The hall in the restaurant was dazzlingly lit with festoons and balloons
fluttering all around with a large banner in multi colors announcing Happy
birthday. There were about 60 people both ladies and gentlemen with a large
sprinkling of young children to celebrate the birthday of a boy decked in a brightly
laced sherwani who was standing near the center table. A cluster of balloons of
different hues with a large red balloon hung over the table. A large well
decorated circular cake with candles inserted on it were burning ready for the
commencement of the function. There was a continuous chatter and loud laughter around.
At one end of the hall, a long table was lined with glistening steel containers
with food over the dimly burning lamps for the buffet dinner to follow.
As the gathered members gravitated towards the center table to witness
the boy blow the candles and cut the cake , a man in dark suit with his face
save the eyes covered by a black silk entered through a side door. Sharp came
his baritone voice jerking everyone to turn towards him.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I am sorry for this unwelcome interruption but
regret it is unavoidable. This should be over very soon with your cooperation,
I am sure,” he said and pulled a shining gun from the holster.
There was a rustle of feet amid the dumb struck gathering, when he
spoke loudly and peremptorily. “Pray, do not create commotion and hurt yourselves.
I have only one target and the rest can breathe easily. I must warn you to
raise your hands across the chest to clap and cheer the boy when he blows the candles.
Beware, no funny tricks and I am dead serious on this,” he thundered.
Turning his attention to the boy, he said “Start the party by blowing
the candle. Have no fear and you will have all mirth and fun immediately.” Amid
the ashen and sweat drenched faces, he urged the boy “No time to waste. Blow
the candles I say,” as the lights dimmed and the hall became dark.
The boy half in fear and half in
mirth blew the candles when they heard a loud report of the gun. Immediately
the lights came on amidst the shower of small pieces or streamers of glittering
metallic material in bright colors from the balloon above. The hidden
mikes blared Happy Birthday song. The dazed crowd recovered fast to realize the
prank played on them by the hotel entertainer in conspiracy with the boy’s
father.
There was a loud clapping and shouts of happy birthday as the entertainer
in black suit now without the black silk on his face gave the boy a big and
richly decorated gift box as was customary on such occasions.
PS
Little did they or entertainer
notice amid the fanfare one person standing on the fringe had fallen a prey to
a gunshot fired at the same time from somewhere. Who did it and why?
Who dunnit !!! ??
ReplyDeleteWho?? Continue the story please
ReplyDeleteIntriguing story. Loved the narration. Wondering whodunit and why?
ReplyDeleteAre you going to tell us who dunnit?
ReplyDeleteThe boy's father did it. I do not know why.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely Clueless...but I must admit that you have evoked in us the readers a hell lot of curiosity about the perpetrator, the victim and the murder plot...cannot wait for the sequel to this to unravel all the elements!!!
ReplyDeleteII part? Father had arranged for the surprise...did he take the opportunity to kill someone?
ReplyDeleteThat's interesting.
ReplyDeleteThat is intriguing, a nice story in itself without the PS. Wondering what comes ahead.
ReplyDeleteWow! Just when everything seemed to be a part of the game, there crops up a murder case.
ReplyDeleteIt may be another game arranged by the boy's father.The person fell prey be acting.
ReplyDeleteHey Dost...that was a real twist...dramatic, cinematic ;)
ReplyDeleteInteresting. Waiting for the next part of the story.
ReplyDelete