FRACTURE

Dad: Huh! Do you really think this boy will take care of his parents? No way.

Mom: I don’t see any sign of it either. But he’s still our son. We have to take care of him, even if he never looks after us.

Dad: That’s not what I mean. I just... don’t know if all these struggles will ever pay off. Will we ever get anything back from him?

Mom: Only Allah knows. These days, it doesn’t even seem like he wants to talk to us.

Dad: Hmm...

Mom: But how will he take care of us if he can’t even earn enough to support himself in the future? God forbid it turns out that way. I just pray my son earns enough to live a happy life. I don’t want him to suffer the way his father has.

Dad: We can see his academic results. How is he supposed to get a well-paying job with grades like those? Still... I hope things turn out well.

Mom: If he becomes rich, he’ll probably leave us behind. Then our little daughter and we will have to spend the rest of our lives alone in the village.

Dad: No, I’ll be the one left alone. At least you have land, a house, your rich brothers and uncles—people who’ll be there for you. I have nothing. I’m completely broke.

Mom: Oh, come on! I don’t even have my parents anymore. I have nothing left in my hometown either.

Dad: I’m getting old. I don’t think I can carry these responsibilities much longer.

[A few seconds of silence.]

Mom: Shabnam... where’s your homework? What did your teacher write today?

Dad: Hey, forget the homework for now. It’s time to eat.

Mom: Shabnam, come here.