Chapter 10: Valley Hiardressers

Haleema, determined to find her missing son Imran, follows a lead from Rehbar, a recently released detainee. Rehbar informs her that he saw a boy fitting Imran’s description at Badami Bagh Cantonment before he was transferred to another facility. He also reveals that Imran was distressed, refusing to eat, and had only one visitor allowed inside the cantonment: a barber named Abdus Salaam from Pampore. Haleema's journey leads her to a barbershop called ‘Valley Hiardressers,’ where she learns that Abdus Salaam is off for Eid. The shop owner, Gulzar Ahmad, provides directions to Abdus Salaam’s house in Kadalabal. Navigating through checkpoints and armed troops, Haleema takes a rickshaw to Kadalabal, where she is dropped off at a bus stop. She is given a free ride by the rickshaw driver, who refuses payment. Haleema, now at Kadalabal, prepares to follow the directions to find Abdus Salaam, hoping he can help her locate her son. 

During her visit, Haleema learns that Abdus Salaam's daughter, a widow after her husband Showkat was killed by the army, now lives with her father. Showkat was falsely accused of being a militant and killed in a fake encounter. Abdus Salaam shares the tragic story, revealing the harsh reality faced by his family and other victims. Later, Haleema dreams of Imran, who is waiting for a haircut in Abdus Salaam's shop. She tries to convince him to come home but is thwarted by an impassable barrier. She wakes up distressed and continues her search for Imran, but encounters numerous obstacles.

The next day, Haleema tries to reach Rehbar Khan, a torture victim, at a hospital in Soura. The road is blocked due to an earlier grenade attack, but she manages to reach the hospital despite military checks. Rehbar’s condition is dire, with a failing kidney and severe infections. Jana, his mother, is struggling to care for him and is deeply grateful for Haleema’s help. Returning home, Haleema finds that household tasks and her own health are deteriorating. She reflects on her age and the difficulties she faces, underscoring her sense of weariness and the challenging circumstances of her life.

On a drizzly afternoon, Haleema locked the gate of her house and set off for Dardpora, a village about a hundred kilometers west of Srinagar. Dardpora, located along the border with Pakistan, was known for its serene mountainous landscape. Haleema boarded a crowded bus at Batamaloo, which was overloaded with passengers, some even sitting on the roof. As the bus traveled through lush meadows, paddy fields, and scenic views, Haleema observed the local life and army checkpoints. The bus eventually passed through an army camp disguised as two large, oddly constructed buildings, where soldiers frisked the men and conducted searches.

Haleema learned from a fellow passenger that the camp used a bandsaw for various purposes, including, disturbingly, for human beings. This revelation shocked Haleema, who tried to dismiss the thought. The passenger also mentioned that Rehbar Khan, whom Haleema was visiting, had been killed in an encounter nine days prior, despite having been released by the army only fifteen days earlier. The army had reportedly taken back his release order and portrayed him as still active. Devastated by this news, Haleema experienced chest pain and decided to return to Srinagar. She boarded a bus back, struggling with her emotions and physical discomfort. Upon arriving home, she performed her ablutions for evening prayers, feeling overwhelmed by despair and frustration. She reflected on the dust accumulating in her home, which she had planned to clean once Imran returned, but now felt stuck in a state of suspended time.