And the Mountains Echoed

As the chapter begins, Parwana sees “it” smeared down Masooma’s buttocks and thighs. Parwana “wants to howl,” but she forces herself to be cheerful. It is early morning, and Parwana is going about her normal routine, despite Masooma’s presence. She feeds the chickens, chops wood, etc. Between these tasks, she finds the time to take care of Masooma, who is suffering from an unnamed ailment.

As Parwana goes about her usual business, she sometimes sees Saboor. Saboor, as Parwana sees him, is a mature family man. One day, Masooma asks Parwana about a shared memory of going biking long ago, and as they talk, Parwana refers to Masooma as her sister. That night, Parwana sleeps next to Masooma, and can’t help but think about Saboor. She has heard rumors that Saboor is looking for a new wife.

When Parwana was born, she was a surprise. She and Masooma are twin sisters, but their mother didn’t realize she was bearing twins until Parwana came out immediately after Masooma. Beginning with her painful and time-consuming birth, Parwana was always a “problem child,” especially when compared with Masooma and Nabi, her older brother. Growing up, the children would often eat dinner at Saboor’s family’s house. Saboor liked to entertain his friends by telling them stories about heroes and divs. One day while she is at a market with her mother, Parwana sees a beautiful notebook. Recognizing that she could give it to Saboor as a way for him to write down all his stories, she steals the notebook. Parwana is too afraid to give the notebook to Saboor herself, however. One day, Masooma finds the notebook and asks Parwana if she could buy from her and give it to Saboor. Parwana, too nervous to tell the truth, says she doesn’t mind. Secretly she’s furious though, and a little jealous of her sister’s friendship with Saboor.

By the time Masooma and Parwana are 11 years old, Masooma has begun to attract attention from the local boys. One of them throws a rock at Masooma and Parwana’s feet, to which he’s attached a message, saying that he wants to marry “you.” The note also says that “your sister” can marry the boy’s cousin. This incident bothers Parwana, because Masooma assumes the note is addressed to her, not Parwana. It’s around this time that Masooma begins telling people, including Parwana, that she is “already taken.”

Some time before 1949, Nabi drives to town from Kabul. He is one of the most successful people in his community, since he’s succeeded in finding a job in Kabul, and is sometimes allowed to drive his employers’ fancy car. Nabi brings his family money every month. Masooma asks Nabi if he’s found a wife yet, and he laughs off the question. Parwana remembers a recent trip that she and Masooma made with Nabi. On the trip, Nabi drove them into Kabul and showed them the beautiful city sights. Parwana is nostalgic for this day—the happiest day of Masooma’s life, she thinks, since her “accident.”

During Nabi’s visit, he tells Parwana that the rumors are true: Saboor is looking for a new wife, following the death of his former wife in childbirth. He adds that Saboor told him this news personally. Parwana is still a little in love with Saboor, but she finds it unlikely that he would marry her, and she’s already fully committed to taking care of Masooma.

When Masooma and Parwana were 13 years old, they used to enjoy going to bazaars to run errands for their mother. Men at the bazaars would always stare after Masooma, who was already a beautiful young woman. Parwana, by contrast, was plain, frizzy-haired, and broad-shouldered. She hated her appearance.

In 1949, Parwana carries Masooma outside for some fresh air. She is careful to take perfect care of her sister, arranging cushions so that she’s comfortable. As they sit, Masooma asks Parwana to take her to Kabul. She imagines surprising Nabi in his house. Parwana is skeptical—in Masooma’s “condition,” it’s difficult to travel. Masooma replies that everything has been worked out: a friend has a mule, which can carry them both to Kabul. She begs Parwana to go with her.

When Parwana and Masooma are 17 years old, they sit in the branch of a tall tree and discuss Saboor. Saboor has made it clear that he’s going to ask Masooma to marry her. As she hears this, Parwana’s heart sinks. Masooma turns away from Parwana for a moment to pull something out of her pocket. As she does so, Parwana intentionally shakes in her seat, shaking the entire branch. This causes Masooma to slip off the branch and fall from the tree. She hits the ground with a horrifying crunch.

Back in 1949, Parwana and Masooma are talking. Masooma tells her sister, “You have to do it now. If you wait until morning, you’ll lose heart.” As the sisters talk, Parwana reveals that Saboor has asked her to marry him. This will require Parwana to abandon Masooma instead of continuing to care for her. Masooma encourages Parwana to accept Saboor’s offer. Parwana bursts into tears. She explains that Saboor loves Masooma, not her. Parwana adds, “This is all my doing.” Masooma replies that she doesn’t want to know what Parwana means by this. She tells Parwana that if Parwana loves her at all, she’ll leave and marry Saboor immediately.

After staring into Masooma’s eyes for a long time, Parwana decides to leave her sister and marry Saboor. She walks away from her home, in the direction of Saboor’s home. Suddenly, she hears a noise, similar to the sound of a woman crying out. She wonders if Masooma is calling her back, having had a change of heart. Parwana decides to keep walking. As she walks, she thinks about how everyone loved Masooma when they were younger. Parwana resolves to keep her secret—that she’s responsible for crippling her sister—and share it with no one except the mountains. With this in mind, she walks through the desert, toward her future husband.