Page 380 - Leadership in the Indian Army

Laila hears Mammy's voice too. She remembers Mammy's response to
Babi when he would suggest that they leave Afghanistan. Iwant to see

my sons' dream come true. I want to be there when it happens, when

Afghanistan is free, so the boys see it too. They'll see it through my eyes.

There is a part of Laila now that wants to return to Kabul, for Mammy

and Babi, for them to see it through her eyes.

And then, most compellingly for Laila, there is Mariam. Did Mariam die

for this? Laila asks herself. Did she sacrifice herself so she, Laila, could

be a maid in a foreign land? Maybe it wouldn't matter to Mariam what
Laila did as long as she and the children were safe and happy. But it

matters to Laila. Suddenly, it matters very much.

"I want to go back," she says.

Tariq sits up in bed and looks down at her.

Laila is struck again by how beautiful he is, the perfect curve of his

forehead, the slender muscles of his arms, his brooding, intelligent eyes.

A year has passed, and still there are times, at moments like this, when

Laila cannot believe that they have found each other again, that he is
really here, with her, that he is her husband.

"Back? To Kabul?" he asks.

"Only if you want it too."

"Are you unhappy here? You seem happy. The children too."

Laila sits up. Tariq shifts on the bed, makes room for her.