Nameless

by Sevara Ganjiyeva (Uzbekistan)

Making a local connection Uzbekistan

It is said that there’s a man who has no name the whole life. Nobody knows his real age. According to my grandmother, although a nameless man is so old, he looks like younger than he was, actually. Nobody knows that man’s address. Maybe, he is in the forest near to our house. Then I was younger, almost twelve years old when I saw the nameless firstly. My family included in father, mother, little brother and me. My dad would work at the factory and he was the only man who earned money in the family. Mom cared for my little brother, ten years old. He was so weak. He had a serious heart disease. Our family was a hand-to-mouth, the brother’s illness required so much money. My dad always did his best but… As I was younger at that time, I was green envy with him because of all my family’s care. I had three close friends. We loved playing football, they were:Yamin, Salih and Xalid. Once shopping around, we saw a pair of the wonderful trainers. Then all of us decided to buy them tomorrow. I was afraid that decision. Mostly, much money was spent for curing my little brother. After breakfast I told dad to buy the trainers which I saw with friends in the market. The father: -Son, you have shoes now, your little bro must be examined again soon. Please, I’m sorry for denying Wait, I will buy them next month. -Oh, nooo! I’ve fed up with your weak son, dad! How about me? Am I not your son? -How dare you say like this about your bro? - I don’t want to have my ill bro anymore, dad! At once dad slapped me. And I cried out, entered my room and I was locking the door inside, I noticed my bro there. He came to me and gave me 50 $. -I’ve taken it where mom usually saves money, you can buy what you want. Don’t worry about me. Please, shshsh… I saw brother’s real love towards me on his eyes and face. Looking his eyes, I take money from his hand, unfortunately! Then we bought new shoes and went to play in the forest. Coming back, we lost inside forest. Suddenly, I heard something whispered. I looked back to know what it was. I saw a white wolf, chasing after something far from us. We began running away. Being tired of running, I stopped. Then I realized that I lost my friends. It was getting dark. Somebody: -What are you doing alone? There was a handsome, dignified man behind me. Looking at his face, you can’t stand staring. While talking, he seemed to read your thoughts in your brain. -Your dad shouldn’t have done like that! -Where did you know about my dad? -It’s easy to notice because many children will come here because of quarrel with relatives. There‘re so many tommyrots which are nonsense to threaten children. All of them are afraid of this forest. Then he offered me softly to stay at his coverture. I don’t know why, but followed him without saying. He guided me towards his cave. Moving towards where he lived, I was feeling tired. The nearer to the cave we were, the more I was slack. Finally, we reached the mouth of the cave, I couldn’t believe my eyes. -What is this? How? Is it me? My voice seemed to me as that of an old man. I hardly turned to my back, and saw younger, more exhilarated man than he was. -Oh, what has happened to me? The young guy led, leaning on himself, “the old man”, that was me to the cave. I have come here since capturing eleven years ago. I’m always toddling around the cavern, waiting for my death. There is a cemetery where my three friends and only habitants buried here. It isn’t allowed to come here, for anybody because this settlement is been guarding by the white wolf, Manira and her gang. If we’re still alive here, THE NAMELESS will never grow old. But, Manira isn’t here now. I think, an “OLD MAN” is been bringing!