Just then, he got a call. After hanging up, he said, ‘It was the commissioner of police. Ismail and his three friends were suspected to be hiding in a lodge on Old City Mall Road. A police team went there to nab them, but the goons opened fire at the police. In the firefight that broke out, Ismail fled while three of his friends were riddled with bullets and are lying like dead dogs in the city’s morgue as we speak.’

Atharv erupted with joy. ‘Were these three part of the team that attacked us? Where is Ismail now? I want him dead more than these three scoundrels.’

‘Ismail is missing. It is too early to say, but he may soon be spirited out of India via Bangladesh, Sri Lanka or the Maldives by Suleiman and his ISI handlers. Suleiman has been missing since yesterday after the local police station summoned him for questioning in relation to Vishu’s murder. It is likely that both Suleiman and Ismail will lie low until they are able to flee the country.’

‘So, what can you do about this, Uncle?’ Atharv asked.

‘Well, I plan to hunt them down somehow, Atharv. This I will do for Vishu, and also Srinivas, who is my old friend. But I also feel responsible for avenging the hundreds, young and old, who die without reason thanks to the bombs and bullets of Pakistan-sponsored terror in India. I am responsible for hunting down their killers too and will work till my last breath to do just that,’ Somaiya said, his words clear and sharp. They fell like rapiers on Atharv and made him feel small.

‘What can I do for you?’ he asked.

‘Nothing,’ Somaiya smiled a tired smile. ‘Sorry, I got emotional; it’s probably the stress and the sorrow that has loosened my tongue.’

‘No, please. I want to avenge Vishu’s death. I have to account for all those who are linked to his murder, whether it is Suleiman or his Pakistani handlers. You must tell me what I can do for you.’

Somaiya remained quiet for a long while before finally saying, ‘Will you go to Pakistan, Atharv? To fight for India? And to fight for me? In Pakistan?’

Atharv was stunned. ‘What, are you crazy, Uncle?’ he blurted out. ‘Who on earth will go to Pakistan to fuck with the ISI? For what?’

‘Well, young men who love India and are ready to die for their motherland are going there. I am sending them there. We need to destroy the Pakistani Deep State, the ISI and its illegitimate terror offspring like the LeT and JeM. We need to cripple their terror infrastructure,’ Somaiya said.

Atharv was still shocked by Somaiya’s proposal but managed to say, ‘Let me think about it and call you in a few days.’

Somaiya did not take Atharv’s promise seriously and returned to Delhi the same day.