Page 62 of Duty Bound

“How long have you been traveling?” Soraya began cooking the flatbreads. She moved with a natural rhythm around the kitchen.

Lily stopped chopping. “I was captured four days ago on my way to the airport.” A shiver shot through her. She’d never forget the rough hands, snarling voices, confusion. “Blade rescued me from a cave, high in the mountains, and we’ve been on the run ever since.”

“Did they hurt you?” Soraya’s eyes clouded with concern.

“No, I was lucky. They didn’t have a chance before I was rescued.”

“By your hero soldier.” She gave a sly smile.

Lily felt the heat steal into her cheeks.

“He looks after you well.”

Lily wasn't sure what she meant. “Er… Yes, he's been very attentive.”

“Handsome, too,” she added with a mischievous smile.

“I suppose he is.” Lily stared diligently at the cutting board.

“I think he cares for you. I see it when he looks at you.”

Lily’s heart did a strange flip-flop. She glanced up at Soraya. “Do you think so?”

She nodded while flipping the flatbreads. “How do you feel about him?”

Okay, now her face was on fire.

“I’m sorry,” Soraya said, “My English is not so good, so I am quite direct. I hope I haven’t offended you?”

Lily got the impression her English was much better than she made out.

“Not at all, and your English is outstanding. It's definitely better than my Pashto or Dari.” She chuckled ruefully at her shortcomings. Ten months in Kabul, and she couldn’t utter more than a few basic sentences. Languages were not her thing.

Soraya smiled modestly at the compliment. “I was fortunate to attend the International School in Kabul. My father, being an elder in our village, placed great value on education.” Her smile faded slightly, her gaze lowering. “But that was before the Taliban's resurgence. Now, females are barred from continuing their education past a certain grade.”

“That's incredibly sad.” Lily had read about the potential rollback of women's rights, including the proposed closure of schools for girls and restrictions on women's public participation. “It will be a huge loss, not just for the women and girls but for the entire country.”

“Yes, it will be a setback.” She slid the breads out of the pan onto a rack to cool. “But we will find ways to keep learning. Our thirst for knowledge hasn't diminished.”

Lily turned her attention to the tomato. “I’m relieved to hear it. Education is a right, not a privilege to be taken away.”

“Let’s talk about happier things,” Soraya said, now simmering lamb with onions and a melody of spices. It smelled glorious. “Are you in love with your American soldier?”

Holy shit.

The woman sure as hell didn’t mince her words, language barrier or not.

“Of course not. I’ve only known him for three days.”

“But you know Stitch?” Her eyes filled with confusion. “How come you don’t know his friend?”

Lily sighed. “It’s complicated. I knew about Blade but didn’t know him.”

“Ah,” she smiled and nodded. “He was your boyfriend’s friend, yes?”

“Best friend, yeah.”

“But you didn’t know him?” She furrowed her brow.

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