The line between a servant and his master is no more a thin one. In the modern world, it is widening by the minute
IT was rumoured that Mahmood would this time take along his favourite servant Ayaz on his journey to the holy land to perform Umra. Soon it turned out to be true.
Tycoon Mahmood owned an industrial empire. Being a very pious and God-fearing person, he each year undertook pilgrimage to Makkah either to perform Haj or Umra. Through lucky draw he would pick one of his servants to accompany him to the holy land. Among the servants his favourite was Ayaz. Unfortunately, for years Ayaz had failed to find luck on his side. He had been disappointed.
One night, while massaging Mahmood, Ayaz said, “Master, would you let me draw your kind attention to your namesake in history?”
“I know him,” Mahmood smiled, and said, “He was Mahmood Ghaznavy. He had a servant as loyal as you are to me. His name was Ayaz.”
“Then it must be in your knowledge that slave Ayaz had always accompanied his master during his journeys to India,” Servant Ayaz said. “But master, you have not bestowed upon me, your loyal servant, the privilege of travelling with you.”
Being a person of principles, tycoon Mahmood did not bypass the mandatory requirement of lucky draw for a fortunate servant to accompany him during his pilgrimage to the holy land. Lucky draw was held as usual. Luck favoured an aged servant by the name of Malang. On two previous occasions, too, luck had favoured Malang, and he had twice travelled with tycoon Mahmood. Using his prerogative Mahmood chose Ayaz, his favourite servant for taking him along with Malang to the holy land for performing Umra.
The management arranged for passports and visas for Ayaz and Malang, and briefed them how to conduct themselves in a foreign land. Malang had been to Saudi Arabia twice before. The manager asked him to keep track of Ayaz when necessary, but without annoying him. Ayaz had a chequered history of going berserk if provoked.
On the day of departure Ayaz and Malang arrived at the airport. Ayaz stretched his neck and looked around. Malang said, “Ayaz, let us go to the immigration counter for formalities and necessary entries into our passports.”
“Not before our master Mahmood arrives.” Ayaz said, “I’ll carry his luggage.”
Malang politely said, “You are not required to do that.” “Why not?” Ayaz said, “After all, he is Mahmood, and I am Ayaz, his loyal servant.”
At that juncture Mahmood arrived in his huge limousine. He alighted and straightaway headed for the VIP lounge. Ayaz suddenly rushed towards him. Before he could reach Mahmood, Ayaz was intercepted by security men. They caught him and whisked him away for interrogation. News about Ayaz’s apprehension was passed on to Mahmood in the VIP lounge by his PR manager. On Mahmood’s personal intervention, they allowed Ayaz to go.
Ayaz and Malang then headed for the immigration counter. Ayaz appeared shaken. He began doubting history. His head bent down, Ayaz walked a step behind Malang and entered the departure lounge. Ayaz overcame the trauma he had experienced and said, “I don’t see our master, Mahmood? Isn’t he travelling with us?”
“He is in the VIP lounge,” Malang said.
“I’ll sit with him in the VIP lounge,” Ayaz suddenly rose to his feet and said, “And then, I’ll proceed to the aircraft with him.”
Malang held him back by his arm and said, “You can’t do that, Ayaz.”
“Why not?” Ayaz asked, “After all he is Mahmood, and I am Ayaz. We have to remain together during prayers and the pilgrimage to the holy land.”
“They won’t let you enter the VIP lounge,” Malang said, “If you ventured, I am afraid they won’t let you take the flight.” Before Ayaz could react, the passengers were asked to proceed to the plane for boarding. Once seated in the plane, Ayaz leaned over and asked, “Where is master Mahmood?”
“Mahmood is travelling First Class,” Malang felt drained of patience. He said, “No Ayaz can behold him from the Economy Class.”
The plane took off and headed for the destination. Ayaz remained tense and restless in his seat. His eyes were fixed on the curtain ahead of the Economy Class. After an hour or so Ayaz rose from his seat and moved towards the First Class enclosure concealed behind the curtain. Malang thought he was going to the toilet. But, instead of entering the toilet when Ayaz kept moving in the direction of the First Class enclosure, Malang panicked. By then it was too late for him. The cabin crew blocked Ayaz’s entry into the First Class enclosure. What ensued was a brief argument between the cabin crew and Ayaz. While they brought him back to his seat, Ayaz kept saying, “He is Mahmood. I am Ayaz. Either he sits by my side or I sit by his side. After all we both are going for Umra.”
At the Jeddah airport, Mahmood was welcomed by elite industrialists, businessmen, and bankers of the Saudi kingdom. He was taken to a five-star hotel and was accommodated in a luxury suite for distinguished dignitaries. Malang and Ayaz were accommodated at a distance in the annexes reserved for the personal servants of the distinguished guests.
Next morning Malang took Ayaz to the Khana-i-Kaba for prayers and Tawaf. While performing Tawaf, Ayaz caught sight of his master, Mahmood. He was flanked by elite businessmen and bankers of Saudi Arabia. Ayaz outpaced Malang and overtook Mahmood. He elbowed out an eminent industrialist and delightfully rubbed shoulders with Mahmood and said, “Ek hi saf mein kharay ho ga’ey Mahmood-o-Ayaz.”
Ayaz was deported to Pakistan on the fist available flight.
