TWO SHORT STORIES

So, when I think about some of the horror stories of my life, most of them are of my dating life. However, below are two short stories that I thought I would share since is Halloween.

Story one: All is not what it seems!

It was the summer of 2009 and on one warm evening I got an emergency call about a gig. As any young, enthusiastic drummer would, I agreed to do the gig without really asking too many questions and I started getting ready. On came the white baggy shirt, black school trousers, and off I went to the gig.

On arrival, everything seemed normal. There was a large number of people outside the house, mostly men. People were already singing and dancing. They had used cars to create a roadblock and there were people spilled all over the street.

As I took my Dhol out and was greeted with a loud cheer. I started playing, people started gathering around me and the singing and dancing intensified. Eventually I was asked to play while I entered the house. I entered the house and proceeded to play through a tight corridor. Again, there were people everywhere, on the stairs, in every room, again all men. I kept walking and playing until I entered a room. In the room sat six men and, in the middle, a box.

I was told to stop playing. One man got up. He started speaking in an unknown dialect and after a minute, he signalled for me to play again, this time fast. As I played faster, he opened the box and inside was a cake. On it was what looked like Arabic. I had no idea. Money was being thrown at me and in the air. As I was showered with £20 notes, the men got started shouting. The all of a sudden, it was over. I took what was paid to me, plus the tips showered on me and I left, still none the wiser. As I left the house, the six men started playing and singing – They were a qawwali band.

Eventually I got home and a few days later I got a call from the client. He wanted to show me his appreciation. I then asked what the celebration was about. I was gobsmacked.

Back in their native land, an enemy of the family had died. They were indeed, celebrating his death….

Story two: Not all weddings have a fairytail ending.

It’s fair to say that we have done a fair few weddings over the years. And as expected, most of them have a happy ending (Get your mind out of the gutter). However, there was an instance, where this wasn’t the case.

Now, just like every other gig, we turned up to the venue. What a venue it was! A venue surrounded by tranquil blue water, glazed with golden sunlight. Towering centre pieces with the freshest flowers fill the room. This was grand. The reception was going to be grand.

As the guests began to walk in and settle, our excitement began to increase. There were more than 500 guests, each dressed to the nines and expecting something grand.

We get the signal from the DJ. Its time! So out come the drums, strapped up and tuned to perfection. We placed them symetically on the dance floor. The dj’s voice fills the room in the air as he announces “the bride and groom are ready to make their grand entrance shortly”. We wait for our cue….

Forty five minutes have now passed and nothing. The guests are getting agitated. You can sense the frustration as everyone is waiting. All the uncles have topping up their drinks, all the auntya have finished taking their selfies, and yet they wait.

Out of curiosity we walk towards the entrance from where the bride and groom are due to enter. As we go through the doors, we hear immense shouting.

To our shock we see the bride and groom arguing. The bride is crying. Her tears running down her cheeks wiping off her make up. Her maskara ruined. She is distraught. Next to her is  a groom in distress. Hes trying to calm her down but she wont listen. They are clearly in a disagreement. Both sets of parents are trying to dissolve the situation but to no avail.

Now third wheeling is never normal and the same goes in this case. Talking to the couple is a young white lady. In her hand is a photo. We couldn’t believe our ears.

It turns out, the young lady is his girlfriend! The photo is of them on holiday together! He has been cheating on her and his girlfirned had turned up to the venue to tell his new wife.

After further persuasion, the bridge finally agreed to enter with her groom. As she entered, you could still see the mascara on her face. She entered visablly upset. This wedding, could not have lasted long….