Letters from a Refugee

Letter 2: From Uncle Aamir

Dear Mistalia,

I am really worried to have received your letter. Those people are monsters and i'm glad that you are unharmed. You've always been strong willed and prone to impulsive behaviour, just like your mother. My sister could never just do nothing either, even when it cost her her life. Your father is a wise man, he knows what she would have done if he didn't raise you this way. I remember the years before the Taliban took over, life was so much better, everyone was allowed an education, women could wear whatever they wanted. It's sad to think that instead of moving forward, we are moving backwards.

You were only five years old when they took over, your brothers merely a year old. You might not remember but your mother told us that the new rules were completely ridiculous, she asked us how it could possibly be better to turn a peaceful country into an violent pit. She was completely outraged with their rules for women, she decided then and there that you would not be deprived of anything. We should have tried to stop her from doing something reckless and impulsive but she always was a hot head. Nothing and no one could have stopped her.

Maybe she knew that she might not survive because she gave you that pendant a year later. It's supposed to be given to you on your sixteenth birthday, it's a tradition that has been going on for centuries. It's passed on from mother to daughter or grandmother to granddaughter, it only goes to the daughter. Most people in afghanistan want a son first, but your mother, she was overjoyed when she had you. Do you know that she made you father and I promise to always give you the same treatment and opportunities as any boy. Probably the easiest promise of my life. The other promise she had us make was right after she gave you the heirloom, she asked us to carry on her work, even if she wasn't there. That was harder to promise, but I reluctantly agreed. If we had stopped her, she'd still be alive.

That day is something none of us will forget. You were an adorable little seven year old, desperately trying to look after your little brother, guess that hasn't changed. A bunch of government officers broke in and arrested your mother. They took her to her death, not caring about the children they left motherless. You wouldn't stop sobbing and kept asking where your mum was, the twins didn't even know what was going on and just looked at you confused. We tried to save her, we really did, but by then it was too late, she was gone. It made me sick and unable to move, my little sister was gone and there was nothing I could do. It makes me even more sick that they are voluntarily sending children to their deaths, what kind of parent lets their child die?

As for what you should have told them, I think you should have told them what you think is best. I know you could come up with something that wouldn't break their hearts. Your father will take you somewhere safe, he made a promise and he'll keep it. As long as you are together, I think you'll be just fine. Especially if you have that necklace with you, it has been said to bring good luck to those that wear it. The last question I have no answer to for I do not know. I hope you'll all be safe and sound because I can't lose the only part of my sister I have left. Be careful, all of you and may Allah be with you.

Be brave and don't lose hope. If your mother was here she'd be really proud of you. She always told us that you'd have the courage of a warrior. Tell your father to call me and tell me what he wants me to do because the next people they are going to target is us. Say hi to Sun and Moon for me.

Keep me updated,

With all my love,

Uncle Aamir

P.s. You are my only niece