The Storyteller's Secret

Amisha is torn with guilt over her recent relations with Stephen, but reuniting with Deepak reminds Amisha of her submissive, dependent, and voiceless position. With Stephen, Amisha feels “worthy and capable” (289), but with Deepak she only sees gendered restrictions. Still, Amisha feels fierce love for her children, for whom she would sacrifice everything.

Deepak finds Neema’s final story on Amisha’s desk and confronts Amisha about her teaching practices at the school. Deepak is ashamed by Amisha’s nonconformity. He forbids Amisha to continue teaching at the school. The next morning, Amisha sends Ravi to explain to Stephen that she can no longer teach per Deepak’s orders: “the decision [rests] in Deepak’s hands” (292) as he is male and head of the household. Amisha and Stephen begin a daily correspondence using Ravi as their messenger.

Two weeks after Deepak’s decision, Amisha notices a group of people clustered. The villagers surround a group of Englishmen in uniform, including Stephen, holding Indian teenagers in custody. The teenagers were protesting the British occupation of India and showing their support for Gandhi. The Englishmen were brought in to stop the demonstrations. When the soldiers try to take the teenage protesters away, the villagers stop them.