A Thousand Splendid Suns

Rasheed turned up the volume and leaned in closer.
"A revolutionary council of the armed forces has been established, and
our watan will now be known as the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan,"
Abdul Qader said. "The era of aristocracy, nepotism, and inequality is
over, fellow hamwaians. We have ended decades of tyranny. Power is
now in the hands of the masses and freedom-loving people. A glorious
new era in the history of our country is afoot. A new Afghanistan is born.
We assure you that you have nothing to fear, fellow Afghans. The new
regime will maintain the utmost respect for principles, both Islamic and
democratic. This is a time of rejoicing and celebration."
Rasheed turned off the radio.
"So is this good or bad?" Mariam asked.
"Bad for the rich, by the sound of it," Rasheed said. "Maybe not so bad
for us."
Mariam's thoughts drifted to Jalil. She wondered if the communists
would go after him, then. Would they jail him? Jail his sons? Take his
businesses and properties from him?
"Is this warm?" Rasheed said, eyeing the rice.
"I just served it from the pot."
He grunted, and told her to hand him a plate.
* * *
Do"WN the street, as the night lit up in sudden flashes of red and