The true monsoon arrives with devastating force, flooding the lowlands, toppling the electric pole, and cutting Parambil off from news and mail. The river swells to the house’s sightline for the first time in Big Ammachi’s memory. Big Ammachi frets over Elsie, who paces the verandah at all hours, urgent to leave. Philipose, largely nocturnal and withdrawn, notices Elsie’s distress but keeps his distance.

One night Philipose sees Elsie weeping and later retching on the verandah. He comforts her, but she deflects with talk of “pickle.” She admits she never meant to stay long; he reminds her that not only Baby Mol needed her. Elsie apologizes, saying grief made staying impossible, and withdraws.

When the sun breaks briefly, Philipose rushes out on his bicycle, crashes, and Elsie helps him back. He suggests starting anew—building elsewhere or moving—then privately takes an extra-large opium pearl for pain. Later, as Elsie retrieves clothes, Philipose begs forgiveness. She says she needs forgiveness, but he insists the blame is his.

Moved by longing and the memory of their former closeness, Philipose embraces Elsie and they make love. He experiences it as consolation and a path to reconciliation. Afterward, Elsie dresses quietly, avoids his gaze, and leaves without a word, signaling that despite their physical union, her distance and their fracture persist.