This is the second and last installation of the series on the seventh anniversary of the Afghan War. To see the first half of Najib’s story, go to www.uvureview.com When I went outside it was almost bright as day, though it was night. People were saying, “Look to the south, look to the south, that’s where the bombs hit!” I looked and saw a bright fire coming out of the ground.

I remember the flames from the first bomb that hit the ground on Oct. 7, 2001. The city of Mazar, Afghanistan was changing from summer to winter. The yellow leaves were falling down and covering the dirt streets of my neighborhood. My family and I were at my cousin’s wedding, which had no music or the regular atmosphere of a wedding.