Page 181 of The Circle of Exile
“I will not repeat myself, myani zuv.”
“At home.”
“Why?”
“Because I wanted to get this.”
His chest constricted.
“Begumjaan will get them packed and couriered, don’t worry,” her duppatta fluttered in the air just as airily as she said those words. Her books were her most prized possessions. Atharva swallowed the emotion rising inside his throat and got himself to move. Moving would keep him in check.
“I’ll get the rest of the bags.”
“Atharva?”
“Yes?” He stopped.
“Daniyal is staying here with us?”
“Are you ok with that?”
“Of course I am. He is not any different from our family. But with what happened… don’t you think Qureshi will be enraged even more? This might not be good for your case back home.”
“Qureshi is on board with Daniyal staying here.”
“You spoke to him?”
“No. He was there.”
“Where?”
“When Daniyal ambushed us. Don’t worry, I will brainwash him and send him back before the month is up. He is just going through a rebellious phase.”
“I don’t think so. Ever since I have known him, there has been an unnamed friction between him and his father. It is not our place to interfere, as you keep saying.”
“He looked ready to cry this morning. I could not turn him away.”
“I know,” Iram took Yathaarth on her shoulder. “I am not blaming you. I just mean… it’s not a phase.”
He nodded, not in the mental state to talk about other people’s problems.
“I’ll get the rest of our bags. Do you need Shiva or Noora?”
“No.”
“Then I’ll ask them to retire for the night. You will need them early tomorrow morning onwards to set up the house.”
“I will need themandyou, Janab.”
“Uhhh… Iram?”
“What?” She stilled.
“I have to return to Jammu tomorrow.”
Her face contorted. “Jammu?”
“Hmm.”
