The pupil and the tutor continued their daily activities as if nothing had happened. Eventually, Saleha broke the ice one day: "I have heard a lot of horrible things about the government, both at school and from the housemaids......how it maltreats the people living in the villages."

"I heard my parents express their fear for my life due to the Mujahideen's infiltration into the city. But they feel much more at ease now that you visit us, and they are appreciative."

"The most distressing information, though, was something I stumbled across while browsing some files that were inadvertently left on my father's study desk. Inside were terrible pictures that I cannot adequately explain, as well as a script that I just partially copied in my notebook."

She opened a small notebook and handed it to Warda.

Warda went through Saleha's handwritten text: "Since the tradition of family honour is a fundamental component of the Afghan way of life, violence against women is to be used tactically to crush the resistance. The analysis of using this approach in selected communities which assisted the rebels has shown significantly positive results........" She could read no more as the faces of her female relatives who lived in the rural parts of the country blocked her vision and her thoughts.

Taking the notebook back from Warda's hand, she added stoically, "My mother gave me the details that day. She directed me to deliver them to you."

Warda was speechless. No amount of training could prepare her to absorb the past ten minutes without showing signs of complete awe as she clutched onto the arms of her chair and stared impassively at a pencil on the desk.

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That evening, as Warda went to bed, she couldn't help but reflect on the day's events. She saw Saleha and her mother as extraordinary people who risked their lives to ensure their nation's freedom.

A few weeks later, Shireen called Warda to her office. "Saleha's parents have requested that you help her study for the upcoming annual exam by spending the week before the tests at the minister's home."

Shireen spoke faintly, "He is going overseas during that week," as though she were planting a thought in Warda's mind.

"Since you are done with your promotion exam, your class will have a two-week break, and this arrangement should not affect your school work. The minister's wife is a kind woman who has offered to go to your house and seek your parents' permission."

Both Shireen and Warda could discern the significance of this exceptional chance. The minister's departure for overseas duty seemed to be excellent timing, giving Warda a chance to rummage through his study and find pertinent records and information that would help the resistance.

Warda moved into the minister's residence as scheduled, where Saleha used to receive tuition during the day. Warda would go through the study cabinets after dinner. Though the servants were sent away after nine, and Warda would close the study door, she commenced her search with the standard and general books in the cabinets away from the main desk to avoid appearing suspicious in the event of an unforeseen intrusion.

She had dedicated the final three days of her stay to searching through the cabinet behind the main desk and the desk itself. She had an inkling that she would uncover something important there. But to her dismay, she learnt that the minister had to shorten his visit and would be arriving two days early instead. This left her just six or seven hours after dinner until the servants came in the morning.