Uncle EJ stared at me open-mouthed, his hand holding the pamphlet.
"Yeah" I confirmed after telling him about Aziz.
"Will he tell us about their motive?"

"Or, what they're using to attract people. Who's the leader? What's their agenda? Do they have any of the candidates in their pocket?" I said, writing down my thoughts in my notebook.

"Murad is still in the intensive care unit. No one's allowed to talk to him. They're ruling his injury as a freak accident. They have also suspended the election in the district"

"Well, that's one problem solved. We won't have to worry about someone else winning our district" Uncle EJ nodded at my words. We had to look at the silver lining in all of this.

"The interim government is calling for an inquiry. Feroze is calling for an inquiry. We're in the news cycle now, they'll want responses to everything" Gulzar Mahal has finally found its voice. No doubt they'd want a response.
"Speaking of Feroze, are you comfortable enough to receive him, in this house?" I considered his words. His concern was valid. Something had changed.
"I'm not sure, but I do know that I won't throw a dinner plate at his head, so progress I guess?" He laughed, his laughter echoing some of the relief that I felt.

"Begum Sahiba" Aziz and Zaroon entered the room. Aziz looked ready to bolt.
"Aziz, don't worry. We're not going to eat you. Have a seat" I let Uncle EJ lead with the questioning. He had a way with people.
"Just describe the night and we'll go from there"

I shifted in my chair as Zaroon came to stand behind me.
"Well, my friends were telling me about this organization that was going to help students get jobs. Internships and stuff. He said he heard about it from this club that he joined in Uni. That they had this twice every month. So Aslam and I, we gathered a bunch of friends to go to their induction party. They had these guys handing out pamphlets with the words, 'Be your own man'  and 'We must cultivate our garden' printed on them."

"Voltaire" Uncle EJ and I said at the same time.
"Yes, they mentioned that guy. They also said they wanted a French Revolution in the south"
"Oh, joy" I muttered, fingering the page I was writing on.
"They also had free food and drinks. Everyone loves free food and drinks Begum Sahiba. Oh yes, they also talked about how they were going to petition the government to listen to the people's voice... they said that the elites were bad. They used some strong language Begum Sahiba. I didn't believe them because I know you, but many people did"

I groaned and put my head in my hands.
"What did they say? Tell me everything Aziz"
"They said you were leeching off the common people. You were using your influence to destroy any form of meritocracy. That you were part of the deep state, the establishment and did not care about anyone" all true. " And that you..." Aziz's ears turned red as he stammered to get words out.
"Just tell me, Aziz"
"That you were an ungrateful batch of kids who only thought about their next cruise. That you mocked the people by treating your career as a hobby. That you were of questionable character since you'd stayed abroad, alone"  my eyes flashed at that accusation and I willed myself to stay calm.
"Who... who was, who said these things?"
"The group leader. They have leaders for every party. So it's never the same person"
"Who is behind all of this?" Zaroon muttered his voice strained.
"And to attack you, personally?" Uncle EJ said, his hand covering mine.
"I'm sorry Begum Sahiba... I didn't think..." Aziz said, his tone sorrowful.
"It's not your fault Aziz. You've been a great help. You have no idea how much this information will help us" I said giving him a reassuring smile. He relaxed and excused himself.

"What do we do now?" Zaroon said as Aziz exited the room.
"We need to send him to one of these parties, so he can get into the group"
"No," I said vehemently. "We're not putting him in danger. We need someone else. Someone who knows how to avoid this propaganda"
"Who? We can't trust anyone. All of us are known to the public. None of the family members can go. Zaroon can't go since he's protecting you."
"I... we need to trace the money. Who is funding all these parties? The pamphlets? The food? Aziz said these 'parties' are held twice every month" I added.
"And they're targeting kids over 18, possible swing voters"
"We won't have elections in Murad's constituency... a possible place to nominate their own candidate there and we have no clue about the person who had attacked Ammi? What do the police say?"
Zaroon cleared his throat. "They haven't found him yet Begum Sahiba. They are calling it a cold lead"
"No leads, no way to get out of this... what do we do?" I said echoing the thoughts I saw reflected on their faces.

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Things are getting complicated...