Dane Lundin

28-05-15
Webster
English II Pre-AP
Life of Affliction

As the suns light started to fade, and the light brown buildings grew darker, shadows
fading, the young girl, about fifteen years old, couldnt help but think about the conversation she
had heard her parents just have. There was yelling, screaming, throwing objects, every time
something made contact and shattered it was as if a thousand crystal glasses were being smashed
with a sledgehammer. The objects werent thrown directly at someone, but rather at something.
Aaqila1 had heard her mother, Altaf2, throwing lamps and books, crying in frustration, in sadness,
as her father, Fardeen3, tried to explain what was happening. Aaqila held her sister Mina4 close to
her. Mina would jump every time something would strike a wall, nuzzling her face under
Aaqilas arm. On this night, July 16th 1996, everything in Aaqilas life would change. Everything
in Afghanistan itself would change. The Taliban5 had come into power, and that was the last
night that Aaqila would go to sleep with a peaceful mind.
Aaqilas family had always been independent from most of the families on their street. Most of
the women were very traditional, they would wear burkas and walk with their husbands
everywhere they would go. But Altaf was different, she didnt wear a burka. She wore simple
1 Wise, Intelligent in Arabic
2 Kind in Arabic
3 Strength in Arabic
4 Light in Arabic
5 A Islamic fundamentalist group that set up a radical Islamic state

clothing; pants and a long sleeved t-shirt. Of course, men would stare, in fact everyone would
stare. It was uncommon for women in this part of the world to show any skin, even on their face.
But despite this, Altaf wore this with pride, because she was free. She knew there was danger,
she could be harmed at any time, but it was not always too likely. Women and men often
discriminated against Altaf simply because she wasnt wearing what she wanted to wear, and she
had always wanted that to change, so while raising her children she would dress them in pants
and shirts as well. Now, women didnt always dress in full burkas in Afghanistan, in fact, up until
the late 70s, womens freedom and rights was progressing rapidly6. It was not as if most women
have to wear this traditional burka, but rather because they wear it in fear. There wear it in fear
for their lives.
The next morning, everything was normal. The cool summer breeze rushed through the open
windows and onto Aaqilas face, her hair falling in her face, waking her up. She turned to see
Mina sleeping quietly next to her. Gently shaking her awake, Minas bright green eyes opened
and she yawned slowly. As both girls made their way downstairs, they heard her father
screaming, not directly at her mother, or really out of anger, but rather because he seemed to be
scared of something. Mina and Aaqila entered the living room and were immediately greeted by
the haunting image of her mother and father being held at gunpoint by a strange man in a brown
uniform and a blue turban7. Aaqila stood there, sort of in a trance, everything slowed down, and
sounds became muffled. Thoughts raced through her mind as she tried to figure out what was
going on. As far as she knows her parents never did anything wrong. They obeyed all laws that
they were required to. Her mother was the same as everyone else, she talked, acted, and worked

6 Women were able to vote, speak freely and dress freely before late 70s
7 A mans headdress, worn primarily by muslims

the same as everyone else. But all of a sudden it hit Aaqila like a freight train. Her mother has
never worn a burka, and she has gone to numerous rallies that have been held for women, and
had even been the main speaker at the front of the crowd. The people standing with guns at the
side of the rally must have seen her almost every time. They must think she is a threat to them.
As the thoughts faded, and reality set in again, as her fathers voice became more audible, she
began to realize what he was screaming. Girls Run! Run as fast and as far as you can! Aaqila
took one more look at her parents, knowing this could be the last time she ever saw their faces.
She swept Mina up in her arms and ran out the open door, the haunting image of her parents in
front of the barrel still embedded into her mind. Tears swelled into her electric blue eyes and she
wiped them away with one hand. Aaqila kept running until she was halfway across the city,
where her aunt lived.
As she arrived her aunt was still in her kitchen making breakfast for herself, only for
herself because she was widowed by the death of her husband, who had been executed for
resisting to an authorized man. Aaqila managed to explain through her tears what had happened
previously at her home. Her aunt, Aadab8, started to shake, her jaw clenched and she fell back
into a kitchen chair. Putting her head in her hands she mumbled, Why do you do this to us?
Why do you make us live in this life of affliction? She was speaking to god. Aadab was a
religious woman but did not believe in unequal rights in any form. Aaqila described the man
with the turban, and Aadab immediately turned on the old television set. On the main channel,
Aaqila saw an overhead camera, showing the streets of Kabul. Men in turbans with guns were
holding people against a wall and pointing their guns at them. She covered Minas eyes quickly
as she knew that soon these people would be killed9. Her city was destroyed, fires raged and
8 Meaning hope, need in Arabic
9 People were often executed in the streets for their acts against the Taliban.

buildings crumbled, it looked like a full war zone. Then the camera switched. This time it was up
close, it showed a man and women with bags over their heads, Taliban members behind them. As
the bags were lifted from the people heads, Aaqilas worst fear came true. Her parents were
kneeling in front of a crowd of armed Taliban members. As the guns were lowered down to
Fardeen and Altafs head, Aaqila ran.
She did not know where she was running, she didnt care. As long as it was away from the
television. She stopped as she ran into an empty, narrow alley. Her heart felt as though it was
about to explode, her head throbbed and her fiery eyes flooded with tears. She knew that this was
not right, no one should ever be unequal, her parents did not deserve this. Anyone affected by the
unfair laws for women deserved to have what they need, equal rights for all. She swore to herself
that from this day on, no matter what the risks, she would fight for women and discriminated
people all around her country. She moved her foot and she heard a scraping sound. She looked
down to find a piece of chalk on the ground. She picked it up and turned to write on the side of
the building her back was against. On the wall, she wrote in Arabic, Commando10. As she
stood up to go back to her Aunts she heard rocks crumble, and the sound of loud footsteps
behind her. She turned quickly just in time to see a flash of blue and a brown bag close over her
head.

10 The Commandos are a group of women in Pakistan that are fighting against the Taliban.