We will make sure it won’t, said Saba.

Zahra lifted her head off the bed and placed it on Saba’s chest. I love your heart, she said.

Saba rolled to her side and put an arm around Zahra just as Tedros stormed through the gate with his friends, shouting and laughing. Saba and Zahra sat up. Saba followed Tedros with her eyes as he placed chairs against the wall of his hut. The line of men faced the two young women. As well as the praise poet, there were a few other men Saba had seen at the bar. Tea, said Tedros, clicking his finger at Saba. Move it.

Saba didn’t move.

Are you deaf, girl? Tea?

Saba pulled Zahra back. Don’t, she said. I will do it.

And when she brought tea to the men, Tedros asked Saba to put the tray with small cups and a pot on the floor. Here, he said, grabbing her wrist.

With his other hand, he took the white cloth out of his shirt pocket and placed it on his crotch. Without looking away from Saba, and with his nails digging into her skin, Tedros ordered the poet to recite a poem about her body.

Saba felt the poet’s eyes on her back, his voice rising as they rolled down her hips. The white flag, the sign of her impurity, or his father’s impotence, rose towards her when Tedros ordered the poet to stop and for all the men to leave. Now.

He let go of Saba. His eyes moved from his father’s wife to Zahra, as he fiddled with the cloth and charged towards his hut.

I am not leaving you alone, Zahra said, when Saba urged her to go. My mother would kill me if I let you face this man on your own.

My husband and brother will be back any moment now from their walk, said Saba. Please, go home. Please.

No, said Zahra. You are not the only stubborn one. I am sleeping in the kitchen.

Before entering the kitchen, Zahra squeezed Saba’s hand. Don’t worry, everything we face together will be all right.

Saba turned towards Tedros. He stood up and went inside his hut, carrying his jug of beer. He slammed the door shut. And soon after, Saba was awoken by a scream. She jumped out of her bed and ran outside. A red cloth hung between the thinly sliced meat from the clothesline in front of her hut. Blood dripped onto the moonlit ground. The gate was open. High-pitched cries came out of Tedros’s hut. Saba rushed inside and found Zahra on the floor. Help me, Saba, she said. Please help me.

FREEDOM: THE DOUBLE PRICE

Saba stood in front of Hajj Ali. They were surrounded by grass, shrubs. This was the field where the aid workers promised to build a school. Saba looked at the rock where she usually sat.

This place is not for love, the nomad said. I know a cave full of jasmine flowers. A woman deserves to lie in a bed of flowers.