Karida - Episode 8

Erotic Substance

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Chapter 7

Diplomacy

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After the quiet weekend, the embassy’s halls began to liven back up with the start of the new work week, employees passing the vibrant, fresh-faced Karida with pleasant morning smiles as she headed to the kitchen for breakfast.

Opening the door to the dining area she was surprised to find that the lights were yet to be turned on, and once she flipped the switch was taken aback as the room jumped to life.

“SURPRISE!”

All the employees from all five of the classes she was a part of were there, Annie and Tobias coming forward to greet the shocked teenager.

“Happy Birthday,” her Toby gleamed, he and the other warm hearts singing the traditional birthday song to her as she was led to a table full of presents; Mary and Mehri standing there presenting a cake with eighteen candles alight.

Birthdays weren’t really celebrated in the simple life Karida had come from, and with the life-changing week she had just experienced the fact that she was becoming an adult had escaped her.

“Make a wish, sweetie!” Annie enthusiastically said.

“A wish?”

“Yes, darlin’! A birthday wish! You think of something you want more than anything else, then blow out all the candles to make it come true.”

Overwhelmed, Karida took a moment to collect her thoughts, then with her pure love for her Toby, her eyes found his.

She leant down to the illuminated cake, taking in all eighteen of the beautiful little tear-shaped flames as their reflections danced across her eyes.

Drawing in a deep breath, she envisioned her wish, but before she could exhale-

“Excuse me.”

Pardon me.”

The military officer who had debriefed Karida was making his way through the crowd, two Afghan officials at his back.

As she stood back up and watched with the others the three men approached, giving her an awful feeling in the pit of her stomach. In the depths of her heart, she knew something was wrong.

“Karida, dear,” the officer somberly said. “I’m sorry, but I need you to come along with me and these gentlemen back to my office.”

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She had insisted Tobias be allowed by her side, her shaking hands now consoled by his as a bunch of formal talk concluded that Karida, who was now of legal age to answer to the Afghan courts, would have to face a preliminary hearing on whether or not she would stand trial for the death of her cousin, Omar.

That despite the incident occurring while she was a minor, along with the fact that her father, Hadi, had made arrangements beforehand that in the event of he and his wife’s death legal guardianship of Karida would be taken over by the United States government, now that she was an adult and the investigations into the killings were still ongoing, she would have to be handed over to the Afghan government until matters were resolved.

“Please understand that our hands are tied,” the military officer expressed.

“We tried our damndest to get them to allow you to stay within the walls of the embassy while we see this thing through, but between the hostility due to recent events and using our own democratic system to their advantage, they got us on harboring one of their own citizens.”

“So she didn’t become a U.S. citizen when our government became her legal guardian?” Tobias asked.

“No. We had been petitioning Washington for years to naturalize her father for the service and intelligence he had been providing since 9/11, but they always wanted to use him a little bit more, and unfortunately that little bit more became a little too much a couple of weeks ago.

“So in theory, yes, she is an American citizen, but the courts here are conveniently dragging their feet. And with Washington wanting to appease due to the amount of bullshit going down as of late, please forgive my French, young lady, we’re left with what we have now.”

Turning his attention back to Karida, the officer continued. “They have agreed to a few diplomatic requests. That while in custody you be allowed adequate and proper care, including but not limited to sanitary living conditions, three square meals a day, and a daily check-in from one of our staff members here at the embassy. And of course, legal representation of our choosing.”

Apologizing for the whole ordeal and reassuring that it would all soon blow over, the officer’s voice began to drift away as tears began to gather in Karida’s eyes, one escaping and beginning to trickle down her cheek while she looked at Tobias, who himself fought from breaking down.

“May we have a moment alone?” Tobias requested.

“Certainly,” the officer replied, standing and gesturing the two Afghans to the door. “Gentlemen…” 

“But sir, I don’t think-”

“For god’s sakes,” he fired back. “give ‘em a moment, will ya?! It’s the poor girl’s birthday! Do you really think they’re gonna jump out of a four-story window?!”

“Very well.” The taller of the two men answered while swallowing his pride.

He then turned to Karida and said something in their native tongue as he held out a hijab head scarf for her to take.

“I will not!” she declared in English.

“What now?!” asked the officer.

“He says I have to put on the head scarf before I leave this room.”

Although a little shorter than the cumbersome Afghan, the military officer stared him down coldly.

“Boy, you’re startin’ to ride my last nerve. Look at the paperwork. It’s right there in black and white. Freedom of religion must be observed. Now do I personally need to get Karzai on the phone to explain the lack of competence goin’ on here?!”