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DEBORAH ELLIS

The Breadwinner

ELEVEN

Return to Contents "You're all wet," Maryam said as soon asar!ana waled t#rou$# t#e door%"Are you all ri$#t&" Mot#er rus#ed u to #er%"(#ere were you& (#y didn't you )ome #ome*or lun)#&""I was worin$," ar!ana said% S#e tried totwist away, +ut #er mot#er #eld #er rmly +yt#e s#oulders%

"(#ere were you&" Mot#er reeated% "(e'!e+een sittin$ #ere terried t#at you #ad +eenarrested-"All t#at s#e #ad seen and done t#at day )amerus#in$ into ar!ana's mind% S#e t#rew #erarms around #er mot#er's ne) and )ried%Mot#er #eld #er until s#e was )alm a$ain and)ould tal% ".ow, tell me w#ere you weretoday%" ar!ana *ound s#e )ould not +ear to

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say it to #er mot#er's *a)e, so s#e ressed#ersel* u a$ainst t#e wall and told #er% "I wasdi$$in$ u $ra!es%""You were doin$ w#at&" .ooria ased%ar!ana le*t t#e wall and sat down on t#etos#a% S#e told t#em all a+out #er day%"Did you see real +ones&" Maryam ased% Mrs%(eera told #er to #us#%"So t#is is w#at we'!e +e)ome in A*$#anistan,"Mot#er said% "(e di$ u t#e +ones o* ouran)estors in order to *eed our *amilies-""Bones are used *or all sorts o* t#in$s," Mrs%(eera relied% "C#i)en *eed, )ooin$ oil, soaand +uttons% I'!e #eard o* animal +ones +ein$

used t#is way, not #uman +ones, +ut I suose#uman +ein$s are also animals%""(as it wort# it&" .ooria ased% "How mu)#money did you mae&"ar!ana too t#e money out o* #er o)et,t#en du$ t#e rest o* t#e money out o* t#es#oulder +a$% S#e ut it all on t#e /oor *ore!eryone to see%"All t#at *or di$$in$ u $ra!es," Mrs% (eera+reat#ed%

"0omorrow you'll $o +a) to readin$ letters% .omore o* t#is di$$in$-" Mot#er de)lared% "(edon't need money t#at +adly-"".o," ar!ana said to #er mot#er%"I +e$ your ardon&""I don't want to 1uit yet% S#au2ia and I want to+uy trays, and t#in$s to sell *rom t#e trays% I)an *ollow t#e )rowd t#at way, instead o*waitin$ *or t#e )rowd to )ome to me% I )anmae more money%"

"(e are mana$in$ ne on w#at you earnreadin$ letters%"".o, Mot#er, we're not," .ooria said% Mot#ersun around to s)old .ooria *or talin$ +a),+ut .ooria et talin$% "(e #a!e not#in$ le*tto sell% (#at ar!ana earns ees us in nan,ri)e and tea, +ut t#ere's not#in$ e3tra% (eneed money *or rent, *or roane, *or *uel *ort#e lams% I* s#e )an mae money t#is way,



and s#e's willin$ to do it, t#en I t#in s#es#ould +e allowed%"It was ar!ana's turn to +e stunned% .ooriatain$ #er side& Su)# a t#in$ #ad ne!er#aened +e*ore%"I'm $lad your *at#er isn't #ere to #ear you talto me wit# su)# disrese)t-""0#at's 4ust it," Mrs% (eera said $ently% "0#eir*at#er isn't #ere% 0#ese are unusual times%

0#ey )all *or ordinary eole to do unusualt#in$s, 4ust to $et +y%"In t#e end, Mot#er relented% "You must tell mee!eryt#in$ t#at #aens," s#e told ar!ana%"(e will ut it in t#e ma$a2ine, so t#at

e!eryone will now%"5rom t#en on, s#e sent ar!ana o6 to wor wit#a little a)et o* nan *or #er lun)#, "sin)e youwon't +e +a) at mid7day%" Alt#ou$# ar!ana$ot !ery #un$ry durin$ t#e day, s#e )ouldn't+ear to eat in t#e middle o* t#e eld o* +ones%S#e $a!e #er nan to one o* 8a+ul's many+e$$ars, so t#at someone would $et some useout o* it%At t#e end o* two wees, t#ey #ad enou$#

money to +uy t#e trays, wit# stras to $oaround t#eir ne)s to )arry t#em%"(e s#ould sell t#in$s t#at don't wei$# mu)#,"S#au2ia said% 0#ey de)ided on )i$arettes,w#i)# t#ey )ould +uy in +i$ )artons and sell +yt#e a)% 0#ey also sold )#ewin$ $um, +y t#ea) and sometimes +y t#e sti)% Bo3es o*mat)#es lled u t#e emty sa)es on t#etrays%"My tea +oy days are o!er-" S#au2ia said

$lee*ully%"I'm 4ust #ay to +e out o* t#e $ra!eyard,"ar!ana said% S#e was learnin$ to wal and+alan)e t#e tray at t#e same time% S#e didn'twant all #er lo!ely $oods to *all into t#e dirt%

0#e rst mornin$ +a) at #er letter7readin$ost was almost o!er +e*ore s#e *elt somet#in$dro on #er #ead a$ain%



Her aim is $ettin$ $ood, ar!ana t#ou$#t% 0wodire)t #its in a row%

0#is time, t#e $i*t was a sin$le red wooden+ead% ar!ana rolled it around #er n$ers andwondered a+out t#e woman w#o #ad sent it%Her $ra!eyard stint o!er, s#e was +a) to$oin$ outside wit# .ooria and t#e little ones int#e middle o* t#e day% A )#an$e #ad )ome o!er.ooria% S#e #adn't said anyt#in$ nasty toar!ana in a$es%Or may+e it's me w#o's )#an$ed, ar!anat#ou$#t% Ar$uin$ wit# .ooria simly didn'tmae sense any more%In t#e a*ternoon, s#e would meet u wit#

S#au2ia, and t#e two o* t#em would wanderaround 8a+ul looin$ *or )ustomers% 0#ey didnot earn as mu)# as t#ey did in t#e $ra!eyard,+ut t#ey did all ri$#t% ar!ana was $ettin$ tonow 8a+ul%"0#ere's a )rowd," S#au2ia said one 5ridaya*ternoon, ointin$ at t#e sorts stadium%

0#ousands o* eole were #eaded into t#estands%"(onder*ul-" e3)laimed ar!ana% "eole will

want to smoe and )#ew $um w#ile t#ey wat)#a so))er $ame% (e'll sell out% Let's $o-"

0#ey ran o!er to t#e stadium entran)e as *astas t#ey )ould wit#out +oun)in$ t#eir )i$arettesonto t#e $round% Se!eral 0ali+an soldiers wereur$in$ eole inside, yellin$ at t#em to #urry%

0#ey us#ed and s#o!ed eole t#rou$# t#estadium $ates, swin$in$ t#eir sti)s to $et t#eslow ones to mo!e *aster%"Let's a!oid t#ose $uys," S#au2ia su$$ested%

S#e and ar!ana dod$ed around some $rouso* men and slied into t#e stadium%

0#e stadium stands were almost *ull% 0#e two$irls were a little intimidated +y so manyeole and stayed ne3t to ea)# ot#er as t#eywent u into t#e +lea)#ers to sell t#eir wares%"It's aw*ully 1uiet *or a so))er $ame," S#au2iasaid%



"0#e $ame #asn't started yet% May+e t#e)#eerin$ will start w#en t#e layers )ome ont#e eld%" ar!ana #ad seen sorts e!ents ontele!ision, and eole in t#e stands always)#eered%.o one was )#eerin$% 0#e men did not loo atall #ay to +e t#ere%"0#is is !ery stran$e," ar!ana w#isered intoS#au2ia's ear%"Loo out-" A lar$e $rou o* 0ali+an soldierswaled onto t#e eld )lose to t#em% 0#e $irlsdu)ed down low so t#ey )ould see t#e eld+ut t#e 0ali+an )ouldn't see t#em%"Let's $et out o* #ere," S#au2ia said% ".o one's

+uyin$ anyt#in$ *rom us, and I don't now w#y,+ut I'm $ettin$ s)ared%""As soon as t#e $ame starts, we'll $o," ar!anasaid% "I* we try to lea!e now, eole will loo atus%"More men mo!ed onto t#e eld, +ut t#eyweren't so))er layers% Se!eral men were+rou$#t in wit# t#eir #ands tied +e#ind t#eir+a)s% A #ea!y7looin$ ta+le was )arried out +ytwo o* t#e soldiers%

"I t#in t#ose men are risoners," S#au2iaw#isered%"(#at are risoners doin$ at a so))er $ame&"ar!ana w#isered +a)% S#au2ia s#ru$$ed%One o* t#e men was untied, t#en +ent o!er t#eta+le% Se!eral soldiers #eld #im down, #is armsstret)#ed out a)ross t#e ta+le7to%ar!ana didn't #a!e a )lue w#at was $oin$ on%(#ere were t#e so))er layers&All o* a sudden one o* t#e soldiers too out a

sword, raised it a+o!e #is #ead and +rou$#t itdown on t#e man's arm% Blood /ew in e!erydire)tion% 0#e man )ried out in ain%.e3t to ar!ana, S#au2ia started s)reamin$%ar!ana )lamed #er #and o!er S#au2ia'smout# and ulled #er down to t#e /oor o* t#estadium stands% 0#e rest o* t#e stadium was1uiet% 0#ere was still no )#eerin$%



"8ee your #eads down, +oys," a ind !oi)ea+o!e ar!ana said% "0#ere will +e time enou$#w#en you are old to see su)# t#in$s%"

0#e )i$arettes and $um #ad *allen o6 t#eirtrays, +ut t#e men around t#em $at#ered ut#e silled items and returned t#em to t#e$irls%ar!ana and S#au2ia stayed #uddled amon$eole's *eet, listenin$ to t#e sword t#wa)down on si3 more arms%"0#ese men are t#ie!es," t#e soldiers )alledout to t#e )rowd% "See #ow we unis# t#ie!es&(e )ut o6 one o* t#eir #ands- See w#at wedo-"

ar!ana and S#au2ia did not loo% 0#ey ett#eir #eads down until t#e man wit# t#e ind!oi)e said, "It's o!er *or anot#er wee% Come,now, raise yoursel!es u%" He and se!eralot#er men surrounded ar!ana and S#au2ia,es)ortin$ t#em out o* t#e stadium%

9ust +e*ore s#e le*t, ar!ana )au$#t a $limseo* a youn$ 0ali+ man, too youn$ to #a!e a+eard%He was #oldin$ u a roe strun$ wit# *our

se!ered #ands, lie +eads on a ne)la)e% Hewas lau$#in$ and s#owin$ o6 #is +ooty to t#e)rowd% ar!ana #oed S#au2ia #adn't seen%":o #ome, +oys," t#e ind man told t#em% ":o#ome and remem+er +etter t#in$s%"

TWELVE

Return to Contents ar!ana stayed #ome *or a *ew days% S#e wentout to $et water, and s#e and .ooria too t#elittle ones out into t#e suns#ine, +ut +eyondt#at, s#e wanted to +e wit# #er *amily%"I need a +rea," s#e told #er mot#er% "I don'twant to see anyt#in$ u$ly *or a little w#ile%"





Mot#er and Mrs% (eera #ad #eard a+out t#ee!ents at t#e stadium *rom ot#er women's$rou mem+ers% Some #ad #us+ands or+rot#ers w#o #ad +een t#ere% "0#is $oes one!ery 5riday," Mot#er said% "(#at )entury arewe li!in$ in&""(ill 5at#er +e taen t#ere&" ar!ana wantedto as, +ut s#e didn't% Her mot#er wouldn'tnow%Durin$ #er days at #ome, ar!ana )oa)#edMaryam on #er )ountin$, tried to learnmendin$ *rom .ooria and listened to Mrs%(eera's stories% 0#ey weren't as $ood as #er*at#er's stories% Mostly t#ey were des)ritions

o* eld #o)ey $ames or ot#er at#leti) e!ents%Still, t#ey were entertainin$, and Mrs% (eerawas so ent#usiasti) a+out t#em t#at s#e madeot#er eole ent#usiasti), too%.o one said anyt#in$ to ar!ana w#en t#e+read ran out, +ut s#e $ot u and went to wort#at day anyway% Some t#in$s 4ust #ad to +etaen )are o*%"I'm $lad you're +a)," S#au2ia said w#en s#esaw ar!ana in t#e maret% "I missed you%

(#ere were you&""I didn't *eel lie worin$," ar!ana relied% "Iwanted some 1uiet days%""I wouldn't mind some o* t#ose, +ut it's noisierin my #ome t#an it is out #ere%""Is your *amily still ar$uin$&"S#au2ia nodded% "My *at#er's arents ne!erreally lied my mot#er anyway% .ow t#eydeend on #er% It maes t#em $rumy%Mot#er's $rumy +e)ause we #a!e to li!e wit#

t#em sin)e t#ere's no la)e else to $o% Soe!ery+ody is $rumy% I* t#ey're not a)tuallyar$uin$, t#ey sit and $lare at ea)# ot#er%"ar!ana t#ou$#t a+out #ow it *elt in #er #omesometimes, wit# e!eryone $oin$ around wit#ti$#t lis and uns#ed tears in t#eir eyes% Itsounded e!en worse in S#au2ia's #ouse%



"Can I tell you a se)ret&" S#au2ia ased% S#eled ar!ana o!er to a low wall, and t#ey satdown%"O* )ourse you )an tell me% I won't tellany+ody%""I'm sa!in$ money, a little +it ea)# day% I'm$ettin$ out o* #ere%""(#ere& (#en&"S#au2ia i)ed at t#e wall in a r#yt#m, +utar!ana stoed #er% S#e'd seen t#e 0ali+an #ita )#ild *or +an$in$ on an old +oard lie it was adrum% 0#e 0ali+an #ated musi)%"I'll stay until ne3t srin$," S#au2ia said% "I'll#a!e a lot o* money sa!ed +y t#en, and it's

+etter not to tra!el in t#e winter%""Do you t#in we'll still #a!e to +e +oys in t#esrin$& 0#at's a lon$ time *rom now%""I want to still +e a +oy t#en," S#au2ia insisted%"I* I turn +a) into a $irl, I'll +e stu) at #ome% I)ouldn't stand t#at%""(#ere will you $o&""5ran)e% I'll $et on a +oat and $o to 5ran)e%""(#y 5ran)e&" s#e ased%S#au2ia's *a)e +ri$#tened% "In e!ery i)ture

I'!e seen o* 5ran)e, t#e sun is s#inin$, eoleare smilin$, and /owers are +loomin$% 5ran)eeole must #a!e +ad days, too, +ut I don'tt#in t#eir +ad days )an +e !ery +ad, not +adlie #ere% In one i)ture I saw a w#ole eld o*urle /owers% 0#at's w#ere I want to $o% Iwant to wal into t#at eld and sit down in t#emiddle o* it, and not t#in a+out anyt#in$%"ar!ana stru$$led to remem+er #er ma o* t#eworld% "I'm not sure you )an $et to 5ran)e +y

+oat%""Sure I )an% I'!e $ot it all $ured out% I'll tell a$rou o* nomads t#at I'm an or#an, and I'lltra!el wit# t#em into aistan% My *at#er toldme t#ey $o +a) and *ort# wit# t#e seasons,looin$ *or $rass *or t#eir s#ee% In aistan, I#ead down to t#e Ara+ian Sea, $et on a +oat,and $o to 5ran)e-" S#e soe as i* not#in$)ould +e more simle% "0#e rst +oat I $et on



mi$#t not $o dire)tly to 5ran)e, +ut at least I'll$et away *rom #ere% E!eryt#in$ will +e easyon)e I $et away *rom #ere%""You'll $o +y yoursel*-" ar!ana )ouldn'tima$ine undertain$ su)# a 4ourney on #erown%"(#o will noti)e one little or#an +oy&"S#au2ia relied% ".o one will ay any attentionto me% I 4ust #oe I #a!en't le*t it too late%""(#at do you mean&""I'm startin$ to $row%" Her !oi)e droedalmost to a w#iser% "My s#ae is )#an$in$% I* it)#an$es too mu)#, I'll turn +a) into a $irl, andt#en I'll +e stu) #ere% You don't t#in I'll $row

too *ast, do you& May+e I s#ould lea!e +e*oret#e srin$% I don't want t#in$s to o out o* meall o* a sudden%"ar!ana did not want S#au2ia to lea!e, +ut s#etried to +e #onest wit# #er *riend% "I )an'tremem+er #ow it #aened wit# .ooria%Mostly, I wat)#ed #er #air $row% But I don'tt#in $rowin$ #aens all o* a sudden% I'd sayyou #a!e time%"S#au2ia started to i) t#e +uildin$ a$ain% 0#en

s#e stood u so s#e wouldn't +e temted%"0#at's w#at I'm )ountin$ on%""You'll lea!e your *amily& How will t#ey eat&""I )an't #el t#at-" S#au2ia's !oi)e rose and)au$#t, as s#e tried not to )ry% "I 4ust #a!e to$et out o* #ere% I now t#at maes me a +aderson, +ut w#at else )an I do& I'll die i* I #a!eto stay #ere-"ar!ana remem+ered ar$uments +etween #er*at#er and mot#er;#er mot#er insistin$ t#ey

lea!e A*$#anistan, #er *at#er insistin$ t#eystay% 5or t#e rst time, ar!ana wondered w#y#er mot#er didn't 4ust lea!e% In an instant, s#eanswered #er own 1uestion% S#e )ouldn't sneaaway wit# *our )#ildren to tae )are o*%"I 4ust want to +e an ordinary id a$ain,"ar!ana said% "I want to sit in a )lassroom and$o #ome and eat *ood t#at someone else #as



wored *or% I want my *at#er to +e around% I 4ustwant a normal, +orin$ li*e%""I don't t#in I )ould e!er sit in a )lassrooma$ain," S#au2ia said% ".ot a*ter all t#is%" S#ead4usted #er tray o* )i$arettes% "You'll ee myse)ret&"ar!ana nodded%"Do you want to )ome wit# me&" S#au2iaased% "(e )ould loo a*ter ea)# ot#er%""I don't now%" S#e )ould lea!e A*$#anistan,+ut )ould s#e lea!e #er *amily& S#e didn't t#inso%"I #a!e a se)ret, too," s#e said% S#e rea)#edinto #er o)et and ulled out t#e little $i*ts

s#e'd re)ei!ed *rom t#e woman at t#e window%S#e told S#au2ia w#ere t#ey #ad )ome *rom%"(ow," S#au2ia said% "0#at's a real mystery%I wonder w#o s#e )ould +e% May+e s#e's arin)ess-""May+e we )an sa!e #er-" ar!ana said% S#esaw #ersel* )lim+in$ u t#e wall, smas#in$ t#eainted7o!er window wit# #er +are st and#elin$ t#e rin)ess down to t#e $round% 0#erin)ess would +e wearin$ sil and 4ewels%

ar!ana would swin$ #er u onto t#e +a) o* a*ast #orse, and t#ey'd ride t#rou$# 8a+ul in a)loud o* dust%"I'll need a *ast #orse," s#e said%"How a+out one o* t#ose&" S#au2ia ointed toa #erd o* lon$7#aired s#ee snu<in$ t#rou$#t#e $ar+a$e on t#e $round o* t#e maret%ar!ana lau$#ed, and t#e $irls went +a) towor%At #er mot#er's su$$estion, ar!ana #ad

+ou$#t a *ew ounds o* dried *ruit and nuts%.ooria and Maryam ut t#em into smaller+a$s, enou$# *or a sna) *or one erson%ar!ana sold t#ese *rom #er +lanet and #ertray%In t#e a*ternoon, s#e and S#au2ia wanderedaround t#e maret looin$ *or )ustomers%Sometimes t#ey went to t#e +us deot, +utt#ey #ad a lot o* )ometition t#ere% Many +oys



were tryin$ to sell t#in$s% 0#ey would run ri$#tu to someone and stand in t#e erson's way,sayin$, "Buy my $um- Buy my *ruit- Buy my)i$arettes-" ar!ana and S#au2ia were too s#y*or t#at% 0#ey re*erred to wait *or )ustomersto noti)e t#em%ar!ana was tired% S#e wanted to sit in a)lassroom and +e +ored +y a $eo$ra#ylesson% S#e wanted to +e wit# #er *riends andtal a+out #omewor and $ames and w#at todo on s)#ool #olidays% S#e didn't want to nowany more a+out deat# or +lood or ain%

0#e maretla)e )eased to +e interestin$% S#eno lon$er lau$#ed w#en a man $ot into an

ar$ument wit# a stu++orn doney% S#e was nolon$er interested in t#e sniets o*)on!ersation s#e #eard *rom eole strollin$+y% E!eryw#ere, t#ere were eole w#o were#un$ry and si)% (omen in +ur1as sat on t#ea!ement and +e$$ed, t#eir +a+ies stret)#eda)ross t#eir las%And t#ere was no end to it% 0#is wasn't asummer !a)ation t#at would end and t#en li*ewould $et +a) to normal% 0#is was normal,

and ar!ana was tired o* it%Summer #ad )ome to 8a+ul% 5lowers us#ed uout o* t#e $round, not )arin$ a+out t#e 0ali+anor land mines, and a)tually +loomed, 4ust ast#ey did in ea)e time%ar!ana's #ome, wit# its little window, $rew!ery #ot durin$ t#e lon$ 9une days, and t#elittle ones were )rany at ni$#t wit# t#e #eat%E!en Maryam lost #er $ood #umor and w#inedalon$ wit# t#e two youn$est )#ildren% ar!ana

was $lad to +e a+le to lea!e in t#e mornin$%Summer +rou$#t *ruit into 8a+ul *rom t#e*ertile !alleys;t#ose t#at #ad not +een+om+ed into e3tin)tion% ar!ana +rou$#t treats#ome *or #er *amily on t#e days s#e made a +itmore money% 0#ey #ad ea)#es one wee,lums t#e ne3t%

0#e )lear mountain asses +rou$#t traders*rom all o!er A*$#anistan into 8a+ul% 5rom #er



+lanet in t#e maretla)e, and w#en s#ewaled around sellin$ )i$arettes wit# S#au2ia,ar!ana saw tri+al eoles *rom Bamiyan, *romt#e Re$istan Desert re$ion near 8anda#ar, and*rom t#e (a#an Corridor near C#ina%Sometimes t#ese men would sto and +uydried *ruit or )i$arettes *rom #er% Sometimest#ey #ad somet#in$ *or #er to read or write%S#e would always as w#ere t#ey were *romand w#at it was lie t#ere, so s#e )ould #a!esomet#in$ new to tell #er *amily w#en s#ewent #ome% Sometimes t#ey told #er a+out t#eweat#er% Sometimes t#ey told o* t#e +eauti*ulmountains or t#e elds o* oium oies

+loomin$ into /ower, or t#e or)#ards #ea!ywit# *ruit% Sometimes t#ey told #er o* t#e war,o* +attles t#ey #ad seen and eole t#ey #adlost% ar!ana remem+ered it all to tell #er*amily w#en s#e $ot #ome%

0#rou$# Mot#er's and Mrs% (eera's women's$rou, a se)ret little s)#ool was started% .ooriawas t#e tea)#er% 0#e 0ali+an would )lose downany s)#ool t#ey dis)o!ered, so .ooria and Mrs%(eera were !ery )are*ul% 0#is s)#ool #eld only

!e $irls, in)ludin$ Maryam% 0#ey were allaround #er a$e% 0#ey were tau$#t in twodi6erent $rous, ne!er at t#e same time twodays runnin$% Sometimes t#e students )ame to.ooria, sometimes .ooria went to t#estudents% Sometimes ar!ana was #er es)ort%Sometimes s#e )arried a s1uirmin$ Ali%"He's $ettin$ too +i$ to +e )arried around,".ooria said to ar!ana on one o* t#eir noondaywals% Mot#er #ad allowed .ooria to lea!e Ali

at #ome, to $et a +rea *rom #im% 0#ey only#ad Maryam wit# t#em, and s#e was notrou+le%"How are your students doin$&""0#ey )an't learn mu)# in a *ew #ours a wee,".ooria relied% "And we don't #a!e any +oosor s)#ool sulies% Still, I $uess it's +etter t#annot#in$%"



0#e little $i*ts *rom t#e window et landin$ onar!ana's +lanet e!ery )oule o* wees%Sometimes it was a ie)e o* em+roidery%Sometimes it was a ie)e o* )andy or a sin$le+ead%It was as i* t#e (indow (oman was sayin$,"I'm still #ere," in t#e only way s#e )ould%ar!ana )#e)ed )are*ully around #er +lanete!ery time s#e went to lea!e t#e maret, in)ase one o* t#e $i*ts #ad rolled o6%One a*ternoon, s#e #eard sounds )omin$ *roma+o!e #er% A man was !ery an$ry% He wass#outin$ at a women w#o was )ryin$ ands)reamin$% ar!ana #eard t#uds and more

s)reams% (it#out t#inin$, s#e sran$ to #er*eet and looed u at t#e window, +ut s#e)ouldn't see anyt#in$ t#rou$# t#e ainted$lass% "(#at $oes on in a man's #ouse is #isown +usiness," a !oi)e +e#ind #er said% S#esun around to see a man #oldin$ out anen!eloe% "5or$et a+out t#at and turn yourmind to your own +usiness% I #a!e a letter *oryou to read%" S#e was lannin$ to tell #er*amily a+out t#e w#ole in)ident t#at ni$#t, +ut

s#e didn't $et t#e )#an)e% Instead, #er *amily#ad somet#in$ to tell #er%"You'll ne!er $uess," #er mot#er said%".ooria's $ettin$ married%"

0HIR0EE.Return to Contents

"But you'!e ne!er e!en met #im-" ar!ana

e3)laimed to .ooria t#e ne3t day at noon% Itwas t#e rst )#an)e t#ey'd #ad to tal a+out it,

4ust t#e two o* t#em%"O* )ourse I'!e met #im% His *amily and ourswere nei$#+ors *or many years%""But t#at was w#en #e was a +oy% I t#ou$#t youwanted to $o +a) to s)#ool-""I will +e $oin$ +a) to s)#ool," .ooria said%"Didn't you listen to anyt#in$ Mot#er was





sayin$ last ni$#t& I'll +e li!in$ in Ma2ar7e7S#ari*,in t#e nort#% 0#e 0ali+an aren't in t#at art o*A*$#anistan% :irls )an still $o to s)#ool t#ere%Bot# o* #is arents are edu)ated% I )an nis#s)#ool, and t#ey'll e!en send me to t#euni!ersity in Ma2ar%"All o* t#is was written in a letter t#at #adarri!ed w#ile ar!ana was out at wor% 0#ewomen in t#e $room's *amily +elon$ed to t#esame women's $rou as Mot#er% 0#e letter #adassed *rom one mem+er o* t#e $rou toanot#er until it nally rea)#ed Mot#er% ar!ana#ad read t#e letter, +ut s#e still #ad a lot o*1uestions%

"Do you really want to do t#is&".ooria nodded% "Loo at my li*e #ere, ar!ana%I #ate li!in$ under t#e 0ali+an% I'm tired o*looin$ a*ter t#e little ones% My s)#ool )lasses#aen so seldom, t#ey're o* almost no !alue%

0#ere's no *uture *or me #ere% At least in Ma2arI )an $o to s)#ool, wal t#e streets wit#out#a!in$ to wear a +ur1a, and $et a 4o+ w#enI'!e )omleted s)#ool% May+e in Ma2ar I )an#a!e some ind o* li*e% Yes, I want to do t#is%"

0#ere was a lot o* dis)ussion in t#e *ollowin$*ew days a+out w#at would #aen ne3t%ar!ana, out at wor, #ad no !oi)e in t#esedis)ussions% S#e was merely in*ormed o* t#elans w#en s#e $ot #ome in t#e e!enin$%"(e'll $o to Ma2ar *or t#e weddin$," Mot#erannoun)ed% "(e )an all stay wit# your auntw#ile t#e weddin$ is reared% 0#en .ooria will$o to li!e wit# #er new *amily% (e will return to8a+ul in O)to+er%"

"(e )an't lea!e 8a+ul-" ar!ana e3)laimed%"(#at a+out 5at#er& (#at will #aen i* #e$ets out o* rison and we're not #ere& He won'tnow w#ere to loo *or us-""I'll +e #ere," Mrs% (eera said% "I )an tell your*at#er w#ere you are and loo a*ter #im untilyou $et +a)%"



"I'm not sendin$ .ooria o6 to Ma2ar all +y#ersel*," Mot#er said% "And sin)e you are a)#ild, you will )ome wit# us%""I'm not $oin$," ar!ana insisted% S#e e!enstamed #er *eet%"You will do as you're told," Mot#er said% "Allt#is runnin$ around wild in t#e streets #asmade you t#in you're a+o!e yoursel*%""I'm not $oin$ to Ma2ar-" ar!ana reeated,stamin$ #er *eet a$ain%"Sin)e your *eet want to mo!e around so mu)#,you'd +etter tae t#em out *or a wal," Mrs%(eera said% "You )an *et)# some water w#ileyou're at it%"

ar!ana $ra++ed t#e +u)et and $ot somesatis*a)tion out o* slammin$ t#e door +e#ind#er%ar!ana $lowered *or t#ree days% 5inally,Mot#er said, "You )an tae t#at aw*ul *rown o6your *a)e% (e'!e de)ided to lea!e you #ere%.ot +e)ause o* your +ad +e#a!ior% A )#ild o*ele!en #as no +usiness tellin$ #er mot#er w#ats#e will and will not do% (e're lea!in$ you #ere+e)ause it will +e too di=)ult to e3lain your

aearan)e% Your aunt will ee your se)ret, o*)ourse, +ut we )an't )ount on e!eryone to +eso )are*ul% (e )an't tae t#e )#an)e o* worda+out you $ettin$ +a) #ere%"Alt#ou$# s#e was $lad to remain in 8a+ul,ar!ana *ound #ersel* sulin$ t#at t#ey weren'ttain$ #er wit# t#em% "I'm not satised wit#anyt#in$ any more," s#e told S#au2ia t#e ne3tday%".eit#er am I," S#au2ia said% "I used to t#in

t#at i* only I )ould sell t#in$s *rom a tray, I'd +e#ay, +ut I'm not #ay at all% I mae moremoney t#is way t#an I did as a tea +oy, +ut it'snot enou$# to mae any real di6eren)e% (estill $o #un$ry% My *amily still ar$ues all t#etime% .ot#in$ is +etter%""(#at's t#e answer&""May+e someone s#ould dro a +i$ +om+ ont#e )ountry and start a$ain%"



"0#ey'!e tried t#at," ar!ana said% "It onlymade t#in$s worse%"One o* t#e women in t#e lo)al +ran)# o* t#ewomen's $rou was $oin$ to a))omanyar!ana's *amily to t#e )ity o* Ma2ar% Her#us+and would $o wit# t#em as t#e o=)iales)ort% I* t#e 0ali+an ased, Mot#er would +et#e #us+and's sister, and .ooria, Maryam andAli would +e t#e nie)es and ne#ews%.ooria )leaned out t#e *amily )u+oard onelast time% ar!ana wat)#ed #er a) u #ert#in$s% "I* all $oes well, we'll +e in Ma2ar in a)oule o* days," .ooria said%"Are you s)ared&" ar!ana ased% "It's a lon$

4ourney%""I ee t#inin$ o* t#in$s t#at )an $o wron$,+ut Mot#er says e!eryt#in$ will +e ne%" 0#eywould +e tra!elin$ to$et#er in t#e +a) o* atru)% "As soon as I $et out o* 0ali+an territory,I'm $oin$ to t#row o6 my +ur1a and tear it intoa million ie)es%"ar!ana went to t#e maret t#e ne3t day to+uy t#e *amily some *ood *or t#e 4ourney% S#ewanted to +uy .ooria a resent, too% S#e

wandered t#rou$# t#e maret looin$ at t#in$s*or sale% S#e nally de)ided on a en in a+eaded )ase% E!ery time .ooria used it atuni!ersity, and later w#en s#e +e)ame a reals)#ool tea)#er, s#e would t#in o* ar!ana%"(e'll +e $one *or most o* t#e summer,"Mot#er reminded ar!ana t#e ni$#t +e*ore t#eyle*t% "You'll +e ne wit# Mrs% (eera% Do w#ats#e tells you, and don't $i!e #er any trou+le%""ar!ana and I will +e $ood )omany *or ea)#

ot#er," Mrs% (eera said, "and +y t#e time you$et +a), t#e ma$a2ine s#ould +e )omin$ in*rom aistan, all rinted and ready todistri+ute%"

0#ey le*t !ery early t#e ne3t day% 0#e mid79ulymornin$ was *res# +ut #eld t#e romise o* #otweat#er to *ollow%"(e'd +est +e $oin$," Mot#er said% Sin)e t#erewas no one else on t#e street, Mot#er, .ooria



and Mrs% (eera #ad t#eir +ur1as /ied u sot#eir *a)es )ould +e seen%ar!ana issed Ali, w#o s1uirmed and *ussed,$rumy *rom +ein$ woen u early% Mot#er $ot#im settled on t#e /oor o* t#e tru)% ar!anasaid $ood+ye to Maryam a*ter t#at, t#en li*ted#er into t#e tru)%"(e will see you +y t#e middle o* Setem+er,"Mot#er said as s#e #u$$ed ar!ana% "Mae meroud o* you%""I will," ar!ana said, tryin$ not to )ry%"I don't now w#en we'll see ea)# ot#er a$ain,".ooria said 4ust +e*ore s#e )lim+ed into t#etru)% S#e #ad ar!ana's $i*t )lut)#ed in #er

#and%"It won't +e lon$," ar!ana said, $rinnin$ e!ent#ou$# tears *ell *rom #er eyes% "As soon asyour new #us+and reali2es #ow +ossy you are,#e'll send you +a) to 8a+ul as *ast as #e )an%".ooria lau$#ed and )lim+ed into t#e tru)% S#eand Mot#er )o!ered t#emsel!es wit# t#eir+ur1as% 0#e women's $rou mem+er and #er#us+and were sittin$ in t#e *ront seat% ar!anaand Mrs% (eera wat)#ed and wa!ed as t#e

tru) dro!e out o* si$#t%"I t#in we )ould +ot# use a )u o* tea," Mrs%(eera said, and t#ey went ustairs%ar!ana *ound t#e ne3t *ew wees to +e astran$e time% (it# only #ersel*, Mrs% (eera andMrs% (eera's $rand)#ild, t#e aartmentseemed almost emty% 5ewer eole meant*ewer )#ores, less noise and more *ree time%ar!ana e!en missed Ali's *ussin$% As t#ewees went +y, s#e looed *orward more and

more to e!eryone )omin$ +a)%Still, s#e did en4oy #a!in$ more *ree time% 5ort#e rst time sin)e 5at#er's arrest, s#e too #is+oos out o* t#eir se)ret la)e in t#e )u+oard%E!enin$s were sent readin$ and listenin$ toMrs% (eera's stories%Mrs% (eera +elie!ed in trustin$ #er% "In somearts o* t#e )ountry, $irls your a$e are $ettin$married and #a!in$ +a+ies," s#e said% "I'm #ere



i* you need me, +ut i* you want to +eresonsi+le *or yoursel*, t#at's ne, too%"S#e insisted t#at ar!ana ee some o* #erwa$es as o)et money% Sometimes ar!anawould treat S#au2ia to lun)# at one o* t#ee+a+ stands in t#e maret% 0#ey'd nd as#eltered la)e to $o to t#e +at#room and eeworin$ all day% ar!ana re*erred to )ome#ome at t#e end o* t#e day, rat#er t#an atnoon% It meant t#at one more day was o!er,and #er *amily would soon +e #ome%

0oward t#e end o* Au$ust, t#ere was a +adrainstorm% S#au2ia #ad already $one #ome%S#e #ad seen t#e darenin$ sy and didn't *eel

lie $ettin$ wet%ar!ana wasn't so )le!er, and s#e $ot )au$#tin t#e rain% S#e )o!ered #er tray wit# #er armsto ee #er )i$arettes dry and du)ed into a+om+ed7out +uildin$% S#e would wait out t#estorm t#ere and $o #ome w#en it was o!er%

0#e darness outside made t#e inside e!en+la)er% It too aw#ile *or #er eyes to ad4ust%(#ile s#e waited *or t#at to #aen, s#eleaned a$ainst t#e doorway, wat)#in$ t#e rain

turn 8a+ul's dust into mud%:usts o* wind mi3ed wit# dri!in$ rain *or)edar!ana deeer inside t#e +uildin$% Hoin$t#ere were no land mines, s#e *ound a dry sotand sat down% 0#e oundin$ o* t#e rain +eat asteady r#yt#m as it #it t#e $round% ar!ana+e$an to nod% In a little w#ile, s#e was aslee%(#en s#e woe u, t#e rain #ad stoed,alt#ou$# t#e sy was no li$#ter%"It must +e late," ar!ana said out loud%

It was t#en t#at s#e #eard t#e sound o* awoman )ryin$%

FOURTEEN

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0#e sound was too so*t and too sad to +estartlin$%"Hello&" ar!ana )alled out, not too loudly% Itwas too dar to see w#ere t#e woman wassittin$% ar!ana rumma$ed around on #er trayuntil s#e *ound a +o3 o* t#e mat)#es s#e soldwit# t#e )i$arettes% S#e stru) one, and t#eli$#t /ared u% S#e #eld t#e /ame out in *ronto* #er, looin$ *or t#e )ryin$ woman%It too t#ree mat)#es +e*ore s#e saw% t#e$ure #uddled a$ainst t#e near+y wall% S#eet striin$ mat)#es so s#e )ould see as s#emade #er way o!er to t#e woman%"(#at's your name&" ar!ana ased% 0#e

woman et )ryin$% "I'll tell you my name,t#en% It's ar!ana% I s#ould tell you t#at myname is 8aseem, +e)ause I'm retendin$ to +ea +oy% I'm dressed lie a +oy so t#at I )an earnsome money, +ut I'm really a $irl% So now younow my se)ret%"

0#e woman said not#in$% ar!ana $lan)ed outt#e door% It was $ettin$ late% I* s#e was $oin$ to+e #ome +e*ore )ur*ew, s#e'd #a!e to lea!enow%

"Come wit# me," ar!ana said% "My mot#er isaway, +ut Mrs% (eera is at #ome% S#e )an 3any ro+lem%" S#e stru) anot#er mat)# and#eld it u to t#e woman's *a)e% It suddenlydawned on #er t#at s#e )ould see t#e woman's*a)e% It wasn't )o!ered u%"(#ere is your +ur1a&" S#e looed around +ut)ouldn't see one% "Are you outside wit#out a+ur1a&"

0#e woman nodded%

"(#at are you doin$ outside wit#out a +ur1a& You )ould $et in a lot o* trou+le *or t#at%" 0#e woman 4ust s#oo #er #ead%ar!ana #ad an idea% "Here's w#at we'll do% I'll$o #ome and +orrow Mrs% (eera's +ur1a and+rin$ it +a) to you% 0#en we'll $o +a) to myla)e to$et#er% All ri$#t&"ar!ana started to stand u, +ut t#e woman$ra++ed onto #er arm%



A$ain ar!ana looed out t#e door at t#e)omin$ ni$#t% "I #a!e to let Mrs% (eera noww#ere I am% S#e's ne wit# me +ein$ outdurin$ t#e day, +ut i* I'm not +a) at ni$#t,s#e'll +e worried%" Still t#e woman did not let$o%ar!ana didn't now w#at to do% S#e )ouldn'tstay in t#e +uildin$ all ni$#t, +ut t#is *ri$#tenedwoman )learly did not want to +e le*t alone%:roin$ in t#e dar *or #er tray, s#e *ound twolittle +a$s o* dried *ruit and nuts%"Here," s#e said, #andin$ one to t#e woman%"(e'll t#in +etter i* we eat%"

0#e woman downed t#e *ruit and nuts in

almost one swallow% "You must +e star!in$,"ar!ana said, assin$ #er anot#er +a$%ar!ana )#ewed and t#ou$#t and nallyde)ided w#at to do% "0#is is t#e +estsu$$estion I #a!e," s#e said% "I* you #a!e a+etter idea, let me now% Ot#erwise, t#is isw#at we'll do% (e'll wait until it $ets !ery, !erydar% 0#en we'll #ead +a) to my la)eto$et#er% Do you #a!e a )#ador&"

0#e woman s#oo #er #ead% ar!ana wis#ed

s#e #ad #er aul, +ut it was summer, so s#e#ad le*t it at #ome%"Do you a$ree&" ar!ana ased%

0#e woman nodded%":ood% I t#in we s#ould mo!e )lose to t#edoor% 0#at way, w#en it's time, we )an see ourway out to t#e street wit#out li$#tin$ a mat)#%I don't want to draw any attention to us%"(it# a +it o* $entle ullin$, ar!ana $ot t#ewoman to #er *eet% Care*ully t#ey made t#eir

way to a sot 4ust inside t#e door, +ut still#idden *rom t#e !iew o* anyone assin$ +y%

0#ey waited in silen)e *or ni$#t to *all%8a+ul was a dar )ity at ni$#t% It #ad +eenunder )ur*ew *or more t#an twenty years% Manyo* t#e street li$#ts #ad +een no)ed out +y+om+s, and many o* t#ose still standin$ did notwor%



"8a+ul was t#e #ot sot o* )entral Asia,"ar!ana's mot#er and *at#er used to say% "(eused to wal down t#e streets at midni$#t,eatin$ i)e )ream% Earlier in t#e e!enin$, wewould +rowse t#rou$# +oo s#os and re)ordstores% It was a )ity o* li$#ts, ro$ress ande3)itement% "ar!ana )ould not e!en ima$ine w#at it #adlooed lie t#en%Be*ore lon$ it was as dar as it would $et%"Stay ri$#t wit# me," ar!ana said, alt#ou$#s#e needn't #a!e +ot#ered% 0#e woman was$riin$ #er #and ti$#tly% "It's not *ar, +ut Idon't now #ow lon$ it will tae us toni$#t%

Don't worry%" S#e smiled, retendin$ to +e+ra!e% S#e new it was too dar in t#e doorway*or t#e woman to see #er smile, +ut it madear!ana *eel +etter%"I'm Malali, leadin$ t#e troos t#rou$# enemyterritory," s#e murmured to #ersel*% 0#at#eled, too, alt#ou$# it was #ard to *eel lie a+attle #eroine wit# a )i$arette tray #an$in$around #er ne)%

0#e narrow, windin$ streets o* t#e maretla)e

were !ery di6erent in t#e dar% ar!ana )ould#ear t#eir *ootstes e)#o alon$ t#e narrow)orridors% S#e was a+out to tell t#e woman towal more so*tly, t#at t#e 0ali+an #ad made it a)rime *or women to mae noise w#en t#eywaled, +ut s#e )#an$ed #er mind% I* t#e

0ali+an )au$#t t#em out a*ter )ur*ew and wit#t#e woman wit#out a +ur1a or a #ead )o!erin$at all, t#e noise t#ey were main$ would +e t#eleast o* t#eir ro+lems% ar!ana remem+ered

t#e s)ene in t#e stadium% S#e didn't want tonow w#at t#e 0ali+an would do to #er and #er)omanion%ar!ana saw #eadli$#ts aroa)#in$ and ulledt#e woman into anot#er doorway until t#etru) lled wit# soldiers mo!ed on down t#estreet% Se!eral times t#ey almost tried ont#e une!en a!ement% 5or one lon$, #eart7stoin$ minute, ar!ana t#ou$#t s#e was lost%



5inally s#e $ot #er +earin$s, and t#ey etmo!in$%(#en t#ey $ot to ar!ana's street, s#e startedto run, and s#e ulled t#e woman alon$ wit##er% S#e was so s)ared +y t#is oint, s#et#ou$#t i* s#e didn't $et #ome ri$#t away, s#ewould )ollase%"You're +a)-" Mrs% (eera was so relie!ed, s#e#u$$ed +ot# ar!ana and t#e woman +e*ores#e reali2ed w#at s#e was doin$% "You'!e+rou$#t someone wit# you- You are !erywel)ome #ere, my dear%" S#e too a )riti)alloo at t#e woman% "ar!ana, you didn't +rin$#er t#rou$# t#e streets lie t#at& (it# no

+ur1a&"ar!ana e3lained w#at #ad #aened% "I t#ins#e's in trou+le," s#e said%Mrs% (eera didn't #esitate% S#e ut #er armaround t#e woman% "(e'll $et t#e details later%

0#ere's warm water *or you to was# in, and #ot*ood *or suer% You don't loo mu)# older t#anar!ana-"ar!ana too a $ood loo at #er )omanion%S#e #adn't seen t#e woman in t#e li$#t +e*ore%

S#e looed a little +it youn$er t#an .ooria%"5et)# me some )lean )lot#es," Mrs% (eera toldar!ana% ar!ana too a s#alwar amee2 o*Mot#er's out o* t#e )u+oard, and Mrs% (eeratoo t#e youn$ woman into t#e was#room and)losed t#e door%ar!ana resto)ed #er tray *or t#e ne3t day,t#en sread t#e meal )lot# out on t#e /oor% Byt#e time s#e #ad ut out t#e nan and t#e )us*or tea, Mrs% (eera emer$ed *rom t#e

was#room wit# t#eir $uest%Dressed in Mot#er's )lean )lot#es, #er #airwas#ed and ulled +a), t#e woman looedless s)ared and more tired% S#e mana$ed todrin #al* a )u o* tea and eat a *ew mout#*ulso* ri)e +e*ore s#e *ell aslee%S#e was still sleein$ w#en ar!ana le*t *orwor t#e ne3t mornin$%



"5et)# me some water, lease, dear," Mrs%(eera ased +e*ore ar!ana went o6 to t#emaret% "0#at oor $irl's )lot#es needwas#in$%"5inally, t#at ni$#t, a*ter eatin$ suer, t#e $irlwas a+le to tal%"My name is Homa," s#e said% "I es)aed *romMa2ar7e7S#ari* 4ust a*ter t#e 0ali+an )aturedt#e )ity%""0#e 0ali+an #as )atured Ma2ar-" ar!anae3)laimed% "0#at )an't +e- My mot#er is t#ere%My +rot#er and sisters are t#ere%""0#e 0ali+an is in Ma2ar," Homa reeated%"0#ey went *rom #ouse to #ouse, looin$ *or

enemies% 0#ey )ame to my #ouse% 0#ey )ameri$#t inside- 0#ey $ra++ed my *at#er and my+rot#er and too t#em outside% 0#ey s#ot t#emri$#t in t#e street% My mot#er started #ittin$t#em, and t#ey s#ot #er, too% I ran +a) insideand #id in a )loset% I was t#ere *or a lon$, lon$time% I t#ou$#t t#ey would ill me, too, +utt#ey were nis#ed illin$ eole at my #ouse%

0#ey were +usy illin$ at ot#er #ouses%"5inally I le*t t#e )loset and went downstairs%

0#ere were +odies all o!er t#e street% Somesoldiers dro!e +y in a tru)% 0#ey *or+ade us tomo!e t#e +odies o* our *amilies, or e!en )o!ert#em u% 0#ey said we must stay inside%"I was so s)ared t#ey would )ome +a) *or me-(#en it $ot dar, I ran outside% I ran *rom+uildin$ to +uildin$, looin$ out *or t#esoldiers% 0#ere were +odies e!eryw#ere% 0#ewild do$s #ad started eatin$ some o* t#e+odies, so t#ere were ie)es o* eole on t#e

sidewals and in t#e streets% I e!en saw a do$)arryin$ a erson's arm in its mout#-"I )ouldn't *a)e anyt#in$ else% 0#ere was atru) stoed on t#e street% Its motor wasrunnin$% I 4umed into t#e +a) and #id amon$t#e +undles% (#ere!er t#e tru) was $oin$, it)ouldn't +e worse t#an w#ere I was%"(e tra!eled a lon$, lon$ time% (#en I nally$ot out, I was in 8a+ul% I went *rom t#e tru) to



t#e +uildin$ w#ere ar!ana *ound me%" Homastarted to )ry% "I 4ust le*t t#em t#ere- I le*t mymot#er and my *at#er and my +rot#er lyin$ int#e street *or t#e do$s to eat-"Mrs% (eera ut #er arms around Homa, +ut t#e$irl )ould not +e )om*orted% S#e )ried until s#e)ollased into an e3#austed slee%ar!ana )ouldn't mo!e% S#e )ouldn't sea% Alls#e )ould do was i)ture #er mot#er, sistersand +rot#er, dead in t#e streets o* a stran$e)ity%"0#ere's no e!iden)e your *amily is #urt,ar!ana," Mrs% (eera said% "Your mot#er is asmart, stron$ woman, and so is .ooria% (e

must +elie!e t#ey are ali!e% (e must not $i!eu #oe-"ar!ana was *res# out o* #oe% S#e did w#at#er mot#er #ad done% S#e )rawled onto t#etos#a, )o!ered #ersel* wit# a 1uilt andresol!ed to stay t#ere *ore!er%5or two days s#e stayed on t#e tos#a% "0#is isw#at t#e women in our *amily do w#en we'resad," s#e said to Mrs% (eera%"0#ey don't stay t#ere *ore!er," Mrs% (eera

said% "0#ey $et u a$ain, and t#ey $#t +a)%"ar!ana didn't answer #er% S#e didn't want to$et u a$ain% S#e was tired o* $#tin$ +a)%Mrs% (eera was $entle wit# #er at rst, +ut s#e#ad #er #ands *ull wit# Homa and #er$rand)#ild%Late in t#e a*ternoon o* t#e se)ond day,S#au2ia s#owed u at ar!ana's door%"I'm !ery $lad to see you," Mrs% (eera said,noddin$ toward ar!ana% 0#ey went out onto

t#e landin$ to sea *or a moment, out o*ar!ana's ears#ot% 0#en t#ey )ame +a) inand, a*ter *et)#in$ a )oule o* +u)ets o*water, S#au2ia sat down on t#e tos#a +esidear!ana%S#e taled a+out ordinary t#in$s *or aw#ile,#ow #er sales #ad +een, eole s#e'd seen int#e maret, )on!ersations s#e'd #ad wit# someo* t#e tea +oys and ot#er worin$ +oys% 5inally



s#e said, "I don't lie worin$ alone% 0#emaretla)e isn't t#e same w#en you're nott#ere% (on't you )ome +a)&"ut to #er lie t#at, ar!ana new s#e )ould notre*use% S#e'd nown all alon$ t#at s#e would#a!e to $et u% S#e wasn't really a+out to stayon t#at tos#a until s#e died% art o* #erwanted to sli away *rom e!eryt#in$, +utanot#er art wanted to $et u and stay ali!eand )ontinue to +e S#au2ia's *riend% (it# alittle roddin$ *rom S#au2ia, t#at was t#e artt#at won%ar!ana $ot out o* +ed and )arried on as+e*ore% S#e did #er wor in t#e maret, *et)#ed

water, listened to Mrs% (eera's stories and $otto now Homa% S#e did all t#ese t#in$s+e)ause s#e didn't now w#at else to do% Buts#e mo!ed t#rou$# #er days as t#ou$# s#ewere mo!in$ t#rou$# an aw*ul ni$#tmare;ani$#tmare *rom w#i)# t#ere was no release int#e mornin$%

0#en, late one a*ternoon, ar!ana )ame #ome*rom wor to nd two men $ently #elin$ #er*at#er u t#e stes to t#e aartment% He was

ali!e% At least art o* t#e ni$#tmare was o!er%

FIFTEEN

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0#e man w#o )ame +a) *rom rison was+arely re)o$ni2a+le, +ut ar!ana new w#o #ewas% Alt#ou$# #is w#ite s#alwar amee2 wasnow $ray and tattered, alt#ou$# #is *a)e wasdrawn and ale, #e was still #er *at#er% ar!ana)lun$ to #im so ti$#tly s#e #ad to +e ulledaway +y Mrs% (eera so t#at #er *at#er )ould liedown%"(e *ound #im on t#e $round outside t#erison," one o* t#e men w#o #ad +rou$#t #im#ome said to Mrs% (eera% "0#e 0ali+an released





#im, +ut #e was una+le to $o anyw#ere on #isown% He told us w#ere #e li!ed, so my *riendand I ut #im on our ara)#i and +rou$#t #im#ere%"ar!ana was down on t#e tos#a wit# #er*at#er, )lin$in$ to #im and weein$% S#e newt#at t#e men stayed to tea, +ut it wasn't untilt#ey were $ettin$ u to lea!e, to mae it +a)to t#eir #omes +e*ore )ur*ew, t#at s#eremem+ered #er manners%S#e $ot to #er *eet% "0#an you *or +rin$in$ my*at#er +a)," s#e said%

0#e men le*t% ar!ana started to lie +a) down+eside #er *at#er, +ut Mrs% (eera stoed #er%

"Let #im rest% 0#ere will +e time to taltomorrow%"ar!ana o+eyed, +ut it too days o* Mrs%(eera's )are*ul nursin$ +e*ore 5at#er e!enstarted to $et well% Most o* t#e time #e was tooill and weary to tal% He )ou$#ed a lot%"0#at rison must #a!e +een )old and dam,"Mrs% (eera said% ar!ana #eled #er mae a+rot# and *ed it to #er *at#er #ot, o6 a soon,until #e was a+le to sit u and eat%

".ow you are +ot# my dau$#ter and my son,"5at#er said w#en #e was well enou$# to noti)e#er new aearan)e% He ru++ed #is #and o!er#er )roed #air and smiled%ar!ana made many tris to t#e water ta%5at#er #ad +een +eaten +adly, and t#e oulti)e+anda$es Mrs% (eera ut o!er #is wounds #adto +e )#an$ed and was#ed *re1uently% Homa#eled, too, mostly +y eein$ Mrs% (eera's$randdau$#ter 1uiet so 5at#er )ould rest%

ar!ana didn't mind t#at #e was una+le to talri$#t away% S#e was o!er4oyed 4ust to #a!e #im#ome% S#e sent #er days earnin$ money, and#er e!enin$s #elin$ Mrs% (eera% (#en #er*at#er *elt +etter, s#e would read to #im *rom#is +oos%Homa new some En$lis# *rom studyin$ it ins)#ool, and one day ar!ana )ame #ome *romwor to #ear Homa and 5at#er talin$ En$lis#



to ea)# ot#er% Homa #esitated a lot, +ut5at#er's words /owed smoot#ly into ea)# ot#er%"Did you +rin$ us #ome anot#er edu)atedwoman today&" 5at#er ased ar!ana, smilin$%".o, 5at#er," ar!ana relied% "I 4ust +rou$#t#ome onions%" 5or some reason, e!eryonet#ou$#t t#at was *unny, and t#ere was lau$#terin ar!ana's #ome *or t#e rst time sin)e #er*at#er's arrest%One t#in$ in #er li*e #ad +een reaired% Her*at#er was #ome now% May+e t#e rest o* t#e*amily would )ome +a), too%ar!ana was lled wit# #oe% In t#e maret s#e)#ased a*ter )ustomers 4ust lie t#e real +oys

did% Mrs% (eera su$$ested some medi)ine *or5at#er, and ar!ana wored and wored untils#e #ad earned t#e money to +uy it% It seemedto #el%"I *eel lie I'm worin$ *or somet#in$ now," s#etold S#au2ia one day as t#ey waled aroundlooin$ *or )ustomers% "I'm worin$ to $et my*amily +a)%""I'm worin$ *or somet#in$, too," S#au2ia said%"I'm worin$ to $et away *rom A*$#anistan%"

"(on't you miss your *amily&" ar!ana ased%"My $rand*at#er #as started to loo *or a#us+and *or me," S#au2ia relied% "I o!er#eard#im talin$ to my $randmot#er% He said Is#ould $et married soon, t#at sin)e I'm soyoun$, I'll *et)# a $ood +ride7ri)e, and t#eywill #a!e lots o* money to li!e on%""(on't your mot#er sto #im&""(#at )ould s#e do& S#e #as to li!e wit# t#em%S#e #as now#ere else to $o%" S#au2ia stoed

walin$ and looed at ar!ana% "I can't +emarried- I won't +e married-""How will your mot#er mana$e wit#out yout#ere& How will s#e eat&""(#at )an I do&" S#au2ia ased, t#e 1uestion)omin$ out as a wail% "I* I stay #ere and $etmarried, my li*e will +e o!er% I* I lea!e, may+eI'll #a!e a )#an)e% 0#ere must +e some la)e int#is world w#ere I )an li!e% Am I wron$ to t#in



lie t#is&" S#e wied t#e tears *rom #er *a)e%"(#at else )an I do&"ar!ana didn't now #ow to )om*ort #er *riend%One day Mrs% (eera #ad a !isitor, a mem+er o* t#e women's $rou w#o #ad 4ust )ome out o*Ma2ar% ar!ana was at wor, +ut 5at#er told #era+out t#e !isit t#at e!enin$%"A lot o* eole #a!e /ed Ma2ar," #e said%"0#ey are stayin$ in re*u$ee )ams outside t#e)ity""Is t#at w#ere Mot#er is&""It's ossi+le% (e won't now unless we $o tot#e )ams and loo%""How )an we do t#at& Are you well enou$# to

tra!el&""I will ne!er +e well enou$#," 5at#er said, "+utwe s#ould $o anyway%""(#en do we lea!e&" ar!ana ased%"As soon as I )an arran$e transort% Can you)arry a messa$e *or me to t#e men w#o+rou$#t me #ome *rom rison& I t#in, wit#t#eir #el, we )an +e on our way in a )oule o*wees%"ar!ana #ad +een wantin$ to as #er *at#er

somet#in$ *or aw#ile% "(#y did t#e 0ali+an letyou $o&""I don't now w#y t#ey arrested me% Howwould I now w#y t#ey let me $o&"ar!ana would #a!e to +e satised wit# t#at *oran answer%Her li*e was a+out to )#an$e a$ain% S#e wassurrised at #ow )alm s#e *elt% S#e de)ided itwas +e)ause #er *at#er was +a)%"(e'll nd t#em," ar!ana said wit# )omlete

)onden)e% "(e'll nd t#em and +rin$ t#em#ome%"Mrs% (eera was $oin$ to aistan% "Homa will)ome wit# me% (e'll ut #er to wor t#ere%"

0#ey were $oin$ to lin u wit# t#e mem+erso* t#e women's $rou w#o were or$ani2in$A*$#an women in e3ile%"(#ere will you stay&"



"I #a!e a )ousin in one o* t#e )ams," Mrs%(eera relied% "S#e #as +een wantin$ me to)ome and li!e wit# #er%""Is t#ere a s)#ool t#ere&""I* t#ere isn't, we'll start one% Li*e is !erydi=)ult *or A*$#ans in aistan% 0#ere is a lot o* wor to do%"ar!ana #ad an idea% "0ae S#au2ia wit# you-""S#au2ia&""S#e wants to lea!e% S#e #ates it #ere% Couldn'ts#e $o wit# you& S#e )ould +e your es)ort-""S#au2ia #as *amily #ere% Do you mean to says#e would 4ust lea!e #er *amily& Desert t#eteam 4ust +e)ause t#e $ame is rou$#&"

ar!ana said no more% In a way, Mrs% (eerawas ri$#t% 0#at was w#at S#au2ia was doin$%But S#au2ia was also ri$#t% Didn't s#e #a!e ari$#t to see out a +etter li*e& ar!ana )ouldn'tde)ide w#o was more ri$#t%A *ew days +e*ore t#ey were to lea!e *orMa2ar, ar!ana was sittin$ on #er +lanet int#e maretla)e w#en somet#in$ #it #er on t#e#ead% It was a tiny )amel made out o* +eads%

0#e (indow (oman was still ali!e- S#e was all

ri$#t, or at least well enou$# to let ar!ananow s#e was still t#ere% ar!ana wanted to

4um u and down and dan)e% S#e wanted toyell and wa!e at t#e ainted window% Insteads#e sat 1uietly and tried to t#in o* a way tosay $ood+ye%S#e was almost #ome t#at a*ternoon w#en s#et#ou$#t o* a way%Headin$ +a) to t#e maret a*ter lun)#, s#e)are*ully du$ u some wild/owers t#at were

$rowin$ amon$ t#e +om+ed7out ruins% S#e #adseen t#em $rowin$ t#ere in ot#er years, and#oed s#e was ri$#t in t#inin$ t#ey were t#eind t#at $rew year a*ter year% I* s#e lantedt#e /owers in t#e sot w#ere s#e usually ut#er +lanet, t#e (indow (oman would nows#e wasn't )omin$ +a)% 0#e /owers would +esomet#in$ retty to loo at% S#e #oed t#eywould mae a $ood resent%



In #er sot in t#e maret, ar!ana du$ u t#e#ard soil rst +y oundin$ into it wit# #eranle% S#e used #er #ands, too, as well as aro) s#e *ound near+y%

0#e men and +oys in t#e maret $at#eredaround to wat)# #er% Anyt#in$ di6erent wasentertainment%"0#ose /owers won't $row in t#at soil,"someone said% "0#ere are no nutrients in it%""E!en i* t#ey $row, t#ey will +e tramled%""0#e maretla)e is no sot *or /owers% (#yare you lantin$ t#em t#ere&"

0#rou$# t#e !oi)es o* derision )ame anot#er!oi)e% "Do none o* you are)iate nature& 0#is

+oy #as undertaen to +rin$ a +it o* +eautyinto our $ray maretla)e, and do you t#an#im& Do you #el #im&" An old man us#ed #isway to t#e *ront o* t#e little $at#erin$% (it#di=)ulty, #e nelt down to #el ar!ana lantt#e /owers% "A*$#ans lo!e +eauti*ul t#in$s," #esaid, "+ut we #a!e seen so mu)# u$liness, wesometimes *or$et #ow wonder*ul a t#in$ lie a/ower is%"He ased one o* t#e tea +oys #o!erin$ near+y

*or some water *rom t#e tea s#o% It was*et)#ed, and #e oured it around t#e /owers,soain$ t#e eart# around t#em%

0#e lants #ad wilted% 0#ey didn't stand uroerly%"Are t#ey dead&" ar!ana ased%".o, no, not dead% 0#ey may loo s)ra$$ly anddyin$ now," #e said, "+ut t#e roots are $ood%(#en t#e time is ri$#t, t#ese roots will suortlants t#at are #ealt#y and stron$%" He $a!e

t#e eart# a nal at, and ar!ana and one o*t#e ot#ers #eled #im u% He smiled on)e moreat ar!ana, t#en waled away%ar!ana waited +y #er /owers until t#e )rowd#ad $one% (#en s#e was sure no one waswat)#in$, s#e looed u at t#e window andwa!ed a 1ui) $ood+ye% S#e wasn't sure, +uts#e t#ou$#t s#e saw someone wa!e +a)%



0wo days later t#ey were ready to lea!e% 0#eywere $oin$ to tra!el +y tru), 4ust as t#e rest o* t#e *amily #ad done%"Am I tra!elin$ as your son or your dau$#ter&"ar!ana ased 5at#er%"You de)ide," #e said% "Eit#er way, you will +emy little Malali%""Loo at w#at's #ere-" Mrs% (eera said% A*termain$ sure t#e )oast was )lear, s#e toose!eral )oies o* Mot#er's ma$a2ine out *romunder #er +ur1a% "Isn't it +eauti*ul&"ar!ana /ied t#rou$# t#e ma$a2ine 1ui)ly+e*ore #idin$ it a$ain% "It's wonder*ul," s#esaid%

"0ell your mot#er t#at )oies are +ein$ sent outto women all o!er t#e world% S#e #as #eled tolet t#e world now w#at is #aenin$ inA*$#anistan% Be sure you tell #er t#at% (#ats#e did was !ery imortant% And tell #er weneed #er +a), to wor on t#e ne3t issue%""I'll tell #er%" S#e $a!e Mrs% (eera a #u$% Bot#Mrs% (eera and Homa were wearin$ +ur1as,+ut s#e )ould tell +y #u$$in$ t#em w#o wasw#o%

It was time to lea!e% Suddenly, 4ust as t#e tru)was ready to ull out onto t#e road, S#au2iaaeared%"You made it-" ar!ana said, #u$$in$ #er*riend%":ood+ye, ar!ana," S#au2ia said% S#e #andedar!ana a +a$ o* dried ari)ots% "I'm lea!in$soon, too% I met some nomads w#o will tae meto aistan as a s#e#erd% I'm not waitin$ untilne3t srin$% It would +e too lonely #ere wit#out

you%"ar!ana didn't want to say $ood+ye% "(#en willwe see ea)# ot#er a$ain&" s#e ased in aani)% "How will we ee in tou)#&""I'!e $ot it all $ured out," S#au2ia said% "(e'llmeet a$ain on t#e rst day o* srin$, twentyyears *rom now%""All ri$#t% (#ere&"



"0#e to o* t#e Ei6el 0ower in aris% I told you Iwas $oin$ to 5ran)e%"ar!ana lau$#ed% "I'll +e t#ere," s#e said% "(ewon't say $ood+ye, t#en% (e'll 4ust say so lon$*or now%"">ntil ne3t time," S#au2ia said%ar!ana #u$$ed #er *riend one last time, t#en)lim+ed into t#e tru)% 0#ey wa!ed to ea)#ot#er as t#e tru) rolled away%

0wenty years *rom now, ar!ana t#ou$#t% (#atwould #aen in t#ose twenty years& (oulds#e still +e in A*$#anistan& (ould A*$#anistannally #a!e ea)e& (ould s#e $o +a) tos)#ool, #a!e a 4o+, +e married&

0#e *uture stret)#ed unnown down t#e road in*ront o* #er% Her mot#er was somew#ere a#eadwit# #er sisters and #er +rot#er, +ut w#at elset#ey would nd, ar!ana #ad no idea%(#ate!er it was, s#e *elt ready *or it% S#e e!en*ound #ersel* looin$ *orward to it%ar!ana settled +a) in t#e tru) +eside #er*at#er% S#e oed a dried ari)ot into #ermout# and rolled its sweetness around on #erton$ue% 0#rou$# t#e dusty *ront winds#ield s#e

)ould see Mount ar!ana, t#e snow on its easarlin$ in t#e sun%

AUTHOR'S NOTE

Return to Contents A*$#anistan is a small )ountry in )entral Asia% It)ontains t#e Hindu 8us# mountain ran$e, *ast7/owin$ ri!ers and $olden deserts% Its *ertile!alleys used to rodu)e an a+undan)e o* *ruit,w#eat and !e$eta+les% Con1uerors ande3lorers t#rou$#out #istory #a!e seenA*$#anistan as a $ateway to t#e 5ar East%A*$#anistan #as +een at war sin)e ?@, w#enAmeri)an7+a)ed $#ters oosed t#e So!iet7+a)ed $o!ernment% In ?@, t#e So!iet >nion





in!aded A*$#anistan, and t#e war es)alated,wit# +ot# sides +om+in$ and illin$ wit#modern weaons%A*ter t#e So!iets le*t in ?@@, a )i!il wareruted, as !arious $rous *ou$#t *or )ontrol o* t#e )ountry%Millions o* A*$#ans +e)ame re*u$ees, andmany still li!e in #u$e )ams in aistan andIran% Many eole #a!e sent t#eir w#ole li!esin t#ese )ams% Millions #a!e +een illed,maimed or +linded%

0wenty years o* war #a!e also destroyed roads,+rid$es and waterways% 5ew eole inA*$#anistan #a!e )lean water to drin% Land

mines were ut +y all t#e armies in *armers'elds, main$ it imossi+le to $row *ood t#ere%As a )onse1uen)e, many eole die o* #un$eror *rom diseases )aused +y oor nutrition%

0#e 0ali+an militia, an A*$#an army, too o!er)ontrol o* t#e )aital )ity o* 8a+ul inSetem+er, ?@@% 0#ey imosed e3tremelyrestri)ti!e laws on $irls and women% S)#ools *or$irls were )losed down, women were no lon$erallowed to #old 4o+s, and stri)t dress )odes

were en*or)ed% Boos were +urned, tele!isionssmas#ed, and musi) in any *orm was*or+idden% In t#e *all o* ?, t#e 0ali+an weredri!en *rom most o* A*$#anistan, +ut t#e *utureo* A*$#anistan's women and $irls remainsun)ertain%

GLOSSARY

Return to Contents +ur1a 7 A lon$, tent7lie $arment, w#i)# t#e

0ali+an #a!e de)reed women must wearw#ene!er t#ey $o outside% It )o!ers t#em)omletely and e!en #as a narrow mes#s)reen o!er t#e eyes%





)#ador 7 A ie)e o* )lot# worn +y women and$irls to )o!er t#eir #air and s#oulders% :irlswear t#is outside%Dari 7 One o* t#e two main lan$ua$es soen inA*$#anistan%Eid 7 A Moslem *esti!al )omin$ at t#e end o*Ramadan, t#e mont# o* *astin$%ara)#i 7 A )art on w#eels, us#ed +y #and,used to sell t#in$s in t#e maret%e+a+ 7 ie)es o* meat on a sewer, )ooedo!er a re%land mine 7 A +om+ lanted in t#e $round,w#i)# e3lodes i* it is steed on%nan 7 A*$#an +read;/at, sometimes lon$ and

sometimes round%aul 7 A $ray or +rown woolen +lanet s#awlworn +y A*$#an men and +oys%as#tu 7 One o* t#e two main lan$ua$es soenin A*$#anistan%s#alwar amee2 7 Lon$, loose s#irt andtrousers, worn +y +ot# men and women% Men'sare all one )olor, wit# o)ets in t#e side andon t#e )#est% (omen's are di6erent )olors andatterns, sometimes ela+orately em+roidered

or +eaded%So!iets 7 0#e So!iet >nion +e*ore its +rea7u,in)ludin$ Russia and ot#er Communist)ountries%

0ali+an 7 Mem+ers o* t#e rulin$ arty inA*$#anistan%tos#a 7 A narrow mattress used in manyA*$#an #omes instead o* )#airs or +eds%

About the Author

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DEBORAH ELLIS #as +een to A*$#an re*u$ee)ams and #eard many stories lie ar!ana's%All t#e royalties *rom t#is +oo will +e donated





to (omen *or (omen in A*$#anistan, dedi)atedto t#e edu)ation o* A*$#an $irls in re*u$ee)ams in aistan%

Statiti!

Return to Contents 0#ese statisti)s are deri!ed +y usin$ t#e sell)#e)er on Mi)roso*t (ord and *rom t#eA))elerated Reader (e+ site%

Counts

Words 28540

Characters 126194

Paragraphs 1029

Sentences 2751

Averages

Sentences per Paragraph 2.7

Words per Sentence 10.3

Characters per Word 4.2

Readability

Passive Sentences 3%

!esch "eading #ase 83.5

!esch$incaid &rade 'eve! 4.1

(cce!erated "eader &rade 'eve! 4.5

(cce!erated "eader )nterest 'eve! *&

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"ount 77 Dislays t#e num+er o* words,)#ara)ters, ara$ra#s, and senten)es in t#e)urrent do)ument% 0#e Counts statisti)s maydi6er *rom t#e A!era$es statisti)s +e)ause t#elatter do not in)lude in)omlete senten)es%A#era$e 77 Dislays senten)e7, word7, and)#ara)ter7)ount a!era$es *or t#e )urrentdo)ument% 0#e A!era$es statisti)s do notin)lude in)omlete senten)es%Readabi%it& !ore(#en (ord nis#es )#e)in$ sellin$ and$rammar, it )an dislay in*ormation a+out t#ereadin$ le!el o* t#e do)ument, in)ludin$ t#e

*ollowin$ reada+ility s)ores% Ea)# reada+ilitys)ore +ases its ratin$ on t#e a!era$e num+ero* sylla+les er word and words er senten)e%F%e!h Readin$ Eae !oreRates te3t on a ?7oint s)aleF t#e #i$#er t#es)ore, t#e easier it is to understand t#edo)ument% 5or most standard do)uments, aim*or a s)ore o* aro3imately to %F%e!h(in!aid Grade Le#e% !oreRates te3t on a >%S% $rade7s)#ool le!el% 5or

e3amle, a s)ore o* % means t#at an ei$#t#$rader )an understand t#e do)ument% 5or moststandard do)uments, aim *or a s)ore o*aro3imately % to %%A!!e%erated Readin$ Grade Le#e% S!oreand Interet Le#e% (If Available)

Rates te3t +ased on word len$t#, num+er o*words er senten)e and num+er o* senten)eser ara$ra# similar to 5les)#78in)aid% Itdi6ers in t#at it ad4usts t#e ratin$ +y

)onsiderin$ a)tual words and t#e e3erien)eso* a lar$e samlin$ o* student readers anda)tual words in +oos% Interest le!el is +asedon u+lis#er's re)ommendations a+out t#e)ontent% M:GMiddle :rades% L:GLower:rades% >:G>er :rades%