It would be only fair to say that this was the pinnacle of Marsh's patience. She was never one to sit around and wait, but was helpless today. After relentlessly being persuaded to throw a party by she-who-shall-not-be-named (lest the party suffered from failure), Marsh now sat waiting for people to turn up; in particular, for anyone to turn up. The theme was a weird one, at least she found it weird, but then again she was Marsh, she could find faults in everything. If she wasn't careful enough, she could slowly turn into what people of her group referred to as Jenifer.
The place was covered with anything and everything that could be remotely categorised as mechanical. Apparently it was the brainchild of the cronies of she-who-we-don't-wanna-name-today, i.e. Mohini and Ritchelle, what with the whole engineering background of the later. There were dummies of robots for as far as she could see, accompanied by pulleys and levers and those strange coloured wheels and stuff that was giving her a headache already. Just for future reference, she didn't like the future already, she was way happier living in her present settings, settings that were as peculiar and uncanny as they come, but those were the only ones that gave her a homely feeling.
Lost in her thoughts as she clasped the present close to her, she didn't realise when someone had sneaked past her, now towering over her back.
BOOO!!!
It was an understatement that the living daylights had been scared out of her. But clutching her heart that was now in an overdrive, she turned back to give one of her dirtiest glares. Well, she couldn't avoid it anymore, the girl needed to be addressed, the name had to be taken and she could deal with the consequences later.
Marsh - POOJA! Are you planning to kill me, like today? You did enough damage when you forced me to, and I quote you again, "throw this party and have some fun" (she air quoted). Please let me live long enough to remind you how I told you this was gonna be a big disaster.
Pooja grinned as widely as her muscles allowed - Loosen up Marshmallow. This is why you needed to have a birthday party, and when I said fun, I meant something that doesn't have your brain all twisted. So cut yourself some slack and just take what comes your way with the grace of a lady that you're not, will ya?
She was awarded with the classic rolling of eyes.
Marsh - Just where is everyone?
Pooja - No one comes at 8 pm for a party Marshmallow.
Marsh - Then why are you here?
Pooja - I am here to prevent you from taking the opposite route. We don't want the birthday girl to pull an Anti-Mohini, now do we?
Marsh - What the heck is an 'Anti-Mohini'?
Pooja - See, technically Mohini is always around BollyCurry and DC. So Anti-Mohini means not being around, always or at any particular time. Hahahahhahahahaha.
Marsh wanted to smack the bejeebees outta her, but all she did was clench her own hands in anger.
A few minutes later, Mohini and Ritchelle walked in, carrying huge bags that covered them up from head to toe. She was able to recognise them thanks to Pooja who was shouting orders at them to b careful with the bags, lest the eatables were destroyed. Marsh stepped up to give them a hand, and was gladly pushed forward by the she-devil. This woman couldn't move a bone to help, and Marsh was liking her lesser by the moment.
As soon as the tables had been set, and Mohini and Ritchelle were taking a moment to breathe, their peace was short lived thanks to the big announcement that came their way.
Shikha - We finally have our guest of honour for tonight.
Shikha had just entered with a microphone placed firmly in her hand.
Shikha - These people have come all the way for your birthday Marshmallow...
*Cough Cough*
Shikha turned to spot Pooja glaring at her, if only looks could kill. She immediately reddened in apology.
Shikha - I meant Marsh...Marsh. So yeah! Presenting to you, your selected favourites from your favourite shows.
YAYYYEEE!!!! WOOT WOOT!!!
Needless to say, Pooja, Ritchelle and Mohini's happiness had no bounds, neither did their cheering.
In her excitement, oh scratch that. In her over-enthusiasm, Ritchelle rushes towards the spotlight and pushes away Shikha mercilessly.
Ritchelle - The first star to grace the occasion, is from the show that gets the pulses high and dry - WHITE COLLAR ladies and gentlemen.
Till now the place has been filled up by some sidekicks and extras that were to cover up the empty spaces.
Fatima - Who do you think it is? Neal or Peter?
Saraa - I just wanna see Neal play around with his hat, he's so droolworthy.
*Enters the celebrity*
Marsh - DIANA BERRIGAN!
Marsh is seen sprinting towards the lady with all her might, while Saraa and Fatima groan in exasperation.
Marsh - Ah man! I am such a big fan. You actually inspired me to join FBI at one point, but then I decided that the world could wait for such a disaster. There was so much more to be done, like make Christmas and New Year gift signatures for people, since I lost the old ones I'd made and...
Mohini tugged at Marsh's sleeves as Diana nods awkwardly before settling down at the back. We believe Berrigan might've let out a sigh in relief, but the rumours are yet to be confirmed.
Ritchelle - Next on the list, my dear friends, is the extremely charming protagonist from the show Humsafar...
Sonia - I am so sure it is Asher. God! That man is sooo...
Everyone's eyes turn to land at one person - Khizar Alam.
Marsh - WHAT THE FUC...
Mohini makes a grab to cover Marsh's face before she can complete her sentence.
Sonia - This is so unfair. What is this sorry excuse of a villain doing here? He ruined KhiShar's life; he should be hanged till death.
Pooja - I totally second Sonia's argument. Why do we have to tolerate this abysmal man and...
Ritchelle - Pooja ki bachchi, shut up and stop making things worse okay. It was you who freaking called up the show's manager. Apparently you ended up making a disaster of a conversation and the poor guys didn't get a word out of it. Be grateful that we have someone here, no thanks to you.
That seemed to silence the crowd as everyone was busy directing their glares at Pooja, who was smiling sheepishly as Khizar also took one of the chairs in the back.
Ritchelle - Moving on from the whole drama, next up we have the star from the renowned show Sherlock. Please welcome him people...
Hershi and Gunia - Please let it be Watson! Please let it be Watson!
Jenifer - Oh please, it's gonna be Sherlock. He's my inspiration, or am I his? Well, we both dislike you humans, so yeah, whatever.
*And the person makes an entry*
Marsh is left flabbergasted, she'd been betting her money on Sherlock.
Marsh - Gavin?
Pooja lightly nudges her as she whispers something slowly, while the 'Gavin' person has a prominent scowl on his face.
Marsh - Geoff is it?
She earns another poke in her ribs thanks to Pooja who clearly isn't amused as she whispers hushedly.
Marsh - What? His name's Graham, right?
By now Marsh has lost all interest in the man.
Ritchelle - G R E G, GREG LESTRADE, THE MAN IS GREG FREAKING LESTRADE, DID YOU HEAR ME? OR DO I NEED TO REPEAT ANY PART?
Everyone backs off a few centimeters as Ritchelle is seen towering over them, her nostrils still puffing.
Mohini gently closes the distance between them and patting Ritchelle slightly on her back, takes over the microphone as the latter hunches her shoulders in defeat and walks down. She doesn't even have it in her to glare as she walks past a non-stop giggling Pooja.
Mohini - We continue after this short interlude, as the next celebrity to join is from the evergreen show F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Please put your hands together for...
Aradhna - Gunther is it?
She grunts non-attractively, as Jot joins her scowling.
*Enter the celebrity, couple*
Marsh - Phoebe and Mike, you both just made my day.
Jot - I would rather have Gunther over these two loonies, like any day.
She snorted earning a few face-palms.
Marsh escorted the couple to the seats in the mid-row, treating them no less than the royalty.
Mohini - Thank you for the enthusiasm ladies (she passes a narrowed look to Jot). Last here on the list we have a star that shall have your heartbeat shoot the sky in mere seconds, from our very beloved show - Zindagi Gulzar Hai. Please put up a round of applause for...
Komal - Yeah I really wish either Kashaf or Zaroon were here.
Gur - Seeing as their track record has been, I would thank my stars if Osama lands up here.
Komal - 20 says it is either Asmara or that godforsaken stepmother of Kashaf.
Gur - 30 says it's the nice principal the two had in college, the one who adores Kashaf almost as much as Zaroon.
*And enters the celebrity*
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Yes girls and boys, everybody is busy trying to save themselves from falling flat as they ogle shamelessly at the man who's just walked in, leaving everyone's breath caught in their throats (Saraa is definitely hyperventilating, or is it Pooja, or Marsh perhaps, because he's just hugged her).
Zaroon - Happy Birthday Marsh.
The rest as you know is history, and left for the reader's own imagination. You can all contemplate what the birthday party might have been like, seeming as we know ourselves only too well.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARSH
I hope you liked the party, at least I did. Zaroon freaking Junaid was there, there was no way we wouldn't have had fun right?
10