Chapters 16-20 Summary

In Chapter 16, Laila and Tariq are best friends, and Laila expects to miss Tariq as he is going to be away for thirteen. Laila's mother (the reader knows that this is Fariba, whom Miriam met at the tandoor) is yelling at her husband, Babi, who is a sensitive scholar. Fariba and Babi are fighting downstairs. Her mother is passionate and headstrong and impatient, her father (Babi) is sheepish and moderate. He has taught Laila Persian and Afghani poetry, and he is excited about the prospect that she will be educated herself. Laila's father tells her that Tariq is back from the trip, and when she runs down the street to Tariq's house, she sees a Mercedes Benz parked outside of Rasheed's house. (The reader will find out that this is Jalil, dying, come to see Miriam).

In school, Laila is forbidden...