MAK

It was my first month at work while I was observing and experiencing a lot of stuff in my professional life. MAK (Mohammad Ahmed Khan) was our agency’s Creative Director. Everyone used to call him Ahmed Bhai.

I was on my way to meet him at his office. The moment I entered his room with some routine work he shot me up with a question:

“How is it going?”

And in a microsecond every single statement from different colleagues regarding Ahmed Bhai started dancing in front of me. Well, the majority of the statements:

“I feel this small when Ahmed Bhai is angry with me.”

“I only say Prayers when Ahmed Bhai is around.”

“Ahmed Bhai is unlike other bosses. I hate the rest.”

“He is just better than the rest of the crew. Less Corrupt.”

“What you decide to discuss with him, exactly the opposite happens after the discussion is over with him.”

“I think Ahmed Bhai has a Djinn………...he knows my secret that I never told anyone. He was asking me about it.”

“You see this new entry in our office, the Ahmed Bhai look-like, same beard but with a cap (They were talking about ME). He is His (Ahmed Bhai’s) Spy and is here with a purpose…he has the same (Ahmed Bhai’s) thinking, and I believe he is hired to convince all of us to think His way (Ahmed Bhai’s). You know, to be on the same scale and platform. Basically, to prove us wrong and get things done without a conflict.”

“If you want to discuss anything with Ahmed Bhai, I suggest you should pen those things down on a paper and take it along with you during the session. Otherwise you will forget your points, right there at the right moment.”

“Are you understanding everything around here?” Ahmed Bhai put an end to the dancing statements in my mind.

“Let me tell you one thing.” Ahmed Bhai continued. “The kind of environment, the kind of atmosphere you get in my agency; you will not get it anywhere else in Pakistan.”

I looked through Ahmed Bhai’s shiny little eyes and wished if I could become a SPY.