Don't feel sorry for Salim

  Chapter 3

  The atmosphere was thronging with a lively mixture of music, chatter and laughter. The guests were all present and comfortably mingling with each other, and enjoying the delicious canapés that were being passed around by Mrs. Khan and one of her friends. Mrs. Khan was in her element, happiness exuded from every pore making her positively shine, and perspire a little. She couldn’t help gazing at Shaheen at every interval, thinking how lucky the girl was to be marrying her precious son, she would make a point to tell her later. Salim checked himself in the mirror in the hallway; satisfied with his appearance he followed the sounds of music and laughter. He stood in the doorway surveying the inviting scene before him, he smiled, this was going to be one amazing party he thought as his fiancée – the first to see him – shrieked.

  “Salim! There you are!” Everyone turned around and an awe filled silence descended across the room. Salim looked dashing in his crisp white shirt, which complimented his tanned skin and the beige blazer he wore with it. The look was finished off with black moleskin trousers and casual loafers. Shaheen advanced towards him, the crowd oohed and aahed at the beautiful couple.

  Salim took in Shaheen, in all her glory. She looked sparkly and stunning, pink really was her colour, he thought, thanking his good fortune for finding someone like her. Her dewy skin glowed, as she reached his side and beamed at him. For that moment, he lost himself in her hazel eyes. Mr. Khan cleared his throat, embarrassed at the public show of intimacy, both Shaheen and Salim jumped back, startled and smiled sheepishly. Mr. Khan coughed and hushed the crowd, who had begun to whisper excitedly.

  “Dear friends, family and new family.” He looked at Shaheen’s parents as everyone laughed; he flushed with pleasure at the response as he carried on with his speech.

  “I would like to announce the engagement of my son, Salim, to the lovely Shaheen. May God bless them both.” The crowd agreed good-naturedly. Another silence washed over the room as Salim reached inside his jacket and produced a red velvet box. Shaheen’s friend appeared by her side and handed her a black velvet box. Salim opened his box first and produced a dazzling diamond ring; Shaheen feigned surprise and gasped, even though she was the one that had chosen it. She held out her left hand and Salim slipped the ring on to her slender finger. The crowd applauded. Shaheen opened the little black box, amidst admiring her own ring and took out a masculine silver band. She took Salim’s hand and put it on his finger. They crowd went wild with applause and wolf whistles.

  Both their parents came forward and congratulated the happy couple. “So Salim” boomed Shaheen’s father, “I have to forewarn you about my daughter, she is just like her mother, they always get their own way.” He winked at his son in law to be.

  “Good luck with that!” He laughed, Shaheen rolled her eyes.

  “Just ignore him.” She whispered to Salim.

  “I will.” He whispered back. They both chuckled. All the guests began crowding around them, conveying their congratulations and happiness and admiring Shaheen’s ring. The music escalated and Mac called out for everyone to hit the dance floor. The older members of the party began dispersing to the corners of the room, talking away whilst all the younger ones began to head to the centre of the room, towards the celebrated dance floor.

  The music got louder and louder, Mr. Khan touched his temple, which was already beginning to throb, and muttered something about going to get a Aspirin. Most of Salim and Shaheen’s friends had already started showing off on the dance floor, gyrating stylishly to the catchy beat, Mac knew exactly which tunes lured the crowd. As the beat became louder and catchier, more people joined the crowd on the dance floor. Salim and Shaheen canoodled on the edge of the dance floor, across the room, their mothers watched them.

  “They make such a lovely couple, don’t they?” Said Shaheen’s mum dreamily.

  “Hmmm,” replied Mrs. Khan, slightly wearily. “My son has very high standards you know.”

  “That’s why he chose my daughter.” Mrs. Khan smiled tersely. They watched the happy couple being practically lifted onto the dance floor.

  Shaheen squealed above all the noise. “Let’s show them how it’s done Salim.”

  “You got it.” He shouted back, swinging her around, as the crowd surrounded them clapping and cheering them on. Gradually everyone started to move into the floor, joining them, Shaheen floated towards her friends and Salim’s friends moved into towards him. As a popular bhangra beat started playing, the crowd went wild; Nikhil and Kumar lifted Salim onto their shoulders and spun him round to the beat. They eventually lowered him back down to the floor, and joined the lively dancing around them. Just then there was a huge thud, the ones who saw Salim slip and fall, gasped and the other’s stopped dancing and immediately gathered around him. Someone gestured for Mac to turn the volume down, as he did, the parents and the rest of the guests rushed forward.

  Salim was rolling around on the floor in pain. “Oh my goodness!” Cried Mrs. Khan rushing to her son’s side.

  “Calm down, he’s just fallen.” Said a calm Mr. Khan, “Are you ok Salim?” Before he could answer, Mr. Khan was gesturing for the boys to move Salim onto the sofa in the corner of the room. Everyone was whispering around them, through tears, Shaheen clung to Salim’s other side as his friends carried him to the sofa. The vibrant atmosphere had suddenly transformed into gloom, as everyone concernedly gathered around the injured Salim, who seemed to be managing his pain with a brave face.