Palace Walk

In the evening, al-Sayyid Ahmad closes his store and goes to Madam Zubayda’s house for “an evening’s entertainment” (90). As they sit together and flirt, she mentions that she knew one of his previous lovers, another singer named Jalila, who described al-Sayyid Ahmad’s tendencies for womanizing and heavy drinking. When he leaves the house, he is hopeful that he and Zubayda will be able to begin a relationship.

Zubayda hosts a party at her house, and al-Sayyid Ahmad and his friends are invited to celebrate the love between him and Zubayda. She entertains the guests and sings for them, with al-Sayyid Ahmad accompanying her performance on the tambourine. At the end of the evening, the guests have a mock wedding procession to celebrate the lovers.

Yasin visits his father’s store and reveals to his father that his mother is going to remarry. Both men are disgusted by this news. Al-Sayyid Ahmad recommends that his son should confront his mother and “bring her back to her right mind” (109). Yasin has not seen his mother for 11 years. He visits the neighborhood where she lives, recalling morose memories of his childhood. Yasin’s mother receives him warmly but is saddened when he reveals that he wants to bring an end to her “disgraceful affairs” (116), which he claims have caused him much embarrassment.