EPISODE 3
“MEETINGS”
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PROLOGUE
FADE IN:
INT. BIG ROOM IN ILMI’S FAMILY HOUSE – SUNRISE
CLOSE ON: a thin ray of sunlight glints through the window, slides across Ilmi’s face disappears. He wants to open his eyes and move, but he can’t. His body does not obey. Ilmi, at times, hears everything that is happening, but then again falls back into oblivion. Near Ilmi are his parents, his younger brothers, and his sister. Also, in the room are neighbors. Mariam, wiping her tears, leans over Ilmi.
MARIAM
(whispered)
Already much much time has passed. His head and chest are hot and his feet are cold. It’s not good! I remember . . . Unus hugs her.
UNUS
Think good thoughts. The sunbeam returns and lingers on Ilmi’s nose. Ilmi smiles and sneezes.
UNUS
(laughing)
He smiles and sneezes! This means he will live!
Ilmi opens his eyes and sees his Mom’s tear-stained eyes directly above.
MARIAM
(crying)
You will live!
Unus smiles and hugs Mariam.
UNUS
Well, we’ve had enough tears. You see . . . Alive! From under the arm of Mariam, Yasira peeks in. She cautiously stretches out her hand and strokes Ilmi’s forehead.
YASIRA
(whispered)
My brother is alive! She turns around and tells everyone loudly. He’s alive! My brother is alive!
People in the room breathe a sigh of relief and start happily whispering. Mariam brings a spoonful of water to Ilmi’s lips and he slowly drinks. He then closes his eyes and falls asleep. Mariam smiles. She wipes her tears and turns to Unus.
MARIAM
(whispered)
I haven’t asked Unus . . . . Tell me, what happened on the Mountain?
And . . . Where did this strange little leather bag on his neck come from?
People around us say that it’s a miracle that our boy is still alive.
UNUS
Don’t cry. Our son is drinking water. That’s good. He just needs time to get stronger. . . .
Don’t take the little leather bag from Ilmi.
(thoughtfully)
I don’t know who gave it to him, but I know he really needs it and that it is very important for
him. . . .
MARIAM
I understand. . . . Your father said the same words. When he saw this strange little leather bag on Ilmi’s neck, he smiled. I asked him, “What can it be?” He said, “If he has it, he needs it.”
Unus nods. He leaves the house and everyone leaves with him. The neighbors quietly greet Unus and Mariam before leaving the big room. Unus, Ilmi’s brothers and sister follow them. Only Mariam remains with Ilmi.
EXT. YARD BY ILMI’S FAMILY HOUSE – EVENING
Unus stands at the gate and escorts his neighbors who had come to visit his son. He thanks everyone who came to the house for their support of his family.
FATIHA approaches Unus. /Fatiha is a full woman of around thirty-five years. She is the next-door neighbor to Ilmi’s family. She is very kind and emotional. Fatiha raises her two sons alone because her husband died in the Mine one year ago./ Fatiha hands Unus a box.
UNUS
What is it?
FATIHA
It is money. It’s from all of your neighbors.
Ilmi needs a doctor. Take it, dear Unus.
UNUS
No . . . We can manage. I will find the money. You’re need is greater. Your husband died a year ago.
FATIHA
Yes . . . . But my relatives help me. Your family and all the neighbors have always helped me.
Fatiha is silent, then wipes tears from her eyes and says with a smile.
We live together . . . Your joy is my joy. Your pain is my pain. . . . This is money from all our neighbors. We collected it for Ilmi. Please take it.
Unus wants to say something more, but he is too overwhelmed to respond.
FATIHA
Don’t say anything. It is a child’s life . . .
Unus takes the box in one hand and presses his other hand to his chest. He silently nods. Fatiha leaves.
EXT. GATE OF THE YARD, ILMI’S FAMILY HOUSE – SUNSET
The sun sets over the top of the Mountain. Unus watches the Mountain top again as Golden Palace flashes with gold colors before disappearing. Leaning on a stick, Icram slowly approaches Unus. He puts his hand on Unus’s shoulder.
ICRAM
Everything will be good, Unus.
UNUS
I feel that he is now between Heaven and Earth. Now is the time of choice.
ICRAM
Yes. This is true . . .
UNUS
I am ready to give him all my strength if only he will live.
ICRAM
You have given him everything he needs. He will manage. Icram is silent for a long time. Today, your mother Safa came to me in a dream . . .
This is the first time she has appeared in my dreams. She said it was necessary for Ilmi to go up the
Mountain and that we were not to stop him. And also, she said that we must protect him from the shadow.
UNUS
What does it mean? From what shadow?
ICRAM
I don’t know. That is what she said.
Both are silent as they look at how the last rays of sunlight are extinguished by the top of the Mountain.
A time will come when we will remember that sunset with immense gratitude.
UNUS
Thank you for your wisdom, Father!
ICRAM
It is the wisdom of Life, my son . . .
UNUS
Father . . . I wanted to ask you about . . .
Unus wants to add something else but does not have time. He sees a dark female figure on the road.
END OF PROLOGUE
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ACT ONE
FADE IN:
EXT. ROAD TO ILMI’S FAMILY HOUSE – EVENING
A small female figure appears on the road to the house. She is a middle-aged woman of small stature and a fragile constitution. Her face is tucked under a kerchief.
EXT. THE GATE OF THE YARD – CONTINUOUS
Icram looks at the road.
ICRAM
Strange . . . Who can it be coming to us so late?
Unus looks attentively at the road.
UNUS
It looks like Abir. You’ve probably heard of her. She appeared in the village two years ago. She lives in the house of Old Ostler. Nobody knows where she came from. . . . Old Ostler was very happy when a woman came to his house. After the death of his wife, he has lived alone for many years.
ICRAM
A woman at home is important. I have never seen her, but I have heard that she appeared after Safa left, right?
UNUS
Yes. It’s strange that she is coming to us. She has never visited before. I know that Mariam does not like her.
ICRAM
Why?
UNUS
Mariam says that Abir can heal people, but she does not do it the way Safa did.
ICRAM
What do you mean?
UNUS
Safa said that in every person there is a great power to be healthy. Mariam says that Abir tells people differently.
Unus looks at the woman walking towards them.
ICRAM
Unus, I will look in on the horse cart for the morning, and you talk to her. Icram leaves. Abir comes to the gate of the house and stops.
ABIR
Good evening! How is the health of little Ilmi?
UNUS
Good evening! Already better.
Abir smiles, looking directly at him, and speaks very quietly and slowly.
ABIR
I know that he has not come to himself yet. I have come to help. I know how . . . .
Unus stands, as if numb. Abir passes by him and enters the house. Unus wants to follow, but cannot. His legs seemed to grow into the ground. Icram approaches him.
ICRAM
The cart is ready for . . . (very worried). What’s wrong with you, Unus?
Icram puts his hand on Unus’s shoulder. Unus seems to come to life. He quickly runs into the house. Icram, feeling an uncomfortable premonition, hurries after him.
INT. THE BIG ROOM IN ILMI’S FAMILY HOUSE – CONTINUOUS
Ilmi is still asleep on the couch. Mariam touches his forehead.
MARIAM
Hot . . . I’ll bring you a cold towel and fresh water, my dear.
Kissing Ilmi and pulling a blanket over him, Mariam leaves the room. The younger brothers and sister are sleeping in the other room. Abir enters the room, bends over Ilmi, and takes a bundle of grass out from her bag. Unus appears in the doorway.
UNUS
What do you want?
Abir winces then freezes. Unus approaches her and Abir quickly hides the grass behind her back.
UNUS
What do you want?
ABIR
(gently)
I came with kindness, Unus. Why do you not let me help your son? I want to help…
UNUS
Why did you come to our family?
Abir quickly looks around, as if looking for someone invisible: who can help her.
ABIR
Why?
UNUS
I asked you, why have you come to our family?
CLOSE ON: Unus looks into Abir’s eyes. Abir does not blink.
UNUS’S MEMORIES:
SAFA (V.O.)
If you do not see the light in their eyes, then this person’s soul is dark.
PRESENT TIME: Unus takes a step toward Abir.
UNUS
I ask you again. Why did you come? Nobody called for you. Why are you here?
ABIR
(gently)
I know what you do not know. Let me tell you. . . .
UNUS
(comes on it)
Go away!
Abir takes a step back and starts again.
ABIR
Listen to me, Unus . . . I came with kindness, listen . . .
Unus takes another step towards her.
UNUS
Go away!
Abir carefully takes another step back. She looks at the sleeping Ilmi and sees the little leather bag on his neck given to him by grandmother Safa. Abir again gazes at Unus and takes another step back. Leaning towards Ilmi, she reaches out her hand towards the little leather bag on his neck. Abir’s shadow covers Ilmi. Icram appears in the doorway. He holds onto the wall trying to stay on his feet.
ICRAM
Don’t touch him! Take your shadow away from him and go!
While staring at Icram, Abir stealthily tosses the grass onto the floor under the couch with sleeping Ilmi and quickly backs away to the exit.
EXT. THE PORCH OF ILMI’S FAMILY HOUSE – CONTINUOUS
Abir jumps out onto the porch and faces Mariam. Mariam is holding a wet towel and a jug of cold water. She sees Abir’s malicious face and instantly understands everything.
MARIAM
Out of our house witch! Leave nothing that you brought into our home!
Mariam throws cold water into Abir’s face. Water dripping from her face, Abir squeezes her fists in hatred, ready to pounce on Mariam. Unus appears on the porch.
UNUS
Don’t you dare! Leave with what you brought.
ABIR
(hisses)
It will still be, what should have happened will happen. . . .
INT. INT. BIG ROOM IN ILMI’S FAMILY HOUSE – CONTINUOUS
Icram, breathing heavily in the room, leans on his stick. He sees the grass under Ilmi’s bed. Icram approaches the couch takes a handkerchief from his pocket and places it over the grass. Icram, leaning heavily on his stick, takes the handkerchief with grass out of the house. Mariam and Unus meet Icram in the doorway. Mariam is angry and wants to say something to Icram. Icram puts his hand on her shoulder.
IСRAM
Everything will be good. I will be back soon.
Icram leaves them at home. Mariam stops in surprise, wanting to say something. But at that moment Ilmi moans. Unus and Mariam rush to him. Ilmi’s face is very pale. His breathing becomes confused and he begins to gag. Mariam drops to her knees next to the couch and puts her head on his chest.
She looks at Unus in desperation.
EXT. ROAD TO OLD OSTLER’S HOUSE – LATE EVENING
The moon throws a cold white light on the road. Icram rides the horse cart to a lonely house on the outskirts of the village. He drives slowly. Next to him is the bundle of grass wrapped in a handkerchief that he had found on the floor of the room. Somewhere in the distance, a dog howls.
EXT. YARD BY OLD OSTLER’S HOUSE – NIGHT
Outside of the Old Ostler’s house, FIRST WOMAN and SECOND WOMAN sit and quietly talk among themselves. They are waiting for Abir to return to the house. /First Woman has around thirty years. She is dressed in dark clothes. Her face is covered. She is short and full. Second Woman also has around thirty years. She is thin and small. She also has dark clothes. Her face is open but her hair is covered with a big head scarf./ First Woman points at the door and whispers.
FIRST WOMAN
You know . . . Usually she is soft and calm. But this evening I hardly recognized her. Her eyes were terrible! I greeted her but she said only. “Wait until I call you!” So, here I sit and wait. Only its so cold . . .
SECOND WOMAN
O-oh . . . I also am feeling cold . . . But it’s always cold at night.
FIRST WOMAN
I’m talking about something else. It is not from the air . . . It is a chill in my heart.
SECOND WOMAN
O-oh . . . I don’t know . . . I came later and I did not see her. But I need to see her! Where is Old Ostler?
FIRST WOMAN
He drove the sheep to the Far Pasture. My husband also went with him. I think I’m going to go home . . . What about you?
SECOND WOMAN
O-oh . . . My husband also went to the Far Pasture but I want to see Abir. I need help from her . . .
FIRST WOMAN
Why have you come? Second Woman sighs sadly and reluctantly tells her story.
SECOND WOMAN
O-oh . . . I have a problem in my family . . . It’s difficult to tell . . . This is my first visit to Abir. I heard that other women go to her . . . Someone who wants to know their fate, to give their daughter in marriage or wants a happy marriage for her daughter, or to improve their health. I wanted her help, but somehow I have never visited. . . . Safa said there were no short cuts, everyone needs to create their own life and determine their own destiny. But I just want a chance to solve my problem quickly!
I heard that Abir knows how to do this . . . I heard her recipes really help. Only that they are very expensive . . . But, well . . . I saved some money! I hope it will be enough . . .
FIRST WOMAN
You know . . . I also remember Safa. She was an amazing woman. I remember she told my mother that love and gratitude are the greatest forces on Earth. I was still very young then. . . . Safa always said that creating a family and raising children is happiness and work.
She sighs.
Only I have found that this is so hard to do every day! I also have problems in my family.
I also heard that Abir knows how to fix everything. So I came. You know . . . The women hear the sound of a horse cart on the road and hide behind a bush. Icram approaches the house.
FIRST WOMAN
(whispering) Look! It’s Icram, Safa’s husband!
SECOND WOMAN
O-oh . . . Does he also go to Abir? It’s incredible!
FIRST WOMAN
You know . . . Abir must really be able to help.
SECOND WOMAN
O-oh . . . Maybe it turns out that Safa was wrong . . .
FIRST WOMAN
You know . . . It’s hard to understand . . .
Icram stops for a minute, ties up to the horse post, and then opens the door to an unsuspecting Abir.
INT. THE OSTLER’S HOUSE – CONTINUOUS
In the dim room, Abir sits at a table. Her long black hair, like a black cloth, covers her shoulders. On the table are a candle and a mirror. Abir slowly strokes her hair with a black comb and says something, singing the words in a melodious voice. Surprised by Icram, she drops the comb and stiffens.
ABIR
(aggressively)
Why have you come?
Icram places a bunch of dry grass on her table in front of her mirror.
ICRAM
You left this . . . now have it back.
ABIR
(hoarsely)
What?!
ICRAM
What is yours is yours, what is mine is mine. It is so and so it will be!
Abir looks at the grass in horror and backs away.
ABIR
(fearfully)
Take it back! I do not need it!
ICRAM
(strictly)
No. It will stay with you! I told you that yours is yours, and mine is mine. Remember . . . I know not what you know and don’t want to know!
Abir comes to her senses and begins to speak gently.
ABIR
You do not know . . . But I know . . . The boy was going to die tomorrow morning! So I came to your house tonight . . .
ICRAM
We did not invite you.
ABIR
I am not always called. Sometimes I come without invitation . . . Not everyone knows what I know . . . Your wife Safa also knew . . .
ICRAM
Do not utter the name of Safa. In her heart was love. In your heart is hatred . . . This is your
world and your choice.
Abir screams with pain and hates in her voice.
ABIR
(irately)
How do you know what my world is like?! What do you know about me?!
ICRAM
I only know that there is no love or kindness in your heart. Therefore, you are not welcome in our house!
Icram turns and leaves the house.
EXT. THE YARD OF OLD OSTLER’S HOUSE – CONTINUOUS
Icram climbs back onto the horse cart and heads back down the moon lit road. First and Second women approach the door listening carefully.
FIRST WOMAN
You know . . . I don’t know . . . But I am afraid!
SECOND WOMAN
O-oh . . . I am too . . .
FIRST WOMAN
So! You know . . . I guess I’ll go!
SECOND WOMAN
O-oh . . . I will wait . . .
First Woman goes to open the door. At that moment, both women hear a wild scream, like a wolf’s howl. The women freeze at the door not knowing what to do. After the scream there is silence, then they hear Abir laughing hysterically.
ABIR
He will die anyway! I will come to your house and your family, Icram! Then you will know who I am!
The women scamper away in fright.
END OF ACT ONE
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ACT TWO
Will be soon
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