The chapter starts with a pun, when Samia says, ‘Blighted Estates of America’ instead of United States of America while inquiring about Aliya for not studying History. Aliya isn’t interested in studying history, whereas through Samia the reader knows that Aliya is a born, “historian in the family” and that she knew as much about history as Samia did while Samia was eighteen and Aliya was fourteen years of age. The chapter is very important for grasping the relationship between Aliya and Dadi.
Another pun is created when tamarind is linked to Taimur Hind. It not only shows the writer’s literary knowledge but also throws light on her conversance with history. Here the theme of not-quite-twins is touched again. As Taimur, rather Taimur Lang was one of those ‘Triplets’ whose birth terrified their father and Aliya’s grandfather that he forgot about his Yak’s milk research project. The triplet’s names i.e., Sulaiman the Magnificent, Akber the Great, and Taimur Lang or Tamburlaine once again is proof of Dard-e-Dill’s grandparents and great grandparent's belief in superficial grandiose. The same is seen in the letter of Dadi addressing Aliya in which Dadi is explaining, “Pride” both in English and Urdu. Furthermore, she goes with her Urdu explanation which is,” Fakher and Nazish”. These both are again the names of family members as well. This shallow glory disturbs Aliya and makes her a little rebellious as we, later on, see in Mariam Apa’s character. This is the reason she doesn’t trust her Dadi who is compelling her to study History in the letter but as Aliya says, “ She wanted me to study history. So I didn’t.” This is the only reason abstaining Aliya from studying history. For the reader it is enough to understand Aliya” and Dadi’s relationship.
The 2nd letter by Taimur Hind in this chapter again importantly interprets Dadi’s character and Aliya’s approach towards her ancestors. Aliya appreciates Taimur’s stance for being “ no more the Anglicized Percy, I am now Taimur Hind”. He regrets being robbed of the ability to write Urdu during his English schooling. Taimur decided to serve in the English army as a valet which is quite unacceptable for Dard-e-Dill members and especially Dadi, who although swears to read that letter only once but, ‘she still recites the letter”. It shows her deep down affectionate feeling towards Taimur she successfully suppresses them when Aliya once asked of the reaction of her accidental encounter with, “a valet with your tooth mark on his index finger”. Her Dadi’s cold response is again one of the reasons for the strained relationship between both. Later on, Taimur’s letter was considered a Joke. As Dard-e-dill members don’t want to step down from their hallow pompousness.
The reader again finds mixed diction in Urdu and the English language. Moreover, the writer’s making references to, Romulus and Remus, Arangzeb and DaraShokoh, Richard the Lionheart and King John illustrates her versatile philosophical literary approach. She also gives a run on talking about the Jalianwala massacre.
