Page 182 of The Circle of Exile
“That same place where you are persona non grata as of…” she checked the wall clock. 2.10 am. “Two hours ago?”
“I need to set up some power of attorneys and sign MOUs for three of our properties. Backdating of those documents will be easier the sooner I do it.”
“What power of attorney?”
“If this…” he cleared his throat. “If this thing… goes on longer, and other sources of income are narrow for longterm, we will need the rents for daily expenses. They will come in cash component, and for that, I have to get part-MOUs.”
“Is it safe?”
“I will go undercover.”
“That means it is not safe.”
He sighed.
“No.”
“What no?”
“No, you are not going. We are notthatstrapped for cash. There are your investments that bring returns in legitimate white income. I have an income that has gone down this last year, but my second book is now ready for release. I am speeding up the third. We will be comfortable if, as you say, this goes on longer.”
“Myani zuv, you do not understand what longer means.”
“What does it mean?”
He paused.
“What does it mean, Atharva?”
“Years.”
Her face froze.
“And if it comes to that, I need my properties there in the right hands.”
“Who?”
“Adil.”
“Why didn’t you do it yesterday?”
“Did I have the time to go to Jammu yesterday? I was winding up Srinagar and Budgam.”
She looked defeated then. Atharva hated seeing that look on her face after the whole day of upbeat smiles. Genuine smiles, not fake ones, like she had successfully convinced herself that they were going onto a better life.
“You are not going alone.”
“You are not coming with me.”
“I did not mean me,” she pointed to her full arms. “I meant Noora.”
“No.”
“Atharva. Please. For my peace of mind.”
“He is a liability.”
“I will be able to sleep easy if I know there is someone with you.”
