Chapter 73 Summary and Analysis: “It Was an Unspoken Rule”
⚠️ 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
The chapter opens with the narrator describing a social ritual: at the first snowfall of winter, people are expected to record the view outside their window and post it to their Instagram Story, even though everyone in Surrey sees the same snowfall. The narrator (Sahaara) follows this unspoken rule. Almost instantly, Sunny replies with his own picture—he stands before a frost-covered forest, snow gathering in his hair and beard. His caption simply reads, “video call me.”
Sahaara calls him. Their conversation flows easily, which she notes is not always the case given Sunny’s busy life between work, family, and things he says he “can’t really talk about.” She tries to be patient. But a question has been pressing on her, biting like the cold: “What are we?” Sunny sighs, his breath fogging the screen, and deflects. He says he doesn’t want to ruin what they have by putting labels on it. He reminds her they’ve been “going with the flow” and it feels good, natural. He calls her his favorite person and insists he doesn’t want to change a single thing. Sahaara reluctantly nods.
The poem closes with a metaphor: Sahaara’s name is tattooed in invisible ink beneath Sunny’s tongue; no matter the distance, his mouth always manages to call her home. Even if the ink isn’t black, it doesn’t matter because they both know what they mean to each other.
Key Events
- Sahaara posts a snow-view Instagram Story; Sunny replies with his own snowy picture and asks for a video call.
- During the call, Sahaara asks Sunny to define their relationship.
- Sunny avoids giving a label, saying he doesn’t want to ruin things by naming them.
- He reaffirms that their connection feels natural and calls her his favorite person.
- Sahaara accepts the ambiguity, though reluctantly.
- The chapter ends with a poetic image of invisible belonging.
Character Development
- Sahaara – shows growing emotional courage by directly asking for a definition of the relationship. Her “nodding reluctantly” reveals both her need for clarity and her fear of pushing Sunny away.
- Sunny – demonstrates avoidance and a preference for ambiguity. His reassurance (“you’re my favorite person”) comes without a commitment. His evasiveness suggests he is either not ready or is protecting something (possibly related to the “things he couldn’t really talk about”).
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Unspoken rules – The opening ritual of posting snow is a social script everyone follows without being told. This mirrors the unspoken rule in Sahaara and Sunny’s relationship: don’t ask for labels.
- Invisible ink – A symbol of intimacy that is real but not publicly declared. Sahaara’s name is “tattooed” under Sunny’s tongue, implying his words call her home even when he won’t say “girlfriend.”
- Distance vs. closeness – Physical distance (video call) contrasts with emotional closeness. The snow imagery (same snow, shared view) suggests they are connected even when apart.
- Fear of labels – Sunny’s reluctance mirrors a common motif in contemporary relationships: the tension between wanting commitment and fearing it will “ruin” a good thing.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter is a turning point in Sahaara and Sunny’s dynamic. It externalizes a tension that has likely been simmering: the lack of a defined relationship label. Sahaara’s direct question shows her growth in asserting her needs, while Sunny’s avoidance sets up potential conflict or disappointment. The chapter also reinforces the book’s exploration of how people navigate intimacy under conditions of secrecy or distance. The poetic closing suggests Sahaara is willing to accept ambiguity for now, but the reader may sense an imbalance that will need resolution later.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Sahaara ask “what are we?” at this specific moment, and how does the snowfall ritual frame the conversation?
The ritual of the Instagram Story creates a moment of shared experience—they are both looking at the same snow, even though physically apart. That parallel gives Sahaara a sense of connection, making it a natural time to ask for more. The contrast between the “unspoken rule” about posting snow and the unspoken rule about their relationship highlights how Sahaara is ready to break the latter.
2. How does Sunny’s response de-escalate Sahaara’s request, and what does his language reveal about his priorities?
Sunny uses affectionate language (“shordy,” “favorite person”) and frames the label as something that could “ruin us.” He prioritizes preserving the current ease over meeting Sahaara’s need for definition. His sighs and momentary fogging of the screen create a visual barrier, symbolizing his emotional retreat.
3. What does the “invisible ink” metaphor suggest about the nature of Sahaara and Sunny’s bond?
The metaphor suggests that their connection is real and profound—tattooed, but invisible. It implies that the bond exists regardless of public naming. However, the fact that it is “invisible” also hints at fragility: without visible commitment, the relationship may remain too easily hidden or denied.