8/14/2019 Turkish Delights - Part IV - True Colors

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We cleared the immigration counter at Istanbul Airport easily. With

Pakistanis known for using Turkey to enter Greece illegally, we were not

treated any different than other travellers of Turkish or western descent. We

don't even get this much respect at immigration counters in Pakistan.

When we were standing in queue before the immigration counters, there was

a Pakistani girl before us. We thought of her as westerner because she had a

bare mid riff and pierced eyes and navel. When she presented her Pakistani

passport to the immigration officer we all were pleasantly surprised and

exchanged winks, half smiles and weird looks amongst ourselves. Its not that

we have not seen bare midriffs or pierced navels before but it was for the

first time that we were looking at it in real life (not on TV) on a Pakistani girl

and so closely.

We along with the Pakistani girl were the last ones left at the terminal. It wastime to decide how to make for the hostel which was located in famous

Sultan Ahmet area. She had just collected her luggage from the conveyor

belt. I decided to ask her the best way to reach the area. Waqar tagged

along since he had also taken part in arranging the trip. I asked her the way

to reach Sultan Ahmet area. From the corner of my eye I noticed Syed

moving from the rest of group and approaching three of us. I felt awkward. I

empathized with the girl, how she would feel surrounded by three local guys

who would not have the balls to come up and ask her directions had it been

Pakistan. But mostly I felt afraid. Afraid of Syed.

Inconspicuousness is something that does not come easily to Syed. He is

already conspicuous with his Shah Rukh Khan looks (earlier he tried Waheed

Murad look but it turned out too old fashioned for his tastes). But mostly, he

is known for two things. One, ogling at girls that least expect it (class mates,

colleagues) and getting caught at it every time; two, sucking up cock, stock

and barrel to anyone (teachers, supervisors, police, HR etc) who can help

him in anyway (extra marks in exams, long awaited promotions, etc). But I

digress...

I was afraid that Syed would do his trademark ogling. When the girl was

giving us directions, despite the urge to stare at the pierced navel, Ahmed

and me kept looking at her face. But from the corner of my eye I could see

that Syed's eyes kept wandering south. The girl was getting nervous. But

when Syed started drooling, the girl just wrapped it up and said , "its only my

second year at a university in Istanbul and I don't know the city. Do what I

8/14/2019 Turkish Delights - Part IV - True Colors

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do. Take the Havas shuttle bus from outside and it will take you to your

destination or at least nearby".

 The shuttle service charges were exorbitant because it almost emptied our

bank (Ahmed) where we had a few minutes ago_in the terminal_ made our

first deposit. As it was almost sunset and the bus took the most scenic route

along the Bosphorus and Sea of Marmara, I could say that it was worth the

fare but, it was not. The fare was just too high.

We reached the hostel just before dusk. Moin started showing his true colors.

Straight out of the book how power politics is played, he tried to wrest

control from Waqar by seizing initiative and trying to negotiate room rates

with the hostel keeper. He winked at us that let me play hardball with

innkeeper to bring down rates otherwise we can threaten him go to a

different hostel. Moin was trying hard to take the leadership reins fromAhmed. The keeper was dumbfounded. He said, "you have already made a

30% deposit when you booked with us online. If you want to go elsewhere,

please feel free; we will just keep your deposit". This punctured Moin's

baloon and he gave the reins back, for now. I filled the paperwork since I was

the unfortunate soul to book the hostel using my credit card.

Moin was and is a shrewd politician. He was attacking from multiple fronts.

His other strategy was to reduce the stature of leader in the eyes of the

team. In this way, when Ahmed is finally disgraced and steps down from his

pedestal, Moin will some how get himself pushed into the leadership role.

And unbeknownst to us, that was the reason for his silently cultivation of 

best-friendship with Syed. When the time comes and Ahmed steps down,

Syed will suggest Moin's name and Moin will be reluctantly forced (at least

that is how it would appear) to take the command of this rudderless ship.

But that will come later. His shot missed the target and Ahmed's throne was

safe, for now.