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“What’s more important, Nahid?” Laila asked softly. “Keeping things the way they’ve always been? Or protecting yourself and your children?”
Instead of welcoming the chance to escape, Nahid looked terrified. Laila studied Nahid as the woman shook her head. “I know I’m asking a lot,” Laila said gently. “Everything about your life would change. You’d be moving to a different country. Learning a new language. Adapting to different customs. But if you stay here, think of what will happen to you. And to Darius. Do you want both of your sons to be Taliban warriors?”
“No,” Nahid whispered. “Of course not. But how can go to America? Everything would be completely different.”
“Not everything,” Laila said. “You’d have Amira and Darius with you. You’d have the other girls and their families if they agree to leave. There’s an Afghan community in my city, and I’d ask the authorities to relocate you there. I’ll help you settle in, and you’d be with people who’ve gone through the same thing you’re going through.”
“I can’t make a momentous decision like this so quickly. I need to think about this. Talk to my friends and relatives. Make sure it’s the best thing for me and my children.”
“I understand what you’re saying,” Laila said, desperate to get them moving. Dev, Cody and Jase would be counting down the minutes. If she couldn’t get Nahid to agree, they’d drag Laila out of the house and leave the girls and their families behind. “But there isn’t time, Nahid. We need to leave now.”
Trying to give Nahid time to process the upheaval, Laila turned to Amira. “Can you use your phone to text the other girls from the school? Tell them what’s going on, and that they’re all in danger. Tell them they need to tell their parents to leave to protect their daughters. None of you are safe here. Everyone in the village knows who was going to my school. All of you will be targets.”
Amira looked at her mother. “May I do that?” she asked. “See who else wants to leave?”
“I haven’t even agreed to leave,” Nahid said.
Urgency tightening into a constricting band around her chest, Laila said, “We don’t have time for you to talk to your friends and relatives,” she said firmly. “You don’t have to agree right now to come to America. But you have to leave Al Kamen. It’s not safe for any of the girls or their families. Please let Amira speak with the other girls’ and their families.”
Nahid must have read the urgency and fear In Laila’s expression, because she finally nodded. “Yes, Amira. Text them, then go wake them. Tell them what’s going on. Be quiet. Quick.”
Already typing on her phone, Amira nodded and slipped out the back door.
“You can’t bring a lot,” Laila said to Nahid. “Pack what you and Amira and Darius can carry. Anything that’s important to you. Hurry!”
Nahid stared at Laila for a long moment. Sighed, then nodded once, as if she’d caught Laila’s urgency.
“Once we’re in Kabul, you can decide if you want to move to America or settle in another village here in Afghanistan.” Laila sighed. “Not the perfect solution because while another village wouldn’t have Feroz, it would have similar problems. Similar dangers.”
“This is my home,” Nahid finally said. “I was born here, and so was my husband. He’s buried here. Our whole life is this village.”
“I know that,” Laila said gently. “But things are going to change. The Taliban are taking control of the country, and I’m sure you remember what happened the last time they were in control.”
Nahid swallowed. Nodded. “Yes. I remember.”
“Do you want Amira given to Feroz?” Laila asked.
Nahid slowly shook her head. “No. I don’t want that.”
“I don’t either. Leaving is the only way to keep her safe.”
Nahid’s shoulders slumped. “I will come to Kabul with you. Then I will decide what to do. Whether to leave Afghanistan, or go to another village. I have relatives in other places. In parts of Afghanistan the Taliban don’t control.”
“I’m afraid they’re going to control most, if not all, of the country,” Laila said quietly. “I’m not sure there will be any safe places in Afghanistan.”
Tears dripped down Nahid’s cheeks. “I will be leaving everything I know,” she whispered. “I’ll be leaving my whole life behind.”
“I understand that, and I’m really sorry you have to make this choice. But I don’t think there is a choice. Amira will go to Feroz, a cruel, dangerous man. And as a widow, you’ll be given to a soldier as well. Do you want the Taliban to raise Darius?”
Nahid closed her eyes and shook her head as more tears fell. “Before you knocked on my door, my life was good. I had my three children. My relatives. My friends in Al Kamen. In a few moments of conversation, everything is gone.”
“I understand, Nahid, and I’m sorry.” Laila took the woman’s hand. “None of this is your fault, but you’re paying the price. I know it will be difficult for you to leave everything behind. But you’ll be safe. And so will Amira and Darius.”
Nahid drew a shuddering breath. “I will leave with the children. Bahram...” She swallowed as more tears fell. “He will choose to stay, I think.”
“That’s up to him,” Laila said. But unless Bahram had information to offer, Laila was pretty sure the U.S. wouldn’t allow a Taliban into the country.
Nahid slowly nodded. “I will get my things and Darius’s together. Amira will decide what she wants to bring.” She peered around Laila, searching the alley.
