WASHMA
The rest of the journey passed mostly in silence, except for the occasional casual conversation between Mir Lala and Nazar Baba ... usually about either those bloody oppressors or their own self-praise.
Washma always wondered how they could do it. How could they close their eyes when enemies were not just at the borders, but inside their homes as well? Of course, it takes guts to reach such a level of shamelessness.
"Nazar Baba, you'll see ... we will win this war. Those Russians will lick our feet like dogs," Mir Lala said, arrogance echoing in his voice.
Yeah, yeah, in your dreams. You and those bloody oppressors can only suppress innocent people... you only plant the flags of victory on the weak,
Washma thought in awe...
Astogana ( name of Wazir Castle ) could be spotted even from a mile's distance.
Washma and Rukhsaar sighed with relief, knowing they'd finally be out of those suffocating tents ... burqas.
Astogana wasn't just a house ... it was a small town in itself, surrounded by high, heavily guarded walls that stood watch 24/7. It had many sections where the entire Wazir family lived together.
Like something out of a fairytale, it stood on a mound in Kabul, visible from afar. Its grandeur alone told stories about the people who lived inside.
The jeep entered the main gate of Wazir Castle. The massive gate, built of strong wood and iron, was always kept closed like a guarded secret ... only opening when permitted.
But who knew how many restless souls were trapped inside?
The vehicle twisted and turned along the sloped paths of Wazir's Castle. The hilly terrain made the structure even more breathtaking and enchanting.
They were headed toward the main block .... where their leader, Afghani Bibi, lived with her immediate family.
Washma looked out the window and saw a small section labeled "Dispensary," where only medicines were kept but no doctors were available.
Both Abbas and she were pursuing medical degrees just to fill that very gap ... to serve the Wazir women and men who lacked even basic healthcare.
Abbas was their cousin and Rukhsaar's fiancé. Afghani Bibi had arranged the engagements of all her grandchildren during their childhood ... except for Washma and Mir Wazir Khan.
Their right to education wasn't a privilege .... it was a duty to the Wazir tribe.
No matter how much knowledge they gained from the outside world, deep down they knew .. they would always return to this place, to Astogana, and live out their lives here.
Astogana was divided into three main parts:
1. Mardan Khana:
where all the men of the tribe lived. Once a boy turned fourteen, he was shifted here and wasn't allowed into the Zanan Khana unless he was married. Only then could he visit his wife's room ... each room had a hidden door connecting it to the women's section, allowing discreet entry and exit. Though they lived in the same compound, men and women led very separate lives.
2. Zanan Khana:
Strictly reserved for the women of the house. No men were allowed to enter. Most women spent their lives here, considered safe as long as they remained inside the confines of that cage.
3. Hujra:
the place where Afghani Bibi made important decisions ... not just about the tribe, but also the fates of its people. It consisted of a hall-court where she met with others and held tribal gatherings.
It was connected to a long chain of guest rooms ... currently housing some suspicious strangers.
The jeep finally came to a stop at a distance.
"Both of you go from the backside. There will be guests with Agha Bi," Mir Lala instructed.
They nodded and were about to rush out of the jeep when they heard Mir Lala once more:
"Remember, I don't want to hear a sound from you. Keep your voices and footsteps in check."
Without waiting for their response, Mir Lala turned the jeep toward the parking area.
"How can they hear us through these heavy walls, even if we cry or laugh?" Washma muttered.
"Zama da Badakhshan golona...
My flowers of Badakhshan..."
(Badakhshan is a valley in Afghanistan known for its beautiful flowers.)
Upon entering Zanan Khana, a voice rich with love and sweetness greeted them.
Their mother stood there, arms wide open, ready to embrace them.
Both of them threw off their burqas and ran into their mother's arms.
"Stop! Stop right there!"
Adday Jan circled something over their heads and handed it to Babu, their governess, then took them into her arms.
"Our Adday Jan..."
They melted into her warm embrace.
Adday Jan was their mother. she had an extremely fair complexion, blue eyes, and a soft, full frame ... radiating the warmth of motherhood.
They had missed their mother so much that they didn't want to leave her soft cuddle. Her scent ... a blend of mehndi and lavender ... was uniquely hers, belonging to no one else in the universe.
After a lingering moment of holding each other, Adday Jan kissed both their foreheads and wiped her tears with the edge of her dupatta ... a silent testament to how deeply a mother misses her children.
" I've been waiting for so long...
What happened? Why were you late?"
Adday Jaan asked, scrunching her eyes, her voice laced with concern.
"Oh Adday Jaan, don't ask... I can't even begin to tell you," Washma said dramatically, collapsing onto the nearby sofa.
"Okay..." Their very innocent Adday didn't understand the meaning behind her complicated words and gave up...
"Alaa... she just pulling your leg Adday Jan, you're so naive," the always-wise Rukhsaar said, wrapping her arms around her mother from behind.
"I'm not naive. I just can't force you to do something you don't want to do," she uttered in a pensive tone.
Washma told her the scary details of their journey, and she felt her heart throbbing in her throat. Girls may be considered a curse in their society, but for her, they were her entire world ... the very meaning of her existence.
Adday Jaan was always nonchalant toward others but extremely concerned about her daughters.
She had been married and widowed at a young age. Having spent her entire life within the walls of the Astogana, her only hope was for a brighter future for her daughters...Washma, Rukhsaar, and Wagma.
Wagma, the youngest, was just eight years old and, like many girls in the Madrasa, was enrolled in her studies. However, unlike Washma and Rukhsaar, she showed little interest in learning.
She had no son, which is why she was always suppressed by her other co-sister Spina Bibi.
Agha Bi had once offered her the responsibilities of the Zanan Khana, which she had declined ... because she knew that place belonged only to Spina Bibi. And accepting this offer means direct clash with Spina Bibi..
Spina Bibi was Agha Bi's eldest daughter-in-law and the mother of Mir Khan Wazir. The pride of being the mother of the Wazir tribe's heir was evident in her demeanor.
Agha Bi's family includes another daughter-in-law, Tajwar, who is married to her youngest and only surviving son, Zareen Khan Wazir.
Zareen lost his legs in childhood due to polio. Unlike Spina Babu, Tajwar is very lively and spirited. Since Tajwar is only two years older than Washma, the two share a strong and friendly bond.
"So, at last you've arrived."
An old yet firm voice echoed ...it was none other than Agha Bi, their grandmother and the leader of the tribe.
She was always accompanied by Spina Bibi and Zojan Bibi. Zojan Bibi, the widow daughter of Agha Bi and mother of Abbas Khan Wazir, along with Spina Bibi, always stayed close to Agha Bi, acting as her escorts within the Zanan Khana.
Everyone ... even the very air in the room ... stood still to honor their presence.
Despite being eighty years old, her upright frame exuded strength, and the atmosphere around her radiated authority.
The girls who had been lounging on the couches immediately jerked upright, sitting at a perfect ninety-degree angle and instantly straightened up like an arc.
"Washma, Rukhsaar, welcome home," Agha Bi greeted them, though her expression remained stern.
"As you're here for a month, don't waste your time sleeping. Washma, you'll join the dispensary with Dai Safia. And Rukhsaar, you'll assist Nihar in the madrasa." Agha Bi didn't forget to assign them their duties.
Both nodded respectfully, their heads still bowed. Agha Bi turned and walked away.
The girls gasped sharply before collapsing back onto the couches.