He would patiently bear her abusive words. It became a daily exchange of words between mother and son, since Merwan and Baily maintained their friendship. Baily was unaware of this situation until Jamshed told him privately about it. Although Merwan tolerated his mother's constant scolding, Baily could not bear to see his best friend in trouble with his mother.
Baily met with Merwan and expressed his intention to end their friendship, but Merwan was displeased and said, "If this is the reason for your breaking of our friendship, then you will be proving your own weakness by doing so. If you want to break our friendship, then go — I cannot stop you from what you think. But remember, we part as friends. I was your friend and I shall always be your friend.
"In the future, if the occasion arises for you to want to see me if need be, I shall come and meet you — just send word through Jamshed or anyone else."
Baily replied, "It is your goodness to express such words, Merwan, but don't you understand why I have decided to sacrifice our friendship?"
"Of course I understand that you are sacrificing yourself, but you have no idea what a sacrifice I am making by allowing you to break our friendship. You want to save me from the tongue-lashings of my mother, but you do not care how deeply your words strike me. You have hurt me by breaking our friendship."
The two boys then made amends and kept their friendship. It was arranged, however, that to keep peace at Merwan's home, they would meet secretly so as not to draw the notice of Memo's "spies" — especially Merwan's younger brother Jal.
During this period, Merwan's family was residing behind his father's teashop. Since Baily had to rise early to fetch milk for his household, he would first meet Merwan surreptitiously, then attend to his errands. He would ride to Merwan's house and ring his bicycle bell; hearing it, Merwan would immediately come out, and they would converse quietly. Everyone in the house was still asleep at this early hour, except for Bobo, who would be working to open the teashop. However, Sheriarji did not mind the boys meeting.
Merwan would already be up and bathed by the time Baily arrived. He was an early riser and would be chanting his morning Persian prayers.