“Religious reason?” Adil held up his finger. “What if we send fruits and water only? No cooked food. There is no chance of any shady business then, right?”
“Let me ask my senior…”
“Is Zorji inside?” Samar pushed. “Ask Zorji to talk.”
The lawyer turned and strode back in.
“What kind of lawyers do we keep on retainer?!” Samar hissed to Adil.
“He is a junior, relax. You tell me, did you speak to Jammu’s stakeholders?”
“Leave that, what happened to Monday’s bail?”
“I am working on it.”
“What? The bail?”
“And other things.”
“Like?”
“Did you speak to Jammu’s stakeholders?” Adil reiterated, pushing that question aside. Samar was curious what he was working on but had little energy to pursue. Adil looked done for too, so close to his discharge and already out and about.
“Yes.” Samar rubbed at his forehead. It was throbbing. “I will fly out to Jammu tomorrow evening after I finish…”
“Yes!” The young lawyer came bounding out. “Get fruits. And a packaged water with seal intact. They will allow it. Quick, before they change their mind!”
“You wait here, I’ll go get it.” Samar flung to Adil and ran.
————————————————————
“Is the outhouse emptied out completely?” Samar asked the security.
“A few are yet to pack up. Most have left.”
He nodded.
Atharva had decreed that the outhouse be emptied, and rented out flats at a location closer to the headquarters for all. He had also closed the mansion for business before his wedding.
“Is Iram Madam in the house?”
“No. She went out this morning. Hasn’t come back yet.”
“A few of our men will be around to guard the outside of the estate,” he held the security man’s eyes. He understood.
“Got it.”
“Don’t let anybody in without frisking.”
“Yes, sir.”
Samar nodded, clicking the window of his car closed and driving down the estate road. The place he had called home was not home anymore. But when had he been sentimental about such things? He was here to ensure Iram was safe from Sufiyaan’s advances before he flew out to Jammu. Atharva was still being interrogated. Adil had been AWOL all day from everywhere. They both were up to something. Samar didn’t know what. And he didn’t care at this point. He had to hold Jammu and keep lives safe.
He parked the car outside the door, grabbed the peace offering he had brought along and got out. Iram’s schedule had been texted to him. She was about to roll in any moment now. He leaned back on his car door, closing his eyes. The sun was too bright, and his head began to throb again. He switched his specs for his aviators, hoping to catch a nap if he could standing up. He had lived on four hours of sleep. Now, even six felt like he had not slept for a decade. Age was catching up. He realised then that he was 37 years old. And the feeling inside him was still that of a 27-year-old. He took things too seriously, felt them too deeply, couldn’t let go, however hard he tried. But how could he? He had borne too much too soon all at once.
Wheels crunched, and he opened his eyes.
A party Innova rolled down the gravelled path and stopped in front of him. The door opened, and Iram stepped out — graceful, confident, like she was made for this role. If he didn’t know better, he would have seriously believed that she was still working with Sufiyaan Sheikh and had done this to usurp Atharva’s power.
