Chapter 4
Mir Nihal feels he is the last remaining member of his world—all his friends have either died or are otherwise no longer around. He lies in bed all day, feeling useless, lost in memories. He remembers how Delhi once was before it fell to the British, and thinks about how the new Home Rule Movement is now emerging to reclaim India from the invaders. He does not feel a part of this movement, however, as he is too old and feels his world is gone for good. There is a new culture, one which combines aspects of both Indian and Western culture, emerging that he does not understand or respect. He feels the British brought with them an era of ugliness and vulgarity in stark contrast to the age of the great poets and kings. He is no longer bothered when Asghar visits him in English clothes, and in fact barely even registers it.
It is difficult for him to pray, and Ghafoor must help him with most things. Begam Nihal has become almost totally blind, and she is mostly dependent on Dilchain. She mostly cuts areca nuts or disentangles tangled threads, and she too lives in her memories. Begam Jamal is also getting old, and is less cantankerous than she was before. Masroor gives up his education, and gets a job at an English motor firm, but is fired after an argument with his manager. He now plans to live with his aunt. Begam Waheed has become a grandmother. Mehro is unhappy and rarely gets to go to Delhi, but she does not complain.
Chapter 5
Asghar looks after his daughter now, doing much of the work that Bilqeece had once done, though during the day Begam Shahbaz and Zohra must take over. Zohra often comes over to his house to try to help him, feeling it is a woman’s job to do things like wash and dress the child. He feels it is now his burden.
Zohra is sixteen, and is more charming and beautiful than Bilqeece once was. She feels pity and admiration for Asghar, and he too is secretly made happy by her presence. One day, while he seems in an especially sorry state, she admits her feelings for him. Asghar is struck with love for her, and the love turns to desire. He puts his arm around her. Zohra is ashamed for having revealed such a secret and unseemly desire, and escapes his embrace and runs away. After the incident, she avoids Asghar. Asghar becomes consumed with desire for her, and continually tries to manufacture ways to see her, to no avail. Finally, his daughter falls in some water and refuses to be changed by anyone but her aunt, to whom she has a strong attachment. Her request forces an interaction between Asghar and Zohra, and he confronts her about having run away from him. She is made uncomfortable, and tries to leave but he blocks her way, and then forcibly embraces her again. She gives in, and they begin a love affair. Only six months have passed since Bilqeece’s passing, but Asghar already wants to marry again.
Chapter 6
One day, when Asghar is coming from work, he notices the streets are empty, apart from Tommies and policemen patrolling the street. He had heard gunfire from his office earlier in the day, which had come from troops firing upon Indian protestors. The Rowlatt Act, which outlawed revolutionary activity associated with the Home Rule Movement, had caused significant civil unrest. Asghar is unconcerned with these matters, and thinks only of his new love. He decides to visit his parents to discuss marrying Zohra. As he walks, a group notices his English clothes and begin to mock him. He avoids them by turning off into a bylane.
He encounters Mirza the milk-seller on his walk, and he looks distraught. He is wishing death upon the Farangis, and says they have taken his loved one away from him. His wife is also crying. Asghar asks Siddiq the bania what has happened. Siddiq tells him that Mirza’s son has been killed during a protest, and he says it serves him right for not cooperating with his government. Asghar feels sorry for Mirza, but leaves.
Analysis
