Chapter 2: Life in the Plum Orchard

This chapter provides a detailed account of the life of Ab Jaan (Ghulam Rasool Joo) and his family, illustrating the struggle, love, and loss they experience while living in Natipora, on the edge of a plum orchard. The chapter begins by outlining Ab Jaan's various failed jobs, from cartpulling to gardening, and his eventual work as a candy maker. His desire to spend time with his new bride, Boba, was evident in the rush with which he finished his workdays. He brought home candies shaped like stars and fish for Boba, showcasing his deep affection for her. However, when the factory job began to hurt his hands, Boba urged him to find a new job, and he eventually became an apprentice at a leather goods factory owned by a British businessman, Philip Russell. As World War II increased the demand for leather goods, Ab Jaan worked long hours, eventually transitioning to cooking and other odd jobs, impressing his supervisors. The narrative then shifts to the birth of Haleema, Ab Jaan and Boba's daughter, who becomes the apple of their eyes. As Haleema grows up, the family endures a tragedy with Boba's death from tuberculosis, after which Ab Jaan vows never to remarry. He struggles to continue Haleema's education, but the household begins to deteriorate. Haleema eventually leaves school, devoting herself to household chores, and their neighbor Shafiqa steps in to educate her on domestic responsibilities.

The chapter paints a vivid picture of the family's home, a three story building with traditional Kashmiri lattice windows, nestled on the edge of a plum orchard. Ab Jaan retires from his job and opens a general store in Natipora, earning a reputation for his honesty. His store becomes a beloved local spot, known for its curd, biscuits, and the free candies he gave to children.

The focus then shifts to Haleema's marriage, which ends in heartbreak. Haleema marries a medical assistant, only to discover his affair with a nurse. The marriage ends quickly, and Haleema keeps only a photograph of the wedding day as a painful reminder. Soon after, she discovers that she is pregnant. Haleema gives birth to a boy, Imran, who bears a resemblance to his absent father. Despite this, she devotes herself to him, seeing him as a reflection of her own being.

Imran grows up surrounded by the love of his mother and grandfather. The orchard becomes the backdrop for his childhood, filled with stories, games, and mischief. He attends school, develops a passion for carrom, and shows a unique ability to remember events from before his birth. His childhood is full of the usual bumps and scrapes, and he forms a close bond with his grandfather, who regularly checks on him and makes scarecrows to amuse him. The chapter concludes by revealing the increasing political tensions in Kashmir during the 1987 elections. Imran's school becomes a hiding place for local political fugitives, and the narrative hints at the coming turmoil, reflecting the broader political landscape of Kashmir.