The Unseen Wounds: Tariq's Headaches

Follows Tariq's chronic headaches as a physical manifestation of his trauma from war, prison, and loss.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

The Origin of the Pain

A Body Remembering The Refugee Camp Tariq's headaches begin in Nasir Bagh camp. The stress, the cold, the hunger all contribute. He learns to endure them. Prison Aggravation In prison, the headaches worsen. He is beaten, deprived of sleep. The pain becomes a constant companion. Sometimes it blinds him in one eye. The Doctor's Pills In Murree, Sayeed's doctor gives him medication. The white pills help, but the headaches never fully disappear. They are a reminder of his past.

Headaches in Murree

A Quiet Burden Night Wakings Laila often wakes to find Tariq rocking on the edge of the bed, holding his head. He says it feels like a butcher's knife. She applies cold cloths. The Impact on Family Tariq's headaches make him withdrawn at times. He cannot work. But Laila is patient. She understands his pain. Hope for Healing When they return to Kabul, Tariq finds work fitting prosthetics. The new purpose helps. The headaches become less frequent, but they are a permanent scar.

1992-2000, during his exile and imprisonment

2001-2003, in Murree and Kabul