Stairway to power

Elections were drawing close, Sir Jee wanted his work done and Tamim wanted a new car and shades, so he succumbed...

Mahwash Badar May 08, 2013
Tamim’s cigarette was nearing its end. He saw students clamouring out of the examination hall, laughing and sharing examination horror stories. He searched their happy faces for a sullen, sunken face that was probably dotted with paan spots.

When he saw Zahid’s face, he raised his hand to beckon him. They bumped shoulders in greeting and Zahid filled his lungs with smoke and let out a breath of relief.
“That was horrible.”

“I’m going to fail. We’re both going to fail.” Tamim stared at his classmates gathering near a car and putting on what seemed to be new sunglasses.

“Who cares? Math never helps anyone in real life.” Zahid replied wisely, chewing on his paan.

Tamim stared at him and wondered what he was going to tell his parents.

Munir Taufeeq, a small time real estate worker and Riffat Taufeeq, a small time school teacher - the average middle class with small time aspirations.

He hated how small time his existence was. How mediocre everything from his clothes to his public transport filled life was. He wanted to do something big and academics bored him. He needed a shortcut to prove to his hard working parents that he wasn’t an idiot. That he could do something for himself. Make a name. Be rich and buy them all the comforts they wanted- shiny new car to go with shiny new sunglasses.

Zahid was staring at the group of boys too.
“Do you know what Rauf’s father does? He’s a bureaucrat, man. Those people mint money. Qasim? His dad’s in the Army. Sameer’s father’s got a ‘business’, if you know what I mean. All black money, you can’t get so rich by working hard and studying math, man.”

Tamim’s jealousy of his rich classmates was growing as he saw them take out filter tipped cigarettes and then crisp notes from their wallets to hand over to the waiter who was bringing them juice and samosas.
“And do you know who we are, Tamim?” Zahid asked billowing smoke into his face. “We will be working for them. We will be bringing them those juices and samosas.”

Tamim’s face was burning in shame and frustration. Munir Taufeeq was going to make his disappointed face when Tamim would show his results. That he had failed, yet again. Supply after supply. Riffat Taufeeq would cry and lecture and call up relatives to tell them what a disappointment their only son was.
He shook his head and crushed the cigarette butt with his torn shoes. “I’ve had it. I want something more than just these samosas. I want more.”

Zahid’s cell phone beeped. “Looks like God answered your prayers, boy.”

Tamim stared. “Who is it?”

“Opportunity.” Zahid bared his brown teeth. “This is your chance to make it. And if you take it, next year you’ll have a bigger car than those morons and more sunglasses than Rauf, Sameer and Qasim’s put together.”

“I’m in,” Tamim said before thinking. “What is it?”

Election year, pal. Votes are gonna count.”

“Yeah so?”

Zahid could not stop grinning. “My friend is probably going to be in charge of a voting booth in our area. He is looking for … helpers.”

“To do what?”

“Help his party win.” Zahid winked. “Come on. We’re going to meet him right now.”

They reached a clean office and Tamim was immediately impressed with the shiny new car parked outside. The bright May sun that had drenched Tamim in sweat was sparkling the car’s windshield. It smirked at him. It mocked his frailty. They walked up to the office and two large armed guards asked their business. Zahid spoke to them quietly and after 15 minutes of waiting in the sun, they were allowed to meet Zahid’s ‘friend’. Tamim wiped his brow with the back of his sleeve and stepped inside an air conditioned room.

A heavy set man with a gold watch sat behind a desk. The picture of an influential local leader hung over his head at the wall next to Jinnah and the flag of Pakistan.

They sat before him and Zahid introduced Tamim to “Sir Jee”. “This is my friend, Sir Jee. He will help us out. He is willing now.”
“If he’s not, you know where we’ll find him, right? We do our background checks.”

“Yes, Sir, I know, Sir. Very well, Sir.”

There was a pregnant pause.

Sir Jee opened the drawer and took out two small brown envelopes. He placed each one before them.
 “You were recommended by someone I trust. So I am giving you this on our first meeting. Election is drawing close so I need this work done now. You start as soon as possible. Meet with Jamshed. He’s standing outside. He will take you both out to lunch in a while and explain the rules.” He pushed the envelopes toward them.

“Now go.”

They got up and went out the door. A skinny man in starched shalwar kameez greeted them and asked them to step into the shiny car. Once inside, Tamim opened his envelope.

Two fat stacks of thousand rupee notes.

And a shiny, brand new TT.

Read more by Mahwash here or follow her on Twitter @MhwshB
WRITTEN BY:
Mahwash Badar The author is a clinical psychologist, a mum to two boys and permanently in a state of flux. She tweets @mahwashajaz_ (https://twitter.com/mahwashajaz_)
The views expressed by the writer and the reader comments do not necassarily reflect the views and policies of the Express Tribune.

COMMENTS (20)

Dr.N.J.P. | 10 years ago | Reply This is probably the wrong place to put this down...but I just happened to read 'Blind date' by the same blogger ( Nov 27,2012) & read a comment by 'Roses are red'/ Nov 29,2012... I'm horrified at the misery the lady lived through in her university days-assaulted by her own former school teacher who later befriended her via social networking. What's very painful to read was that she married him- now your own rapist is the last person you want to assign the exhalted position of 'life partner/spouse'...that being said-I understand that she married out of desperation. There probably weren't too many options left open without public disclosure/dishonour. My head's spinning at how a young lady,had her life/future/happiness derailed with one man's rabid behaviour. ' Roses are red',I understand how you could never tell anyone this...and sister,wherever you are,I pray God heals your trauma and sends you peace & joy for the rest of your life.Amen.
mind control | 10 years ago | Reply Pardon my ignorance. What exactly is a TT?
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