The Bandit Queens

Content Warning: This section of the guide discusses suicide, sexual assault, and murder.

In her fear and exhaustion, Geeta visits Saloni for help. She confesses everything, from helping Farah to kill Samir to Farah’s subsequent threats against her. Saloni sympathizes; she is aware that Farah is something of a loose cannon. Unfortunately, the conversation devolves into mutual accusations. When Saloni refuses to believe that Geeta would participate in a murder, Geeta accuses Saloni of all but murdering their friend, Runi. (Saloni publicly humiliated the woman about her inability to pay the loan group, so Runi hanged herself.) After Geeta and Saloni calm down, Saloni suggests that they find Ramesh, which would prove that Geeta is not, in fact, a murderer. Still, the tension between them is too much to bear. Geeta attacks Saloni for failing to remain her friend through her tough times, while Saloni claims that Geeta pushed everyone away. Geeta retaliates by calling Saloni fat. Saloni, in turn, reminds Geeta childless status. Geeta “fume[s] all the way home” (132).