Chapter 39: Chapter 38 – Minjoo’s Lonely Submission and Emmitt’s Persistent Warmth
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
On Wednesday, Mina and the film crew shoot the scenes they missed the previous day. She and Rosie maintain a stony silence that the entire crew notices. Emmitt offers a silent question—does she want to talk?—Mina shakes her head but feels a small relief that at least this part of her life is stable. At home, her sister Anam ices her out, spending evenings at Nazifa’s house and locking her door. When Baba asks Mina to tell Anam to lower her music, Mina refuses and slams her door.
The next day, Mina meets Emmitt after school. They take the subway to the Bronx to scout a location. Emmitt tries to draw Mina out about the fight with Rosie; Mina admits Rosie might as well have called her a selfish bitch. Emmitt reacts with cold protectiveness, but Mina insists she meant what she said. On the train, Emmitt takes candid photos of Mina, flirting openly. He reveals he told his mother they were on a date, and jokes that if anyone asks, she’s his girlfriend. Mina deflects, insisting she won’t fake-date him. When they exit the subway, Emmitt holds her hand briefly. Mina pulls away, reminding herself she cannot rely on anyone else—this temporary sweetness cannot last.
Key Events
- Mina and Rosie film together but do not speak; the crew senses the tension.
- Emmitt silently offers to listen; Mina declines but feels grateful for his support.
- Anam continues to freeze Mina out; Baba’s request to intervene is rejected.
- Mina and Emmitt travel to the Bronx via subway transfer (R to 4 train).
- Emmitt presses Mina about the fight with Rosie, showing fierce protectiveness.
- Emmitt takes multiple pictures of Mina on the train, teasing her with flirtatious banter.
- Emmitt reveals he told his mother he had a date; he jokingly proposes a fake-girlfriend arrangement.
- As they exit the station, Emmitt holds Mina’s hand; she releases it and resolves not to depend on him.
Character Development
Minjoo Rahman: This chapter deepens Mina’s isolation. She not only loses her best friend Rosie’s confidence but also her sister’s presence and her parents’ understanding. Her refusal to mediate between Baba and Anam shows a growing boundary. With Emmitt, she continues to deflect his emotional overtures (song), insisting “That doesn’t work on me.” Yet she allows herself small comforts: the shared pole touch, the handhold. Her internal monologue reveals a core fear: “I can’t rely on anyone else, only myself.” The chapter captures her struggle between wanting connection and fearing its impermanence.
Emmitt Ramos: Emmitt shifts from playful flirt to fierce protector. His “cold, almost cruel” expression when defending Mina against Rosie’s presumed insult shows a raw vulnerability for her. He pushes gently for her to talk, but respects her refusal. His photography—capturing her with her eyes closed—implies an intimate, admiring gaze. The fake-date joke is playful, yet the way he “stares at our hands with a strange look” suggests he is more attached than he lets on.
Rosie: Offstage but powerfully present, Rosie’s “stony silence” and the earlier accusation (paraphrased here) define Mina’s emotional landscape. The chapter does not show a reconciliation, only the widening rift.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Protective Instinct / Mask Off: Emmitt’s protective anger when Rosie’s words are mentioned contrasts with his usual public persona. His “mask” slips, revealing genuine care.
- Hands and Contact: The repeated motif of hands—pinky nudging a finger, the ring brushing skin, holding hands on the subway—signals intimacy that Mina both craves and resists. She curls her fingers inward after letting go, physically closing off.
- Photography as Witness: Emmitt’s camera acts as a tool of attention. He photographs Mina when she is most vulnerable (eyes closed) and at ease. It mirrors his growing investment in seeing her.
- Temporality / New York City: Mina’s reflection that the bond with Emmitt is “temporary, like everything else in New York City” frames the city as a metaphor for impermanence, reinforcing her refusal to rely on him.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 38 crystallizes Mina’s emotional nadir: estranged from her best friend, ignored by her sister, and unable to lean on Emmitt despite his clear affection. It sets up the central tension of the story’s second half: will Mina learn to trust and accept help, or will she remain isolated? The subway scene—both tender and painful—advances the slow-burn romance while also exposing Mina’s deepest fear. Emmitt’s willingness to lie about a date underscores his commitment to spending time with her, while Mina’s rejection of the fake-girlfriend label keeps her narrative agency intact.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Mina refuse to talk to Emmitt about the fight with Rosie?
Mina believes that talking about it will not change what happened. She feels that Rosie’s accusation (paraphrased as “selfish bitch”) was not said in the heat of the moment but was a true judgment. Discussing it would force her to face a relationship she cannot repair, and she is already emotionally spent.
2. How does Emmitt’s reaction to the Rosie conflict reveal a change in his character?
Emmitt’s jaw tightens, his expression turns cold, and he presses Mina for an answer about whether she knows the accusation isn’t true. This shows protectiveness and indignation on her behalf, a departure from the detached flirt we met earlier. He is no longer merely amused by Mina; he is invested in her well-being.
3. What does Mina’s internal statement “I can’t rely on anyone else, only myself” tell us about her growth arc?
This line reinforces a core belief that has driven Mina’s independence throughout the book. However, the chapter also shows her contradicting that statement by letting Emmitt hold her hand and by feeling his absence. The gap between what she tells herself and what she feels hints that she will eventually have to reconsider this self-reliance.