War Love Smile: A Novel

By Mohsen Experex

The novel is a post- modern multi-narrative work of fiction in which each character narrates the story from a different point of view. The story is portrayed from the first-person perspective of a family involved in a drug dealing gang in southwest Asia.
The father of the family who is involved with the gang leader, is believed to be the main culprit of the crimes, as well as the victimization of the family members, though the answer to this complex riddle is behind a narration of love and smile, the outcome of which will be determined by war and revenge ...

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mohsen Experex
• Release date: Mar 31, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005307493

Mohsen Experex

Mohsen EXperex, an Iranian autor, with real name and sure name "Mohsen Haji Roozbehani" born in Tehran on March 25, 1993. Mohsen EXperex began storytelling at the age of 13, but he never wrote his stories. He wrote about 3000 pages in 2015 to 2016. In 2018, he decided to publish his first story "The dream within", which he had in mind at the age of 13.

Book preview

@MOHSEN EXPEREX

Mohsen Haji Roozbehani an Iranian author, known as Mohesn Experex was born in IRAN on March 25, 1993. He began stoytelling at the age 13. He managed to write about 3000 pages between 2015 to 2016. In 2018, he decided to publish his first story The dream within. He also completed his first novel WAR,LOVE, SMILE in 2021.

All rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission .

This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the result of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead is entirely coincidental.

Translator:

Pegah Saeedi Vafa is an English teacher and interpreter born in Iran on May 3,1993. As an M.A holder in English literature, she has been translating several articles on how to learn English effectively, available on Google. She started her formal career by translating the book,The Dream Within in 2018 which turned to be a sensation. The novel,War,Love,Smile is translataled by her in 2021.

Table of Contents

About the Author

WAR

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

LOVE

Chapter_1

Chapter_2

Chapter_3

Chapter_4

Chapter_5

Chapter_6

Chapter_7

Chapter_8

Chapter_9

Chapter_10

Chapter_11

Chapter_12

Chapter_13

Chapter_14

Chapter_15

Chapter_16

SMILE

Chapter-1

Chapter-2

Chapter-3

Chapter-4

Chapter-5

Chapter-6

Chapter-7

Chapter-8

Chapter-9

Chapter-10

Chapter-11

Chapter-12

Chapter-13

Chapter-14

Chapter-15

Chapter-16

Chapter-17

Chapter-18

Chapter-19

Chapter-20

Chapter-21

Chapter-22

Chapter-23

Chapter-24

Chapter-25

Chapter-26

Chapter-27

Chapter-28

Chapter-29

Chapter-30

Chapter-31

Chapter-32

A misty atmospherewas reigning over the vertical stones of the cemetery. Every stepI was taking, nothing else could be felt. The grass beneath my feet was green most of the seasons. I'm approaching a tombstone next to which icy white flowers have grown. This tomb doesn't belong to a single person, they were buried together.

AS I approached the tomb, the sparrows’ song could be heard less and less. I wonder if they have realized the sin I havecommitted?!

I have never been able to read the inscriptions on the tombstones. I feel as if my body is suffering under this stone slab and my soul is experiencing a terrible nightmare in this world. I can’t even understand who has been buried next to me.

When I think of her, of being by my side, I find anindescribable peace.

It’s always cold here and its silence is gruesome.

I’minblack trying to read the inscription on the tombstone. Who is the second person?

I noticed a girl in a white dress; she was the only one shining amid the graves. People around were looking at her disgustingly, but it seemed she had given them all a cold shoulder gazing at the tombstone I was kneeling in front of. Why doesn't she come forward to be seen? Why does she smile angrily? She seems to be constantly blaming herself. Who is she?

SEASON ONE

War

Chapter ONE

Cyrus

Year 2005

October 31

I was dizzy from the effects of the anesthetic in my blood. I came out of an abandoned building that was once a slaughterhouse and wrapped a black handkerchief on my head to stop the cold and bleeding. It looked as though the darkness of the night wasn’t willing to over, tormentingme more and more every moment. I have to finish the job on my own. Everyone who stepped into my life was killed by my father and his accomplices. I saw a scene that evoked all my good memories for a few seconds. It was beautiful but painful. The last moment ended in the lifeless body of the dearest person in my life. I was tired of forgiving. Now it is the time for salvation. Right in front of the slaughterhouse was a new black motorbike parked, I guessed that it belongs to a sleepy guard, and my only obstacle was a chain attaching it to a metal bar. The easiest thing for me is forcing theold locks; all I needed was a bobby pin and a needle. I went to the chain lock and opened it, then started manipulating the motor switch’s input. I was afraid that the sound of the screams of the police officer I had imprisoned in the building, would turn around and awake the guard, I had to do so to save his life. He was brave and that scared me. I wondered if I lose him too, I will have nothing else to lose.

I couldn't stand the death of anyone anymore and my only wish was to face my father. The man who used to be my hero, but now the death clue of all family members leads to him. I started the motorbike and hit the road quickly. Apparently, the guard has just noticed his motorbike's missing. He was a heavy sleeper.

This dream of negligence didn’t have mercy on my beloved and sister either. I was passing througha newly paved road leading out of the slaughterhouse to get me to where I should have started from.

My leather coat was torn; I didn't want to take it off. My mother would always look after me , when she would feel that it was raining, she would make me wear a leather jacket , now I feel that it is my mother's spirit that doesn’t allow me to take my coat off. I touched love through her eyes rather than my beloved’s.

Today in the memory of my mother, and avenging my beloved's murder, I'm heading for my father to find a new clue.

My hands were numb from the cold, it might be because of the bleeding and severe wounds, however nothing could stop me.

I was crossing a one-way street with a small hotel on its north side. Interestingly, there were no houses a few hundred meters away, so the north of the city must be a special place. It is always said that if you don't want someone to find you or know about you, just be in front of their eyes. I was always looking for him around the city and now my clue leads to the north of the city. My father is not the only one I was looking for. I was traveling at a speed of 150 km per hour; the rain was hitting me and soaking my black leather coat.

It was only the lights of the highway illuminating my path like a guide. On my right was a dense forest; while on my left was a city with bright twinkling lights.

I heard a sound other than the motorbike I was riding. From the side mirror I noticed two motorcyclists approaching me. The two were constantly changing places and getting closer. I steered my motorbike towards the forest and pulled them towards me.

In the darkness of the forest I turned off the lights. It was the most hazardous thing that came to my mind at that moment. I could have crashed into a tree trunk at any moment, but my eyes were used to the darkness and the moonlight was paving my path. I didn’t even notice the rain being stopped, the clouds were gone. I accelerated and recklessly passed through the foliage of the trees, I no longer saw their lights. I stopped and waited in a corner. My heart was pounding and my hands were shaking. Courage doesn't mean being afraid of anyone, courage is to know your opponents and not be intimidated by them.

I turned off the motorbike and ambushedbehind a tree trunk. I calmed myself. I could hear the rustling of dry leaves. They knew I was around. Cyrus, I am from your father's behalf. He wants to meet you, said a quiet voice.

One of them was standing further, and the other was moving forward. A gentle breeze blew and covered the motorbike with the leaves. I took out my dropper, inside which there was some acid, waiting for the opportunity. One of them was walking around the tree. I clung to the tree trunk and waited.

Cyrus? he said softly. I readily sprayed the dropper towards his eyes. He held his face screaming. He was also floundering and kept cursing. I stayed behind him, pulled out the gun on his waist, and hit him in the temple without hesitation. He fell on the leaves at once. At that moment, in the corner of the forest, I heard a few pops, I quickly sat down and looked around. As I was strolling, the wind was blowing and the leaves beneath my feet were rustling. I didn't want to move in the moonlight. I went forward in the heart of darkness and waited for the slightest sign.

I picked up a piece of stone and threw it into a corner. Suddenly the bullets rained around. Although he was right next to me, he didn’t notice my presence. The black coat I was wearing camouflaged me well. I walked slowly towards him and leveled the gun at him asking, Who are you? He dropped his weapon and said: Your murderer ...

He turned around in haste and twisted my hand; the weapon fell out of my hand. I was completely surprised. I fell to the ground in the blink of an eye. I could feel his hand on my neck as I was lying on the leaves. I knew that falling wouldn’t always lead to the victory of the opponent, so I dragged him toward myself. I wrapped my legs around his neck in the same position and pressed him. He was floundering on the ground on all fours. His eyes were red and his skin turned black. He couldn’t breathe, he was constantly floundering around. Finally he stopped breathing and fell on the dried leaves. I got up and tidied up. The idea of fighting with these two was horrible for me, let alone what happened. I was looking for the weapon among the foliage, after a while I found it. I tried to free my motorbike from the blanket of dry leaves. It was just the beginning of the conflict ...

The beginning of the war ...

I arrived at the hotel which was next to a grove with an old view, the windows of the hotel were mirrored, it was quite clear how careful the builder of the hotel has been so that no one could see inside it.

A car was parked in front of the hotel; it was strange to me.... Why does such a hotel have only oneguest? I got off the motorbike and leaned against the wall. The door in front of me opened and I entered. The hotel was more luxurious than what I imagined. The floor stones were made of expensive granite, with brown streaks giving it a special appeal. The beautiful tall columns around were of the same material, except that the veins which were in gold. The ceiling above me was adorned with a large, bright chandelier that I couldn’t stare at or see its details. I gently walked forward looking around carefully. Maybe someone knew about my father. The person I was looking for was the head of the largest drug trafficking gang in West Asia. I don’t evenlike to mention his name. The one who took my beautiful life away from me. His face was shrouded in obscurity for everyone. Esfandiar was the one who sent my father on a mission that was the beginning of all miseries. I went forward, my head was exploding with pain, but I was still focused, I didn’t want anyone to surprise me.

In the hotel lobby the light brown furniture and tables madeof golden wood could be seen‌ ‌. The eye catching carving design of the sofas and tables was artistic. The white walls were the simplest parts of the hotel. What is beautiful is the complexity within simplicity. I have a complex personality, that's why I fell in love with my beloved's simplicity. The interior design of the hotel was amazing despite its appearance. If it were the other way around, would the travelers still stay there?! It reminds me of therelationships that start with appearances and end with morals.

I was taking my steps on the granite floor one after the other. I reached the reservation desk and rang the bell on the table. A few moments later, an old man came forward. He was almost bald. In any case, he had dyed the hair around his thin mustache carefully and delicately black. He stared at my face and said: Sir, it seems that you aren’t okay ...

Suddenly I noticed my awkward appearance.

I was in a long leather coat with torn edges,having wrapped a black handkerchief on my wounds, and pale faced... Everyone who saw me from the distance would assume that I was just back from the war, although I had alreadygone through a part of it, and I won't end this war as long as I find my father. I turned to the hostess and said, Because I rushed to get here, my motorbike balance was upset and I fell to the ground. The hostess asked in surprise, Well, it must have been an important case, how can I help you? I said: I am looking for someone named Samdour, he is the only one who knows about my father, I have lost him for years ... I didn’t understand why I was telling the truth instead of lyiny.He picked up the phone and started calling, saying, let's see if he is still in his room. I put my hand on the phone button and said, His car isparked outside

I didn’t even know whose car was in front of the hotel, whatsoever.

The hostess took a look at me and said:Right, you can go to Room 513 on the 5th floor.

I went to the elevator; I didn’t care if the hostess would call Samdour or scare him off, because while my hand was on the phone, I poured some drops of acid into one of the holes in the speakerphone. The elevator stopped on the 5th floor. It was the last floor and I was standing right in front of the entrance to room 513 when I heard an explosion outside the building.

Chapter Two

Atosa

we were almost near the hotel when I saw a large fire in the distance. The reeds around were burning. Michelle picked up her radio and ordered the fire department to be notified. A car was burning in front of the hotel, it was speculated that the reeds next to the hotel were also on fire as a result of this accident. I turned to Michelle and said, shake a leg ... Michelle accelerated and said, We shouldn't enter the hotel when it is right in the middle of the fire ... The car stopped, I opened the dashboard and took out my gun saying The one who looksabnormal is strong from within ... then I got off. The strike forces got out of the van by my order. I looked at the burnt car, I could still smell the burning meat.

The strike forces stayed behind me and entered at my command. I guessed right, even the fire couldn’t change the inside of the hotel, the builder of this hotel is no ne other than Esfandiar …

No one was in the lobby. Not even a speck of space was smoked. I ordered four men to stay in the hotel lobby.

- The others and I will go up the stairs, thetwo others will spy down the stairs and the rest will wait outside.

We quickly went up the stairs and began to explore. We broke into the rooms one by one, but all of them were empty. The second, third, and fourth floors weren’t different from the first one. When we reached the top floor, I heard a sound from one of the doors. Pointing to room 513, we stopped behind it. The guard picked up the sledgehammer and hit it against the door, but it didn't damage. We had to put a small detonator on the door, a few minutes later the detonator exploded at my command. The door fractured. The strike forces entered. In the smoke, someone was tied to a chair, smiling asblood was dripping from his face.

We inspected the room but there was no sign of Cyrus. I stayed in front of Samdour and said, Where is he? Samudour spat the blood in his mouth in front of my feet and said; Where he should have been...

I took a step forward and bent right in front of his face and asked quietly, Where?

- You are standing on a stain of blood, aren't you afraid to be spitted on your face this time? , Said Samdour in front of my feet.

I punched him in his face and said, You don’t dare to do it.

I grabbed him by the throat with my right hand and asked again: Where did he go ...? He replied: Let ..... me... breathe..... ..

I wasn't conscious of my behavior, I was suffocating him. Others were looking at me in surpriseThe forces in the hallway have fainted, Michelle said as soon asshe entered. I knew it was Cyrus's fault. Samdour laughed and said, I'll tell you where he is ... Take a look at the album on the table.... He paused and said, Please ... I went towards the album and wiped its dust, it seemed to be quite old- fashioned. . Be careful, this album will direct you to where Cyrus is heading for. But you have to go there alone ... Samdour said.

I opened the album flipping through the pages smiling.

Chapter Three

Atosa

The woods were burning, the soot and ashes been left on the hotel walls were the only visible damage. Thefirefighters were on the scene, trying their best to put out the fire. We untied Samdour's hands, and tied him up with metal handcuffs, and finally sent him to the detention center.

I knew where these stories have started from, one of the photos drew my attention. A family phototaken at night was the end of all the joys. Wang Church was the culmination of a family's joy, a forgotten family that can’t be overlooked.

I ordered my men to go to the church; Michelle came down the stairs following me. The people in the lobby woke up and kept turning their heads around. Cyrus was expected to do anything. We got in the car and headed for the church. The moon was brighter than ever, it stopped raining and the clouds parted. We were on the highway as a motorcyclist approached us from the distance with the lights off. That’s him, come one, I said to Michelle. Michelle accelerated. He was Cyrus, he looked down at us.

On the radio, I instructed all units to advance towards the target. Only my eyes could recognize his coat dancing in the wind and in the darkness of the night. Michelle had narrowed her eyes so as not to lose him;she couldn't cope with him in thedarkness. I whispered: don't worry, I can see him.

Michelle took a deep breathe and continued on her way. I wasn’t in a good position, the blow to my head made my feel dizzy; I tried to restrain myself. We were close to the city entrance and the highway was narrowing, at that moment Cyrus braked, I told Michelle at once: Slow down. As we approached him, we were confronted with a shocking scene. We were staring at each other in bewilderment for a while. I quickly ordered to stop on the radio.

I got off the car shouting:All in force. The Special Forces were aiming the smuggling gang standing in front of us, a sand truck and four Land Cruise cars were stopped to block the way, and themachine guns were installed on all four cars. All the armored men were the armed smugglers ready for the slightest excuse to wage the final conflict. Cyrus was staring at them with a face full of fear and anger.

At that moment, a bullet struck the back of a sand truck. The tailgate opened and the grains of sandspoured on one of the smugglers’ cars. Cyrus took the opportunity .Jumping off the truck, he got out the hard -shoulder. The smugglers intended to shoot him, thoughmy orderdidn’t spare them for a moment. My cry was the beginning of a war I had never experienced before, my men were being killed by the constant firing of the machine guns, and there was no one to stop the enemy's attack. I called for help on the radio. Two helicopters werebeing sent to support us. My men couldn’t resist. I ran out of ammunition. Michelle threw one of the wounded’s guns to me. I tried to stand up but it was mere suicide, fear had crept into me. The special armored vehicle was the best place to ambush. However, I needed someone to support me to get there.

Michelle was the closest person to me, I signaled her to support me but how should it be done? The smugglers might have killed her. I was a more skilled shooter than the others and my only goal was to destroy the machine guns. I started to black out; I could no longer hear the sound of thebullets. I couldn’t hearanything. Michelle shouted Go ... I was just lip reading her, I ran to the armored vehicles and all I wanted was silence. The bullets were constantly chasing me. Suddenly someone grabbed me and tied me to an armored car, I turned my head; he was one of my forces. He was staring at me. I nodded my head and sat on the ground. I recalled Michelle bending my head to check the surrounding.

I started to black out again, as if they couldn’t see the scene; Michelle had fallen to the ground and was bleeding around. She was gazingat me. Was she still watching me even in the last moments of her life?! I lost my old mate, insanity had ingrained in me, I held my gun and concentrated. Maybe I was trying to commit suicide but it didn't matter to me anymore. I got up and leaned on the car body, taking a deep breath; I opened my eyes and turned back. Aiming the machine guns' shooters and started firing...

Cyrus

The bullet that had hit the tailgate crossed right over my head; I felt it heartily, I was in the middle of the road heading for a place where I could find the taste of smile and peace. The taste of life. The poems and songs I heard at the beginning of the theater were meaningful to me, I was by my family’s side, holding their hands and listening to the song, we took memorable photos and I had the best feeling in the world. Samdour sent me to the theater, which has now been converted into a church. My father used to stare at the walls of the church to reminisce.

I was only a few minutes away from Wang Church. The black clouds were catching the moonlight. It was as if the sky was at war with itself. Darkness appeared again, I heard the initial sparks of lightning. I had almost reached the church; I had to enter the southwest road through a shortcut. I slowed down. I crossed the gorge to reach a large plain. Once upon a time it used to be the caravan stop, where everyone would merry make.

A venue for various ceremonies and competitions where people would come from everywhere to see the plays. I looked around the church carefully. It was located on the corner of the square. Its white stone body had a unique architecture. Its walls were full of colorful windows. In front of the church there was a window known as Catherine window. The church consisted of two hallways on the sides and the large door below Catherinewindow was the only thing that had been well -preserved since past. Nothing could be heard. I stayed in front of the church' door and took a deep breath. Maybe some people are waiting for me behind this door, if someone was going to kill me; I would have died before.

I placed my palm on the heavy door of the church and pushed it forward with all my might.

The churchyard was brighter than what I imagined. All the candles on the chandeliers were on. There were no electric lights around. Just like my childhood. The central nave was illuminated by the windows above the side aisles, and below it the hanging red cloth could remind the middle Ages.

The tables were stacked in a row; there was a three-aisled passage at the top of the corridors, as if calling me towards itself. As I was passing by the benches, I noticed a sound coming from the red curtains next to the columns. I got up. I concentrated and waited to assure myself.

I heard someone singing. Somebody showed up in a black and red robe and broke into singing; about ten people came out from the curtains in the same clothes and sang opera accompanying their leader. They started dancing. I was shocked. I started to black out. Goodness knows, all my memories came flooding back. Right 20 years ago. I was thirteen years old.

My family and I would come to the caravanserai for fun. The vendors would do handicrafts and sell them in bargain prices. The midnight fireworks would amaze me. Though, theatre was the only thing that would captivate me. We went towards the main building, bought a ticket and sat down. I was thrilled by the performance of dancers in white, red robes and red masks. The leader of the group sang opera beautifully and we all followed him with enthusiasm.

I could not stand up; I sat down on the bench and held my ears with my hands. I was so nervous to imagine this scene. My face was trembling and I felt the veins in my forehead were about to burst. My memories, my mother's arms and all her beauties drove me crazy. My childhood was passing before my eyes. I felt something inmy head, I froze with terror. None of them were dancers. Someone behind me said: Get up without any slightest movement ...

Was it all fantasy?! I travelled backwards for a few moments and now the voice of someone behind me was threatening me. He took my gun. The past is like a person standing with a gun behind me, if I turn back, I will get a shoot; I have to comply with all it says to survive, or else....

I glanced at his foot and hit the cartilage of his knee hard with the sole of my foot. He screamed in pain, I immediately grabbed the gun from his hand turned back and hit him in the face with the butt. He fell to the ground unconscious.

The past cannot be killed, but it can be anesthetized so that it does not move or play with you. All you need to do is to surprise it and prove that the future can destroy it.

Then I had two guns in my hands and I had to continue on my way. I looked around carefully. I knew I was not alone. A familiar voice behind me called out my name. - Cyrus ... Cyrus...

I was constantly spinning and looking for the owner of the voice. In front of the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary, I saw an old man sitting on a bench. The statue was right above the church. I approached him and said quietly: Father?! He turned to me and stared into my eyes. I was shot at that moment; I quickly sprang toward the benches to avoid being hit bybullets. I raised my head but my father was not there, I couldn’t believe that he had intended to kill me. He knew that the only reason of my return was to take revenge, but I don’t know why I had a strange feeling when I saw him. The shooting intensified. I walked towards the pillars on all fours. The broken pieces of wood flew in the air. I reached to the pillar; I wasn't able to cope with them. The fact is that, I was in the real world and we can only live once. In front of me was a large window about two meters above the ground, I needed a footstool to jump. At that moment, a grenade fell right in front of my feet. One of them shouted: booby ... what the hell are you doing?

My breath was trapped in my chest. I quickly picked it up and threw