Chapter 168: The City Is in Motion – Summary and Analysis
⚠️ 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
In Chapter 168, Sahaara and her mother stand on a balcony on the seventeenth floor of the Indian News Network building in Mumbai. The city sprawls before them—skyscrapers, smog, and honking traffic. Mom’s hands shake, but her face is calm. She remarks that the hazy sunset reminds her of Punjab. Sahaara notices a little girl flying a kite with an older man on a nearby rooftop. Summoning courage, Sahaara confesses that she kissed Jeevan about a week before their trip and has since felt confused and distant from him. Mom, to Sahaara’s surprise, laughs with relief—she had feared worse news. She tells Sahaara that Jeevan is a good person and that she understands Sahaara is growing up, even if she wasn’t ready to let her. Sahaara explains that the kiss felt like an escape from her own thoughts. Mom acknowledges she has experienced that herself. Mom then reveals her emotional journey since seeing her attacker’s face again: the first time she couldn’t breathe, the second time her heart raced but she could breathe, the third time she felt anger, and now, watching the video that played in the restaurant, she felt rage—not fear. She declares she is ready to face him and tell the truth. Sahaara reassures her, and Mom confirms she will give her statement.
Key Events
- Sahaara and Mom observe Mumbai’s skyline from a high balcony, noting the smog and sunset.
- A child and an older man fly a white kite on a distant rooftop.
- Sahaara admits she kissed Jeevan but has not spoken to him since; she felt she was using him to escape her own mind.
- Mom laughs, relieved it is nothing more serious, and responds with empathy and acceptance.
- Mom describes her emotional progression over the past months regarding seeing her attacker’s image: from panic to anger to readiness.
- Mom states she is now ready to face him and give her testimony.
Character Development
Sahaara
Sahaara demonstrates growing self-awareness. She recognizes that her kiss with Jeevan was driven by a desire to escape internal turmoil rather than genuine readiness. She openly shares this with her mother, showing vulnerability and trust. Her willingness to confess—despite expecting disapproval—marks a step toward emotional honesty.
Mom (Kirandeep / “Mama”)
Mom’s character arc reaches a quiet but powerful turning point. She has moved from trauma-induced paralysis to a place of agency. Her laughter at Sahaara’s confession is not dismissive but full of relief that her daughter’s secret is not a life-threatening crisis. More importantly, Mom articulates her growing strength: the sight of her abuser no longer triggers panic but righteous anger. She asserts her readiness to face him in public and speak her truth—a milestone in her healing journey.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Smog and Hazy Sunsets
The smog that blurs the city’s skyline mirrors the obscured truths in both characters’ lives. Mom points out that toxic fumes can mask beauty—just as trauma can be hidden beneath a calm exterior. The sunset’s “marmalade” glow on the haze suggests that even painful experiences can produce fleeting beauty, but the underlying toxicity remains.
Kite Flying
The image of a girl and her father flying a white kite on a distant rooftop symbolizes freedom and control. The kite sways and nose-dives before being caught—much like Sahaara’s and Mom’s emotions during this chapter. The kite’s trajectory hints at the possibility of letting go and being caught again, foreshadowing the impending confrontation.
The City as a Character
Mumbai is described as “formidable and endless,” full of stories that never pause to listen. This setting underscores the pressure of Mom’s upcoming public testimony: she must speak her truth in a city that moves relentlessly, but her own story will pause the motion for a moment.
Why This Chapter Matters
“the city is in motion” serves as the emotional calm before the storm. It consolidates Mom’s character growth from passive survivor to active confrontational participant. It also deepens Sahaara’s self-understanding regarding her romantic choices. The chapter bridges the private turmoil of the past weeks with the public act of testimony that is about to unfold. It reinforces the novel’s core idea that telling the truth—even when it is difficult—is an act of courage and liberation.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Mom laugh when Sahaara confesses she kissed Jeevan?
Mom laughs out of relief because she had feared Sahaara’s secret involved something far more dangerous, like harming someone. This laughter also reflects Mom’s understanding that her daughter is growing up, and she is finally able to accept that without panic.
2. How does Mom’s reaction to seeing her attacker’s face change over the course of the chapter?
Initially, the first sight in March left her unable to breathe. The second time she could breathe despite a racing heart. The third time she felt anger rather than fear. Now, watching the video that played publicly, she experiences only rage and a desire to face him directly. This progression illustrates her recovery from trauma to readiness.
3. What does the kite-flying scene signify in this chapter?
The little girl directing a kite with her father represents the delicate balance between control and release. The kite nose-dives and is caught again—similar to how Sahaara and Mom have felt tossed by emotions but are now catching themselves. It also hints at the idea of letting go of fear and holding on to truth.