Facing The Music

At the public washroom of a desolate park, Ahmer changed out of his disguise and cosplay while Shoaib, Salman and Saif waited outside. Having already changed out of their cosplays, they were currently dismantling their “swords” and packing them. Once finished, Ahmer stepped outside the washroom stall and washed his face to calm himself for the task he had ahead.

“Nervous?” Salman asked Ahmer.

“Yeah,” Ahmer admitted, “I’m walking into the lion’s den. Got any advice for me?”

“Remember why you’re fighting,” Salman replied.

“I know why I’m fighting,” Ahmer said, not getting what Salman was trying to imply.

“I’ve noted that you fight harder when you are fighting for something or someone else. It’s like you become a different person,” Salman explained.

“Really? I guess I haven’t noticed it.”

“Are you sure you don’t want us to come with you?” Saif asked.

“Yes, I prefer you guys alive,” Ahmer joked, “Despite how troublesome you are.”

“President Suhail would shoot me on sight and then again to make sure I was dead,” Shoaib joked, everyone laughed.

“You’ve got this,” Salman encouraged Ahmer one last time, who nodded before taking his leave.

“Will he be okay?” Saif asked, ever the worrywart.

“Yes, he knows what he’s fighting for,” Salman replied.

Ahmer rode his bike towards the Qaiser Residence with purpose. When he reached, he was greeted by the sight of hundreds of reporters outside his home. The security acted quickly, pushing the reporters away from the gate and making space for him to enter.

Ahmer paused, wondering if he should talk to the media before going in but decided against it as it might push his father over the edge. He felt he made the right call when he entered his home to see his father absolutely red with anger. Mahira and Abdul Ghani were also present, drinking tea with Rahila while Ammar was sneaking on them from the stairs, waiting to see some action.

“His majesty finally shows up,” Suhail taunted his son.

“Suhail, please calm down,” Rahila appealed to him.

“I am calm,” Suhail growled at Ahmer, “and if you want me to stay calm, you will go to the college tomorrow and call off your ridiculous movement.”

“No.” Ahmer replied, “I won’t call it off until the ban on clubs is lifted and the students who were expelled or suspended because of it are allowed to return to classes with a clean chit.”

“No?” Suhail hissed, “You dare make demands in front of me?”

“It’s not you I am making demands from, you made it clear that it has nothing to do with you. It’s them that I am making demands to,” Ahmer replied, meeting Suhail’s eyes that had turned red with anger.

“DO NOT TEST ME, CHILD! NO ONE SAYS NO TO ME!” Suhail screamed.

“Perhaps you don’t understand the position you are in, young man,” Mahira interjected, “If you do not call off the boycott, we will have no choice but to expel you. A black mark on the otherwise pristine Qaiser name. However, we understand that you are most likely taking this step under the influence of certain miscreants. If you comply with us, we will take no action against you, only those who truly deserve it.”

Ahmer wanted to snap in defence of his friends but took a deep breath to calm himself, “I am not sure what influence you are talking-”

“Don’t play coy with me, boy!” Suhail snapped, “Those lowlife friends of yours for whom you are putting our name into mud. They’re the ones who have put you up to this.”

“No one is forcing me to do anything,” Ahmer retorted, “I declared the mass bunk myself, if you want to expel me, do it but I wouldn’t expect that to stop the-” he checked his phone, “6k+ students who signed up for it.”

“Do you think yourself a hero?” Mahira snapped at Ahmer, “Once you go down, everyone else will fall in line.”

“Maybe, or maybe it will inspire the rest of the students to join in,” Ahmer retorted, “Why don’t you expel me and find out?”

“ENOUGH!” Suhail roared, “I am giving you one last chance. Do as I say or I will have only one son from now on.”

“Suhail!” Rahila gasped, shocked by the threat.

But Ahmer expected this. “Now, who’s putting the Qaiser name into mud?” He scoffed.

“What do you mean boy?” Suhail asked.

“Ahmer Qaiser kicks off a mass bunk, Son of President Qaiser protests club ban, Elder Qaiser Son begins mass protest,” Ahmer recited some headlines he had read.

“What are you getting at?” Suhail growled in confusion.

“If I gave up now, the headlines would say Ahmer Qaiser gives up, President Qaiser’s son calls off mass bunk, Elder Qaiser son loses, the Qaisers lose, give in to college demands,” Ahmer explained, “In other words, it won’t be just my loss, it will be the Qaiser family’s loss. Do you want to lose, father?”

“You!” Suhail growled.

“Ahmer, please!” Rahila tried to appeal to her son, “Why are you putting yourself at risk?”

“Because some things are worth getting disowned for!” He answered.

“What?” Suhail whispered.

“Not this, my boy,” Abdul Ghani interjected, “I admit that the administration has been unfair but this is not worth ruining your life and future for. These things can be handled more maturely through discussion.”

“We tried the mature way sir!” Ahmer retorted, “It got our friends suspended. The only reason we’re even talking is that we had to do this to make you listen.”

“So you will cause a boycott every time we make a decision you don’t like?” Mahira asked, “If that’s the case, then how can we function as a college?”

“You should have thought of that before banning the clubs without considering our feelings. Just what do you expect to accomplish by doing this?” Ahmer asked.

“I apologize for hurting your feelings,” Mahira snarked, “But college rankings depend on the academic performance of the students, not your extracurriculars.”

“That’s the problem with Aslanistan’s education system,” Ahmer scoffed, “it’s all about academics. Newsflash, there is life outside the classroom. Not everyone’s goal is getting an A+.”

“The real world does not care,” Mahira rebuked, “The fact of the matter is that our university’s rankings have been dropping, which affects our funding.”

“And what about the awards our clubs have won for the college?” Ahmer asked, “My own club has featured films at many film festivals. The football club won last year’s national tournament. The basketball team placed second. Why do you display their trophies in your office if their achievements mean nothing?”

“We are proud of all your achievements,” Abdul tried to placate Ahmer, “But we have to face the reality.”

“Sir, why does facing reality mean sacrificing our hopes and dreams?” Ahmer asked, “Is there really no way to improve our academic performance without forcing us to focus on studies?”

“You think we haven’t tried?” Mahira asked back.

“You call cutting club funds and cancelling Youth Fest trying?” Ahmer snarked.

“Enough Ahmer!” Suhail warned, “Do you think I won’t disown you?”

Ahmer looked Suhail in the eyes and asked, “And just what is the point of being your son? Instead of helping me, you’re taking their side.”

Suhail looked at his son, looking for signs of him bluffing but Ahmer was resolute.

“Suhail, Ahmer doesn’t mean that, he’s just wor-” Suhail stopped Rahila by raising his hand.

“If you don’t want to go to college fine,” Suhail said in an icy tone, “Sameer!” A security guard stepped forward, “From now on, Ahmer will remain at home until I give him permission to leave. He will be allowed outside for Juma and only with guards around.”

“You can’t lock me in!” Ahmer said indignantly, “I’m not a kid anymore!”

“And if you post anything on social media I will take away your phone and laptop,” Suhail warned

“That’s a violation of my Freedom of Speech!”

“There’s no freedom for troublemakers,” Suhail said, “Now, freshen up, it’s time for dinner.”

Ahmer scoffed and went to his room, followed by Sameer. On his way he walked past Ammar, who looked at him in a way he never had, with respect, ‘I must be imagining things,’ Ahmer thought to himself.

“Sir, if Ahmer does not give-” Suhail hushed Mahira by raising his hand.

“The budget review for Central Universities starts next week,” Suhail spoke, “I hope it goes smoothly for all colleges.”

“I understand sir,” Mahira grit her teeth, “Thank you for your time. Assalamualaikum.” Mahira walked out, followed by Abdul Ghani.

“Suhail, are you sure you want to do this?” Rahila asked.

“He’s just going through a phase,” Suhail assured, “A few days stuck in his room will calm him down.”

“I hope so,” Rahila whispered.