“Ah the vagaries of…of…” “Weather?” “That too with weather a-changing these days but I was referring to the vagaries of fate.”

“Hmmmm.”

“Those who were in are out and those who were out are in.”

“Indeed but is it vagaries of fate or vagaries of temperament.”

“Well technically not temperament more like growing into a job’s…shall we say evolving terms of reference by the occupant though not by the power behind the throne.”

“So the lesson learned is not to redefine terms of reference?”

“Well more precisely the lesson learned is to do what our heads of government do not do in actions: do not follow the letter of the law but instead the spirit.”

“I can’t grasp what you mean.”

“The letter I am referring to is the constitution and the spirit is the ground reality.”

“Such a circumspect way to…”

“We must follow the lead: these days’ actions are speaking louder, way louder, than words.”

“They always did you know anyway Nawaz Sharif is in his luxurious Murree residence and the Man Who Must Remain Nameless is in Adiala – now isn’t that the vagaries of fate?”

“Indeed and there are more vagaries if you will - the Third Wife apparently has complained that she has no money to run the household…”

“Back off with hearsay.”

“It’s not hearsay - in court on Monday the Man Who Must Remain Nameless lamented that his Third Wife had no cash as his cheque book had been taken by the police and not returned and…”

“I thought she was independently wealth. I mean doesn’t she own 698 kanals in Pakpatan and Okara, 3 kanal house in Banigala – these assets were declared when her husband was going to contest the by elections from a Faisalabad constituency NA 108 so if one kanal is sold…”

“Why would she liquidate an asset just because her husband’s cheque book was taken by the police, illegally and…”

“What about jewelry?”

“None declared.”

“Hey I have seen a rather expensive ring on her finger and she can sell it……”

“Don’t be silly, she has an emotional attachment to it, you don’t sell what you are attached to…”

“So no emotional attachment to purchase of gifts from the Toshakhana I guess.”

“No it isn’t as if the gifts were given by someone she was close to.”

“Right, anyway she needs the money to sacrifice two goats a day and other paraphernalia to pray for her husband’s speedy release and…”

“Don’t be facetious.”

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