I’ve traveled all over the world; I’ve encountered different lifestyles, cultures, and women. Believe it or not, among them all, Afghan women are the most helpless and defenseless. They are hardworking and faithful and they support their husbands. Unfortunately they are taken for granted by their husbands and sometimes by male family members. They would love to laugh, work out of the house, go to school.

Ali spent a few more months in jail, and then he got a letter from the judge saying it was a mistake. He was not involved in this particular case. But when he was released from jail, he was not happy at all. His head hung between his shoulders, as if his soul had flown out of his body. His wife and in-laws were waiting for him.

When the policeman called our names, I didn’t know what would happen next. As I packed our few things, I worried: what will be the next step? My husband, who is always optimistic, said, “Don’t worry. They are going to transfer us to a better place.”

I said, “How do you know?” He made a confident face.

We have a saying: music is the soul’s nutrition. It is so true. My soul always feels hungry to listen to music. Music is my companion in my loneliness.

Seventeen years ago, I left my motherland in hopes of having a safe and secure life. My family and I were very close. For the first time, I had to leave my family without any hopes of seeing them again.

It was a cold winter day when we arrived. The city was still and calm, the roads nicely asphalted and lined. We walked towards the police building where we had to submit our request. Going to the police frightened me. I had a painful picture in my mind. I had the feeling I was going to jail, or that they may treat us like criminals.