"There are people who live here... and yet... life here has come to standstill" ""This land was like the heavens..."" ""it has now turned into a hell"" "Destruction everywhere..." "walls of mourning"" ""Freedom is itself in captivity, every deed is an atrocity"" ""Every heart burns in the simmering deserts"" ""Faith has been betrayed..." "but there is yet hope sometimes"" ""A dawn of joy shall some day overcome the darkness of sorrow"" ""Today"s December 2, 1994"" "This is the day when I had married Jaanbaz and left my hometown Kolkata..." ""five years ago, and dreamt of starting a new life here"" ""Here, in this farflung town of Afghanistan"" "Our village is an 1B-hour journey away from Kabul" "When I came here in 19BB for the first time... the whole country was in the grip of a ravaging civil war" ""The then President Dr Hajibullah, with the help of the Russians..."" "was fighting Islamic militants" "The Afghanis are an extremely freedom-loving people" "They will even lay down their lives to safeguard their freedom" "But they have trampled under their feet the issue of women"s freedom ln the name of customs and in the name of religion" "The worst example of this suppression is the Taliban" ""And today I, Sushmita, am a mere prisoner..."" ""a prisoner of fanatics, the Taliban"" "Stop!" "Look over there lt"s the fasting month of Ramzan and smoke is coming out of that house" "Should we go check it?" " Let"s go" "Glory be to Allah"s greatness" "Oh my God!" "Damnation!" "What happened?" ""Don"t you know, it"s the month of Ramzan?"" ""During Ramzan, you"ve got to observe the roza (fast) Do you know?"" "You are not supposed to cook." "You"ve got to pray every day" "Chant the name of Allah!" "I"m not a Muslim" "But you must still chant the name of Allah" "You must observe the fast and do just as we say" "Never" " Shameless!" "Chant the name of Allah!" "Go on" "Never" "Chant the name..." "Go on!" " No" "Mummy!" "Chant the name of Allah" "Abu!" "Uncle Dranai!" "Save me from them!" "Stop it" ""lf you dare speak against Islam, we will hang you till you die!"" ""lf such a thing happens again, we will hang all of you to death"" "Jaanbaz is to blame for all this" "Taliban can walk into the house anytime and kill anyone they want" "Jaanbaz has brought this infidel here and created this problem for us" "She should convert to Islam" "The Taliban are right." "She should be fasting" "She is a Hindu from India." "She is not like us" "Mummy..." ""Try to understand, father." " No, never"" "Sumi..." "Now listen to me" "The Hindus and Muslims belong to two different religions" "Our traditions and cultures are very different" "You are not going to find happiness married to a Muslim" "Which means what you taught me was wrong!" ""The values we have imbibed are no good, they mean nothing?"" "Have you any idea what our position in our own community... will be if we accept him?" "We"ll have to hide our faces" "So that"s your problem." "You"ll have to hide your faces" "Which means your position means more to you than your daughter?" ""We"re worried about you, Sumi." "Which is why we"re reasoning with you"" ""What do you know about him, about his family?"" "That a moneylender will become my son-in-law..." "I can never accept" "So don"t accept it." "Tell the world that I"ve died" "All right." "We have no other way I"ve told you what I"ve decided." "I don"t want anymore arguments" ""No, father." "You can"t decide it." "It"s my life and I"ve made my decision"" "But Mita..." "That you"re a Muslim and I"m a Hindu makes no difference to me" "But how can we deny the truth?" "Our marriage will spell doom for my family" "So the promises you made to me mean nothing?" ""Our love is finished?" " l don"t know, Jaanbaz"" "I"m terribly confused." "What can I do?" ""Mita, let"s run away" " Where to?"" "To my country." "Afghanistan" ""A land of tall mountains, clear blue skies..."" "snowclad plains..." "Don"t think" "Look..." "What a beautiful sight" "What"s that?" "What"s happening here...?" "What?" "Looks like a Russian air-attack." "Don"t worry" "Drive fast!" "When will we reach home?" "Don"t worry." "We"re almost there" "Drive fast" "Hurry up" "Glory be to Allah"s greatness" "Welcome!" "Welcome!" ""How are you, Kala?" " Welcome home"" ""Oh, stop it"" "Welcome home" ""Greetings, Uncle Asam." " Allah bless you"" ""Greetings, Aunt Abu." " Allah bless you"" ""Look, Sultan." "That is Jaanbaz"s bride"" "She"s beautiful" "Welcome!" "Welcome" "Let it be" "I"m Gul Sarina." "Jaanbaz"s aunt" ""You can call me Abu, like everyone else does"" ""Hello, I"m Jalil." "Jaanbaz"s best friend"" "Want me to sing an Indian song for you?" "Forget it." "Go and fetch her luggage first I"ll sing for you later" ""You can meet the others later." "You must be tired, come and rest"" "What happened?" " Don"t touch me!" "What happened?" " Don"t touch me" "You"re a liar!" "Did you show me this picture of Afghanistan?" ""Why did you lie to me?" "Why?" " l didn"t want to lose you, Mita"" "Mita... believe me" ""You love me too, don"t you?"" "Don"t you love me?" "Don"t ever lie to me - l won"t" "Promise me." " l promise" "Have some more." "Where"d you find such food in Calcutta?" ""Enough, Kala." "Enough"" "Are you feeling very cold?" ""Come, come"" ""Sushmita, remember Uncle?" "You"ve met him"" "Salam Aliekom" ""That"s his wife, Sarina"" "His daughter." " Zarina" "His daughter-in-law." " Babban" ""That"s his son, Roshandar." " Salam Aliekom"" "Uncle Aslam" "His wife." "Tell her your name." " Bablu" "Who"s that?" "Gulgutti" ""You"ve met my brothers Kala, Musa, Sawali..."" ""and that"s Abu"s son, Adraman." " Hello"" "I"m Gulabi I"m Gulbibi" ""This is Afghani bread." "Have some, taste it"" ""Have some more, Jaanbaz." " Enough, Kala."" ""Uncle Dranai, Sushmita and I got married in a hurry"" "We thought we"d celebrate here if it"s okay with you" "There"s no need" "You"ve married an infidel" "You think you"ve done something great?" "...She"s an infidel!" "Did you sleep well?" ""lf there"s anything you need, you can tell me"" "Don"t feel shy" "Careful" "What happened?" "Jaanbaz!" "Come quickly!" "(Exorcism spells in Arabic)" "(The verses are recited to exorcise possession by evil spirits)" ""Mita, are you all right?"" "What"s happening here?" ""You aren"t well, Sushmita." "So we"ve called the priest"" "He"s an exorcist" "You folks still believe in that drivel?" "He"ll set you right..." " He can"t do anything" ""l need a doctor, not a priest Stop it"" ""Jaanbaz, I"m ill." "I need a doctor"" ""l don"t need a Mullah." "I can"t tell them, but you..."" "Why have you called me here?" "First you call me here and then insult me!" ""Forgive me, Mullah Sahib"" "I"m going." "Think carefully before you call me next time" "Oh my God!" "Such airs this Indian woman has!" " Shut up!" "We"ve grown up with never a doctor coming to us" "Stop it." "That"s enough" "Take her to a doctor" ""Aunty, you know the only doctor is in Mushkel and the way there is dangerous"" "How am I supposed to take her when she"s unwell?" "Abu and I will come with you" ""Yes, they"ll go with you." "You"ll be all right"" ""lf we are stopped on the way, don"t utter a word"" "I told you it wasn"t safe for you all to come." "But you didn"t listen" "We"d all be more tense had we stayed home" ""Oh, that"s true..." "May Allah help us"" "Russians" "Bring her along." " Very well" "Careful" "What did she have to eat?" "She"s an Indian." "She can"t digest the food we eat" "She ate very little" "Give her this medicine every day." "She"ll be all right" ""May I take a look, doctor?" " Of course, it"s a medicine"" ""l know, but I wish to see what it is"" "Are they vitamin capsules?" ""Yes, you"ll find them helpful." "You"ll be all right"" "But they"re way beyond their expiry date!" "Don"t you ever feel ashamed at what you"re doing?" "You are cheating these naive folks." "This is so dangerous!" ""Jaanbaz, please take me away." "I don"t want these medicines"" ""Please take me away, Abu." " One moment"" "You"ve said so much." "How long have you been here in Afghanistan?" ""You"ve come from India, isn"t it?"" "There isn"t a single doctor here in Afghanistan" "But I do what I can" ""We neither have the medicines, nor drug making factories..."" "but I still try to infuse as much confidence as I can" "So they will recover" ""Don"t use that as an excuse to give the wrong drugs, doctor"" "That"s not right I know you are facing a lot of hardships" "But you"d rather send patients away than give them wrong medicines" ""Abu, let"s go"" "Careful" "Now tell me what"s the good news?" ""You really want to know?" " Yes, hurry up and tell me"" ""Well, I"m pregnant"" ""What?" "is that the truth?" " Yes, the absolute truth"" "Feels nice to hear that?" " Nice...?" "You can"t imagine how happy I am" ""lf it"s a boy, we"ll call him Salim." " No, we"re having a daughter..."" ""we"ll name her Shahnaz." "Lovingly, we"ll call her Tinni"" ""Okay, we"ll have twins"" "O my heart"s beloved!" ""When you are the gift I have been given, what else is there to ask?"" "What more can I ask of God?" ""l have found heaven and earth in your arms"" "O my heart"s beloved!" ""When you are the gift I have been given, what else is there to ask?"" "What more can I ask of God?" ""l have found heaven and earth in your arms"" ""l believe in you more than I believe myself, O my true love!"" ""Your faith, never shall I break." "This is a promise I make"" ""l believe in you more than I believe myself, O my true love!"" ""l shall hide you in my eyes so the world can"t see you"" "O my heart"s beloved!" ""When you are the gift I have been given, what else is there to ask?"" "What more can I ask of God?" ""l have found heaven and earth in your arms"" ""Such bliss have I found"" ""Now that you are mine love itself is more lovely"" ""My body and soul are drenched in the colour of your love"" ""Such bliss have I found"" ""Now that you are mine love itself is more lovely"" ""Love"s hues may be many." "But never may we ever be parted"" "O my heart"s beloved!" ""When you are the gift I have been given, what else is there to ask?"" "What more can I ask of God?" ""l have found heaven and earth in your arms"" "O my heart"s beloved!" ""When you are the gift I have been given, what else is there to ask?"" "What more can I ask of God?" ""l have found heaven and earth in your arms"" "O my heart"s beloved" "O my heart"s beloved" ""Mother, I have good news for you"" "I"m pregnant" ""l"m very happy, Mother." "So is Jaanbaz"" "His folks are wonderful" "They"re very simple" ""l know, you and father must"ve been hurt very much when I left abruptly"" ""But my love for Jaanbaz has proved to be greater than all these things"" ""l"ll come to Kolkata very soon." "With Jaanbaz"" ""Please forgive me, if you can." "Yours, Sumi"" "What happened?" "Are you all right?" ""l"m okay, Abu. I"ve got to mail this letter." "Where"s the post-office?"" "Why"re they laughing?" "She wants pigeons perhaps to post this letter!" "What joke is that?" " Your letter can"t be mailed" ""Why?" "is that the law?" " No law, but..."" "Where is Dranai?" "Where is he...?" " l saw him outside" "He has gone out." " l"ll ask him" ""Wait, you"re not going there." "No, you can"t"" ""Why not, Abu?" "It"s all right." " Wait, women can"t go out"" ""Stop there!" "Stop, I say!" " For Allah"s sake, don"t go!"" "Uncle Dranai..." " What is it?" "I want to mail this letter to India." "To Kolkata" ""Come with me, Sushmita"" "See those ruins?" "It used to be our post-office" "Our streets were lit up by lamp-posts" "Electric poles." "We had electricity in the whole village" "But how did this happen?" "The Russians bombed this place." "5 years ago" ""Ever since, there has been no post-office in our nation"" "No post-offices at all." "We can"t mail letters to anyone" "Letters can either be mailed in Pakistan..." ""or if there is someone coming from India, he can carry a letter for you"" ""ln any case, the folks here can neither read nor write very well"" "There are hardly any letters coming and leaving this country" "But how did all this happen?" "It happened because of the war" ""The war has claimed this nation, my child"" "It has taken a toll of everything" ""Schools, electricity, hospitals post-offices... everything"" "It has ruined the future of our children" "Everything is finished" "How long did the war last?" "Very long." "Very very long l"ve been watching it from the last ten years" ""ln 1979, when the Russians arrived here..."" "the war was mainly between the Russians and the Islamic militants" "But those who died were the poor and the innocent" ""The Russians went away, but nothing was left here anymore"" "Everything lies in ruins" "Everything is finished" "Jaanbaz promised to get more money." "But he hasn"t" "What happened?" "Kala"s wedding is coming up." " l know" "According to our customs... the groom"s folks must give the bride"s parents some money" "But you needn"t worry." "Go and rest." "It"ll be arranged" "How much do you need?" " Why are you telling her all this?" ""How much do you need, Abu?" " 50,000 Afghanis"" "Maybe I can help" ""Where will you find so much money?" " l don"t have any money, but..."" "I have some gold ornaments." "I"m sure you will manage with it I"ll give it to Jaanbaz who can then raise the money" ""You don"t mind, do you?"" "Allah be praised!" "You"ve saved the family honour" "Come and sit down" "Thank you" ""From today, we"ll call you Sahib Kamal, Lady of Miracles!"" ""Let"s sing in joy." "Let"s dance with joy"" ""The bride"s face is lovely as a flower"" ""The nuptial wreath crowns the groom"s head"" ""Through the trailing wreath the groom eyes the bride"" ""Through the trailing wreath the groom eyes the bride"" ""The bride blushes under the veil"" ""Let"s sing in joy." "Let"s dance with joy"" ""Hearts are alight on this festive night"" ""Those destined to be joined meet tonight"" ""Hearts are alight on this festive night"" ""Those destined to be joined meet tonight"" ""Have you ever seen the sun and moon joined?"" ""Have you ever seen the sun and moon joined?"" ""Oh, the joy of it!" "This union is that rare joining"" ""Let"s sing in joy." "Let"s dance with joy"" ""The bride"s face is lovely as a flower"" ""The nuptial wreath crowns the groom"s head"" ""Hoping for happiness we await the coming morrow"" ""May your every night be moonlit, your every day be festive"" ""Love will now perfume your body and soul"" ""Then this world will be verily a heaven"" ""The bride"s face is lovely as a flower"" ""The nuptial wreath crowns the groom"s head"" ""Through the trailing wreath the groom eyes the bride"" ""Through the trailing wreath the groom eyes the bride"" ""The bride blushes under the veil"" "Life was somehow going ahead" ""There were problems, but not unsurmountable ones"" ""But the moment the Taliban arrived, it seemed the world itself had changed"" ""Initially, those who joined the Taliban were devout young Muslims"" "Those who had got their education in the religious schools" ""To begin with, they were seen only on the borders of Pakistan and Afghanistan"" ""But gradually, they started fanning out in the villages"" "The Taliban made tall claims... that they would restore peace and calm in the country" ""But they gave nothing except violence, atrocities and oppression"" "They have adopted a fanatical stand on Islam..." ""it"s a madness of sorts, an obsession"" "They kill those who are not Muslims... but they don"t either spare those who refuse to obey their command" "Dissent... they just can"t tolerate" "Praise be to Allah the Merciful lt"s mentioned in The Holy Koran that Unbelievers in Allah may be killed as well as those who do not pray nor obey the laws of Shariat" "You are students lt is incumbent upon you to spread the message of Islam through the world" "Kill those who oppose you in the way of Allah" ""God willing, we shall succeed"" "Glory be to Allah"s greatness!" ""Jalil, stop!"" "Save me!" "Where"ll he go from here!" "Save me!" "Why"re you killing him?" "No one can come between us!" "Save me!" "Where are you taking him?" "Let him go!" "We don"t talk to women." " You can"t take him away!" "YOU are going to stop ME!" "Forgive him." "He is a good man" "No!" "He is not a good man." "He does not pray" "Who are you to tell me what to do and not do?" "I will show you!" ""Stop it, please..." "let him go!"" "He does not follow Islam" "He must die!" "I know why they want to kill me!" "They sell drugs to buy arms!" "They"re hiding arms and explosives in the mosques!" "Move it" "Remember my words lf the Taliban are not stopped... they"re going to kill us!" "All of us!" ""Mother, where is Sahib Kamal?"" "She"s in the kitchen" "A lady wants to see you." "She"s at the hospital" "She says it"s very important" "Greetings" "So you are Saira?" " Yes" ""Where are you from?" " Kolkata, India"" "So we"re from the same country!" " Yes" "We share the same fate" "You may go now." "Come tomorrow" "Where do you live in Afghanistan?" "Mohammad Khail. lt"s ten miles away I"ve heard a lot about you." "To meet an Indian doctor... I"ve travelled a long distance to you" "What is the matter?" "I"m told you want to return to India?" ""Return, I surely will"" "I hope you will succeed." "I need a help from you" "My parents live in Kolkata" "My husband"s brother Ibrahim also lives there lf they could have him caught him Kolkata... my in-laws might possibly send me back" "You don"t live here of your own volition?" ""Neither do I have the money, nor any support"" ""How will I return, even if my husband leaves me?"" "I can"t take the physical and torture they are meting out to me" "Doesn"t your husband live with you?" "I fell in love with Nawab." "I went against my family... and ran away with him to come here" "He brought me here to this hell" ""For a while, I thought everything would be all right"" "But I... couldn"t give Nawab a child." "He got married again" ""l had to give up my own customs, my way of living..."" "to compete with this other woman" "What happened after that?" "She bore him a child and Nawab moved with all of them to Pakistan" "What I didn"t know was that I too was with baby... and he"s the father." " Did you deliver the baby?" ""Yes, I bore the baby." "But Nawab says he has nothing to do with the child"" ""Because of this, you...?"" ""l live here, with my in-laws." "Entirely at their mercy"" ""When they feel like it, I eat, or go hungry"" "They beat me up." "Somehow or the other... if you could reach my message to my father... I could be free again." "My child too" "There are thousands of girls here in Afghanistan who are cursing their fate I must leave now. lt"s very late" "Please inform my parents" "You know nothing about me Saira." "Nothing" ""What are you doing...?" " Mita, go back to your room"" "So you can have a nice time with her?" ""Go back to your room, Mita"" "How dare you sleep with my husband...?" "I"m not letting you get away with your womanising!" ""l say, go away!"" ""Jaanbaz, how can you sleep with that woman?"" "You"re a liar!" "You have betrayed me!" "Leave me alone!" "I don"t want to listen to anything!" ""Quiet, Mita..." "Quiet!"" "I told you!" "Go to your room" "Go" "You cheat!" "Don"t you touch me!" "Don"t!" " Listen to me... I"ve seen it all!" "My husband was sleeping with another woman!" ""No!" "She"s not another woman, she"s my wife!"" ""Mita, Gulgutti is my wife"" "So who am I?" "You are the one I love." " Liar!" "Shut up!" "Hear me out!" "You know how much I love you!" ""Love...?" "I left my family, my home..."" ""my country... only for the sake of your love, Jaanbaz"" "And what have you done?" "You"ve made a mistress out of me!" "A mistress!" " No..." ""you are my wife, just as she"s my wife!"" ""You are my wife, Mita." "My wife." " No, Jaanbaz"" "I won"t be able to tolerate all this" ""Mita, have I done anything wrong?" "Have I not looked after your comforts?"" "Are you a good husband?" "You"ve been lying to me all the while." "Liar!" "Listen to me!" "I"m not a liar" "And you will now live like the other women!" "You will live in the same room and sleep on the same bed!" ""No, never!"" "I"ve said what I had to lf you don"t obey me..." ""Where are you going, Sahib Kamal?"" ""Jaanbaz, Sahil Kamal is leaving home"" "Where are you going?" " Don"t touch me!" "You can"t go away like this." " l"m leaving!" "You can"t go away like this!" "Have you gone mad?" ""She has gone mad, Abu." "Make her understand she"s leaving her home"" ""No, Sahib Kamal." "You can"t go away"" "No... stop!" ""Uncle Dranai, tell her she"ll spoil our family name if she leaves home"" ""You go, Jaanbaz"" "I"m not living here anymore!" "Never!" " Sahib Kamal" "Try to understand." "You can"t leave like this" "Come with me... try to understand the situation" "What are you doing?" "Are you mad?" " Let me die!" "I can"t live the way you want me to!" "Come with me" "You"re doing all this because Gulgutti is my wife..." ""because we live in the same room." " No, it"s because I"m your wife..."" "and I"m pregnant with your child." "Let me go!" ""Wait, Mita"" "Now listen I promise not to have anything to do with Gulgutti anymore" "Does that make you happy?" " You"re a cheap and selfish man!" "Why must I punish her?" "It"s your fault... and I"m leaving because of you." "So let me go!" "You cheat!" "I had married Jaanbaz. I had left my house in the hope... that I"d have a happy life." "But he betrayed me" ""And I lost my baby too." "My own baby, Mother"" "I don"t know who"s responsible for this" "Oh my!" "How lovely you look!" "Come" "Come... come in" "That fertility rites for Gulgutti made me realise my shortcoming I find myself incomplete and helpless" ""For some strange reason, I have neither anger nor resentment for Gulgutti"" "That"s perhaps because she"s carrying the baby of a man... I loved dearly lt"s perhaps because of this that I feel a sense of bonding with her lt"s also perhaps because she silently watches all that happens around her... she has nothing to defend herself with" "Maybe that is why I can never hate her" "You see how the Taliban kill anyone without any reason lt"s a dangerous situation." "Anything could happen" "Where are all the women of the house?" "I don"t accept water from an infidel!" "You infidel!" "Kafir!"" "One...two...three" "These grapes are very nice." " Yes" "Eat as much as you can." " l will I think this is the last basket" "Four...five...six." " These are all yours" "What"s all this?" " Grapes" ""l know, but what"s going on?" " Sharing the grapes"" ""2 baskets for my family, 2 for uncle Dranai..."" ""6 baskets uncle Asam"s, and two for yours"" ""Sure, but why a huge share for uncle Asam?"" ""Because ours is a large family." " Bigger the family, bigger the share?"" ""l"m a kafir (lnfidel), and you folks are pious, aren"t you?"" ""Uncle Asam, uncle Dranai, my father-in-law..."" "and Abu"s husband are brothers" ""So from now on, even the grapes will be shared equally"" "This is how we share." " You must change this practice lt"d be wise not to change our family practices." "Let them be" "No." "The grapes will be shared equally. I"ll do it" "She won't give in." " Don't make matters worse" "All of you go." "You go too" ""Sahib Kamal, come here..." "you don't understand this"" ""l haven't said anything wrong, Abu." "I'd like to see what he's here for"" "How dare the infidel woman challenge me?" "I'll fix her." "I'm going to kill her" ""Please don't do that, Asam." "Sahib Kamal, don't say a word"" ""Why did you stop?" "Uncle, I'd like to see..."" "and I'd like everyone to know how you beat up a woman" ""Besides, I'm a kafir, and you are a true Mussalman." "So go on, hit me"" ""Hush, Sahib Kamal"" ""Uncle Asam, don't call her kafir"" "She's part of our family" "(Exorcism spells in Arabic)" ""(The verses are recited to exorcise possession by evil spirits)"" ""Allah, have mercy"" "Samala... hold on" ""Samala, be brave"" "Call Sahib Kamal." "Go fetch Sahib Kamal" "You fooll Bloody oafl" "Are you a doctor?" "You treat a woman as if she's an animali" "Why must you play with innocent lives when you know nothing at all?" "What's that woman telling me?" "is she trying to teach mel" ""Doesn't she know I am a healer?" " Healer, my footl"" "You're a bloody fraudl You killed herl" "She was in pain. I was only trying to help her I'm not letting you off easily." "You will pay for this" "Do what you want to do" "Stop itl Pleasel" ""Sahib Kamal, my daughter is no more"" "No one can bring my daughter back" "Stop fighting" "An infidel Kafirl" ""Abu, no one can bring her back"" "I'm so sorry" "But I will try my best to see that women get proper treatment" ""Abu, will you help me open a dispensary here?"" ""l will, Sahib Kamal"" "I will help" ""ln this endeavour, I will surely help you, Sahib Kamal"" "Samala died..." "but her death gave us a new direction" ""With Abu's help, I set up a dispensary for women"" "My Father's friend had got me acquainted with medicines" ""ln these hilly interiors, that experienced helped"" "Jaanbaz hasn't come home for 3 days." "I don't know his whereabouts" "These days he tells me nothing" "Stopl" "Stop or we will shoot" "Shootl" ""Where are you going?" " Where are you going, Sahib Kamal?"" ""The Taliban has killed Jaanbaz." " No, you've been dreaming"" "Jaanbaz... has gone to India" "What...?" "When?" "Why?" " To make money for the family" "But why didn't he tell me?" " He didn't?" "I never knew that" "She..." "You knew it?" "Then why didn't you tell me?" "He promised you that he wouldn't see me" "But he had come I..." "I'm pregnant" "Jaanbaz left" "Jaanbaz left..." "and he left me all alone" ""And with that, I lost my last hope of returning"" "What did Jaanbaz offer me?" "A miserable lifel And insults" ""For all my love for him, this is all I got from him"" "Where are you?" "I'm lonely here..." ""bereft of support, bereft of love"" "Sadgi was suffering labour pains" "But none cared" "Every one was happy celebrating." "Gulbibi had delivered" "Sadgi was pregnant even before she married" "But she wasn't immoral." "It was Kala's baby" ""But as per Afghan customs, such a baby is a bastard"" "As a result she was looked down upon and her life was made miserable" "Everything will be fine" "Your baby... she's so beautiful." "Look" "What good is it?" "No one needs her" "No one will love her" ""Sadgi, would you do me a favour?"" ""Let me adopt your daughter, please"" "I lost my baby" ""Sahib Kamal, by the Holy Koran I swear..."" ""from now on, this baby..."" "belongs to you" "Thank you... thank you very much" ""From now on, you are my daughter"" "And I'm going to call you Tinni" "You dare back answer me?" "I'll kill youl" " Stop itl Don't hit her" "Why are you hitting her?" "Asked for tea..." "I don't give on time." "He beat me" "Take thisl I'll fix youl" "You villainl You beastl" " Don'tl Stop itl" "Shameless wretchl You dare hit a woman?" "Who do you think you are?" "How dare you hit her?" "How dare you hit my brotherl" "Kafirl You hit my brother?" "I'll kill youl" " Stop itl" "What's going on here?" "D'you take the house for a jungle?" ""Beasts, alll This one was hitting Gulgutti"" "You live off Jaanbazl You splurge on his moneyl" "How dare you hit her?" "Bloody wastrelsl" ""Relax, Sahib Kamal"" ""Kala, go to your room."" ""You too, Musa." "Sawali"" ""Come with me, Sahib Kamal"" "Rememberl Books other than the Koran spread Satan's message" "He tries to lure you with his teaching." "Desist from him" "Glory be to Allah's greatnessl" "We are the Taliban." "We shall soon rule this world in the days to come" "Glory be to Allah's greatnessl" ""Sahib Kamal, save mel They will kill mel"" "Nobody can save youl You're coming with usl" ""Sahib Kamal, I don't want to marry." "Do something, please"" "Where are you taking her?" " Why care?" "Are you her mother?" ""No, but she doesn't want to marry"" "She will marryl And she will go with her husband." "Come onl" ""Nol Sahib Kamal, I'm being forced to marry a murderer"" ""He isn't a murdererl He's Taliban, a follower of Islam"" "You just can't take her away" "Shut upl Nonel None can stop the Taliban" "Come with us." "Come onl" ""Mummy, help mel l don't marry to marry a Taliban"" ""l don't marry to marry a Taliban, Mummy"" "You're anemic." "Your chances of survival are grim" "Nobody can keep weapons at home" "All weapons must be deposited at the nearest mosque" "No female may come out of the house unless escorted by a male relative" "Offering prayer five times a day is compulsory for every Muslim" "Shaving of facial hair is prohibited" "All books other than the holy Koran are evil lt is prohibited to play music on occasions like weddings etc." "Females must obey the discipline of the burqa when outdoors" ""Honestly, there are forty-two types of grapes in Afghanistan"" "Say itl" "Nol" "Repeat after me:" "There is no God other than Allah" ""You won't repeat it, eh?" "Kill theml"" "I won't spare theml I'll kill these Taliban" ""What's the matter, Roshandar?"" "What are you upto?" " Out of my way" ""Roshandarl What happened to you, my brother?"" "You guys have put guns in the hands of your future" "All of you will be killedl All of you" ""Mother, I'm not sure if you received my last letter"" ""l'm seriously stressed out, Mother"" ""l feel as if I'm dying everyday, in bits and pieces"" "Goodbye." " God bless you" ""Take care, son"" ""Adraman, post this letter to India"" "And call up Jaanbaz and tell him that I'm waiting for him" ""Goodbye." " God be with you, son"" "Take it and obey the instruction given there" "O peoplel Here are the instructions that guarantee your success here..." "We're out after a long time." "It feels so nice" "You'll enjoy the wedding too" "Females must obey the discipline of the burqa when outdoors" "No body can keep weapons at home" "All weapons must be deposited at the nearest mosque" "No female may come out of the house unless escorted by a male relative" "Offering prayer five times a day is compulsory for every Muslim" "Shaving of facial hair is prohibited" "All books other than the holy Koran are evil" "Music is prohibitted during wedding and other events" "We are looking for Siddique" "Where is Siddique?" "Where is he?" ""Siddique, come out fasti I don't have time"" ""Come out, Siddiquel"" "Okay." "He's wasting our time" "Why was music played?" "Don't you know our ordinance?" "Our Fatwa?" "Ransack and destroy everythingl Then find Siddique" "Baby girl..." "tell mel" "Where is Siddique?" "Where is Siddique?" "Spare mel Spare mel" ""My friend, where have you been?"" "You wasted our time" "You will spread lies about us" "Hit himl" "Why're you beating him?" "Siddique spreads lies about us" "He tells people that we are power hungry" "Liesl All liesl" ""We are Taliban, the true Muslims"" "He incites people against us" "He asks them to send their girls to school" "Why do you beat him?" ""You call yourself Taliban, the true Muslims"" ""For Koran's sake, please leave himl"" "Make Siddique understand" "We are giving him a second chance lf he spreads wrong rumours about us ... we will returnl" "If we have to come here again... none of you will stay alivel" "Let's go" ""infidel womanl You're here, too?"" "And why do you wear such clothes?" "She is my guest I know who she is" "Take this child away" "Please leave herl" " Wait" "The next time I see you in such skimpy dresses..." ""l swear by Allah, I'll have you hung in public"" "Beware." "Get it?" "Be very careful" "Let's go" "Who am I?" "I ask myself this question over and over" ""While leaving my country, I was told..."" ""since I married a Muslim man, I was no more a Hindu"" ""And here, among Muslims, I'm called an infidel"" "I know only one religion." "Humanity" "What's my identity then?" "I'm a woman." "Only a woman" "And that's my true identity" "One female is called a woman" "Two or more females are called women" "The whole of females are called women" "You go now" ""Followed, everyone?"" "Why aren't you writing?" " My arm hurts badly" "What's wrong?" " My husband beat me severely" "You women have no idea what a disgusting life you're leading" "Since childhood you've been taught to be the slaves of men" "The Taliban teach your men to treat you like a shoe" ""This is wrong." "Your men beat you, commit atrocities on you"" "And you folks suffer it all quietly" "Don't be under this impression." "Break free" ""Break free, please." "And learn to fight for your rights"" "Let the world know." "Stand up against tyranny..." "Cover your facesl" "Oh my Godl" "What were you teaching them?" " They are my patients" "How do you treat them?" " l give them medicines" ""Medicines, eh?"" "Stop..." ""Teaching the language of Satan to our womenfolk, eh?"" "I'm teaching them the language of humanity... and to stand up against your tyrannyl" " Don't you darel" "Seel This is how a woman like her should be treatedl" "Pick her up" "Stop itl" "Hold it" "Stop itl" "Don't do thisl Stop itl" "What are you doing?" "You talk of Islam and beat women like thisl" "You are animalsl" " Watch your tonguel" "You are taking the side of a fallen woman like herl" "Nol She is not a fallen woman" "She hasn't done anything wrong" "You are treating her like this because she is all alone" "But remember thisl Her father is a reputed military officer in India" "And rememberl lf her father comes to know you are treating her like this... you can imagine how he will treat Afghans in India" "All right." "We will spare her this time" ""But if she does this again, we will cut her to piecesl"" "Let's go" ""Get up, dear." "Be brave"" "I can't stay here anymore I don't want to stay here" ""Assalam Aliekom, Mother"" "Greetings from Adraman to Aunt Abu and Uncle Dranai" "Adraman sent this cassette for Gulbibi" "Gulbibi is unwell." "She needs to go to Pakistan for treatment" ""Send over Gulbibi." "Here, she'll be taken good care of"" "Let her take a cab to Khosht" ""Listen to it, while I call the doctor"" "Relax" ""From Gujarhat, you must travel to Rawalpindi"" ""From Rawalpindi, you must take a train to Karachi"" ""Mother, I'll receive her at Karachi station"" "Goodbye." "God be with you" "Stopl" "Where are you going ?" "Where're you going with her?" "We'll first go to Badari's house" "Then I'll visit my mother's grave and she'll go to Guncha's house" "And who's going to cook here?" "Your mother?" "She isn't going." "You may go if you want to" "No. I will also go." " Shut upl lnsolencel Why did you strike her?" "Uncle Dranai..." " Yes?" "What's going on here?" "They are going." " Where are you going?" "We're going to Guncha's place." " They are going to see your sister" "But..." " Nol" "Go on" "You go too" ""This way, Sahib Kamal"" "It's funi" ""Gulgutti, I'm so happy"" "I'm so happy today" ""Sahib Kamal, you are leaving..." "you're going for good"" ""l know, Sahib Kamal..."" "you have tipped someone to get you across to Pakistan" "He's waiting for you in Alkdari" ""l can help you if you want, Sahib Kamal"" "I know..." "Jaanbaz made you suffer no end" "But promise me you won't bring him to harm" ""Gulgutti, how can I think of harming Jaanbaz?"" ""No matter what he did to me, I wouldn't think of hurting him"" "He's my husband." " No I'll help you" "But Jaanbaz will be mine" "Only mine." " Yours?" "Yes." " Jaanbaz will only be mine." "Not yours" ""l'll help you, but Jaanbaz will only belong to me"" ""Decide, fast." "Swear by the holy Koran"" ""The Taliban is coming." "Tell me fast, I'll help you"" ""Decide, Sahib Kamal." "Jaanbaz will only belong to me"" "Decide." "Swear by the holy Koran." "The Taliban is coming" "Do you agree?" " l agree" "Where are you going?" "Where are you going?" " We are going to Alkdari" ""She'll go to her sister-in-law's house and I, to my mother's grave"" "A man should accompany you." "Don't you know that?" "There was no one at home." "My husband is in India" "You are not allowed to go alone." " Pleasel She's a doctor" "Where are you from?" " Sarana. I'm from Sarana" "Greetings." " Greetings to you too" "What's the matter?" " You know these women?" ""Tell them they can't go out alone." " l will, I will"" "May Allah be with you." " May Allah be with you" ""Uncle, how did you know we were coming to your place?"" "I had no idea." "I was on my way to Alkdari" "Will you do me a favour?" " What is it?" "You got a bicycle." "Would you go and get the sewing machine from my house?" "I want to stitch dresses for your children" ""l'll go there in the evening." "As of now, you are coming home"" "We'll go there by ourselves." "Please get the sewing machine" "What if the Taliban detain you?" " Don't worry about us" "The Taliban is out of sight." "Nothing to fear now" ""lt's getting late, you must go at once." "Sadgi knows you are coming"" "All right." "Take care" "See you." " God willing..." "Good thinking" ""Sahib Kamal, are you cross with me?"" ""Don't be angry with me, please"" "You... you're going back to your family" ""Whereas, I have no one"" "I pray to Allah." "May He give you all the happiness" "But..." ""for myself, I want only Jaanbaz"" "Only Jaanbaz" "May God bless you." " Sahib Kamal... leave now." "Go" ""Where are we going, Mummy?" " We're going home, my darling"" ""The butterfly takes flight on the wings of the wind"" ""With my little blossom by my side I am going home"" ""The butterfly takes flight on the wings of the wind"" ""With my little blossom by my side I am going home"" ""Even this earth walks along with me"" ""Today I am a person transformed"" ""The butterfly takes flight on the wings of the wind"" ""With my little blossom by my side I am going home"" ""The scenic views along my way are so very lovely"" ""lt seems as if they all want to stop me"" ""But nothing can stop me from my purpose"" ""l shall reach my goal that's for sure, my dear"" ""Waves of happiness surge in my heart"" ""l exult in the joy of meeting my own loved ones"" ""The butterfly takes flight on the wings of the wind"" ""With my little blossom by my side I am going home"" "The world of dreams... lt only remained a dream" ""The dream shattered when my eyes opened"" ""He in whom I centered all my hopes turned out to be faithless"" ""He abandoned me." "I am left desolate, so alone"" ""O Mummy, let it be"" ""Lookl Your daughter walks beside you"" ""The butterfly takes flight on the wings of the wind"" ""Today, I go with my mother to our home"" ""The butterfly takes flight on the wings of the wind"" ""With my little blossom by my side I am going home"" ""Even this earth walks along with me"" ""Today I am a person transformed"" ""The butterfly takes flight on the wings of the wind"" ""With my little blossom by my side I am going home"" "Where did you leave her?" "Tell mel" "You won't tell me?" "Shameless wretchl Speakl" ""You went to your mother's grave?" "You liarl Speak up, shameless wretchl"" "Where is she?" "Where is she?" "Tell mel" ""Kala, thrash her"" "I will tell you" "She is in Pakistan...in Pakistan" "Sister...?" ""Sisterl" " Avi, I have escaped"" ""l'm in Pakistan now." "Do something, Avi"" ""lf they find me, they'll kill me." " Who?"" "Please do something." " Who will kill you?" ""l'm going to the Indian Embassy, to get my passport"" "Sisterl Sisterl" ""Let's play a hand of cards, uncle Asam"" ""Greetings, brother"" "This is Adraman from Pakistan" ""Greetings, Adraman." "How are you?"" "Sahib Kamal came to my house and ran away from here" "What are you saying?" " lt's true" "Where are Kala and Musa?" " They are with me" ""Moronl How could you let her flee?" " Brother, I was away"" "What is it?" " Sahib Kamal ran away from home..." "And went to Adraman's house" "Kala and Musa have come after her but she has vanished from there too" "Tell Adraman to look for her immediately" ""Listen, Adraman." "Find Sahib Kamal"" "Make her understand she's spoiling our family name" ""Find her at once and let me know." " Okay, we'll check the Afghan Embassy"" ""Try to understand, madam." "You have no passport"" ""l had, I'm telling you..." " l'm really sorry"" "You're coming from Afghanistan." "I can't give you a passport in Pakistan" "You've been in Afghanistan for 6 years." "You need to have an Afghan passport" "And then you need a visa from the Indian Embassy in Kabul impossible." "They'll kill me the moment I reach there" "My husband is now in India." "He has abandoned me I can do nothing for you." " Help me somehow please l and my daughter are absolutely helpless" "My brothers-in-law are after me" "They will forcibly take me away with them" "Only the Afghan Embassy can help you." "You'd rather try there I'm an Indian." "Please help me" "Where's the Afghan Embassy?" " No idea" "Where's the Afghan Embassy?" " Over there lf we catch her this time..." "We can't issue you a passport" "Why not?" " We would've have issued one... only if you been staying in Pakistan" "You'll have to get the passport from the Afghan Embassy... and the visa from the Indian Embassy." " Please sir" ""My brothers-in-law are after us." "If they find us, they will kill us"" ""Why did you let her go from your house, Adraman?"" "Let's hurry up and find her" "There she isl" ""Stopl Pull her into the car." "Tinni, sit in the car." "Hurryl"" "Let me gol Helpl" " You left without informing us?" ""Let's go." "Kala, hurry up"" "Why did you take my daughter with you?" ""Take Tinni away, Kalal" " Let her go"" ""Touch my daughter again, and I'll hack you to pieces. I warn you"" "Take her bag away." " Don't take my daughter away I'll accept Islam." "Give me back my daughter" ""From where do tears well up in the eyes"" ""From where do tears well up in the eyes"" ""Without thinking, or even asking for leave..."" "They flow and tell the world... the sorrow in our heart" ""From where do tears well up in the eyes"" "It's a time of grief today..." "Of a loneliness so vast..." ""lt's the time when it rains tears"" ""But I shall continue to stride on"" ""Even with you for company, O tears"" "Stopl" ""Stop, I sayi"" "You can't escapel Stopl" "Let's move" ""Sol Your daughter goes and marries a Mujahidin, hal"" ""And now from India, she spreads wrong rumours about usl"" "Go and look for her" "Has she sent you any gifts?" "Have mercyl Have mercyl I'm taking your daughters away." "Thank me" ""Have mercyl For God's sake, leave my daughters alone"" "Please spare mel l don't know where my sister Jarguna is" "I won't spare youl" "Ohl so your son is very bravel Then give us your son" "Please spare my soni" " Tell your daughter... I'm taking him with me." "I need him" "Don't hit the child." " l need himl" ""For Allah's sake, don't kill the child"" "Give me the child" "Tell your daughter... anyone who speaks wrong things about us will die like thisl" ""Sahib Kamal, try to understand my predicament"" ""lf the Taliban find out, they'll kill my family"" ""Yes, Sahib Kamal... go home." "If Kala and Musa finds out..."" "Why d'you keep running away?" "Why are you taking my daughter with you?" ""Leave her, Kala." " Don't do this, Kala"" ""Give her the child back, Kala"" ""Stopl Give me my daughter." " No, no..."" "What's the matter?" " Tell her to give my daughter back" "Give him the child." " Uncle Dranai...?" "Go away" "Uncle Dranai..." " You tried to run away again?" "Yes..." ""You ran away again?" " Yes uncle, but..."" "But why?" "Why have you been doing this over and over?" ""Why do you want to malign our family?" " Hear me out, uncle..."" "Shut upl The Taliban is right" "You are a shameless woman" "Go away" "Do what you want." "Gol" "Yes Gulgutti...?" ""Kala, Musa and Sawali aren't at home." "They have gone to a party"" "Good." "Will you do me a favour?" "One last favour?" "What is it?" " Would you go and see..." ""what uncle Dranai, Abu and Sadgi are doing in their rooms?"" ""Please, do it"" "What is it?" "What?" "What is it?" " You..." ""l'm leaving now." "I must go, now"" ""No, the gate is closed." "I'll take the route by the canal"" "The Taliban..." " l must go I must try again." "Please go" ""Sahib Kamal, be very careful." " l will"" ""No, don't cry my child"" "Who...?" "What's the matter?" ""l heard Tinni crying, So I came to see if she's sleeping or not"" "She's sleeping" ""lf you want, I can take her to my room." "She can sleep with my girls"" ""No, you go." "Let me get some sleep"" "Ali will take the truck up to Khosht" "Jamal can take it from there to the Pakistan border" "The exchange can take place at one of these check posts" "Jamal knows the location lt's dangerous taking a truck load of opium... without knowing where to take it to" "We don't have a choice." "We need the arms and ammunition fast... for our men fighting Masood in the North" "You can take the arms through Kazakhstan... to Chechnya's freedom fighters" "Who are you?" " l am a doctor I'm going to Gazni to see a patient" "Where are you coming from?" "Sarana." " This is not the way to Gazni I know..." "but I have lost my way" "Why is there no man with you?" "My husband is in India" "We'll ask a Maulana to escort you to Gazni" "Come with us." " Thank you" "Wait here." "We'll come back with a Maulana (preacher )" "The doctor of Sarana" "She's in the tractor and wants to go to Gazni." "What's to be done?" "Let's goi" "Uncle Dranail" " Who is it?" "Uncle Dranai" " What is it?" "Greetings." " Greetings to you too" "The Indian woman has been caught." " Where is she?" ""She's been taken to Gazni, to Rafique Khurier's place"" "You go there. I'll follow you" "She tried to escape twice." "She should be punished according to the Shariat" ""As per the Shariat, if the woman disobeys her husband..."" ""or if she commits adultery, she should be stoned to death"" "But she isn't a Muslim." "She's a kafirl" ""You call me a kafir?" "Yes, I'm not a Muslim"" "But I've never hurt anyone" ""What do you say, Maulana?" " As you wish"" ""What right she has to incite our women, to show them dirty ways...?"" "to brainwash them against Islam?" "I have said nothing against Islam." "I was showing them light I was teaching them to fight circumstances" "Women are treated worse than animals here" ""Women have no right to education, they can't voice their opinion..."" "they can't go out without an escort" ""Confined inside, all a woman got to do is produce children"" ""Cook and clean the house, as if she's a slave"" ""lf she disobeys you, you hit her till she faints"" "You kill womenl A woman means nothing to you but a slavel" "These laws were drafted by fanatics lt's wrong to abide by such laws." "Absolutely wrong lt's absolutely foolish" "These are not the preachings of Islam Islam does not teach such things" ""Teaching us Islam, eh?"" "She has offended every Fatwa" "She has tried to prove false the teachings of the holy Koran" "She has offended Islam lt's a sin to let her live" ""Sushmita Khan, wife of Jaanbaz Khan..."" "you are declared guilty" "Because you ignored the fatwa and offended Islam" "You will be converted to Islam... whipped twenty-five times... before being punished according to the Shariat laws" ""What have you to say, Dranai?" " l concur"" ""Whip her, Abdul Malik"" "What are you upto?" ""Give me the gun, Sahib Kamal"" "Neverl I've recognised you." "I don't trust anybody" "Don't say that." " Get herl" "Break the doorl" "After herl" "Splitl" "There she is" "Stopl" "Kill herl" ""Stop, Sahib Kamal." " No uncle Dranai..."" "let me go I'm not going back. I want to live." " Get in" ""Please let me go." " Sit there, quietly"" ""Stop, infidel womanl"" ""O Allah, forgive her and have mercy on her..."" ""O Allah, pardon the males and females that are alive"" "Do it by Your infinite grace..." "O the One Who is most merciful of all" ""Come, Sahib Kamal"" "Uncle...?" "Don't be surprised" "Don't ever think that uncle Dranai will do injustice to you" "Uncle..." "Not a word" "Take this" "Your ticket... to India I made a passport for you." "Your name on it is Shabnam Khan" ""All along I knew, Jaanbaz was the root cause of all your problems"" "Yet I was silent I request you... please don't tell him anything after you reach home" "Because Jaanbaz is the only bread-winner in our family" ""lf not for him, our family will starve to death"" ""So please forgive him, Sahib Kamal"" "Come" "Careful" ""Uncle Dranai, will you send Tinni?"" ""Yes, I will Sahib Kamal"" "Certainly." "You will have Tinni all by yourself" "Allah will help you" ""Farewell, Afghanistan"" ""O country, lost in the wilderness of ignorance, farewell"" ""Farewell, O unfortunate souls of Afghanistan"" "Pleasant and unpleasant memories..." "I take them all along with me" ""Tinni, my daughter, we'll meet soon"" ""However, even if we are not united, please do remember your mother"" "Grow up to be an independent woman"