Mariam and Laila form a sisterly bond, united in their tragedies although for a time there is an awkward tension between them when Laila marries the aging husband of Mariam, Rasheed. The awkward tension ceases over tea when “a look passes between Laila and Mariam. An unguarded, knowing look. Laila knows that they are not enemies any longer” (224). This sisterly bond provides Mariam choices and purpose in her life as both women share the horrific abuse from their husband. Rasheed begins to turn on Laila which forms a bond between Mariam and Laila. Mariam conducts to maintain the bond, which demonstrates she did control her destiny. Mariam engage in numerous misfortunes, but the friendship with …show more content…
When Mariam acquires the shovel, she embraces the path of destiny. That is when “it occurred to her that this was the first time that she deciding the course of her own life” (311). The strong friendship of Laila and enduring abuse cause Mariam to realize she requires being a master of her own destiny, for her and women in Afghanstan. In that moment, when Laila was almost killed, Mariam is posed between both realities of controlling the situation or accepting the abuse. Luckily, Maraim did not accept the abuse of men like Raheed any longer, which causes her to murder her