Teacher Shirin Tabriq spent five days and nights outside Kabul Airport trying to get on a flight from Afghanistan. Humiliated and enraged by her ordeal, she has given up and plans to return to her village to start a new life under the Taliban.
Midwife Shagufta Dastaqgir also tried, and failed, to flee. She, too, says she has lost faith in the West's commitment to help Afghanistan, and is heading back home.
Their stories reflect the stark reality for many Afghans who want to leave the country now that the Islamist militant movement is back in power. Thousands have been evacuated, but they are far outnumbered by those who could not get out.