Why

Nana lived as Jalil's housemaid until she became pregnant with Jalil’s baby, Mariam. Jalil cast Nana out of his household and built her the shack in which she and Mariam live. Although Jalil visits Mariam on occasion, he has completely estranged himself from Nana.

Nana blaims Jalil for her unhappiness. At first, when the reader is introduced to Nana's character, she seems rather plain, a character whose only purpose is to make Mariam's life just as miserable as hers. After a few pages we are able to get some questions answered regarding her persona; her character takes form and becomes more concrete. We always hear two versions of the same story by both Nana and Jalil, and both versions seem trying to degrade one another.