Whenever Tahir returned from work, Warda would welcome him with a beaming smile.
Tahir relished her joyful smile, like always, that evening in 1997, despite her anxiety and preoccupation.
As they relaxed on the couch after dinner, Tahir tenderly drew Warda nearer, his arm encircling her. “Hey there, my darling. How are you doing? You seem to be in another world.”
“The Taliban have discovered the concealed underground bunker in my school,” Warda murmured, resting her head on his arm.
“Shireen must have fled to help my father, as she could not dispose of the papers and explosives. Due to fear of capture, no one from our group ventured inside the bunker the following day, and the school remained closed. When classes resumed about a month later, Salaam hammered the trap door shut for good.”
“The Taliban have taken several innocent people into custody and want to prosecute them for acts against the state,” Warda was visibly worried.
“Since our group was publicly involved in creating propaganda literature for the government, the Taliban seemingly do not know the real nature of our covert operations. They also believe that the individuals they have captured are remnants of the communist regime and should be prosecuted. As far as I can tell, our Mujahideen links are currently fighting the Taliban.”
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Warda said with apparent sadness, “The sole person who knows the real story is me, and for that reason, I feel responsible.”
“What then?” Tahir enquired, trying to read her mind.
“I can get a fruit trifle for you. It had slipped my mind that I had made it.” Warda struggled to free herself from Tahir’s grip and escape the subject.
Tahir whispered, “The fruit trifle can wait,” as he kept his half-embrace around Warda.
“An alternative is to communicate with the Taliban in writing or in person. Still, another is making the potentially dangerous journey to Kabul,” he continued.
“I love you, Tahir, and we cannot afford to ruin our perfect life,” Warda answered modestly.
“My darling, I love you dearly, but I also know that you will always have an unhappy heart until you witness the release of all those in custody.”
A week passed. Tahir had to leave town on an official visit. After receiving word from Kabul, Warda called her father to share the update. Saifullah chose to travel with his daughter to Kabul so they could provide evidence to prove the detainees’ innocence.
Warda tried to act normally upon Tahir’s return and planned to confront him about the matter the following day.
But he caught her off guard. “My preparations are complete, and I have gotten the necessary visa to enter Afghanistan. The two of us will be departing for Kabul tomorrow.”
“Father has made it clear that only he will accompany me. Being Afghan natives, we have some connections there. Father and I will easily approach the authorities to present our case.” Warda remarked.
“Oh my. It seems like you’ve had enough of me already. What if you change your mind about returning?” Tahir playfully remarked.
“I feel so lucky that I married you.” She grabbed him tightly, her eyes full of tears.
After making the necessary preparations they set out for Kabul the next morning.