The Pearl That Broke Its Shell

Shekib wakes Ghafoor: Fatima’s health has taken a turn for the worse, and she needs the doctor. She senses the other guards treating her differently, and she realizes she is still all alone in the world. A man pushes Shekiba down, fleeing the harem. Ghafoor and the doctor return. Shekiba says nothing about the man. Dr. Brown examines Fatima and orders the guards to take her to the bath. Her fever needs to be brought down. After the bath, they burst into Benafsha’s room to lay Fatima on her bed. Benafsha is surprised, and so are the others—there is a man’s woolen hat on the floor. Sakina realizes the implications of the questions the guards have been asking and accuses Benafsha of having a male lover. Benafsha is frantic for allies, but nobody comes to her aid. She claims the hat belongs to Habibullah; Sakina suggests taking it to the king if it is his. Benafsha is frantic. Shekib alone notices the red rose petal on Benafsha’s floor. She knows who her lover is.