Page 217 of The Circle of Exile
Zorji let out a bark, sitting back and waving for him to continue.
“Atharva, your vacation is about to end,” Adil announced, cheeky and shameless. Atharva cocked an eyebrow — “Elaborate.”
“KDP executive committee has decided that we will bring in an experienced hand to lead the charge for 2020. Awaami has already started work and we cannot sit still just because we are in power. More so because we are in power, we have more to lose.”
Atharva stared, silent, not giving in to any cue.Spit it out and then hear my answer. Even better, have Qureshi spit it out.
But Adil continued — “And who is more experienced than you in converting ground-level relationships into votes?”
“I cannot come to Kashmir.”
“I know, but what good is technology if we can’t use it to have you ready KDP for the next election?”
Atharva did not give in to that cue as well.
“Atharva,” Qureshi was compelled to speak. “The face for 2020 is not decided yet. It is contingent on your return. I spoke to Yogesh Patel last week. We are working here to throw blankets over any spark. He has promised to bring the topic back to the table at our next meeting in March in Jammu. If the interest in your case dies down, you will be able to return by the end of next year.”
“I understand,” Atharva gave a nod.
“So instead of letting this year go, work remotely with KDP booth and district-level leaders. Prepare the ground for your return.”
Keep myself fresh in the minds of the people, push the burial of the SIT, and ready the state for your return to CMship?
Atharva eyed Zorji’s window — “Is it legal, Zorji?”
He did not sway, one of the other. And when he didn’t, Atharva knew he meant — ‘no.’
“It is legal,” he intoned. “You are externed from being inside the state borders to avoid your interference in government investigation. What you do privately, without entering the state, is nobody’s business. We all know that nobody cares anyway, as long as you stay out of Kashmir.”
Atharva smirked.Well said, Zorji.
“I will need time to think.”
Adil let out a laugh — “He means no.”
“I don’t mean ‘no.’”
“We know you, Atharva,” Qureshi smiled. “You mean ‘no’ when you say you will think about it.”
“That was my SOP when I was working in politics.”
“You still work in politics. In HDP,” Qureshi pointed.
“I work as a volunteer. My hours are less than an intern’s. And when I say I will take my time to think, I mean my family. One — I do not want to take away from the time I have started to value and give them. Arth is in his formative years. I did not get too much of my father at that age. Arth is getting it, I want to keep it that way for the foreseeable future…”
“You won’t be working more than 2-3 days a week…”
“Let me finish.”
Qureshi pursed his lips.
“Second,” Atharva asserted. “I am not in the headspace to resume yet.”
“Daniyal told Sarah that you don’t leave your room for hours on end,” Qureshi brought it up. “What is wrong?”
Atharva opened his vulnerability.
“I am not in the headspace.”
