“Find out all the details of the filing. This time do it in the given time,” Samar spat and ended the call. He caught Noora — “Where is Atharva?”
“With his new wife, of course,” the cartoon batted his eyelids. Samar shoved him aside and stalked down the outhouse to the garden. It was lit up now for the evening reception that he was supposed to host.
“Where is Atharva?” He asked Amaal.
“Hey!” She met him grinning, taking a breath. Her cheeks were red.
“What’s wrong with you?”
“Nothing’s wrong. Why?”
“You are panting.” He frowned. “And smiling.”
“I smile all the time.”
Samar stilled, eyeing the space behind her. Khalil Khan was standing with a group of people, eyes on Amaal’s back. He met Samar’s eyes and gave him a polite smile. Samar felt his jaw clench. He nodded. When he looked back down at Amaal, her cheeks were still red, the dimple as big as her blue eyeballs. Samar felt a shot of jealousy rumble through his forearms.
“…I am talking to you…” Amaal raised her voice, and he realised she had been saying something.
“Hmm?”
“What is so urgent for Atharva? You look tense.”
“Yes… umm… where is he?”
“At Iram’s house. They will come down any minute now…”
A round of applause rippled through the party, and Samar turned. Atharva was walking through the gate he had newly installed between the two estates, Iram’s hand in his. The crowd gathered around them. Samar began to walk too when his mobile rang again.
He stepped back and stalked out of the main area.
“Hello?”
“It’s me again.”
“Say.”
“Sufiyaan Sheikh might plan something while Atharva is inside.”
“Be specific.”
“This is specific. His men were seen at the police station where Atharva will be brought.”
Fuck this.
“Take the militia around the area too.”
“I don’t have orders…”
“Use your bloody brain and do it then.”
Samar slammed his hand over the mobile screen and huffed. He turned. Amaal stood there, eyes wide — “What is happening?”
“Nothing.”
Samar did not wait for more questions to erupt. He walked into the party and through the gatherings, weaving until he could see Atharva. Thankfully he was alone, only Iram and Begumjaan to steal him from.
“…Janab’s humour is back with the love of his life.”
