Episode: 6
When my mobile phone rang, the other side introduced themselves in Turkish. “My name is Bahadur – I was given your number by your old friend and comrade Mehmet (Muhammad). Through social media he came to know that you are in Springfield, Massachusetts today. He called you. There will also be a call. He is currently living in Florida and he called me specifically to meet Hasnain.”
“Yes! I got a call from Muhammad yesterday. He was saying that a friend of his lives in Springfield and is coming to see me.”
“Where are you right now? Send me your current location. I’m coming to pick you up now if you’re free.”
“I’m just finished. Come pick me up and I’ll send you your current location.” When the phone was switched off, I sent my current location to Bahadur from Google Maps.
Bahadur was just 3 miles away from me. It is worth mentioning here that in America, distances are measured in miles instead of kilometers.
I was just about to go out when my mobile phone rang again. Bahadur was on the other side:
“I’m standing outside your house.”
“I came.” When he came out of the house, a flashy red Chevrolet was parked. In the driver’s seat, a man, same age as me was sitting in a red and speedy truck. Shaved head, light beard and bright eyes. He was truly a Turkish at sight. I got into the car.
After some small talk, he asked about my accommodation, otherwise he should arrange my accommodation at the request of Muhammad. I thanked him. I was not worried about accommodation and food because our schoolmate Faisal had already taken care of them. Bahadur took me to Istanbul Supermarket which is about 3 or 4 km from my residence in Springfield itself. It is not a big market but a big grocery store called Istanbul Supermarket which sells Turkish, Arabic, Indian and Pakistani groceries.
Istanbul Market’s Manager Musa welcomed us and treated us to Turkish Baklava. I abstain from sweets, but if there is baklava, who can deny it? I have seen other diabetics eating Baklava as well.
What is baklava? Baklava is the uncrowned king of Turkish sweets. Baklava is relished in religious festivals, wedding ceremonies and other celebrations. If a special guest comes to the house or office, his mouth is sweetened with baklava.
Baklava is made of pistachios, almonds, walnuts or hazelnuts and syrup in very thin layers of yeast. Apart from Turkey, Baklava is quite famous in the Middle East and even in the Balkan countries, but it got its fame from the city of Gaziantep in Southeastern Turkey, which is the leader in its preparation. Anyways, I ate well and ate well. The original was Turkish baklava which reminded me of Turkish friends and a trip to Turkey in 2012 where we were and had baklava. Yusuf Oladi gave Turkish Baklava to me as a gift during his trip to France in 2019. The Turks were my absolute mentors. There was always baklava in his home and office and while serving Turkish baklava to his guests he used to say: Tatlı Yiyin ve Tatlı Konuşun That is, eat sweet and speak sweet.