When he reached the bottom of the stairs Wasim sighed again. Despite what Dr Sofia might think, he didn’t agree with what men like Minister Massoud did. In fact, unlike others, Wasim never shunned these boys when they were abandoned.
Standing outside the door to his apartment, Wasim lit a cigarette. He had two choices. He could stay and try to calm the inconsolable Behnaz, who had locked herself in their bedroom, or he could go back to the station and continue dealing with these complicated matters. Wasim headed back to the station.
47
AS SOFIA STOOD with her back against the door, knowing that despite what she had said to Chief Wasim she could not consider his offer, the phone rang.
‘It is the responsibility of Afghans to fix our land,’ Fatima said, without a greeting. ‘I don’t want to see another one of my friends die. You have to leave, Sofia jan.’
So, thought Sofia, as she walked back into the bedroom to collect the bags, the woman who defied the Taliban and the warlords, the woman who was not frightened of anything for herself, was frightened for her. Deep in her heart she knew she would probably never see this extraordinary woman again. ‘I am leaving.’
There was a long silence. ‘Good. I approve.’
‘But I hope I’ll be able to return one day.’
‘No. As much as my heart would sing to see you again, Sofia jan, the only thing I want is for you to promise me you’ll stay safe. Things are only going to get more dangerous for women here now the West are going.’
‘And you, my friend? What about you?’
‘Don’t worry about me. I survived the Taliban before and I’ll survive them again.’
With the two women quickly running out of things to say, for they had already said their goodbyes, Sofia carried her suitcase and the large bag for the women of Jamal Mina to the door and then went to sit by the window one last time to make the call she had been putting off all day.
‘Hi, Dad.’ As soon as the words were out she started crying.
‘Sofia, darling, what’s wrong?’
‘I’m fine, Dad,’ she said, trying to control her tears. ‘I’m just ringing to say I’m coming home.’
‘Sure, sure, honey. So how long are you staying?’
‘It’s not a holiday, Dad. I’m coming home for good, or at least I’m leaving Afghanistan. I suppose they’re not the same thing, are they?’
‘No, honey, they’re not the same thing, but I’m glad. I’m really glad you’re getting out of that place.’
She could hear the relief in his voice. There was no point trying to tell him anymore that she was safe.
‘Are you alright? Did something happen? You don’t sound so good.’
‘I’ll tell you when I get home.’
‘You can’t leave me like that. What happened to you?’
‘Nothing happened to me. I’ll be home on Saturday. Okay?’
‘Are you telling me the truth?’
‘The absolute truth. I promise you I’m okay.’
‘Saturday. That’s quick.’ The worry was back in his voice.
So many years and so much heartache she had given him. Why must the ones we love pay for the decisions we make?
‘Ah, you’ll see Jack,’ he said, his voice lightening. ‘He’s such a serious little fellow. Reminds me of you when you were young.’
‘I wasn’t serious, was I?’
‘You were.’
‘Wasn’t I ever funny?’
‘Well, there was one time when you were a little tot and you fell over and scraped your knees and then stood up wiping the dirt off with an “oops”, like it was a big joke. Your mother and I laughed at that.’
‘That’s it? That’s the sum total of my funny?’ They considered the question. ‘I suppose I’m not that funny, am I?’
‘You’re perfect. You’re my perfect princess. You are so perfect I can’t even begin to tell you how proud I am of you and who you’ve become. You remind me so much of your mother.’
‘You’ve said that before.’
‘She was a beautiful, serious, extraordinary woman and I wish she could be here to see you now. She would’ve been proud. And little Jack. If only she could have met him.’
‘Dad, you’re making me cry.’
‘No, no,’ he said. ‘Nothing to cry about now my girl’s coming home.’
‘Come on, Dad, now you’re really making me cry.’
Sofia realised that she’d be landing back in Sydney smack bang in the middle of Michelle’s return with a fiancé and child. Did her father even have a bedroom for her? ‘Is the baby sleeping with Michelle in her old room?’
‘No, he’s in your room. She doesn’t like him in her room because she says his snuffling at night keeps them awake.’
That’s motherly love for you, Sofia thought. She’d have to get a hotel and find some share accommodation quickly, which could be a problem considering she didn’t have much money or a job. Afghan currency didn’t translate particularly well into Australian dollars and, as Jabril had said that first day, she’d never get rich working in Shaahir Square. ‘I’ll find a hotel room until I can get a flat.’
‘No, no, there’s no need, really. Michelle and Shane are driving up to Queensland tomorrow morning. Looks like there might be a job there for him.’
So that’s his name, Sofia thought. ‘And Jack? Are they taking Jack?’
‘They’re leaving him with me until they get settled.’
Oh my god, Sofia thought in horror. Oh my god. They’re going to leave their baby with Dad. That had obviously been the plan all along. Michelle hadn’t changed one little bit and she’d hooked up with someone just as bad as her. Bastards. ‘I can help you look after him when I get home then.’ She had no idea how that was going to happen, considering she had to get a job as soon as possible and her dad had to work. How was he going to look after a baby anyway? She decided that would have to be a discussion when she got back home.
