Baghlan tragedy

His mom had washed and combed his hair that morning, and she had ironed his clothes to perfection the night before. She was so proud that her son had been chosen.

With his back straightened and a proud smile plastered on his face, he handed over the roses -- pink, red and white -- to former minister of commerce Mostafa Kazimi. Kazimi was a good man, his mom had told him, one of the few honest and learned politicans in Afghanistan. His hand was small and wet in Kazimi's firm grip, but his voice was steady: "On behalf of Islam Qala school students, I welcome you here". He thought about his mom, how proud she would be if she saw him in that moment.

His classmates were just about to start performing the songs they had practiced when the murderer blew himself up among them.