This is How You Create a Story!

Few months back I headed to Islamabad to attend a workshop of Fiction Writing. It is true that I was the only guy in the whole lot. Also true that I did see another guy over there. But, it’s not true that the rest of the crew did not see him.

They not only saw him but, also communicated with him. Just before the arrival of the instructor; he left the room. When the instructor confirmed if everyone is present and no one is missing only then, one of the girls informed that there is one more guy and he was here a minute ago. None of us approved her; not on purpose but, it just happened. After this reaction of ours’ the girl almost shouted (not that she was scared but to make a joke and to wake everyone up):

“Am I the only one who saw him?”

All of us started laughing with the approval:

“Yes, there is another guy.”

And finally someone in the workshop resolved the mystery by informing that the guy was her brother or cousin who just came here to drop her. I was observing everything and I could not resist so I said:

“This could be a Story!”

By keeping in mind the part:

“Am I the only one who saw him?”

And then someone replied with a smile:

“Yes, and now; You are an Absolute Minority.”

Slave

“I worked there, there, and there; ha ha ha … since the age of 14, I have been working … I worked for others and then I thought for how long? I can’t be a slave for life. Eventually I started my own setup and finally…I am here.”

It was my 3^rd day at the newly founded Ad Agency/Production House (It was also agency’s 3^rd day as far as I can remember) and I was having that conversation with the CEO. After listening to what he said, I added with happiness:

“That’s a very good decision.”

“Okay you can’t wear Shalwar Kameez in this office.” CEO pointed out. (Then, it was just the two of US in the office and the third colleague was on his way. In total ... 3).

“I’m not.” I replied with a smile with happiness gone.

“You were in them yesterday.” He reminded me.

Because it was Friday. It’s a casual day … usually.” I added and was not expecting to justify wearing Shalwar Kameez on any day.

“Multinational Companies don’t allow those in my experience.” CEO got serious.

“This is not my first job, and I have been there; it’s not an issue.” I also got serious.

“It is … here!” Was the response.

“Fine … I thought you don’t want to be a slave for life. Hope you get rid of it.” I smiled and walked away and then I heard:

“I Pray we go along, Welcome onboard!” I did not look at the CEO when he said that but I sensed his smile.

P.S. I hardly worked there for a month and; the 1^st paragraph of this post is what the CEO replied to the question:

“What is your Professional Education?”

Our Cricket – Muhammad Hafeez – The Star

I guess I really have stopped liking cricket. I want to watch matches but after the world cup of 2011 all my interest in cricket is like vanished; for good. Still I follow sometimes over the news.

I realized this fact when my senior few days ago called me up and asked me to write a COPY for some Housing Project and the Brand Ambassador of that Project is Muhammad Hafeez. I was expecting that my senior will explain who Muhammad Hafeez is? But, he did not. Instead, he was acting like I already know him and am really excited to know that Muhammad Hafeez is the Brand Ambassador. I wanted to laugh at that very moment but I couldn’t. When I got that fact I pretended that I KNOW EVERYTHING. 

I searched Google the moment the internal meeting was over and there he was. I knew him by face but that’s the first time I got his name. Really don’t know where the hell Pakistani Cricket is going? I don’t follow cricket but at least I know Indian players more than ours. Not cool at all.

Nightmare

People were smoking in that gloomy office. They looked weird and mysterious at the same time. A woman came to me:

“RD is calling you.”

I got up and followed that woman. The moment I entered RD’s office I started shivering with fear. RD had no head.

“You’re early, 15 minutes. That’s impressive!”

The voice came right from the table in-front where RD’s head was lying.

My eyes got wide open. I was sweating on my bed, dream was over. I hurried to the bathroom to get ready for my first day at work. I was already 15 minutes late.

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.

Story of the Lamp

“Useless Obedience”

Not very long ago, my friend from Australia (Actually Pakistani but recently shifted there) sent me a lamp as a gift. He also sent the same to another common friend of ours. Australian friend’s strict instructions were:

“Do not fix the lamp by yourself. Wait for Raja (The Other Friend) he will come at your place to do so. You might break the lamp.”

Raja never came because the Australian friend sent both the lamps without bulbs. So first we needed the bulbs for the lamps. According to Raja:

“Bulb for this particular lamp are not available in Pakistan.”

Australian friend responded to this statement of Raja and tried to convince Raja that bulbs are available in Pakistan.

Raja replied with the problem:

“Maulvi likes warm light, and I have ordered warm light bulbs from Dubai. Let them come and then I will set both the lamps before Ramzan.”

Raja never came before Ramzan due to official trip to Karachi, and after Ramzan he got married. I waited for him but that lamp did not get lucky. Before Ramzan it was 1^st week of June and after Ramzan July was almost hitting its 20^th. August, September, October passed away; eventually I forgot about setting the lamp.

Finally, November arrived, my sister told me about a lamp store that should be visited. I needed a lamp for my writing table so I went to that store. The moment I entered that store I saw the exact same lamp which my Australian friend gifted me with strict instructions.

I asked the shopkeeper about the bulb. And he replied with a smile:

“No sir no special bulb and especially not from Dubai. Just simple energy saver Osaka or Philips; not the pin one but the one with bangles (Choori Wala). Get with cool or warm light, depends on your choice. I can fix your lamp if you have any doubts”

From the same store I bought another lamp for my writing table. On my way back home I stopped by an electric store to purchase energy savers of my choice. I set the new lamp on my writing table when I reached home and after that I unpacked the gift from Australia and ignored the strict instructions.

I assembled the lamp within 15 minutes. Now the bulb, when I looked at the holder it seemed different and I thought my friends are right; this holder might require that bulb especially made for this particular lamp. But Thank God, I recalled that lamp in its operational form in the store where I was like half an hour ago. I fixed the energy saver fine and switched the lamp on.

Amazing light, that took more than six months to glow. Really, it made me very happy. I placed it properly and I truly liked the lamp’s everything. The gift was perfect. Thank You Omer! (The Australian Friend). Amazing Warm Light.

Also I thought for a moment that someone has ordered bulbs for the lamp from Dubai. And they are on their way…I still got no news about the lamp sent to Raja (The Other Friend) if it’s working or still packed under some bed. Because, mine was, but not anymore.  

The Man With a Special Sight

There was a guy we met in Raiwind who told us a story of a man who attained the Special Sight through piety.

Special Sight means that the Invisible Veil in front of the eyes is somehow removed or not there anymore.

The guy continued his story;

“That man never used to have food from market. He used to grow vegetables by himself and was careful in arranging meat and chicken whenever he felt the need. After a while he started seeing other people not in the usual way but in the form of animals and other creatures. Some people got the head of donkey and some are dogs. Rest of the body is like normal human beings. Basically he got free of the Veil in front of his eyes. He could not believe it and got very much stressed. Also scared, he reached somewhere before time. There might be some other reason. He consulted this issue with his senior; the senior smiled and asked his servant to bring my brother a cup of tea from the market (Bazaari Chai). After having that tea that man became normal and the Veil was back on like the way it used to be. Finally, he started seeing everyone the usual way.”

During the times of Moses (PBUH), we know that people used to get transformed in to non-human beings due to their sins. Especially we remember the incident of “The Butcher & His Parents”. But afterwards, it stopped happening due to the Prayer of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). We should be grateful to that.

I realized the importance of Bazaari Chai after hearing this story from that Raiwind guy, and also wondered, what if I had met that man in the time of his special sight?