One day Shahanna comes to my room, bearing a cup of tea and a leftover heel of bread. She slips a small plastic package into my hand. “Don't let Mumtaz see this,”she whispers. “What is it?”I ask. She checks to make sure no one can hear. “A condom.” I don't understand what this condom is and why it must be kept so secret. Shahanna explains. “Ask the men to use it, so that you do not get a disease,” she says. “Most of them will say no; they will threaten to go somewhere else if you insist.” I nod. Shahanna turns to lock the door. “Do not insist,”Shahanna says. “Or Mumtaz will beat you half to d**h.”