Friday Previews

Here's an excerpt from Yesterday, a period piece that takes place during the last few months of the Pahlavi dynasty. The year is 1978 and the setting is Karachi, Pakistan. My main characters come from two very different backgrounds and, despite all the warnings, start a friendship that changes their lives forever.  During this tumultuous time  in our history, I think it's more important than ever to focus on our similarities rather than our differences. Love is love.   


     We got to the round table, and he pulled out the chair for me. I was taken aback by the gesture; I didn’t think royals did that sort of thing. I obviously had some preconceived notions I’d have to discard.
     Once we were settled, he asked, “What would you like to see today?”
     “How about I let you decide?”
     “All right,” he agreed. “Why don’t we stroll through Empress Market for starters?”
     “What is it?”
     “The oldest, filthiest, most congested bazaar in the world, but it’s a wonderful and interesting place to visit. You can film anything you want and shop as well. How does that sound?”
     “Perfect,” I replied. “Then what?”
     “They’re preparing lunch for us at my place.” Candidly, he mentioned, “I thought I’d show off my animals. You did say you were interested in the homing pigeons, correct?”
     “Among other things,” I replied.
     He reached over and took off my sunglasses. “That’s better. It’s hard to know if you speak the truth without looking into your eyes.”
     “What do you see, Kamran?” Hopefully not what I’m thinking, I added to myself. He was better-looking in the daylight, and I realized I would throw caution to the wind if he so much as hinted at the possibility. We were far enough from Iran to be safe, I rationalized. Why would anyone bother with me and a royal so far down the line of succession they’d have to obliterate the shah’s entire family for Kamran to stand any kind of chance at claiming the throne? As usual, my mind was off on a tangent, imagining one exciting scenario after another. Good thing I was going into filmmaking.
     “The obvious is that which is never seen until someone expresses it simply,” he said softly.
     “Gibran again?”

     “His communication skills are far better than mine,” Kamran stated.

     “But you’re alive,” I countered. “I’d prefer to hear your own thoughts.”

     Kamran stood and held out his hand. “Why don’t you go and change. I’ll be waiting for you in the white Land Rover that’s parked at the hotel entrance.”

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