Part 5 Summary

It is almost over. Omar and the Hyders head for Q., eating little, drinking as much as possible, scarcely speaking and trying to look innocuous. No one expects the president to be dressed in women's clothing, riding an old bus, but the land is exploding with demonstrations. As they near the border, Omar's vertigo returns, remembering Farah Rodrigues and Shahbanou and returning to the Edge of the World and Nishapur. At the depot in Q., the bus driver realizes he is carrying two men disguised as women and the other riders begin mocking and tormenting them. Bilquìs in a clearly female voice calls shame down upon them, however and the bus driver silences everyone, in order to maintain the honor of his vehicle. After midnight, the trio makes its way through town and ascends Balloch's dumb waiter.

Omar's mothers sigh, as...