Yara’s Journal

Summary

• Yara's journal entry begins with her recalling the landlord informing her father, Baba, about her mother's actions while Baba was away in Palestine.
• Yara's father confronts her outside after hearing about the other man from the landlord, asking her to confirm the landlord's account.
• Baba demands the truth about whether Yara's mother had brought a man home while he was absent, accusing Yara of lying.
• Fighting back tears and feeling internal conflict, Yara tells her father about her mother's behavior.
• That night, Baba beats Yara's mother without attempting to hide it from the children.
• Yara tries to comfort her brothers by humming a melody and singing to them while they listen to their mother's sobs.
• The mother confronts Baba, shouting about her lack of choice in the marriage and questioning his masculinity.
• Yara attempts to reassure her brothers, claiming that the sounds are from the television.
• Through a crack in the door, Yara witnesses Baba brutally attacking her mother with a kitchen chair, which shatters from the force.
• The chapter ends with Yara continuing to lie to her brothers, assuring them everything is okay while they hear the violent noises.