Rooftops of Tehran

Pasha spends a lot of time staring out his window because he is unable to focus on anything, even reading, which was a pleasurable pastime for him previously. When Ahmed, Iraj, and the other boys are in school, Pasha is left alone for long moments with his thoughts, which he dislikes. Pasha refuses to go to school the following year without Ahmed and Iraj, since he is a year behind them now. Pasha’s father promises to send him to the US, since he is worried about Pasha’s safety as well. The SAVAK, aware of Pasha now, may decide to arrest him at any point. However, Pasha doesn’t want to go to the US.

On nights when thinking about Zari is too painful, Pasha walks around to distract himself. He often ends up on his roof and looks toward Zari’s room, which is now occupied by the Masked Angel. He observes the Masked Angel praying at night or reading a book. One evening, he thinks he sees a shadow move in Zari’s terrace and tries to focus on it. Unable to find the shadow, he goes to Zari’s terrace and collapses into tears and memories.