Ahri's Story

Part 1 of 3 | Published 09 May, 2025.

// Part 2 of 3, to be released 30 May, 2025. // Part 3 of 3, to be released 30 June, 2025. //

//  www.OliveBranchSafeHomes.org // www.ImagineMoreEstates.com  //

It was a Sunday morning when 9-year-old Ahri went to school bright eyed and ready for the day.  She loved school and she loved way her teacher’s perfume lingered in the classroom. Every time Ahri smelled the fragrant odor in stores or on other women, it made her feel they were important or fancy. Ahri decided that day, she would use that same fragrance when she was old enough to become a teacher.  Ahri had written a special poem about birds singing with her sister’s help.  Her teacher loved it and Ahri knew that day that she was a writer!  Ahri returned home from school, and she helped her mother prepare for dinner as usual, but when her father came home, everything changed.  Everyone was unusually serious, and anxiety began filling the home.  Her father told everyone to quickly pack a small bag, as they were going on a journey to stay with her aunt in the country.  Ahri knew that things had been tense in the community, everyone seemed more anxious and worried.  Ahri also knew there was a group called the Taliban that believed they were called by Allah to make society more "moral," but she overheard her father talking with others and he called them ruthless and power-hungry men who did not represent Allah.  Ahri didn't know what to think, but she loved and trusted her dad.  Ahri realized that day, the seriousness was on a new level.  Ahri could feel fear and worry rising up within and gripping her and her family.

This group, this "Taliban" would change her life forever on THIS particular Sunday evening.  Ahri's family was now packed, loaded in the car, and headed to her aunt's home. Ahri was with her family and securely knew that everything was going to be ok.  After driving a short while, they were stopped at a roadblock by the Taliban forces.  The soldiers required her father and uncle to exit the car and go to a special area to show documents and paperwork.  While her father was out of sight, they required her mother to be "interviewed and inspected" for valuables, weapons, and she didn't know what else.  Two men came and took 9-year-old Ahri, and her 15-year-old sister, Ziza, to a room with other girls to "wait" and their mother encouraged them to be "good girls" and go quietly.  Ahri knew she was loved and her family would make sure everything was ok.  Afraid and unsure of what was happening, she and Ziza, knew it was even more serious, but assumed the separation would only be temporary until their parents were finished.  The soldiers separated the sisters, and each went with a different group of girls closer to their age. Ahri couldn't have imagined that she would never see her family again.  Ahri learned that day that nothing is guaranteed, even your family.

Following a lengthy period of abuse, and what they called "marriage preparation" young 9-year-old Ahri would learn how to cook, clean, and care for a home and a husband.  Ahri was told that she was going to be the wife of a man named Muhammad, she didn't know how old he was, but she thinks he was close to her father's age, from what she can remember.  Ahri learned that day that she was property, not a person.  

At 10 she was wed and required to fulfill the obligations of a wife.  Ahri learned that day that she was only good for other's benefit or pleasure.  At 11, her husband was displeased and having four other wives, he "gave" Ahri to a group of soldiers to take care of their cooking, washing, cleaning and other needs as they saw fit.  This group of soldiers began to take liberty with Ahri, and since she was a discarded 'donation' to the troop, she was simply a house slave to be used and no longer worthy of being a proper wife.  Ahri was told this shameful phrase on a regular basis... she was verbally and physically reminded that she was of no true value, and could be replaced at any time.  Ahri learned that day that she was no longer a person, but an object.

Though the daily pains of homesickness had somewhat subsided, Ahri never gave up hope of seeing her family again.  Every so often, Ahri would let herself think about her family and even remember the joy and pleasure she had in attending school and wanting to become a teacher when she grew up.  She loved poetry and how creative words felt like music to her.  She loved writing poetry and stories with her sister.  But then the water would begin to form in eyes, and the pressure, like helium in the chest would begin to create such an ache in the heart, that Ahri had to stop remembering her family, her sister, her school, and her dreams, just to survive the day.  Ahri realized that day, that dreams are too painful to indulge.

One day, while getting drinking water from the well, Ahri heard a father tell his little girl she was special to him.  Ahri mumbled out loud, “I was special to my father once too.”  Unfortunately, someone overheard her and when asked to repeat herself, she simply answered, “I didn't say anything.”  And she was almost instantly badly beaten for insubordination.   Ahri learned that day that following the rules won’t keep her from pain or anguish.

Ahri began making choices and using words that even though were "harmless" she knew would agitate her handlers.  Ahri learned that day that she had a some control. She realized she could behave in ways that would elicit a reaction from her handlers. This small act gave Ahri a sense of autonomy and control when there had previously been little to none.  This went on for about a year.  Ahri knew she was considered the "worst” of the house girls.  There were 6 girls that belonged to this small community of soldiers.  

One day a new soldier who was exceptionally cruel would regularly beat the house girls when he was unpleased.  Ahri accidentally tripped in the house with a tray of teacups and this soldier decided she needed to learn a lesson and Ahri was so beaten that she wasn't able to get out of bed for three days, her face was swollen and most likely she had broken ribs as breathing was difficult.  Ahri learned that day that accidents were unforgiveable and she was dispensable.  

Sometime later, Ahri was not feeling well and didn't feel like she could do her "chores" so she ran into a wooded area to hide so she could rest. When she was found, she was accused of running away and being promiscuous without an escort, beaten, and told if she ran away again, they would have to stone her in front of the community.  Ahri learned that day that her life was no longer of any value to others. 

To be continued with Part 2 on May 23…