The White Feather- A story of infinite worlds

Pashtunwali

The agents were lead to a dining table to eat, while the pashtoons took their plates and sat on the ground. It was their tradition to eat on the ground, but they seemed to understand American culture and hence assumed that the agents would be more comfortable on chairs.

But Anthony thought it was some sort of trick and the pshtoons might have sold them out, as the dining table was right in front of a window. The shades were drawn and the room was not properly lit, but he thought that machine gun fire may come through and annihilate them as they ate. And frankly, we can’t judge or blame him for his over thinking, because he had never been shown the slightest amount of respect or warm-heartedness in the agency. They played rough with him to make him ready for the brutal world. He was taught that the world was full of double-faced people and if someone helps you, it will be either because they’re leading you into a trap or they want something from you. So Anthony was scared at this selfless act of love shown in a place like Baghdad, which was the slaughterhouse for humanity.

So keeping in mind his paranoia, the agents sat on the ground along with the small afghan family. The locals did take some offence but they understood the reason as to why the agents didn’t trust them and hence didn't complain. The dinner was served in the form of delicious chicken biryani with green chutney spread all over. Biryani is a very tasty dish made from fried rice and a variety of spices. Some chicken pieces dropped in it which boom the flavor even more. The agents wanted to check it for poison, but they were too hungry and the smell was just irresistible, so they just decided to test it themselves and face the outcome.

“So why don’t you run away from here?” Emma asked, using hand signals in case the pashtoons couldn’t comprehend what she was trying to ask.

“The terrorists wouldn’t let them leave because they’re afraid that the government will bomb them as soon as they clear the city of civilians.” Olivia answered on their behalf.

“No, that no truth. The Khalq (afghan word for ‘people’ and the name of the terrorist organization) never force us to stay in city. They know we can leave if we want, but we not leaving.” The man, whose name was Ashraf, interrupted Olivia.

“Why aren’t you going then? You can start a new life anywhere else and make sure your kids have a future. This war is torching your and your children’s future.” Gabriel said.

“We not stay because we stupid, we stay because we are PASHTOONS. And a pashtoon will gladly choose death over leaving his land any day. And as for our kids, if they follow Pashtunwali, destiny will always be their side. I tell you why land important to us; This land where we eating, was taken by my great grandfather’s father, in a battle. We paid by blood for this house, and you think we will go because there are some petty soldiers fighting for dominance?

No amerikaans, we fight here and we die here. Only coward runs from death, and pashtooni are anything but cowards.” Ashraf said with his head held high. The agents could see his extremely thin neck shaking from weakness, but his pride surpassed all bodily pain.

You see my reader friend, this is what differentiates us humans from animals. We have morals which we place higher than our instincts. If an animal’s home was burning, he would straightaway run and find shelter somewhere else, no matter how long he had stayed there in the past. Humans on the other hand, are willing to die for mere dirt. This can be seen as reasonable, but what can you say when they also fight for arbitrary values such as honor. It makes them face devastating odds and sometimes brings them out victorious even where survival was unexpected. Like the 21 sikhs who faced 10000 pathans and still managed to hold their ground just to show the britishers that they had honor and would not give up their post even when they could easily flee. But animals would readily run away or befriend the enemy when the odds are not good. In some ways, that makes them smarter than us. But in many ways, our values are what make us far superior than them

Now you might be wondering what the f**k is this Pashtunwali thing all about? Well, it is an old code of honor made by the Pashtoon people. It requires them to show mercy and aid the helpless even if they are enemies of the state. It values honor and humanity above all other things a human can possess. In these violent and desperate times, many of the pashtoons don’t follow the code and join the terrorists, killing hundreds of innocent so that they can maintain order in a f*****g village. But the ones who still follow the code are the most generous people you’ll ever come across, trust me.

After dinner and some light chatting, the woman and the child went to sleep while the man invited the agents to sit with him on the roof. The stars in the sky were clearly visible against the dark background of the city and it was as if the galaxy was reaching out to kiss the beautiful blue planet. It was magnificent!

But the peaceful silence was frequently broken by gunshots around the city. The man placed two carpets on the floor and invited the team to sit with him.

“They kill poor people who refuse to give them food in exchange for their useless protection. It's a shame to see death and tyranny walk the streets where little children used to play decades ago and men would go to work without the fear of never coming back.” Ashraf spoke slowly in disappointment after they heard continuous shooting at the bridge.

“Did they threaten you today while they were searching for us in the house?” Tony asked softly.

“They said they will r**e my daughter and cook me alive if you were found in my house. But I know they would do far worse to you if you were found.” Ashraf said, taking a puff from his g***a roll.

The assembly went silent as Ashraf took large drags and coughed. The assassins looked at each other and thought the same thing- it was a big, big mistake entering this house. They could have had an innocent family killed because of their own stupidity.

“But something makes Ashraf curious. I know people hate amerikaans this side of the shahar (city), but general never checks house himself. He send people to do that work for him. You must be very terrible reporters! Are you from China? I hear their reporters not good!” Ashraf said and started laughing hysterically. The g***a was getting to his head, and he couldn’t seem to control the broken english AND his laughter. The poor man had no idea that these people weren't even from this world.“We are actually from New York and we came here to expose the terrors that the terrorists were inflicting on you. I guess they didn’t like that.” Olivia said, shrugging her soldiers.

All of a sudden, Ashraf stopped laughing. He looked at all of them in confusion.

“There is no terror. They don’t treat us with injustice, we are now just like we were before them.” Ashraf said with a deep voice.

“But you just said that they were killing innocents and they threatened to r**e your daughter.” Olivia said, taken aback.

“Yes, but those are not terrors, that is just the way things work in Afghanistan. People here have wilder spirits than the rest world, so if you have to control them, you have to show power. And my reporter friends, violence is the easiest way to stamp your power in people’s mind.” Ashraf said and smiled like a freak. He was undeniably high and was talking s**t. But deep down, everyone knew that there was a point in his crazy talk.

“Uh….listen Ashraf, we are truly grateful for your help, but we must get to the other side of the city by tomorrow afternoon, or innocent people will die. So can you please show us the way to the other side in the morning?” Tony asked.

“Why not? Ashraf will go with you and make sure the guests are safely escorted to other side of city. I know every route in this beautiful city. Be ready, we start one hour before daylight.” Ashraf said and got up.

He twisted and turned his body, being unable to control it under intoxication. But he finally got a hold of himself and walked down the stairs.

“They risk their families to save strangers and even have no hate for their occupiers. These people are truly remarkable.” Gabriel said, looking at the stars while lying on the carpet.

“So they are…….” Tony said and closed his eyes.