Laila vs. Mariam: Wife to Wife (ATSS 4)

The war between Russia and the Afghanis has ended but now a civil war within in Afghanistan has started. Once Laila’s mother finally agrees to leave the dangerous Kabul, a missile hits the family’s house, killing Laila’s beloved Babi and Mammy. Laila is found by Rasheed, and agrees to marry him, and become his second wife. Laila agrees not only to have shelter and protection from the vicious rapists on the streets, but also so her and Tariq’s child, now six weeks along, will be able to grow up in a comfortable environment.
Now that Mariam must share her husband with Laila, conflict arises between the two women. This conflict is mostly caused by Rasheed’s disrespect for Mariam and his adoration of Laila. Rasheed makes Mariam his wife of eighteen years feel like an outsider when at the dinner table he says, “We are city people, you and I, but she is dehati. A village girl (199).” In front of Mariam, he tries to make himself and Laila appear more compatible by saying they are above Mariam. Then Rasheed goes on to compare his wives to cars. He metaphorically says, “If [Mariam] were a car, she would be a Volga...You, on the other hand would be a Benz (199).” So not only does Rasheed marry another wife, but he also takes every opportunity possible to make the old wife feel inferior to the new one. Because of all this cruel treatment from Rasheed, Mariam begins to resent Laila. Mariam is cold to Laila and even says “I have no use for your company. I don’t want it. What I want is to be alone. You will leave me be, and I will return the favor. That’s how we will get on (202).” I thought Mariam would enjoy some company after living with the horrid Rasheed for eighteen years, but I guess Mariam would rather be alone than be degraded, even if unintentionally. Although Laila makes many attempts, it is not until months after her baby is born, that she and Mariam finally resolve the tension between them. They reconcile one night when they are both up tending to the baby. During this time they begin to discus how they have both failed Rasheed, Mariam by not being able to give birth and Laila by having a girl. It is not until this discussion that Mariam and Laila learn they can only rely one another because Rasheed no longer cares for either of them.

Again the indenting wouldn't work