Compare the lives of two girls, Parvana and Shauzia chapter 9

Chapter nine begins with Parvana whispering Shauzia’s name; she says to call her Shafiq. Shauzia says she’s doing the same thing as Parvana. Parvana sits stunned as she watches her friend blend into the crowd of tea boys. At the end of the day, Shauzia returns and they decide to walk and talk as they leave the market. Shauzia says her father died and her brother went to Iran to find work. Shauzia has been working for six months. Shauzia says most arrested people are never heard from again, but Parvana says her father is different. The conversation is awkward, so they discuss business instead. Shauzia wants to sell things on a tray to make better money. Parvana invites Shauzia in; everyone embraces her like an old friend. Mrs. Weera asks if Shauzia is keeping up with studies. She says her father’s parents don’t believe in education for girls. Mrs. Weera says she’s starting up a secret school and that Shauzia must attend.

Over supper Mrs. Weera says she wants to visit Shauzia’s mother to get her story for the magazine. Parvana asks how they’ll publish it. Mrs. Weera says they’ll smuggle the stories to Pakistan, print it, and smuggle the publications back. Nooria wants to contribute to the secret school, as she had been training to be a teacher before the Taliban took control. Parvana doesn’t like the idea of learning from her sister. Shauzia and Parvana continue to meet at the market as the days pass. One day Shauzia says she heard of a way to make lots of money, but warns Parvana she won’t like it. Parvana’s mouth drops open when she hears what it is. Shauzia was right: she doesn’t like it.