Page 226 of The Circle of Exile
Atharva ended the call and glanced at her — “Myani zuv, I have to go…”
“What are ham radios?”
“What?”
“Ham radios.”
His mouth pursed in bemusement. But he answered — “Private radios. A lot of private citizens in Himachal own radio sets for fun. A lot of retired military personnel settled here also own their own radios. Lines are broken down, so we will use those to communicate.”
“Ok.”
“I have to…”
“Go.”
His eyebrows shot up — “Are you saying this in fear, frustration or helplessness?”
She reached up on her tiptoes, grabbed his cheek and planted her lips on his.
“I am saying this as Atharva Singh Kaul’s wife.”
His eyes lit up.
“Do you want me to pack food?”
“Yes, whatever dry rations that can be eaten raw. Check the pantry for dry fruits, biscuits, breads, anything that is…”
“I meant for you and Samar to eat on the way,” Iram smiled. “But I’ll pack up ration too.”
“And clothes. I know it’s short notice but anything you can spare — yours, mine, Arth’s… baby things. Do we have Arth’s old bottles, the boiler… and…? It won’t be enough but it will be something.”
“I’ll pack it all up.”
“Thank you. I will check for medicines.”
He turned and dashed, her running speed not enough to catch up with him.
“Atharva?”
“What?” He slowed on the first step of the spiral staircase.
Iram knew he had fifteen minutes to get everything together and leave. But this was the live flame of her husband. She would be a fool not to take a good look.
“What, Iram?”
“Take Noora if you need.”
“Good idea,” he rattled down the stairs. “We will drown him there.”
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Samar tore his Thar down the glistening serpent of the road, the back and the dickey full of equipment, rations and medicines. Atharva sat observing the weather turn from white floating down from the sky to a mild patter of rain. It became warmer, sunnier, and more ominous as they travelled south.
“Has NDRF been deployed yet?” Atharva asked, scrolling his phone for the latest news.
“It is being mobilised from Delhi. Once they are here, we will be able to go easy. No news yet.”
“Did you call Srinagar and ask Adil for what I told you?”
