The Friendship Party

(On the last day of the StoryADay Contest, we were asked to write about a party. I thought of writing about a party involving some of my fella contestants in this year’s Contest. My friend Valerie called it ‘crazy’ and ‘wild’ and suggested that I ought to be writing more of such crazy stuff. Come to think of it, Humour is alien to my nature. In the hustle and bustle of the life we lead, I have forgotten to laugh at myself!

The story, therefore, marks a momentous departure from my comfort zone or forte of writing Romance. I hope you like it.)

31.5.24

The Friendship Party

They have all come to see him off at the JFK Airport in New York. As Rathin hugged Andrew, he mumbled,“ Thanks friend. I know now I’ve friends in America. Friends who care, unlike some of my relatives here.”

Valerie stepped out to offer him the bouquet.

“Next time you come to The States, make it a point to come to Arizona. You’d love it as much as you claim to love my stories….”

Everyone joined in the racacious laughter that ensued soon after.

Rathin lowered his head as she put her hands around him.

“I’m sorry, Valerie for the way I lost control last night. I think the excitement of attending the party took a toll on me. I just wanted to enjoy myself like never before in your magical country…”

“ You indeed are a talented man, Rathin.” It was Julie Duffy standing before the closed glass door on the lounge. “Come back to America again. Safe travels.”

Rathin looked at her gratefully and slipped inside without looking back again.

He didn’t want this marvellous bunch of people from the 15th Anniversary of StoryADay Party last night to see the unshed tears in his eyes!

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“I think it’s wrong of Rathin to have one of his stories published in a magazine the same day he had it published on StoryADay this May! No, Julie, as the brain behind the Contest, you must do something about such delicate issues!” Teresa sipping from her crystal glass told the table.

“I don’t think I’ve done anything wrong, Julie? Show me the guidelines for taking part in the Contest! Where are they? Where is it written that once you publish your story on this platform, you can’t send it anywhere without Julie’s prior consent?” Rathin putting his whiskey down briskly on the table, asked the others.

 

“Would you like to have some more, Ratting?” Andrew, who loved pronouncing ‘Rathin’as ‘Ratting’, asked, while pouring some into his glass before passing it on to him sitting on his right.

“Look here, everyone. We’re not here to debate over who should have done what or not. The whole point why I suggested and had The Party organized was to celebrate our victory, our achievement. Like I informed you through the email earlier – whether you wrote zero or no story, or whether you wrote thirty, is irrelevant. What really counts is that each one, in my eyes, is a winner. And this party here tonight at The Heritage is a celebration of your achievement.” Julie said, trying to avoid Rathin’s eyes on her since he took his seat on the chair opposite. There had to be something wrong with the boy. Drinking heavily like he didn’t have a care since the party began, his eyes kept moving around the table like the b—–d was looking for a bride.

“If what Julie has stated now, be the case, let’s forget about the guidelines or anything else related to the Contest for the time being, Buddies….” Andrew left his sentence hanging in the air as Rathin barged in again.

“ The evening is still young, man. Led’s discuss some of de stories at least.”

This time it was Teresa who chipped in, “Regarding that, you didn’t give us much space to share our stories, did you?” She looked reproachfully at Rathin rubbing his mouth with the back of his hand before adding,“The way you have been using the StoryADay platform lately, is like it’s your monopoly!”

“Is dis de reasan why you invited me all de way from Kolkata, Julie?” He asked jovially.

He didn’t take his eyes off Julie though since she entered in that stunning blue suit of hers, looking absolutely stunning, thereby making it impossible for her to reply to his question. Besides, his voice was drooling. Valerie joined them just then.

“Sorry for being late. Got stuck in a jam, you know.” She apologized, putting the car key in her front pocket and sitting down beside Lisa.

“Welcome, Valerie. Like you informed me over the phone, we started exactly at the scheduled time and are now into the discussions about The Contest this year..”

“And I’s telling dem dat we needed to discuss some of the stories at least….”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea, Rathin. The party tonight is to celebrate our momentous achievement, to let go of our personal issues and make lasting friendships for a lifetime.” She smiled, showing her sparkling teeth.

“You see, friends, I don’t mind talking about my stories. Aren’t dey great? Tell me honestly…..” He looked across seeking support from Valerie this time.

There was absolute silence in the air as Rathin turned around then and waved at the waitress.

“Hey, you beauty! What do you think you’re doing standing with your arms folded like that? Get me my brand without looking at me with that dumb look on your face. Get it fast…” Then turning his head back, he chuckled sheepishly.

“I do hope you all are enjoying yourselves. Now these are the plans for tonight that I chalked out with some friends. We’ve the “Welcome Address” followed by the “Experience Sharing Session”. Lisa has agreed to deliver “The Vote of Thanks” right before the dinner.” With the smile hovering still around the corners of her mouth, Julie moved her eyes around to make sure all were listening attentively.

“Welcome Address!”, “Vote of Thanks!” Would someone care to explain what’s been going on here? Is this some kinda school reunion or farewell?” Rathin asked with blank eyes.

Andrew laid a firm hand on his shoulder then before turning to Julie as she stood up, pushing the chair behind

“So, Julie, let’s get done with the Welcome Address first.”.

“Once more, Good Evening, Friends. You can’t imagine how my heart swells right now to find all of you present tonight. 52 more of our friends called me earlier to extend their apologies for not being able to make it here tonight.

When I conceived the idea of StoryADay some twenty years back, I had a dream at the back of my mind. A dream of building Bridges of Friendship through the medium of Quality Story Writting…”

“May I?” It was Rathin again, standing up and uplifting the small finger of his left hand recklessly.

As he passed the pretty waitress in white on his way to the washroom, he winked at her a enticingly, throwing his arms out.

“What’re yu wedding for, girlie? Come to me. ‘Bridges of Frendship’, didn’t you hear that, sweetie?”

By the time Rathin came back, Lisa was moving to the concluding part of her experience of having taken part in the contest this year.

 

“You know, as a kindergarten teacher, I’d to tell, over the years, a lot of stories to the kids. But telling stories is totally different from writing them. When I posted that remake story of “The Three Little Pigs”, I was worried at first thinking of your reactions to it. Your encouragement and positive feedback afterwards, is definitely gonna help me grow as a writer. Thanks to you all, I’ll be more confident and secure next time I take part in any contest. I want to grab this opportunity of letting you all know that I remain very obliged. THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart.”

She concluded her speech to a thunderous applause.

No sooner had Valerie stood up than Rathin was seen coming back. He dabbed at his mouth with his yellowish handkerchief before loosening the knot of his tie. His gray coat was wet at some places.

“Oh, Valerie. Tell them how much I appresheeted dee. You know….I fell in love with…. that story you wrote. That story….what’s it called? The story…” Running his hand through his hair, Rathin shrieked out like he had no clues of what he was talking about, much to Valerie’s dismay and discomfiture. He staggered back from his chair and putting his handkerchief to his mouth, he scampered back to the washroom again.

At a signal from Julie, both Andrew and Friar exchanged a quick look before getting up from their chairs. It was time to act. They slowly started moving towards the same washroom then. They couldn’t let Ratting spoil a pleasurable party like this tonight.

A little later, Rathin, his head down, his left hand over the shoulder of Friar while his right was hooked onto the upper arm of a waiter, was seen being dragged to the car outside.

“Is he drunk?” Someone from the media, waiting outside, queried.

“Nope, he’s just on one of his writing sprees…” Someone shot back from beside Rathin.

The end