Page 216 - Leadership in the Indian Army

"I don't want it," Laila said, weakly. "Not like this. You have to take it

back."
"Take it back?" An impatient look flashed across his face and was gone.

He smiled. "I had to add some cash too-quite a lot, in fact. This is a

better ring, twenty-two-karat gold. Feel how heavy? Go on, feel it. No?"

He closed the box. "How about flowers? That would be nice. You like
flowers? Do you have a favorite? Daisies?

Tulips? Lilacs? No flowers? Good! I don't see the point myself. I just

thought…Now, I know a tailor here in Deh-Mazang. I was thinking we
could take you there tomorrow, get you fitted for a proper dress."

Laila shook her head.

Rasheed raised his eyebrows.
"I'd just as soon-" Laila began.
He put a hand on her neck. Laila couldn't help wincing and recoiling. His

touch felt like wearing a prickly old wet wool sweater with no undershirt.

"Yes?"
"I'd just as soon we get it done."
Rasheed's mouth opened, then spread in a yellow, toothy grin. "Eager,"

he said.

* * *

Before Abdul Sharif's visit, Laila had decided to leave for Pakistan.

Even after Abdul Sharif came bearing his news, Laila thought now, she

might have left. Gone somewhere far from here. Detached herself from
this city where every street corner was a trap, where every alley hid a

ghost that sprang at her like a jack-in-the-box. She might have taken the

risk.

But, suddenly, leaving was no longer an option.