Part One - In the Suburbs, Chapter Five Summary

Karim suffers through the mingled tedium and abuse that constitutes his school days. His thoughts are fixed on helping Jamila, but he can't find a solution. While cycling to help focus his thoughts, he spies his father acting strangely in the street. Haroon is trying to disguise his appearance and make a phone call from a payphone. Karim watches Haroon brightening as he talks on the phone and sees that he looks depressed when the call is over. He confronts Haroon.

Haroon confesses that he loves Eva, but Karim realizes that he has not thought through the consequences of this. Karim pushes him to start thinking about what he is doing. Later, they pretend the conversation never happened.

Karim meets Helen outside his school. Charlie is there too. Charlie...