God, I wished Abba (Dad) was here with me. The room was full of men. Ammi Jaan, Rania and I were the only women there. His presence would have been enough to divert any of the questions I would be facing today.
"How did Ammi Jaan do this?" I whispered to Rania.
"I don't know" she whispered back.
We stood at the back, trying not to look like we were intimidated by the crowd of experienced older men staring at us. Thankfully, Ammi Jaan and Uncle EJ took the lead and started to greet the men in attendance. Taking our cue from them, we started to mingle too.
After a while, the phrases started to blur together. I had to fight to keep the smile on my face.
"Greetings Begum Sahiba"
"What happened yesterday was terrible. You were very brave to come out as you did. What are you planning to do?"
"I hope you're enjoying the city? It is miles away from London"
"Oh no? But you've been very assertive!"
"The economy has taken a turn for the worse, it just makes our job a lot harder. What is your position on that?"
"My wife met you at your birthday party. She told me it was quite an event?"
Rania and I met up after our first round, shuffling ourselves into a corner. I shook when she clutched my arm tightly.
"My lips are permanently fixed in this smile," she said through clenched teeth.
"I shouldn't have worn heels" I hissed back trying to ease the pressure by leaning against the wall.
"Ammi Jaan's training makes sense now"
"A lot of stuff makes sense now," I said hoping for someone to tell us to get seated.
"Ferozeuddin seems to be enjoying it" we both stared as Feroze moved around the room with a practiced air.
"Ugh... we can't let that peacock outshine us in our own home, come on" once again we plunged back into the crowd.
After another short round of pleasantries, I had had enough. Paying no heed to anyone, I decided to sit in my seat, at the head of the table. Silence crept over the room as people took notice one by one. As if on some silent cue Uncle EJ and Ammi Jaan took their seats at either side of me. A moment later, Feroze sat next to Uncle EJ, only hinting at his displeasure at my position. The others filled in, their gazes were wary and curious. Since I was not married and had no children, Rania took her seat behind me, as my heir.
Once everyone had been seated, Ammi Jaan gave me a subtle nod to indicate that I should start with the meeting.
"Welcome everyone, it is my honor and pleasure to welcome you all to my home, Gulzar Mahal." A low mummer of welcome and thank yous echoed around the table. "You were all invited here today, for a very important reason"Â Ten pairs of eyes blinked in unison. " Unfortunately, the South is under attack." Noise erupted in the room, disbelief mixed with anger and suspicion. I sat back enjoying the effect. Let them figure that one out for a moment.
"What are you saying Begum Sahiba?" Hussein's father, Ghulam Khan, said after the noise had died down. I smiled at him. He was one of the easier ones to convince. He was exactly like his son. Or his son was like him. Aside from their strikingly similar features, both of them had a very easy-going nature.
"I am saying that the south is under attack because of who and what we are. We represent the very thing they want to silence." I answered him. Feroze cleared his throat. Honestly, this man.
"Because of what we could be. All of us, in some way or another, are part of Gulzar's Family. If not by blood then by trade. We have a huge opportunity in front of us in the shape of a Prime Ministerial candidate. There are some people, who are not happy with our potential return to power. There are some people who are waging a rebellion on the streets" gasps echoed around me. While I was not completely sure about Naila and the Kingmaker's involvement, I was sure about the New Revolutionaries.
"Rebellion, Begum Sahiba?" Jamshed asked, his voice fearful. I tried to keep my words and tone neutral so I would not scare him. After all, his predecessor had been attacked by those very people.
"Could they be the people who attacked you today?" Mian Mansha inquired.
"Possibly" Feroze piped up.
"We're still waiting for proof" I corrected with a stern look at him. "But yes, there is a movement in the city. I verified it myself" and then for the next ten minutes I proceeded to explain about the New Revolutionaries and their motives. Honestly, I should have just made a PowerPoint presentation.
"She's telling the truth you know" Feroze murmured. I wanted to kick him. I did not need his affirmation.
I stared right ahead, making eye contact with each of them, trying to not let my irritation show. The men around me were hardened politicians, masters at making sure people only saw what they wanted to see. Today, I saw them crack. I saw the fear creep into their eyes. The dread of losing power. The fear of losing their influence. For many, this was all they had. At that moment, as they pondered in silence, I felt pity. Pity for these men, clinging to the last vestiges of power. Clinging not because they believed in the cause or the position, but because they were addicted to it. They were nothing without it.
I assessed them as they came to their individual conclusions. Jamshed cleared his throat.
"With all due respect Begum Sahiba, if what you say is true and we think it is since you have no reason to lie to us..." nods followed his words. "I think we have the right to ask this question and none of the family members should speak in this matter" I nodded to show my agreement. "My question to you is, are you really qualified to take this on?" Pin drop silence descended in the room.
"I'm glad that you asked that question. I'm sure that you are aware that I have been part of these situations..."
"In different countries, protected by NGOs" he interrupted. Breathe Elena, breathe.
"I can understand your trepidation..." I said trying to avoid looking at my family. I could feel their anxiety as my own.
"But you..."
"As I was saying", I said pointedly " I have ample knowledge of dealing with these situations and can cite from experience. How many of you can say the same?" A strangled cough echoed in the room. I did not give Feroze the chance to speak. "How many of you have dealt with urban revolutions or have had people to people contact?"
I sucked at the former but they did not need to know that. "Or perhaps you would like to enlighten me, do tell, how many of you hold double degrees, one of which was specifically tailored towards governance issues?"
"But you're so young! And... you're a woman" Mian Mansha bellowed his voice matter of fact and anxious. I did not miss how his gaze was directed towards Feroze. I kept my eyes on him.
"With all due respect Begum Sahiba, you might be overqualified for this position. This is not your textbook case... we are real people, with real problems. You're simply too young. Maybe someone with more experience should lead" Fawad Laghari, another southern leader added in a somewhat mellow tone. A few more voices chimed in agreement.
"I don't think you understand the meaning of the words 'with all due respect'" My tenor caused them to fall silent. Enough was enough. I saw Mian Mansha open his mouth and I shut him up with a sharp glance.
"My mother has been in charge for the past four years, my father and grandfather before her. Mian Mansha, you were all but sixteen when you were given the responsibility of your constituency" he grumbled, his mustache wriggling. "And Ghulam Uncle, you dealt with a potential rebellion not too long ago. You assumed your place when you had turned 18" he inclined his head in confirmation. "Many of you have not been to university to pursue higher education and yet you're sitting here, in my house, as men of substance" eyes twinkled and chests puffed out. I fought the urge to roll my eyes, men and their egos. "While experience may be one element, there are several more needed for good governance."
"I am also aware, that there are certain people, qualified people, who think that they can do the job better than me. I am aware there are those who want to be where I am" I saw a few men lean away at the implied meaning. "People who think it would be wise to criticize me for the sake of criticism. However, for better or worse, the responsibility has fallen to me"
No one moved. I did not dare to break eye contact with any of them. I had to stare them down. This was a game of nerves. I dealt with this when I was in London. I was dealing with it here.
"So what do you propose, Khanum (leader)?" Ghulam Uncle said. No one contradicted his words. Not even Feroze. I could sense Ammi Jaan's relief as if it was my own. Uncle EJ gave me a small smile and I felt Rania's foot bump mine. I relaxed in my chair.
"As you can see, you have each been given a folder that details the aims and goals of the New Revolutionaires. It also talks about the ways to curb their influence by some short term measures. Small steps. We are however waiting for the elections to go through, which is why we need these steps to be implemented ASAP" Mian Mansha cleared his throat. "Yes?"
"What is ASAP?" Rania snorted a laugh and I struggled to keep a straight face.
"As soon as possible" he nodded, slightly pink in the cheeks. Sympathy curled in my stomach. "It would also be helpful to have a media team. In the folder, you will find a list of possible candidates for each of your constituencies. Rania Begum has highlighted the ones we would recommend. They are your constituents, who sent in their CV's for the job"
"And we pay them? For taking pictures?" Jamshed asked, a horrified look on his face.
"They are providing a service, so yes," Rania said from behind me, her tone hard.
"Firstly, we have a shipping problem..." I began, talking from the notes in my file.
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It's always difficult to convince people, especially those who are part of a patriarchal system. These men are not evil or against women, the thought of having a young, educated, unmarried woman take charge is unknown to them. Like all good things, change takes time.