He used to have a stationery shop in a mall on Enghelab Street. He was seven or eight years older. His shop was next to my friend’s bookshop to which I paid a visit once a week. Arash was a football enthusiast and this was the only reason for our companionship. I used to meet him for two years and talk about football matches and players.

In one of these meetings, among the jokes and laughter someone talked about the gays which led to a lengthy discussion. One was of the opinion that they were sick. Another claimed it was more about pretense and show. Arash evaded to express his opinion on the issue and took everything as a joke and made fun of it. Somewhere in the discussion I got tired too and followed Arash’s jokes.

I told Arash, “In fact we two click. We can be together and be a great couple”, and I laughed.

Arash replied, “As a matter of fact you got a great ass”, and laughed his head off.

From this point on, the others forgot about their own serious discussion and got engaged in our talks.

I said, “As a matter of fact you’ve got such full beautiful lips that deserve kissing”. We couldn’t stop laughing and tears were running on our faces.

A couple of weeks later, I went to the bookshop to see my friend. It was closed. I went to Arash’s store. “He’s gone out”, he said, “He’ll probably be back in half an hour. If you want you can stay here till he comes. By the way, those fountain pens that you called and ordered will arrive today”.

“That’s great”, I said, “They’re so good that I want to give them as gifts to others. When will they arrive?”

He answered that they would arrive soon.

I started looking at the pens, notebooks and the fountain pens which were arranged in a neat order. I felt that he locked the store. My back was to him.

I said, “You must have a blast around this stuff. I adore stationery. I’ve got a strange fascination for them”.

As his voice got closer he said, “So you love to kiss my lips”, and put his arms around me from behind. A cold sweat ran through my body. I gave his hand which was coming to my face a brush-off.

“What the fuck are you doing?” I yelled at him.

He said, “I thought you like it”.

He opened the door and I ran off. My whole body was shivering.

Last year after eleven or twelve years I suddenly bumped into him on the street. He was with his wife and two kids. We both pretended not to know each other and passed by.