Summary

In Chapter 16, Amal arrives at Jawad Sahib’s estate and meets two young servants. One is a boy named Bilal and the other a girl named Nabila. Nabila leads Amal to her bedroom in the servant’s quarters. Upon seeing her prison-like room, Amal grows panicked. A woman named Mumtaz arrives and informs the girls that Nasreen Baji, Jawad’s mother, has requested Amal reside in the room adjacent to hers. Amal follows Mumtaz to the kitchen with suitcase in hand, awaiting her meeting with Nasreen. Mumtaz assures Amal that she will grow accustomed to her life as a servant, but Amal remains doubtful.

In Chapter 17, Amal enters the kitchen, and Mumtaz asks her to begin washing dishes. She overhears Mumtaz and the cook discussing how angry Jawad becomes after the police visit. Mumtaz expresses her sympathy for Bilal, Jawad’s servant, who must...