The Sound Of Broken Leg / Part 2

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Despite all my anxiety, that day we registered without any issues, and soon our exam was scheduled, as Saboor and I were external candidates, and exams for other provinces had already been conducted. Only Kabul and external candidates remained. After registering, we quickly returned home and resumed studying.

I was restless, overwhelmed by severe stress, and kept reciting Ayat al-Kursi under my breath. I paced the floor, occasionally stepping to the window for deep breaths. Saboor sat calmly by the computer, eyes fixed on the screen. When my mother entered and saw me pacing and murmuring, she said, "Humaira, have some patience, dear. Do you want to exhaust yourself with worry before the results are even announced? Sit beside Saboor and stop pacing."

I replied, "Mother, I can't. I wish the results would come out already. My heart feels like it's about to explode."

As we were discussing, Saboor suddenly stood up and shouted, "Humaira! Come here!"

I rushed over and asked, "What is it?"

He said, "Look. 325 marks and Economics at the central campus."

As soon as I saw the computer screen, my knees gave way, and I collapsed onto the floor, crying. I didn't know how to thank God enough. After a few minutes, remembering Saboor, I stood up and asked, "What about you?"

He smiled and said, "Here it is—345 marks, Medicine."

Saboor deserved a high score; he had worked hard for two years.

I threw my arms around him, and we were both overjoyed. My mother hugged us both and said, "My precious ones, I knew you two were the best."

That night, we all gathered around the table and had a wonderful time. Everyone was happy about our success. My father hugged us both and said, "You two are my greatest pride. I hope you always shine like this." Taher and Bahar had bought us gifts and were very happy. Mohammad also congratulated us both and showed no resentment towards me, which made me glad. Saboor hugged me and said, "You know, I waited a year just so we could go to university together."

I said, "Saboor, can you stop calling me 'Eshtak' now? I'm a university student now."

He said, "Even if you get a job, you'll always be my little Eshtak."

Taher winked, and they both laughed. My father, after a few dry coughs and sipping water, said, "Humaira shouldn't be called Eshtak anymore. She's a lady now."

My mother's expression changed upon hearing my father's words, showing clear signs of worry and anxiety. She looked at me and then lowered her head.

I didn't know what was going on, but I said nothing and helped Bahar clear the table.

I was very happy, and that night, Saboor and I talked late into the night. Eventually, he went to sleep, and I spent a few minutes with my books until the sound of the call to prayer echoed in my ears. I left my room to perform ablution and pray. As I passed by my parents' room, I heard them talking. Curious, I stopped and pressed my ear to the door. My mother, her voice choked with emotion, said, "She just wants to study. Why are you interfering?"

My father sighed and said, "They say they have no issue with her studying. Let her continue."

I realized why my mother's expression had changed when my father said I was no longer a child. He intended to marry me off. Tears streamed down my face as I stepped back and returned to my room.

Two days passed, and I observed my parents' behavior. They weren't speaking properly, and it seemed my father's decision was serious. I didn't know what to do or how to escape this predicament. Exhausted and weak, I performed ablution, returned to my room, donned the white scarf with cream-colored flowers my mother had bought me, and began praying, asking God to show me a way.

As I lay my head on the prayer rug, silently praying, a knock on the door startled me. I turned to see my mother.

"My dear, what are you doing?" "I was praying, Mother." "Then I won't disturb you." I quickly stood up and said, "No, Mother, please come in." She entered and sat beside me. We looked into each other's eyes, both filled with tears. As I rested my head on her lap, I burst into sobs. She stroked my head and asked, "Why are you crying, my dear?" I couldn't hide that I had overheard their conversation and knew my father's intentions. I asked, "Who is he? What does he do?" She lifted my head from her lap, eyes wide with shock, and asked, "How did you find out?" I lowered my head and said, "I heard while passing by your room." She looked at me, stunned, and said, "He works with his father in a construction company. His name is Dawood. He said he saw you on your way to school." Hearing his name sent a strange fear through me. I said, "I don't want to get married, Mother." She said, "But your father says he's a good boy." I lowered my head and said nothing, as if I had lost my voice. How could my father make such a decision about me so easily? I no longer joked with Saboor and couldn't even tolerate myself. I just wanted to be alone. Sitting cross-legged in the corner of my room, leaning against the wall, I closed my eyes. I could hear my mother's voice from the other side of the door, saying, "Yes, we'll all come. Of course, we'll come." She paused, listening to the person on the line, then said, "Very well, goodbye, dear." Silence returned, but soon my mother entered my room and said, "What's wrong, my dear? Why are you sitting alone in the corner?" I slowly lifted my head and said, "It's nothing, Mother." She said, "Don't worry, everything will be fine. Instead, get ready; we're going to your aunt's house. It's her daughter Nargis's birthday. She said everyone should come." I said, "I'm not going, Mother." I didn't want to leave the house. She insisted, but I refused. Saboor came a couple of times, but I didn't agree to go. Eventually, everyone got ready to leave. I stepped out and stood in the hallway to watch them go. As everyone was leaving, Mohammad looked at me and gave a sarcastic smile before leaving. I paid no attention and returned to my room. I lay on my bed, staring at the ceiling, confused and lost. I don't know when I fell asleep, but I was awakened by the sound of the doorbell. Half-asleep, I glanced at my phone and saw it was 11:30. I thought to myself, "Why are they back so soon?" I went to open the door and saw Mohammad. I asked, "Didn't the others come? Why did you come back so early?" He replied, "Do I have to answer you? Move aside." I stepped aside to let him in, closed the door, and headed to my room. Suddenly, he called out, "Can you bring me a cup of tea?" I said nothing and just nodded. I went to the kitchen, made tea, and brought it to his door. I knocked and said, "I brought you tea." He said, "Bring it in." I thought maybe I could become close to Mohammad like I was with Saboor and Taher. I quickly entered and saw him lying on his bed. I softly said, "I'll put your tea on your study table. Drink it whenever you like. I'll go to my room. If you need anything, just call me." I turned to leave, but he suddenly jumped from his bed, grabbed my hand tightly, and said, "Wait!" I looked at him with wide eyes and said, "Yes?" He approached and wrapped his arms around my waist. I pulled back and said, "What are you doing?" He pulled me back and whispered in my ear, "You're very beautiful, Humaira." Terrified, I trembled like a leaf and stammered, "Wh...what are you saying? I don't like these jokes. Besides, I'm your sister. How can you make such tasteless jokes?" He laughed loudly and squeezed my wrist, saying, "I've never considered you my sister, and I don't now. Because you're not."

I realized what he intended to do with such words. I pushed him with all my strength and ran towards the door. As I tried to open it, he grabbed my hair and pulled me back. I screamed, "Let me go, you filthy man." He forcefully turned my face towards him and slapped me so hard that everything went dark, and I collapsed onto the floor.