Between Walls and Dreams | Part 6 Memories
After their executions took place some of the prisoners who were released began to share stories and memories with the immediate family about Enayat, Ezzat and Roya.
“Anyone that came from Baba’s (Father’s) prison, had stories about his patience, dignity, and being silent. They said he was an advisor to all. He was the only one whose words were accepted by young and old prisoners alike. If they had differences of opinions, Baba was their communication bridge, no one dared to say anything on his word. They say when Baba entered a room, everyone stood up as a sign of their respect, stopped whatever they were doing, so to listen to Baba. This was not done for anyone else. Once they (the prisoners) wanted to write a letter to the authorities, 40 of the prisoners came to Baba and asked him to help them. Baba wrote their concerns in 6 lines in such a way, that they all accepted it right away.
On the last day, they called Baba and the others to inform them of their sentence, and then they returned to their cells to change their clothes in order to be ready to be taken to the execution grounds. The other prisoners said Baba was very quiet, no one could think what could be in his thoughts in that moment. Baba’s court had been one of the few court sessions that had always been full of swearing and shouting, and took longer than others. Normally the court sessions took about 10 minutes but Baba’s was usually half an hour. After the court session, his face was fiery red and his lips were dry. In his last court session, the judge threatens him to execution by hanging, Baba got up and said: ‘What are you scaring us of. This is not life we have, death is a blessing.’ and he left the room.
The released prisoners said Baba has placed the pictures of Arash and Sheila (his two grandchildren) under the top bunk bed, exactly in front of his face and often talked about them to others.
About Mamman (Mother) and Roya, the released prisoners talked about how Roya was excited about Rozita’s engagement and had organised a celebration at the same time of the engagement party where she had sang a few songs.
On Monday before the executions, Mamman on the way to the guidance class (where they were lectured to make them recant their Faith), recognises Baba and says: Elahi Bemiram (O God, let me die for him). All the prisoners remember this sentence. After that, Mamman had said: ‘Now I am at peace, because a few nights ago, I had a dream that I was very unhappy about Baba’s situation and in the dream I told him that I was afraid that they will hang him and then I would be left alone, and then what would I do? But Baba had said not to worry, because wherever they are, they will be together. So Mamman said today when I saw that Baba was returning from the guidance class, I became assured.’ Mamman also knew about Rozita’s situation, and had said to others that tell Rozita to marry as soon as possible so that I can stop worrying for her too.