The Circle of Exile discussion

I have been thinking and thinking and thinking since last evening who the foe is and I am yet to decide on the plural part of it, but my first instinct went to Meer Qureshi. I know that he has been good to Atharva about throughout The City of Pillars, The Space in Between and Beyond this Heaven but he is the most politician, politician of the lot and I have a bad feeling about him.

I don't know what Qureshi ever did to you? Samar has a track record.

I too believe it's qureshi . In the second book there is a scene just after the wedding where he knew about atharva getting arrested but didn't say it openly and about that temporary president post too.he seems fishy

Like most things are pretty clear to us, if only we know where to look, what if Adil has always been a foe and we just never thought of him in that way? He's been Atharva's shadow, confidant for the longest time. He's been through literal hell for Atharva, and has his back at all times. Just what if, because of that, we never saw the knife he's been gripping this entire time?

Adil being a foe would be heartbreaking though, he's one of the most favourite characters of mine. Atharva already has been through so much, Samar's betrayal first and if even Adil turns out to be the backstabbing rat he would be devastated!!

Qureshi seems suspicious to me as well

It is Qureshi. First of all, not only him but also his family is close to both the main characters. His child idolizes Atharva. Second, he is the only one who hasnt said or done much since the begining. So its easy to say that he is hiding something (you get my point right). Then if he does something, itll be so unexpected. For whatever reason he didnt want Iram to be the interim president. He voted quite reluctantly. So your honour. It is him. I rest my case.
PS: if its not him, then man the twist will be worth all the wait.

As the theories are going, the first name in the 'Foes List' is Meer Qureshi. I have been going back to that birthday party again and again in my head and something about Sarah and Qureshi felt strained. That time, I chalked it up to the fact that maybe the couple live so far from each other, one in Shimla and one in Kashmir, maybe that's the reason for the distance... But now wonder if there was a lot more there that is meeting the eye. We haven't got much of Qureshi, but he is the only one in the inner circle that is most prone to betray Atharva if he thinks he doing the right thing (like Samar).

Others in the inner circle include Adil and Amaal, who are actually the most loyal people ever and it would be so out of character for them to betray Atharva and Iram like that.

Avantika wrote: "I have been thinking and thinking and thinking since last evening who the foe is and I am yet to decide on the plural part of it, but my first instinct went to Meer Qureshi. I know that he has been..."

I totally agree!!

Bhavini wrote: "I don't know what Qureshi ever did to you? Samar has a track record."

Wasn't it Samar's guilt that made him sit in that bombed car and drive off? If he is feeling guilty and want to redeem himself, why would he go ahead and betray Atharva again?

I think it may be Qureshi or Amaal. Qureshi and Samar were almost always on the same page, now that Samar has betrayed and then successfully redeemed himself, Qureshi might have to finally show himself. On the other hand, Amaal might be bitter about how the events turned out for Samar and try to sabotage Iram's return. Amaal was MIA since Samar's injuries and Iram's running away and then coming back might not sit right with her. For my own mental health I'm not doubting Adil, Zorji and Begumjaan.

Also may be we are looking in the wrong direction. Author sahiba says 'friends'. It doesn't necessarily has to be from founding members, it can be from the core team too. May be its Saba or Fahaad or Noora or Shiva. My mind can't think straight, suddenly everyone's sus to me.

Reader wrote: "I too believe it's qureshi . In the second book there is a scene just after the wedding where he knew about atharva getting arrested but didn't say it openly and about that temporary president post..."

Important observations!!!

Bhavini wrote: "I don't know what Qureshi ever did to you? Samar has a track record."

UM. HE GOT SIZZLED trying to PROTECT IRAM. Imma give him three chapters of grace, thank you very much Bhavini K. Desai

Chinmayi wrote: "Like most things are pretty clear to us, if only we know where to look, what if Adil has always been a foe and we just never thought of him in that way? He's been Atharva's shadow, confidant for th..."

Adil has been the closest person Atharva has. It would be straight up cruel if Adil turns out to be the foe.
Also, has Adil ever given us a reason not to trust him or be suspicious of him?
Because in these books, nothing has come out of the blue. While Samar's betrayal was a shock at first, it was never unprecedented. It was clear he didn't like the effect Iram had on Atharva since day one. Shocking, yet not very surprising in introspection.

What do you think?

Swati wrote: "Also may be we are looking in the wrong direction. Author sahiba says 'friends'. It doesn't necessarily has to be from founding members, it can be from the core team too. May be its Saba or Fahaad ..."

Saba is definitely on the list. Suspect no. 2 after Qureshi.
She has been shown quite ambitious, and with a promise of more, she could be persuaded easily to join any other side.
I can't suspect Noora and Fahad though.

Natasha wrote: "Chinmayi wrote: "Like most things are pretty clear to us, if only we know where to look, what if Adil has always been a foe and we just never thought of him in that way? He's been Atharva's shadow,..."

Same. Adil has always been such a good boy. Ever since their military days he's been backing Atharva in all the decision he makes, always the first to know his plans and strategies. It would be so heartbreaking and outright cruel if he's the one backstabbing this time.

i bet it's Qureshi💯

Qureshi feels like the one with the most political mindset out of all the core members plus his behaviour when they were supposed to vote for the temporary president was very suspicious although he could be given the benefit of the doubt that he is a founding member.
And coming to Adil, he has always been good and risked too, him being evil would truly be heartbreaking but would also act as a good twist and shock for the readers but on a personal note i like him a lot so i hope he is not one of the foes

Chinmayi wrote: "Like most things are pretty clear to us, if only we know where to look, what if Adil has always been a foe and we just never thought of him in that way? He's been Atharva's shadow, confidant for th..."

NOOOOO.. BLASPHEMY adil is precious baby. protect at all costs type. he was always with atharva and iram. we can't give this blame to him so bad so bad

Neveah wrote: "Qureshi feels like the one with the most political mindset out of all the core members plus his behaviour when they were supposed to vote for the temporary president was very suspicious although he..."

First of, Qureshi votes increasing, Bhavini!!! also.. no amount of good twists will ever make adil's betrayal okay, so noooo. adil is one of the good guys

Swati wrote: "I think it may be Qureshi or Amaal. Qureshi and Samar were almost always on the same page, now that Samar has betrayed and then successfully redeemed himself, Qureshi might have to finally show him..."

1. Who said anything about successful redemption, samar didn't successfully redeem shit! ASK ATHARVA'S OPINION ON THAT
2. That last line was all of us in this thread. honestly!

It’s Saba , I’m pretty sure. She was with Iram when she gave birth , how does she not tell her that her baby lives. And she’s always been in love with Atharva

Avantika wrote: "Swati wrote: "I think it may be Qureshi or Amaal. Qureshi and Samar were almost always on the same page, now that Samar has betrayed and then successfully redeemed himself, Qureshi might have to fi..."

Samar did not barbecue himself trying to protect Iram for you to say he didn't 'redeem shit'.

Swati wrote: "Avantika wrote: "Swati wrote: "I think it may be Qureshi or Amaal. Qureshi and Samar were almost always on the same page, now that Samar has betrayed and then successfully redeemed himself, Qureshi..."

all I want to add is, ask athrva if samar redeemed himself or not. no preconcieved notions here

yugdeep singh wrote: "It’s Saba , I’m pretty sure. She was with Iram when she gave birth , how does she not tell her that her baby lives. And she’s always been in love with Atharva"

Truth. but also, I think saba may not have known that iram believes the baby boy is dead. that scene in Beyond this Heaven was very.. unclear in who knows what..

It could be Dev. He was one of Atharva's silent supporters, who now wants him taken down, he has the means too. I hope he has a role to play in this book.