Behind the Beautiful Forevers

Abdul and his family hold on to their recyclables as long as possible, waiting for the market to improve, but they finally have to sell the recycling at a loss. As long as Abdul is sorting his garbage on the maidan, the Husains must pay daily bribes to the police, so Abdul has to rethink his business. Mirchi has grown up fast since the Husains’ troubles began and has taken some temp jobs at businesses near the airport, although his employers have cheated him out of some of his earnings.

While the Husains are waiting for the verdict in Karam and Kehkashan’s trial, the rest of Mumbai watches the trial of the surviving terrorist from the Mumbai attacks. The Husains’ judge is reassigned, and a new judge takes over their case. Again, the special executive officer approaches the Husains to extort money, saying she can make Fatima’s husband retract his testimony. Again, the Husains refuse.

Abdul continues his thrice-weekly visits to Dongri, although the time commitment means he cannot earn money on those days. On one visit he takes a detour to Haji Ali, a Muslim gathering place, and is horrified to find disabled beggars—No Legs and One Legs—lining the streets. Disgusted and uncomfortable, he returns to Annawadi resolving to be like ice, a transcendent form of Mumbai’s dirty water.