"My dear Ami, I've returned."
Oh, look who's here, my shining star! Who has come, my princess Pari has arrived," Ami voice was filled with affectionate excitement.
"Palo, you didn't tell me you were coming. I would have prepared your favorite food," her mother's voice carried a blend of reproach and tenderness.
"Oh, Ami, if I had told you I was coming, how would I get to see the happiness on your face?" Palwasha retorted playfully, a teasing fondness in her tone.
"That's true, my child, but still, you should inform us. There are a thousand accidents on the road, at least we'd know," her mother replied with a mix of exasperation and concern.
"Okay, Ami, now tell me, where's my father?
Anyway, you can tell me what you'd like to eat next time."
"Aunt Shabnam, greetings! How are you? I'm doing well, and you? I'm fine too. Aunt, has your issue been resolved or not? You were saying that we were going back to Kabul, but haven't gone yet? Son, it's not that easy; we were ready, but the situation isn't stable again. You know how challenging the situation in Afghanistan is."
"Remember, you shared the story of your journey from Kabul to Peshawar in 1999. It was a struggle to cross the border. I also recall the time when you had nothing. The story of Afghan refugees is also quite remarkable. During those days, the conditions in Afghanistan were so dire that people left their homes and headed to other countries. You were among them."
"Furthermore, you've mentioned how your home was destroyed in Kabul in 1990, leaving you with nothing. It must have been an incredibly difficult experience. Subsequently, someone helped you cross the border through smuggling, and you were sent to Pakistan."
"In 1999, Afghanistan was still grappling with the aftermath of the Soviet invasion in the 1980s and the subsequent civil war. The Taliban had gained control over much of the country and established a strict regime. This era saw the suppression of women's rights, restrictions on education, and the destruction of cultural artifacts."
"Amidst this turmoil, your journey began—a journey that symbolized the resilience and determination of Afghan refugees. Arriving in Pakistan, you faced new challenges, adapted to a different culture, and worked hard to build a new life. Your story resonates with the experiences of countless Afghan refugees who sought safety and stability."
"Today, as Afghanistan faces another chapter of uncertainty, your story remains a testament to the strength of the Afghan people. Your resilience in the face of adversity continues to inspire those navigating difficult circumstances. Your journey from Kabul to Peshawar and beyond exemplifies the indomitable spirit that defines Afghanistan's history."
My Daughter, Allah tests us, and we don't know when it will be in our destiny to return to our homeland. My daughter and son had their weddings planned, but due to the deteriorating conditions, we had to take the bride only halfway and then exchange her near the border close to Peshawar."
"This was a unique wedding," Palwasha inquired with surprise.
"Bachy, it's her uncle's son. He lost his wife and has five children. I gave my daughter to him in marriage."
Palwasha, bewildered, asked, "Auntie, how did you give your beloved daughter to the father of some already-married children? How did this come about?"
"Bachy, my son is also married and has an eight-year-old daughter. Since there were no more children, we were looking for a suitable match for him. So, we arranged his marriage to the man's sister. In this way, we exchanged relationships for the sake of the children."
Palwasha became lost in thought, contemplating how her young daughter ended up marrying a man with five children from a previous marriage. She wonders if her daughter feels any fear for her own future, what might be going through her heart and mind. Palwasha herself remembers that she is as young as her daughter, around 20 or 21, full of dreams and aspirations. She wonders if her daughter had any desires and hopes too.
Did this marriage happen by her daughter's own choice or was she compelled by external pressures? Palwasha can't fathom the immense responsibility of looking after five children from a previous marriage. Such a decision isn't typically made out of personal preference. On the day she was turned into a bride, her own dreams might have been buried, her heart heavy with emotions she had to set aside.
On the other side is the woman who spent her entire youth for his child ,father, now desiring a second marriage. Did she ever ask herself how her first wife might feel? What battles might be waging in her heart? Palwasha ponders how people can bring themselves to make such decisions involving their own daughters. Is having a son so essential that it necessitates a second marriage? Palwasha, my dear, when did you suddenly arrive? Her father's voice interrupts her thoughts.