by Ramesh Iyer
Chapter Two
Mac the DJ, was the first to arrive at the party, making his usual grand entrance and almost crashing into the table in the hallway, making Mrs. Khan cringe. Salim’s Dad welcomes him and shows him where to set up his equipment.
“So, Mr. Mac, you will be playing some golden oldies for us tonight, won’t you?” He slaps the uber trendy Mac on the back and hopes that he will tell him what he wants to hear.
“Err sure Khan saab, but mixed with a bit of bhangra, a bit of funk, a bit of soul.” He starts to set up his equipment, missing the weary look of disappointment on Mr. Khan’s face. He sighs, hoping he won’t get a headache from the music.
Salim whistles in appreciation as he notes the activity around him, he had just arrived from another stressful day at work, but seeing everything in place, he began to unwind. “Hey Mac,” Salim high fives Mac “how’s it going?”
“Good, good,” says Mac, riffling through his music collection, Salim looks over his shoulder in approval; he was pleased with Mac’s music collection. This was good; he thought to himself with satisfactory smile, this party was going to be great. “We’re going to rock this place tonight Mac!” Buoyed up with enthusiasm, he bounds out of the room, calling out to Mac behind, “Just going to change buddy, keep up the good work!”
Salim almost crashes into his Dad, whilst rushing upstairs to change. “Careful Salim!”
“Sorry Dad!” The doorbell rang. “Get that please Dad, I have to change.” Salim rushes off again, Mr. Khan proceeds to the door, muttering under his breath about how he has to do everything for everyone.
He opens the door and is greeted by a vision in pink, Shaheen, with her parents and brother, she is beaming away. Mr. Khan’s welcomes them all. Shaheen looked radiant in pink, her dress accentuated her perfect figure and glowing skin. She looked every inch, the blushing bride to be.
“Salaam” said Shaheen to her father in law, shyly.
“Alaykum salaam Shaheen.” He touches her forehead and blesses her with a long and happy life.
“Where is Mum?” She looks around the room, trying to find her mother in law.
“She’s is in the kitchen, putting the final touches on the food, go ahead.” He gestures towards the kitchen with his hand and she walks towards the kitchen, her mother follows her, nodding a greeting to Mr. Khan. Shaheen’s brother heads towards Mac, at the DJ stand, wanting to avoid the father’s talking about what they usually do.
“Salaam alaykum Khan saab, how are you?” Booms Shaheen’s father, gripping his hand firmly, and shaking it vigorously.
“I am good, good thanks. How about you?”
“Yes fine, can you believe the climate? Hot one day, cold the next, what is going on in the world?”
“I know, I know,” enthuses Mr. Khan, happy to discuss his favorite topic. “I think it’s the global warming syndrome, all this glasshouse effect and these gases that we use in deodorants, don’t you?” Shaheen’s father looks at him in confusion.
“Yes, yes, I totally agree, the glasshouse effect.” The doorbell rings again, tearing himself away from the enjoyable conversation; Mr. Khan excuses himself and rushes off to welcome the other guests.
As the rest of the guests begin to trickle in, Mac introduces some gentle music to get everyone in the party mood. Salim’s friends, neighbors colleagues and family all start to mingle and get acquainted with each other, by the time Salim changes and makes an entrance, the party is in full swing.