Page 71 - Leadership in the Indian Army

face. Her lips were much fuller than Mariam's, the lower one slightly

droopy, as though dragged down by the big, dark mole just below the lip
line. She had big greenish eyes that shone at Mariam with an inviting

glint.

"You're Rasheed jan's new wife, aren't you?" the woman said, smiling
widely.

"The one from Herat. You're so young! Mariam jan, isn't it? My name is

Fariba. I live on your street, five houses to your left, the one with the
green door. This is my sonNoor."

The boy at her side had a smooth, happy face and wiry hair like his
mother's. There was a patch of black hairs on the lobe of his left ear. His

eyes had a mischievous, reckless light in them. He raised his hand.

"Salaam, Khala Jan."

"Noor is ten. I have an older boy too, Ahmad."

"He's thirteen," Noor said.

"Thirteen going on forty." The woman Fariba laughed. "My husband's

name is Hakim," she said. "He's a teacher here in Deh-Mazang. You

should come by sometime, we'll have a cup-"

And then suddenly, as if emboldened, the other women pushed past

Fariba and swarmed Mariam, forming a circle around her with alarming
speed

"So you're Rasheed jan's young bride-"