Don't feel sorry for Salim

Dedicated to Rani

  Don't feel sorry for Salim

  Copyright ©2010 by Ramesh Iyer

  All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book, or portion thereof, in any form. Written permission must be secured from the publisher to use or reproduce any part of this book, except for brief quotations in critical reviews or articles.

  The characters in this novel are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is purely coincidental.

  Disclaimer : Author had no intention of criticizing Yoga and Reki therapy of healing, they are right in their own way, author had only tried to criticize people who practice it without proper knowledge

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  Author : Ramesh Iyer

  Editor : Farah Pirani

  Synopsis

  Meet Salim Khan, ambitious, good looking and ready to enter the matrimonial world with his beautiful fiancée, Shaheen. After much planning, Salim’s engagement party is approaching and as his parents make the final arrangements and finishing touches, no one knows that this perfect party will turn into the ultimate catastrophe.

  As the guests congregate at the Khan’s residences, the atmosphere is one of happiness fused with jubilation. The lovely Shaheen and her family arrive, to be greeted warmly by the Khan’s. A welcoming speech is made in her honor and the blissful couple exchange rings. The families and guests are overcome with joy for this beatific couple, who are entering the honeymoon stage of their lives, together.

  As the DJ, a friend of Salim’s, starts the celebrations with his popular beats, the young crowd is drawn to the dance floor. Salim and Shaheen follow suit and this is when disaster strikes. Salim falls over on the dance floor and hurts his ankle, his pain is very apparent and he cannot walk. As he lies motionless on the sofa, wanting to be seen by a doctor, his friends and relatives all “advise” him on the next best steps. Amidst much confusion and conflicting counsel, Salim grits his teeth through his pain and tries his best to humor his guests, as they tell one tale after another about similar experiences.

  Chapter 1

  Salim throws his keys down on the hallway table and strolls into the family room, undoing his tie. It had been a grueling day at work; he drops his tie and jacket on the nearest chair and rubs his tired eyes. His parents are doing what they usually do when he gets home from work, his father scrutinizing the paper and his mother, pottering around. He looks at his Dad wearily. “Dad, you did remember to invite everyone to the engagement party didn’t you?” His father sighs and lowers his paper, looking disparagingly at his son through the bottom half of his bifocals. “Of course Salim, how could I forget, after all, you’re always so busy with your work. In my day I would do all my own work and all your grandfather’s, how the world is changing.” He said, shaking his head disapprovingly and lifting his paper back to eye level.

  “Oh come on,” tuts Salim’s mum, gazing adoringly at her son whilst giving her husband a light shove on the shoulder, “can’t you see how tired he is? My poor son, he work so hard and all you can do is criticize him.” She plants a light kiss on Salim’s forehead and gathers up his jacket and briefcase. “Don’t worry Mum, I don’t think Dad understands how different the working world is these days.” He says pointedly “The pressure is just crazy, I’m sure it wasn’t that bad, back in your day.” Salim runs his hand through his stylish hair; his engagement to Shaheen has been at the forefront of all his thoughts. A sales executive for a mobile phone company by profession, Salim’s good looks coupled with his dynamic nature made him the perfect catch for Shaheen, a secretary for a construction company. He met Shaheen, his betrothed, through a sales call. “Ok Dad,” Salim began “let’s go through the list, who have you invited?” He lowered his paper again, irritably. “Ok, if you insist. Firstly, Shaheen, secondly her parents and brother, thirdly your friends Nikhil, Priya, Kumar and Ali. Your boss Mr. Malhotra and then some more friends, oh and my sister and her family, your chachu and his family and some of the neighbor’s.” He gasped for air. “My goodness! In my day an engagement was just a family affair, people won’t be able to tell the difference between this and the reception!”

  Salim ignored his father’s comments; he just wanted everything to be perfect. “That’s great, now we have the guest list complete did you manage to speak to my friend Mac about being the dj?” He sighed in annoyance. “Yes of course I have, seeing as you are too busy to do it. By the way you are taking the day off work tomorrow aren’t you?” It was more of a statement than a question, but Salim shook his head. “I can’t Dad. I really can’t, it’s the end of the month and I have to close some deals, and not to mention the appraisal I have coming up.” Salim ran his fingers through his hair and exhaled, reeling at the tasks ahead of him. “I have to be promoted to regional manager before the wedding. God, there’s so much to do and such little time to do it in. I’ll try to be home by five though.” He said to his father, trying to placate him.

  “Ok son.” Salim did have a lot going on, he deserved a little break, thought his father, kindly. “Why don’t you freshen up and come and have dinner with us? We waited for you, and then get to bed, tomorrow will be a long day for you.” Salim looked at his dad guiltily, biting his lip in remorse. “I’ve already had dinner Dad, I had a dinner meeting with clients but you guys carry on, I need to get to bed.” His father’s kindness subsided into annoyance and so did Salim’s guilt, as he walked off towards his bedroom, trying to ignore his father’s comments, “you should have dinner with us once in a while Salim…I may as well talk to the wall.” His mother began to defend him, as usual, “oh leave him alone, can’t you see how stressed he is? Poor thing has so much work pressure…”

  Salim stepped inside his room, thankful to get away from all the banter. He kicked off his shoes and flopped down on his bed whilst dialing Shaheen’s number, she answered almost immediately.

  “Salim, where have you been? Why haven’t you called me? I’ve been waiting for your call all evening and don’t give me excuses, excuses about client meetings, but anyway.” She stopped to draw breath, and then barreled on, “I have three outfits for tomorrow’s party, a pink one, violet one and dark blue, what do you think Salim? Why aren’t you saying anything Salim?” Salim tried to get a word in but she continued. “I think I’ll go for the pink one, what do you think, I know you love me in pink! Oh by the way, my Dad has a Momo design watch for you, isn’t that nice of him, anyway Salim, my battery’s dying, I’ll speak to you tomorrow. Take care, sweet dreams, kiss kiss.” She put the phone down, not realizing that Salim was already in a deep sleep.