declined to contact with him all this month.
Soon after high words with Bahadur, Sonya forsook home and became intimate with a guy. They seldom met since then. She came to see her brother’s flat just once, during his wedding. She presented him with black shoes to go with his suit, and a Chinese woollen blouse.
The wedding was celebrated in summer when many people were on departure. Bahadur managed to find Eldar only.
At that moment, Eldar was a candidate of sciences. As compared with other guys, he succeeded to preserve well. Also, he dressed well, slightly lightweight, over his age but beautifully. He keeps on living with his friends as saying he wants to build a cooperative flat. Why shouldn’t he live with his parents? He has a good flat, the courtyard’s best: three rooms with all conveniences, a roofed balcony overlooking the street.
His parents are good, though his uncle Hamid drinks a little but everybody is drinking now, is not it? It affords pleasure to visit them: it is so rare to have truly cultured friends in our days. Higher education is not pinnacle of one’s desire. For example, Leila, Eldar’s mother, has no higher education, gave up institute on account of the war, while he has never seen more cultured woman in his life. She read children interesting books, invented various games. She was ready to drop with fatigue – worked at a regional executive power body – but never raised her voice whatever children were up to. She never locked up cupboards, allowed them to touch everything they wanted to, even a piano. Also, Hamid wouldn’t hurt a fly. He used to lie on a bed reading books.
Yes, it was a pleasure to have such parents. Meanwhile, they went through a lot from the children. Suffice it to say that Ramiz and Eldar did queer things in their youth. Both were spoiling for fight, though were spectacles. Both went in for boxing and met with the city’s nicest girls.
They contrive to change their institutions twice, and nothing happened; in the end, they made their way in life.
At first, Ramiz studied in Moscow, then gave up, studies and returned to Baku. He loafed away his time for a year, was about to be killed for a woman; he was struck with a crowbar, had a fracture of the skull in three places, but survived, spent two months at a hospital unconscious. Then came a polytechnic institute, he finished an architecture faculty, now is a chief architect of Sumgait.
In 1958, Eldar was jailed for hooliganism but pulled through it. He was under investigation for nine months but investigators failed to identify who was to flame for the fight at the Industrial institute.
At first, Eldar loafed away as well, later grew reasonable, and at present he is a candidate of sciences. Also, he likes to go on the spree from time to time and is still liked by women. He does not look like an Azerbaijani; his skin is white; eyes is are brown, hair is chestnut-colored; he bears a greater resemblance to Jew.
Instead, Ramiz is black-haired, has grown bald, swarthy, moustached, with a flattened nose. Has no teeth on each side of his mouth. Still, he is liked by women too, even greater than Eldar. This sort of people…
In the meanwhile, Bahadur’s mother frequently remembers her old courtyard. Her family lived hard times, yet, these were her best years; she was twenty in the reviewed period when they moved from Gazakh. Now she is close on sixty.
Bahadur also like to recollect their old courtyard years. It was interesting to live, since nobody knew what would happen next. Even if nothing occurred, every morning one got up with a feeling that guys would invent something interesting, either go on a visit or attend an institute party. It was so nice to spend spare time at the circus! All artists knew them, came up greeting; recounted anecdotes. Over the three years visits, it was Ramiz only who succeeded in striking up a love affair with a circus actress, others failed to. Yet, it was cheerful.
The situation is different now. Bahadur has long known that nothing unforeseen is likely to happen in his life, except for misfortunate, since nobody is insured against it. Even worse one has no sensation of something pleasant in the morning when one knows that the whole day is ahead, and the evening into the bargain, and who knows what will happen next.
His wife liked his stories about the old courtyard, guys, carefree young life. She is educated, graduated from a teacher’s training school, so she grasps the meaning of what Bahadur narrates about. She knew all Bahadur’s friends by heart, though met Eldar and Stout Hasan only, at a wedding.
Bahadur invited several times his friends to come and see his place, acquaint with his wife, sit for a while, recall the past. He wanted his friends to come and see him very much. His housing conditions are good, his wife is hospitable, well brought-up, cooks excellent; he earns much, there is everything in his house: a TV-set, a refrigerator, excellent furniture, so his friends could have a good time.
And his wife would also be satisfied. She heard much of them, so it would be wrong that they are not familiar with her so far. Bahadur felt hurt at them. They agreed to come and see him. However, Eldar suddenly left for Moscow, others insist that it would be wrong to have a jolly time without Eldar. Let’s wait for him, they said, and when he comes, we shall hold our evening-party. Meanwhile, Bahadur carried out preparatory work and some rearrangements: carried an old couch to the third room, where his father and mother stayed, polished the floor, bought a sturgeon. Yes, it was wrong that the situation turned out in this way. His wife was upset, so was his mother. Mother was quite at home, but wife was another matter. Of course, he feels no shy before wife now, especially as six years of their joint life have passed and they got used to each other. But at that time, it turned out very absurd, as if his friends shunned him.
Bahadur was satisfied with his wife. She got on even with his father, while it was very difficult to come to terms with him. She works at a school, teaches Russian. The school is not far away from home, she attends it for 2-3 hours a day, so has time enough to care for the child and be occupied with her domestic affairs. She is Armenian by nationality.
Bahadur made the acquaintance of her through her brothers, house-painters too, born in 1936, Albert and Hamlet. They visit each other rather frequently, each Saturday or Sunday, go to the beach in summer. They are regular guys, Bahadur is happy to meet them and come to see their home. They like eating, drinking, signing. They are house-painters, as has been noted above, so they are chary of words. A house-painter disposes of scant information to tell it to another house-painter. One and the same phrases: color, client, glue paint, oil paint, Metreveli, Banishevskiy. Their sister – Anya, Bahadur’s wife, is different; delicate, tender, educated. That’s why Bahadur liked her and immediately decided to marry. Son needs such a mother to bring him up properly. School is school, while mother is everything for child, especially in his babyhood. Bahadur’s choice was right, and he never regretted for his destiny.
Two days before Rafik’s birthday, Bahadur took one hundred and fifty roubles from a client, and had another twenty five roubles of his own. According to all estimates, it sufficed to celebrate the birthday. He warned the client that he would not carry out house-painting for two days – it was necessary to urgently commission an object. At the same time he informed his superintendent of the situation. The superintendent congratulated him as wishing many happy returns of the day. He even advised Bahadur to drop in the railway station and but a Rostov - made vodka there.
On his was home Bahadur called on the station and bought six bottles of vodka. The day proved to be fortunate, vodka turned out Ordzhonikidze-made, not Rostov. Bahadur first decided to buy two more for the future, but changed his mind and decided to wait a little: money might be short of the birthday.
His bag held cognacs, three bottles of dry wine and two bottles of champagne. That would suffice. Now he had to purchase 8-10 kg of meat. It would be fine to cook a roasted sturgeon, however, it was too not, so it would be better to cook something of chickens. Chickens could be bought at a shop, meat at the market only. It would be wrong to feed people with frozen meat and thus mar impression.
Bahadur dropped in the market and agreed on 10 kg of mutton for him for tomorrow morning. A butcher asked him to come not later than 8 o clock’; otherwise, the mutton may be over. Bahadur explained the butcher, what mutton he needed – ribs and haunches, and they agreed on 5 roubles per 1 kg. The mutton will be fresh tomorrow.
Now it was time to deal with other matters. Tomorrow, it would be necessary to invite all the guests. It was essential to start with morning to notify everyone. On the 10th he would not be able to go any where: he would be busy at home all the day long. Hence, it was essential to by everything today, including chickens or, at least, sturgeon. Despite the hot weather, the sturgeon would decorate the table.
There were no chickens at the shop, but there was beef instead. A person from the queue told Bahadur that there were French chickens in the micro-district in cellophane bags. “A French suit is a good thing, but French chickens in the bags are not known”, Bahadur thought, - otherwise, one would be in absurd position before the guests”.
He did not go to the micro district. He bought two chickens at the market for eight roubles each and then decided to by the sturgeon. But no sturgeon was sold at the market. Fishermen brought it in morning but it was sold out immediately. Bahadur could try it early in the morning, but it was too risky, and if not possible he would be in no position to go to the seaside to get it. Tomorrow he would be too busy to invite guests.
Bahadur brought a shopping bag home and told his wife that he would go to Bilga for the sturgeon.
She had just come from her work and was busy with feeding Rafik with fried egg-plants. Like Bahadur, the boy licked egg-plants very much and in general he was fond of everything roasted: meat, tomato, fried eggs with abundant oil to dip bread into it. The boy had good appetite; other children were compelled to eat, while Rafik gladly ate himself. That’s why he was stoutish. Outwardly he did not take after Bahadur, his skin was whitish, his cheeks rose-colored, lips are tender like girl’s ones. He took after his mother.
- “Have a shave. You have a disagreeable appearance” – the wife said to Bahadur when he put bottles and chickens on the table. She said nothing of what he had bought. At the same time, she made it clear that she disagreed with him regarding the celebration of their son’s birthday so splendidly.
Bahadur took of his shirt, washed himself, and began shaving.
Yes, Rafik did not take after him. His eyes, skin and hair were quite different. Only his teeth are Bahadur’s. They are turned down. But his teeth would be changed. Rafik’s hair was not curly, while the Bahadur’s one was ringed. No haircut was kept, so his hair started with eyebrows. For this reason his forehead was small. But in fact his forehead was normal. Bahadur did a foolish thing: he shaved them off above eyebrows. They were small like a fluff. But now they grew up everywhere, on cheeks, beneath eyes. He shaved off a fluff, so he has to do it perpetually. Yes, the nature endowed him with hear everywhere, not only on his face. Therefore his wife was right: it was essential to have a shave frequently, since he grew younger immediately.
While Bahadur was having a shave, his wife cleaned everything he brought into a refrigerator. Then she sent Rafik play in the courtyard and began cooking a dinner.
- I hope to come back by 7 o’clock, - Bahadur told his wife. His wife said nothing. Bahadur’s father came out of the room.
- What’s news in the papers? - Bahadur asked, and he thought that his father had better change his shirt the day after tomorrow. A collar of his shirt was obliterated and darkened.
Father left Bahadur unanswered, opened a door of the refrigerator and took out two egg-plants. He liked to bake them on a gas stove. He put egg-plants on red-hot piece of iron, turned it from time to time to avoid burning. It was inopportune for him to do so. Anya had to move away from the gas stove.
- Is it so necessary to by a sturgeon? – she asked when Bahadur had put on his shirt.
- His wife’s question rejoiced Bahadur; this meant that she agreed with his decision to celebrate their son’s birthday.
Anya is well-done, she is always successful in easing tensions. It was also his father’s having come out of the room that played its role. They treat each other better in his presence, as if apply joint efforts against something alien.
- No, it is not, Bahadur said, especially as the weather is hot and the fish goes bad faster. But the sturgeon cannot be replaced on the table. Lets’ boil it a little, and the rest would be roasted.
- I don’t understand why is it so necessary? – Anya asked, however, Bahadur knew that she agreed on everything. She speaks merely to ease tensions between them over the past few days due to the birthday celebration.
- What’s the matter? - father suddenly. For some reason or other, his throat was dressed.
- Why have you bandaged your throat? – Bahadur asked. However, his father was waiting an answer to his question.
- Bahadur wants to go to Bilga for the sturgeon, - Anya noted.
- You have promised a blade for me, - father turned to Bahadur. He always feigned to ignore Anya’s words even if he asked her himself. – Why is the sturgeon for?
- Rafik is five on the 10th, Bahadur stressed – I want to invite guests. The five year anniversary occurs once five years.
Father said nothing, just blew on the egg-plants to accelerate their cooling.
- The boy does not need it, - Anya noted. – just adults will come, if any…
She did not look at Bahadur when uttering these words, and she did it imperceptibly to avoid hurting him. He did not feel hurt; he thought that he hurried to purchase drinks, for the guys might not come again being too busy or outside the city. It is just the beginning of September, many have not returned from holiday… So Bahadur felt somewhat ill at ease for his haste.
- It’d be better to buy a present for the child, - Any went on, - and call his friends from the courtyard. He would like it very much.
- You’re wrong in saying this! – Father interfered as moving the egg-plants aside.
- There is supreme state policy, small-scaled policy, tactics and strategy, - he proudly looked at Bahadur.
Beyond any doubts it would be reasonable to find out, whether the guys are in the city or not, have they spare time or not, and only that expend money for vodka and cognac, Bahadur defamed himself, otherwise, he would risk getting into scrape because of his haste.
- You think the state needs your holidays? – asked father. He did not turn his eyes on Anya, though spoke for her. – No, this money could have been spent for thousands of little nothings, from empty stomach point of view. On the other hand, we need holidays as manifestation of enthusiasm from supreme policy point of view. You think it’s so easy? Not likely! That’s why you are making a mistake at every step. The Russian language is easy to teach, but there are much more sophisticated things! – he started at Bahadur with great regret: your wife twists you, uneducated fool, round her finger.
But there are people in this house who notice everything. She is wrong to think that way.
- Okay, - Bahadur made a wry face – don’t fly into rage. Supreme policy! Rafik needs a coat, what has it got to do with supreme policy? – Bahadur attached no importance to “subtilizing” his father after one of his numerous written requests was read by Leila, Eldar’s mother, who discovered scores of errors. It turned out that Bahadur’s father was semi-literate despite his years long office as prosecutor.
- You want me not to eat up these egg-plants? – cried father.
- You want me this piece be stuck in my throat? – You’ll never see it, you’d rather die than I do it! – He seized egg-plants and, assuming an air that it burned his hands, he threw himself to his room.
- Anya burst out laughing, while Bahadur was past laughter.
- Don’t pay attention to him, - she said, - even if your friends fail to come, it does not matter. We’ll invite relatives.
- Why shouldn’t they come?
- Bahadur suddenly shouted.
- Why? Shut up! You’re always poking your nose in everything! Cook your dinner, it’s not your business…
When screaming out these words, Bahadur saw his wife’s face screwed up and tears sprang up in her eyes. He realized that he behaved wrong, and wondered at his stupid, unfair words. Instead, he became angry with himself. The door banged, and Bahadur headed for Bilga to get a sturgeon.
While at the railway station, he read a schedule first of suburban electric train, then bus but failed to understand, which of them was faster. His head was slow to grasp it.
He chose the electric train.
In forty minutes he realized his mistake: the train goes from Zagulba to Bilga once 2 hours, while a bus did it immediately.
He had to catch a passing car. He asked a driver where he could get a sturgeon. The driver mentioned a shop near a settlement, close by a railway level-crossing.
- Is there one more place where the sturgeon is sold? – asked Bahadur.
- It’s difficult now to get the sturgeon, - said the driver. – North wind has been blowing for three days, so fishermen have not put to sea. People with a poll in their courtyard have the sturgeon.
He pointed out a name of this person who disposed of the sturgeon.
No sturgeon was sold near a shop. An old salesman who sat in the shadow on a lemonade box, repeated what the driver said before, and mentioned a name of the person with a pool full of sturgeons.
Bahadur made his way for the village. He had to take off his shoes, full of sand. He was walking along a road with sand crunching on his teeth, bathed in sweet, covered with dust. It was to the point that he had not put on trousers of his black suit.
From time to time, the road bifurcated, and Bahadur, instinctively, chose either one or another and finally reached the destination. The road brought him to a small ground amidst houses surrounded by stone fences. Sand was shallow here with a hard soil beneath.
Houses were 2-storied with glazed verandas. A “Volga” car was parked close by a house, and a donkey near another one. Bahadur believed that a sturgeon poacher should have a car, to make sure, he applied to two lads seated next to the donkey. There was a heap of tomatoes on a red faded rag, and a balance. It remained unknown who they selling tomatoes.
They proved to be sociable, and displayed interest in Bahadur’s purpose of coming here. Interrupting each other, they informed that poacher Kamil left for Buzovny together with a fishing inspector to attend a wedding ceremony. Indeed, he could always offer a fresh sturgeon. However, his family members had no right to do that in his absence.
Bahadur crossed the ground and knocked at blue iron gates. Echoing to the knock was a girl aged twelve. Bahadur explained her that he had come from the city and wanted to buy a sturgeon.
- Daddy’s out – she said, - he’ll come tomorrow.
- But have you a fish?
- Don’t know.
Next came up another girl, a little older, then two women. They reaffirmed that Kamil was out and they were unaware of whether there was a fish or not. When Kamil comes home tomorrow, they will convey him Bahadur’s request to leave him a sturgeon, weighing approx. 8 kg.
Using a bus, Bahadur returned home. Dust and heat wearied him but he was glad that no fish had been bought. Vodka, cognac and wine were non-perishable, let them remain at home. Chickens were also necessary. But he was not interested in the supreme policy. Anya was right in stressing that Rafik needed a coat rather than spending so much money for the unnecessary birthday celebration.
He had desire to go home. Bahadur bought three glasses of beer (it was tasty when fresh), took two paper bags of pea from an old Tatar who was selling it covertly, and calmly drank glasses one after another. Then he picked his way home.
His mother had already come from work. Sisters were out: one on probation courses, another at the rest-home. It was so tranquil at home. Anya bustled in the kitchen. Bahadur went into the room and gat on a chair with a cap on his head.
Mother knew everything.
- You must have been tired, sonny, - she said affectionately, and brought bedroom slippers for Bahadur.
She never wearied him with questions. Of course, she burned with the desire to know about the results of his trip to Bilga, yet, she remained silent hoping that Bahadur would tell everything.
It was so grievous that his mother grew old.
- I’ve not got a fish, - Bahadur said.
- No problem, - she reassured.
- A couple of chickens will be enough to cook an excellent pilaw with raisins. Rice is old at the shop, and dolma with grape leaves can be cooked from mutton, so guests will be pleased.
Bahadur heard nothing of what mother told him but the very voice calmed him down. When he drank a pair of tea glasses she had brought him, his irritation and weariness nearly left him, though he grew heavy from the beer drunken.
- The reason why I want to celebrate my son’s birthday, - he told his mother loudly so that his wife could hear in the kitchen, - is that people could come here and see how we live on. We have received this flat for so many years, however, nobody but our relatives has ever visited us. It is a shame before my friends. When I meet them somewhere they ask me: “How are you getting on? How is your mother, child? We have never seen your child”. I don’t know what showed I answer. Rafik is five years old but my friends haven’t yet seen him. We live like owls. I have the right to celebrate my son’s birthday once five years. I want my friends with whom I grew up in one and the same courtyard, to come and see me. Why should I live if I cannot afford such things? Why am I working so hard, like donkey? Am I right, mummy?
- You’re right, sunny.
- I don’t want to alienate my self from friends! – suddenly Bahadur felt that he was speaking too loud, nearly shouting, while windows to the courtyard were open and neighbours could have thought that they were quarreling.
- Nobody tells you to alienate your self from friends, - Anya said in the kitchen. – I agree with you, however, you raised a cry and left…
Bahadur stood up.
- Why have I raised a cry? – he asked and went to the kitchen. – I’m not iron…
Everything ended well. It was decided that Bahadur would invite his guests his evening and buy meet in the morning; the rest was women’s business. Bahadur added that if he had time enough, he would buy the sturgeon. He insisted that he would roast mutton himself, so he could not entrust it with somebody else.
All neighbours in the old courtyard had telephones. Elder and Ramiz had it since pre-war times; others obtained telephones when automatic station #2 had been launched. Before going their, Bahadur decided to phone Eldar’s parents and warn them that he was going to see them and learn telephone numbers of two other friends he made acquaintance with several years ago at the circus via Faik, Ramiz and other guys. He knew that the guys were still on friendly terms with him, so he decided to invite them too please everybody.
Note that Oktay worked at the State Planning Committee, Tofik was director of the central department store. Both of them were two years older than Bahadur; both of them had families and Bahadur visited them several times, so he wanted to thank them for their hospitality. He could not invite them to attend his wedding ceremony, because they were not so close to him, while Bahadur’s flat, though 3-roomed, could not accommodate relatives from the two sides. Meanwhile, the Rafik’s birthday is a chance to show respect to friends…
Mrs. Leyla, Eldar’s mother took a receiver; she was glad to hear Bahadur but criticized him for not coming and seeing her for so long. Bahadur inquired about telephone numbers of Oktay and Tofik as saying that he would be in half an hour. He asked, if Mr.Hamid was in, conveyed his regards to him and asked Eldar to wait for him…
A fresh fish was on sale at Shamahinka – several big carps. The queue was small, while a fresh fish was seldom sold in the street, so Bahadur decided to buy two fishes to eat them up with Eldar’s parents.
He was skillful in scaling and cooking fish, why shouldn’t he regale them with fresh fish.
Mr.Hamid was lying on a sofa and reading a book with glasses on.
- Oh, - he exclaimed on seeing Bahadur, - a fugitive returned home, - he dropped spectacles and rose groaning to his feet. He had a hernia.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Leyla was telling fortunes by cards. She stopped painting hair and turned absolutely white and put on weight. Like many years ago, walls of the flat were papered.
- It is necessary to change wall-papers, - Bahadur stressed, - they look bad.
- Oh, - Mrs. Leyla brushed aside, - who will change wall-papers? We have nothing to do with wall-papers; it is useless to tell Eldar about it. – She lost good spirits, perhaps, she was dissatisfied with Eldar and prove to be rather hot tempered.
- Our fortune is not in wall-papers, - Mr.Hamid blinked his I at Bahadur. He yielded to Mrs. Leyla in everything, but sometimes he played tricks on his people which drove them out of wits.
- Don’t talk nonsense, I ask you very much, - Bahadur noted as putting a wrapped fish on a window-sill, - it’s so pleasant when the flat is in order.
Every time when Bahadur came to sea Eldar, he felt pity that the latter as candidate of sciences neglected his abode: wall papers grew bare, doors not painted, upholstery came out. As compared with the Eldar’s flat the Bahadur’s one was excellent: everything was brilliant, well painted and properly repaired. True, much depends on a woman who is close by. Mrs. Leyla is not very careful.
I’ve brought a fresh fish, - Bahadur said, - I’ve found it at Shamahinka.
Mr.Hamid became enthusiastic.
- Well done, - he rubbed his hands,- I’ve a bottle of something to drink.
- Thank you, - Mrs. Leyla stressed and began telling fortunes by cards, - fish calls for much trouble and it has to be scaled.
- I’ll scale it, - Bahadur calmed he down, - give me a frying pan.
- Let’s go. – Mr.Hamid asked, - I’ll show you where it is.
However, Bahadur knew here everything, since nothing has changed in this flat since he moved away from here, even the furniture is the same.
However, parquet was in sorry plight, seldom polished. There were oblong nickel-plated pipes in the corner of the corridor.
- What are they for? – asked Bahadur, though he realized that these were bars for curtains.
- We cannot find a carpenter to nail them.
- I’ll do that, - Bahadur stressed.
Jointly with Mr.Hamid they scaled fish and began frying it.
- Eldar has phoned, - Mr.Hamid reported.
They were standing near a gas stove, each with his own knife.
- When? – Bahadur was surprised and even worried.
- While you were coming to see us.
- Have you conveyed my request to him?
- Yes, I have. He promised to come soon…
Bahadur calmed down.
- You know, he said – you’d better fry it without me and I’ll be back soon.
- You should nowhere go, - Mr.Hamid stressed – there is everything in the home, both vodka and wine.
- I’m not going to the shop, - Bahadur calmed him down. – I’ll call on Faik and be back in a moment.
- Call him too. He likes a fried fish.
Bahadur wiped his hands and went down stairs, they competed here in the courtyard jumping from a step.
Meanwhile, the courtyard became overgrown with outhouses. Neighbours expanded their borders as well: they built new kitchens, shower-baths, toilets, sheltered balconies. In the recent past, the boys could play volleyball in the courtyard because it was roomy. A dried up trunk of the pistachio-tree still arose in the middle of the courtyard.
Sitting in the courtyard were Mrs. Solmaz, Ismet’s mother, Mrs. Onya and Latifa – in summer they always sit in the courtyard and see and hear everything round them, especially Latifa. One will not have the heart to say that Latifa was old, though she is of the same age that Bahadur mother. She is old childless tale-teller. She feigns to be intellectual, while she was former saleswoman; she had six husbands (and many other men) and spent half-year in the prison for false weight. It was she who made Bahadur decline from repairing Boris Leybin’s flat. Bahadur remembered here sympathetic mug and felt disgusting: “poor Bahadur, works all the day long at the building site and then has to earn additionally at his old friends’ flats. What else has he to do? One wants to live properly, especially as there is family and two student-sisters. It is necessary to provide them with food and clothes. Meanwhile, his father remained to be idler, even captured, German’s failed to make him work. Poor Bahadur, my heart is aching when I see him in these dirty clothes. The life is perfidious: some people are lucky – here Latifa whispered and cast a glance at the door of Bahadur’s friends whose turn is to fall prey to Latifa’s gossips, - while others, like miserable Bahadur, should earn bread from stone… He will never please her in this manner!
Faik was in but asleep. Ismet has not yet come from work. Bahadur turned to Eldar. On his way back to his friend, he was asked and replied thousands of questions from Mrs. Latifa, Onya and Solmaz. He promised them to take his mother with him next time…
Eldar has not yet come. They ate fish, drank a bottle of vodka (Mrs. Leyla did not drink). Then Bahadur make a hole in the wall using a jumper which he presented to Leyla many years ago; then placed bars for curtains in the holes and promised to stick them with putty next Sunday.
Eldar was not going to come. Mr.Hamid tried to set Bahadur’s mind at rest: Eldar cannot come through unforeseen circumstances; otherwise, he would have come long ago. He was so glad to learn that Bahadur was going to come and see him. Bahadur agreed with Hamid. What else could he say? It would be ridiculous to prove that the friends should not act in that manner; he had been waiting Eldar for three hours. The situation could arise when each minute would be inestimable. He asked to convey to Eldar that a matter was very important, perhaps, the one of life and death. He did not call Eldar for a year. Is it so difficult to come home on time, especially as your friend is in difficult situation? Or Faik? He is asleep, what does it matter? Meanwhile, Bahadur’s mother would, beyond any doubts, awaken Bahadur should his friend deice to visit him. Even he did not sleep for ten days! However, Faik’s mother suggested him a cup of tea, made inquires about his mother, son, yet, she declined from awakening Faik. Not the proper quest, he may wait a little!
Mr.Hamid kept on assuring Bahadur that guys still loved and remembered him; it was in vain that Bahadur signed, let him put out stupid things of his head.
New they will drink still more wine, and everything will be okay. Eldar is likely to come any minute, may be, he is approaching the gates and going upstairs…
Faik phoned before Eldar. Mr.Hamid took the receiver.
- Yes, he is here, - said he and looked at Bahadur, - no, Eldar has not come yet. Well, I’ll tell him. Will you come upstairs? Okay. Don’t forget us, - Mr.Hamid hang up the receiver and lighted his hands in dismay.
- He asked you to come down. Something has happened there. When Eldar comes, I’ll tell him that you’re downstairs…
- Let him phone.
- Sure. He will either phone or come down to see you. I promise.
Mr.Hamid once again congratulated Bahadur on the occasion of his son’s birthday and Mrs. Leyla conveyed best regards to his mother. Bahadur said them goodbye and went to see Faik.
Faik was sitting wearing pajamas on a bed in the intercommunicating room, and Ismet wearing a suit and neck tied, was sitting opposite him. He was downcast. Bahadur immediately realized that something had happened.
- Take a seat! – Faik pushed up a chair to him after they had hailed.
- Some problem with him.
- He showed to Ismet, - that’s why I could not come to see you.
Bahadur felt relieved when he understood that Faik had no opportunity to phone through unforeseen circumstance.
- How are things, Bahadur? – asked Ismet. He took cigarettes out of his pocket and uttered these words in a low voice, with restraint, as if the question was about relatives or acquaintances who ran into each other at a funeral; in asking questions and responding them, they give to understand that their affairs are nothing as compared with what has happened, so they display in interest in them out of courtesy only.
- Good, thank you, - Bahadur replied. The Ismet’s question made him believe that he was a participant of the serious matter.
- You must speak to him once again. – Faik told Ismet, rubbing his swollen face.
- There is a limit to everything.
- I feel pity for her, - Ismet noted.
It became obvious that the point was about Ismet’s middle sister who has for three years been meeting up with a doctor from out-patients’ clinic. But this doctor has a bride in the countryside. Ismet met with this doctor, and they parted an hour and half ago, but he said nothing concrete. He reaffirmed that he had a bride but made a reservation that he loved Ismet’s sister. He found it difficult to predict the future developments. The sister is twenty five, so she has to decide on her destiny. Meanwhile, the situation remains to be unclear and dawdling.
Faik stood up for drastic measures. Here Bahadur remembered an incident with his sister Sonya. Ismet stressed that his sister was weeping all nights long; if pressured, the guy would slip away, and the girl remain deserted, unfortunate.
- If not pressured, the guy would play with her a little and then desert. - Faik pointed out. – Why is he dragging out? He is dodging her, otherwise, would have married her long ago.
- He has no flat, - Ismet said, - he’s from the countryside. He hopes to pick up a flat.
- I’d advise him to rent a flat. Everyone acts in this manner, - Faik noted, - it’s possible to rent a good flat for thirty-forty rubles. Besides, he may built a cooperative flat. His parents own a garden, a personal plot, a cattle; trade in fruits. Today, country people are rich, they arrive in the city with pockets full of money.
- He’s different, - said Ismet, - he has no money, gets wages only.
- Get on as best you can – Faik sat up on a bed – everything is dependent on your behavior. If he feels that a tough guy is behind her, he would have to marry…
In short, the conversation was serious and lasted long, so Bahadur considered it inappropriate to remind his friends of his son’s birthday. Suffice it to wait until tensions would be over. However, finally Eldar came in, and the talks resumed…
Note that Eldar appeared at early twelve and the friends were involved in debates until twelve came. And all the time they spoke of the Ismet’s sister. Finally, Ismet went away to change his clothes and tell mother that had just returned. At his moment, Eldar appealed to Bahadur as asking what the matter was with him. He embraced Bahadur, apologized for not coming at once because of some unforeseen circumstances.
- Everything is rubbish, - he stressed, - how are you, Bahadur? Where have you been so much time?
All of a sudden, Bahadur could not contain himself and blurted out:
- Well, - he said to Eldar and Faik, - let’s suppose that I have been away for so long, but none of you has shown interest in where Bahadur has been. What’s the matter with him? Why doesn’t he come for so long? May be, he died? Do true friends behave so? If I haven’t come today, would anybody ever remember me? Have you ever tried to open doors of my abode as saying: “Bahadur, we have decided to visit you and see how you are getting on. Have you married, have you had a child, perhaps, he has grown up but we haven’t seen him yet”. Have you ever behaved in this may? And you dare call yourselves as my friends. I feel ashamed before my people. Well, you repeat it over and over again – my friends, of, my friends but where are they? Why aren’t they interested in you? A don’t know, what to say. I wished the earth could shallow me up… - Bahadur felt that his trembled; and he lapsed into silence. He did not look at the guys, took a cigarette from the table, struck it and inhaled.
His friends speedily began making excuses to Bahadur as saying that he was right and they were wrong in not visiting him so far. They stressed the necessity of mutual visits, more frequent meetings; however, they allegedly live a dog’s life. In spite of the fact that they live in one and the same courtyard, they rare see each other for being busy. Of course, such behavior is inexcusable. To remedy the situation, in a day or two they are sure to get together, revive the customs of the good old days. Is there anything more important than friendship? They are fool, do not appreciate this, while there are people who dream of gaining friends but it is not so easy.
Hence, they must get together, and arrange a festive meal.
- The 10th is my son’s birthday, - Bahadur said.
- Many, many happy returns of the day, - Faik exclaimed looking at Eldar, - how old is he?
- Five.
- In my view, on the 10th we are sure to get together and come to see Bahadur.
- Beyond any doubts, - Eldar agreed. – The time does fly, your son is five…
- I’d like to invite Oktay and Tofik as well, - Bahadur added, - I’ve not spare time today to ring them round…
- It’s my mission, - Faik agreed, - to invite Oktay, Tofik and others, - he meant Boris. – All of them will come.
- I can help you, - suggested Eldar.
- Thank you, everything is ready, - Bahadur assured. – I’ve got meat, purchased chickens, sturgeon promised tomorrow… How do you think, will six bottles of vodka and four bottles of cognac be suffice?
- You seem to wreck all of us, - Faik smiled.
- Also, there’ll be wine and champagne – Bahadur replied.
- The five year-anniversary occurs once five years.
- Well, a booze-up is going to take place, - Eldar rubbed his hands like father did.
- May I take a girl with me?
- No problem! Take whoever you like.
- But don’t forget that you’re invited to visit a married man’s home, - Faik warned.
- Whom are you raking me for? – Eldar smiled. – My girl is wonderful, pure, signs in the Russian Orthodox church chorus…
Eldar liked to joke in this manner, so did his elder brother Ramiz. Women are crazy about them…
Bahadur came home at 3 a.m. Undressed and nestled up to this wife. It was stiffing, she slept using a bed-sheet as shelter. She clasped him in her arms. With pleasure, Bahadur imagined that she was not so delicate when she had her clothes on. Her body was well-nourished, though thin-boned. Even her mother says it’d be better for her put on weight a little. But her mother has never seen her undressed.
It is pity to awaken her. She sleeps sound; he gets up earlier than she does. When Rafik was little, Bahadur had trouble with the son at night and let his wife have her sleep out. She looked like a child. There are things he is ashamed of in private, while she is not. He was angry at this, but he never focused on such things, however, he lost his good spirits because of her insolence improper with her good breeding. Later he realized that this was insolence, instead it was purity typical for a child of nature who is unaware of any uneasiness. She smells like a baby. Milky smell or smell of a grass. He smells paints to his heart’s content and then it seems to him that it was an odor of milk and mint. And yet, she is too excitable, so he will face difficulties in the future… Bahadur smiled, and carefully pushed his hand under warm and soft armpit of his wife a combination’s free place.
She did not wake up, just her breath became heavier. She frowned like a little girl with her eyes half-open and shining through narrow slots like a black glass.
Then she woke up and kept awake in an attempt to overcome Bahadur’s sleepiness. Finally, she subsided.
- All guys will come, - Bahadur mumbled through dream, - I’ll disgrace myself if I fail to get a meat tomorrow.
- Have you set the alarm-clock?
He shook his head. She climbed over him and set the alarm-clock. And suddenly remembered that she did not darn trousers of his black suit, which wore to rags between his legs. She decided to darn them before going to work. She lay with eyes open wide. She asked Bahadur, how much money he had but he did not answer. He did not hear a question. He had fallen asleep, so had she a little later…
He spent next day for obtaining meat, sturgeon Chung about several hours in Bilga) and hiring utensils. He was very nervous about utensils. Anya’s passport ran out. Bahadur took his passport to Bilga to withdraw money from his account at the savings-bank on his way back. He could not find his mother’s passport, though Anya rummaged the house, while father refused to give his passport. No utensils were delivered without passport. A hire station was to be closed at 7 p.m. but Bahadur did not come from Bilga. They had to ask utensils from neighbours Anya was successful (for the third time) in getting twenty large plates for pilaw and roasted mutton; twenty small plates for fish; forks and knives. However, she failed to get carafes.
In the evening, they were busy with cutting meat and fish, pickling them with onion and pomegranate. Mother was engaged in peeling greens; there was a lot of greens, everybody liked, guests and hosts. It was late when they began rearranging furniture: a sofa and a bed of Sima, Bahadur’s sister. They were carried into the bed-room to vacate a place for the second table.
Before going to bed, Bahadur phoned Faik to make sure that he had informed everybody about the birthday ceremony. Faik calmed him down as saying that Ramiz was still to be informed. He booked a trunk call with Sumgait, so Ramiz would be notified as well. At worst, somebody would go and fetch him, forty minutes there and back.
Because of bustle, Rafik played up long falling asleep. Anya was anxious, fearing that the boy fell ill. Whooping-cough was raging in the courtyard. They felt the forehead of the boy, but he had temperature.
He got up in the morning as if nothing had happened, so he woke up his parents before the alarm-clock rang.
Bahadur went away to get charcoal. It was sold in one place only, not very far from the old courtyard, next to the small market at Vtoraya Parallelnaya.
There was no queue. A charcoal-dealer want him that the coal was dampish and so flared up long. Bahadur took seven kilograms, more than half of the sack, and went home.
Everything was ready at 6 o’clock, the table was laid; a part of meat treaded on ramrods; another part was in the white enameled pan; peppered and corned pieces of the sturgeon were lying in a large aluminum stew-pan; greens were placed on plates; sheep’s milk cheese cut; sausages put properly; canned food open; pilaw rice was boiled on low fire; coal rose above in both braziers; four bottles of vodka, three bottles of cognac, two champagnes and wine ranked on the table; mineral water occupied the balcony.
Bahadur once again examined the table and made certain that everything was ready. Guests promised to arrive at 7 o’clock.
Bahadur washed himself, put on white nylon shirt trousers of the black suit, walked across the room, sat on a chair. He suddenly felt that his knees were trembling. He was surprised, because he had not worked much these days. He was very anxious about the birthday ceremony, invitation of his friends, purchase of meat, sturgeon and the rest.
He was alone at home. Anya went to the neighbor to stitch a seam on the dress. Rafik was playing in courtyard, father went away: he declined from a clean shirt, mother went to buy bread. They recalled about bread in the last minute. Many years ago when they were celebrating a memorable date, they suddenly recollected that there was no bread on the table.
Bahadur locked at his watch. It was forty minutes to seven. It was time to call Rafik home from the courtyard, wash him and change his clothes.
Bahadur wanted to ask Anya to do that but then he thought that if she could, she would have done everything without his request, she would not have stood idle.
He had to get up. Rafik was cycling in the courtyard. It would be very good if some of the guests would present him a bicycle, Bahadur thought, the boy would remember this birthday for ever. Rafik asked him to buy a bicycle long ago, however, no bicycles had been on sale, and if available, there was no money.
Bahadur was about to call Rafik, however, he saw his mother in the courtyard with a bag filled with bred, and he understood she would bring him home. He remembered that there was no pomegranate juice as a seasoning. He went hot and cold all over, if he had not remembered, the sturgeon would have been served without the pomegranate juice. He was angry that neither his mother, nor his wife had purchased seasoning beforehand. It was woman’s business to care for trifles. His mission was to purchase meat, sturgeon, chickens.
He told mother about the juice, and then ran after the seasoning. Usually, the seasoning was sold in all the shops, like cognac in the post-war years. But today he had to go to the Chernogorodskiy bridge to fetch the juice.
He returned home simultaneously with the first guests. Going upstairs, he heard their voices and the Anya’s invitation: “Your way, please”. He stepped up and heard the Faik’s question “where is Bahadur?” – “Here I’m!” Bahadur joyfully exclaimed behind him, - I have brought the juice”. Everybody was astonished and burst out laughing.
It was Faik, Stout Hasan, Boris and Ismet who came first. Boris came with his wife. All of them congratulated and kissed Rafik who wore a new suit with short panties. He was embarrassed and did not want to call his name, however, Anya shouted at him and he had to introduce himself. He took presents and went to the bedroom.
Everyone liked the flat very much. While Bahadur was engaged in demonstrating his abode, there came Oktay and Tofik and brought a car on wheels. “It is carting”, - Oktay explained to Rafik, - it is racing car”.
Bahadur was upset that they had come without their wives. He wanted to introduce them to his Anya. Besides, there were empty places at the table. Instead, Eldar and Ramiz came with three girls. “One for Faik”, - Bahadur thought.
Newcomers joined the guests, and the examination of the flat went on. They liked a kitchen, bathroom and wooden cupboards most of all. Note that these cupboards were manufactured by Bahadur.
Bahadur explained that the kitchen was not acceptable to the eye because it was in disorder. Anya and mummy were busy with cooking pilaw, so the kitchen was in a mess. All the guests were unanimous that everything was excellent. Indeed, the kitchen was excellent, covered with glazed tile, plastics on the floor, double enameled sink, white Czech gas stove. It should be noted that the Bahadur’s profession had its advantages: access to building materials. Anya gave a sign to Bahadur to take seats, and he led his guests into the dining room. While guests were taking their seats, Bahadur asked Faik, if it was time to cook shashlik (roasted mutton) or it would be appropriate to cook it later after hors d’oeuvre was over.
- Wait a little, Faik said, - it is necessary to propose main toasts, and then you may start, but you must be here, at the table. Call your wife.
Bahadur looked for Anya. Mother suggested kindling the charcoal in the braziers, however, Bahadur told her that he would personally cook shashlik and asked her to move away.
Faik was performing as toast-master. The first toast was proposed for Rafik. He came out of the bedroom and was very embarrassed. He turned red in the face and cast down his eyes. Anya whispered something in his ear and he shook his head and even tears dropped from his eyes. Anya felt his forehead.
- Why are you feeling his forehead every minute? – asked her Bahadur while Faik was proposing his first toast, - the boy cannot behave properly, you have got him out of head.
- I’m afraid he’s ill - whispered Anya, - he was sweaty all the day long and I had no time to wipe him.
- Why ill? – Bahadur tried to conceal he is concern, - it is necessary to bring the child up properly.
Finally, Rafik was set free.
Meanwhile, Faik was speaking about today’s holiday for all those present. He stressed that Bahadur’s son was the son of all of us. Anya knows that all of them grew as one big family; they shared joy and grief. Despite all difficulties they succeeded to rise to their feet. Each of them prospered (he hinted at himself, his candidate’s thesis). The most importance thing is that when they were little and the war continued, they were happy. Today, people hid themselves in the corner and unaware of their neighbours, while in the war years everybody knew everything about each other, and their courtyard lived as one big family. One was for all, and all for one. He was one in the family, but he had six brothers – the guests began shouting “and now?” – today I have still six brothers. To be frank, these brothers are alienating themselves from each other, and it is unpardonable, because nothing can be compared with the friendship. The life does continue, each day brings something new. But he knows nothing best than his friends, so he proposes to drink the health of little Rafik. He does not want the war to be repeated. He wishes little Rafik many, many happy returns of the day, many, many friends, as his father has.
Bahadur liked the Faik’s toast, it was honest toast. It was a sort of reply to Bahadur yesterdays reproofs addressed to his friends. Well done, Faik!
Everybody drank. Bahadur was drinking vodka.
Then they drank the health of Bahadur and Anya, parents of Bahadur (his father declined from attending the ceremony). Bahadur went to the kitchen and showed mother into the room.
She shed a few tears and wished happiness, health, many happy returns to everybody.
She returned to the kitchen, Bahadur followed her. He embraced and kissed his mother. He felt very happy today, he stressed. He did not doubt that all his friends would come to see him. These were his brothers.
Mother added that she was also sure that they would come. She took a chair suggested Bahadur to sit but he refused as saying that the guests were waiting for him.
Nevertheless, Bahadur remained. He smiled and sat down. He wanted to tell much to his mother but suddenly felt that he was tongue-tired. It was ridiculous: he had drunk just three wineglasses of vodka. That’s why Bahadur just smiled but could explain his mother why he smiled. This set him laughing: his poor mother could not understand why he smiled.
Anya came to the kitchen and led him into the room.
- Where are you dragging me to? – he was astonished. – I must kindle the charcoal.
- Already done.
- Who’s done it? – Bahadur stopped.
- Ismet and Hasan!
- Well…- Bahadur said, - how do you like today’s birthday? You stressed that that they would not come, - he leaned against the wall smiling on.
- It’s no good, - Anya noted, - they are waiting for you to come.
- But where’s Rafik?-
- In the bedroom.-
- I’ll be in a minute, - Bahadur said. – Tell everyone that I’ll soon be back.
He wanted to look through presents and ask, if Rafik liked the presents.
Any followed him. She was holding him a little.
Rafik was sitting on a rug with the presents scattered around him. He had unpacked all parcels.
- Do you like them? – asked Bahadur.
- What’s this? – Rafik showed to a white box resembling a radio-set.
- A doorbell. Sit here, I’ll be in a jiffy, - Anya told the boy. She kept her arms round Bahadur’s waist. He felt that he was strongly staggering.
- Wineglasses were too big, - he noticed.
- You’re tired, that’s why…Would you lie a little?
- Oh, no, - Bahadur categorically refused, however, Anya did not let him, so he sat on a bed. – Guests must be waiting me.
- No problem, lie a little. – Anya took his shoes off, put him on the bed and came out of the room.
Rafik was still sitting on the floor.
- Well, how do you like your birthday? – Bahadur asked. – Do you like it?
Rafik did not respond.
- Why are you silent? – Bahadur felt hurt. – Your father is speaking to you.
- I don’t know, - Rafik replied. He was sitting next to Bahadur. “He must be tired”, - Bahadur thought. Tired out with running about. Or he’s ill, running a temperature. It doesn’t matter; everything will be okay in the morning.
Bahadur put his feet on the floor, and immediately Anya looked into the room. Inexplicably, she heard his putting feet on the floor.
- What’s the matter? – She asked.
- Just a minute, Bahadur mumbled. He wanted to go the guys and tell them that he would have felt hurt if they had not come today.
- Don’t move, - Anya insisted, and put his feet on the bed.
- Was I right in arranging this birthday? – He asked.
- Yes, of course.
- But you minded it…
Anya left.
Bahadur did not try to get up. It was so pleasant to lie. It was so magnificently to celebrate the birthday, he pondered, my father was right in saying that holidays should be celebrated. And the guys liked my flat too. Sure, he will buy a coat for Rafik. It’s rubbish! He is sure to buy a coat for his son! He will buy hundreds of them, if necessary.
He has not yet died, he is firmly resolved to buy a coat…
Then he fell asleep and slept soundly till morning.