Page 148 of The Circle of Exile
“And what about the investigation and trial?”
“We will try our best to pull it to the end of public memory. The next big thing will come and this will be buried.”
Amaal’s nostrils flared. “This sounds good on paper but you and I both know that there are many moving parts in real life. Are you sure this SIT will not come to bite you in the back?”
“That is why, take the night. I will speak to Zorji and think this through.”
Amaal nodded. “Fahad, come with me.”
“Bhai, there will be another way,” he pressed. “We will find another way.”
Atharva smiled at him.
The two of them exited his office and he was left alone to stare at Zafarji. In silence.
“I did not want your hands to get dirtied,” Atharva said.
“And I told you — if your hands are dirtied, mine are too. Do you want me to patch you up with Zorji?”
“Yes, please. Secure line. If anybody from Janta Party’s circle calls — tell them I will speak to Ali first. If anybody from KDP calls except Adil, Samar and Qureshi — ask them to wait for my briefing tomorrow. I will have to brief the core team, then the executive committee, and then the party before I do anything.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Give me two minutes before you patch Zorji.”
“Yes, sir.”
Zafarji stepped out of his office to the quiet space outside, shutting the door with a loud, echoing click behind him. Atharva stared at the darkwood door for five seconds. His heart was thudding fast. The storm was too close. But now at least he knew it was heading for him and not his family. He channeled his inner soldier. A visible enemy, a battlefield, lights on the horizon that you knew were danger. Finally he had a target. He drew courage from that fact and silenced the tiny surge of fear inside him.
Before talking to anybody else, he strode to his mobile and dialled Iram’s number. Atharva glanced at the clock. 1.35 am.
“Atharva.” She answered on the third ring.
“You saw?”
“Yes.”
He smiled, even in this gloom. His wife was a proper CM’s wife, knowing how to talk on unsecured lines.
“I just called to say I am spending the night here. You go to sleep.”
It’s starting but I will take care of it.
“Hmm. Arth cried a lot.”
I am scared.
“Must be the change of season. Once he gets used to it, he’ll sleep better.”
We will get through this.
“I’m sorry I am monopolising your time, go now.”
I am sorry I did this. Go and save yourself.
“It’s alright, zuv. I’ll see you.”
You are zuvzuv. Our lives two times over. It was more than worth it.
