Compared to other schools in the city, Shireen's school was open for a longer part of the academic year, and her kids' performance was better. This, combined with her powerful connections at the government's highest tiers, allowed her to start an effective home tutoring service.

Members of Shireen's partisan group were assigned to the homes of prominent military and government officials. They would listen in on any talks at their homes and stealthily look through the studies and other places, seeking information and records that might contain information useful to the resistance struggle.

In Kabul, the Mujahideen maintained a spy network that received updates on any critical intelligence.

One afternoon, Shireen addressed her resistance group in the literary club: "Friends, the Information Ministry has proclaimed that a blend of the coalition, religion, reconciliation, and liberal democracy will replace socialism as the new principal of governance."

"And it goes without saying that our propaganda campaign changes accordingly."

"The truth is that not much will actually change. Our people will keep dying, and the invaders and their puppets will keep ruling. They have been forced to shroud their inhuman tactics under this garb of reforms by the people's steadfast defiance. We will continue our work until the invaders leave our soil."

The next day, Shireen called Warda to her office. "Sit down, Warda," she said serenely. "I will present the simplified version of this discussion to the rest of the group later in the literary club."

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"The reason for having this confidential conversation is that I am giving you a very daring assignment, which, if pulled aptly, can enable us to turn the tables on our foes."

Anxious and somewhat nervous, Warda shifted uncomfortably in her seat.

"Our communications minister, Mr. Hadayat, has recently been given the additional responsibility of the Ministry of Defence till the government finds a replacement for the ousted minister. Minister Hadayat regularly has opulent dinner parties at his home attended by prominent figures. There is a lot of drinking, and important matters are discussed quite openly after dinner, when the servants are sent away, and only a handful of loyal attendants stay behind till the guests are seen off. Fortunately for us, Hadayat speaks loudly and loosely. One of these faithful caretakers gave this information after leaving service due to health concerns."

"Mr. Hadayat's youngest child, Saleha, who is twelve years old and whom he and his wife adore, struggles academically and is an obsessive introvert. Her mother came to me to set her up with a tutor at home."

"I've advised her that it should be a youthful, intelligent person that she can equate to, befriend, and study with. This would help her get out of her cocoon and eventually acquire the self-confidence needed to enrol in school and pursue her education with other kids."

"You seem like the ideal person for this position," Shireen continued after a deliberate pause. She sensed no change in Warda's countenance, and a whiff of vanity caressed her ego as she figured herself a fairly good judge of people's acumen, strength, and moral integrity.

Soon after initiating the discussion, she imagined that Warda had anticipated the potential consequences of the conversation from the outset. Warda was everything she thought and wished her to be.