Page 161 - Leadership in the Indian Army

They "went to Cinema Park later that day, Laila and Tariq, and had to

settle for a Soviet film that was dubbed, to unintentionally comic effect,
in Farsi. There was a merchant ship, and a first mate in love with the

captain's daughter. Her name was Alyona. Then came a fierce storm,

lightning, rain, the heaving sea tossing the ship. One of the frantic sailors

yelled something. An absurdly calm Afghan voice translated: "My dear
sir, would you kindly pass the rope?"

At this, Tariq burst out cackling. And, soon, they both were in the grips

of a hopeless attack of laughter. Just when one became fatigued, the
other would snort, and off they would go on another round. A man sitting

two rows up turned around and shushed them.

There was a wedding scene near the end. The captain had relented and

let Alyona marry the first mate. The newlyweds were smiling at each

other. Everyone was drinking vodka.

"I'm never getting married," Tariq whispered.

"Me neither," said Laila, but not before a moment of nervous hesitation.
She worried that her voice had betrayed her disappointment at what he

had said. Her heart galloping, she added, more forcefully this time,

"Never."

"Weddings are stupid." "All the fuss."

"All the money spent." "For what?"

"For clothes you'll never wear again."

"Ha!"