From Zia’s point of view: (P 161-163)

I watched Gul lay out his grand plan for Nabeela’s wedding, his voice brimming with excitement.
The three of us would slip into burqas, blend in with the ladies’ procession, and sneak into the
women’s side of the wedding. Gul had it all figured out: he’d finally get to see Nabeela, and,
according to him, Marwand and I could find “ladies to love” too. I tried not to roll my eyes.

“Why do you need me?” I asked, but before Marwand could answer, Abo called him away. Right
before he left, I caught Gul whispering to keep it from me, probably thinking I’d spoil the whole
thing.

When Marwand returned, I pulled him aside. The courtyard was alive with the bustle of wedding
prep—ladies fussing with hair, bright dresses, the smell of food in the air. I asked him what they’d
really been up to in the orchard. He hesitated, mumbling something about planning the attan dance.
I knew he couldn’t attan, so I called him.

“Say Wallah,” I challenged, sensing he was covering something up. He gave me a quick “Wallah”
and tried to slip away, but I stopped him with a story—a hadith about a man who migrated to
Medina for love. His name was forgotten, known only as “the emigrant of Umm Qays.”

“Do you understand?” I asked, hoping he’d get the hint. Marwand nodded, said he understood, and
rushed off to Abo. As he left, I couldn’t shake the feeling that he was missing the bigger picture—
maybe that’s why I was always there to question him, to keep him grounded.

Reflection:

I wrote my first draft from Zia's point of view as I found him interesting while reading the 99
Nights in Logar. He is a thoughtful and religious guy. It is not because I am a religious person, no,
I like to read about this kind of behavior. Zia is mostly hesitant to take risks as Marwand does. He
is more cautious than Marwand who is not caring about the situations or dangers. As “Only Zia
hung back near the gate” (P 95) shows how careful and aware he was in all the situations. It is not
just in the thirty fifth day mentioning his personality but also in the thorthy second morning. Zia
seems to be an old guy who knows most of the things and cares about others or the dangers. I like
the way he is taking care of others.

In contrast Zia’s point of view or observation of Marwand is totally different and wide. Zia
observes Marwand’s confidence and seeming invulnerability. This observation about Marwand’s
self-assuredness comes from Zia’s perspective, the one who was in the background and controlling
the situations (being more aware than others). In page 91 we can read “Me and Zia had to sneak
up to the corner of the roof right above Baba’s room, where we inched as close as possible to an
open window and eavesdropped on the proposal”, shows that how Marwand is a fearless boy but
still Zia follows him. Maybe Zia likes that bravery in Marwand and thinks he is that good enough
to follow or support. From Zia’s perspective, we see Marwand’s bravery in a new light. Marwand’s
confidence, his willingness to take risks without a second thought, fascinates Zia. In his mind,
Marwand is almost invincible, someone who trusts himself and doesn’t worry about things that
might go wrong. This observation adds to our understanding of Marwand’s personality, as we see
how others perceive his boldness. Through Zia’s eyes, we get a sense of how Marwand’s
confidence can sometimes border on recklessness.

The scene is important as it highlights each character’s contrasting traits, deepening the theme of
family and loyalty. Just before this scene, Marwand’s commitment to finding Budabash shows
how dedicated he is to his family and traditions. As Zia follows him, he reflects on his own nature
and realizes something important—his caution is part of who he is, and it has its own strengths.
Zia realizes that he doesn’t need to be like Marwand; his careful approach is valuable, too.
This moment of self-awareness shows growth, as he acknowledges his role in the journey. Here is
where I like his character the most. He is one of the characters who realizes that even though
Marwand is fearless still they do not need to be like him. Here is the place when someone stops
comparing himself to another one.

Rewriting this scene from Zia’s point of view gives readers a fresh look at the dynamic between
him and Marwand. While Marwand’s boldness might be the more visible form of bravery, Zia’s
quiet support and observant nature remind us that courage can be different for everyone. By adding
Zia’s perspective, the scene becomes richer and more layered, emphasizing themes of family,
identity, and the unique ways people contribute to a shared purpose. Through Zia, readers gain a
new appreciation for how distinct personalities can shape the bonds that hold people together,
especially in challenging moments. I do feel it while reading the 99 Nights in Logar.