Page 215 - Leadership in the Indian Army

But this is for the best. You'll see. Think of it this way, Mariam. I'm

giving you help around the house and her a sanctuary. A home and a
husband. These days, times being what they are, a woman needs a

husband. Haven't you noticed all the widows sleeping on the streets?

They would kill for this chance. In fact, this is.… Well, I'd say this is

downright charitable of me."
He smiled.

"The way I see it, I deserve a medal."

* * *

Later, in the dark, Mariam told the girl.
For a long time, the girl said nothing.

"He wants an answer by this morning," Mariam said.
"He can have it now," the girl said. "My answer is yes."

30.

Laila
The next day, Laila stayed in bed. She was under the blanket in the

morning when Rasheed poked his head in and said he was going to the
barber. She was still in bed when he came home late in the afternoon,

when he showed her his new haircut, his new used suit, blue with cream

pinstripes, and the wedding band he'd bought her.

Rasheed sat on the bed beside her, made a great show of slowly
undoing the ribbon, of opening the box and plucking out the ring

delicately. He let on that he'd traded in Mariam's old wedding ring for it.

"She doesn't care. Believe me. She won't even notice."

Laila pulled away to the far end of the bed. She could hear Mariam
downstairs, the hissing of her iron.

"She never wore it anyway," Rasheed said.