Monday 20 August 2012

Happy Birthday Xeena!

Note: This story is written in first person narrative whose character is fictitious. The events in this story are also purely fictitious. Most of the characters are pre-set from my on-going series ‘The College Lovers Series’ from 2002, though the beginning of the series was set in 2003. Any similarities in character or name with the living or dead are purely coincidental.

      20th August was Xeena Medley’s birthday. She may not be special to me, but she is special to everyone in the band. She brought trouble and sorrow to my life when the twins introduced her to me back in September 2004. She brought a dark presence in the room and only I could see it.
      The twins said she was just an old friend from high school, but I could see it through her purple eyes that there was something inside her burning to come out for years. Something that even the twins never knew about.
      I had sleepless nights thinking about it and my boyfriend (who is one of the twins) always told me to relax, and I hoped that whatever had been said about Xeena were true.
      However, one Friday night, when me and my boyfriend (now husband) were returning home from a nice dinner date at a Chinese restaurant, my instincts were proven right. Xeena had sent her ‘henchman’ (now boyfriend), Jason to snatch my boyfriend from me and take him to her.
      That Saturday was a nightmare. And even though I worried about my boyfriend’s whereabouts and well being, I couldn’t stop thinking about his twin brother Vernon’s and Sophia’s safety for they went out in search to find him. But even though that was the case, I would like to hand it to Sophia’s kid brother by one year, Ade and my best friend, Lisa for trying to cheer me up.
      Steven’s dog, Donald was a life saver. Without him, Vernon and Sophia would have gone searching for weeks. Come to think of it, that may be an exaggeration!
      After a hard time imprisoned in an abandoned house, which was found by Xeena and Jason during that Summer, my darling was released that Saturday evening. How he did it was never questioned, but forgiveness was a big part of him. I always thought “Why wasn’t that in his name? As everything about his name suited him. An ‘All Merciful Conqueror’ would have described him perfectly!” And if he forgave Xeena, the rest of the band did too. But the event never really banished from my mind even though I smile and never wish for anything like that to happen between her and Jason. They are happy together now.
      Another thing that bothered me was that Xeena used to call my boyfriend and Vernon by their middle names, Mark and Matt. I mean, don’t get me wrong, Mark and Matt (short for Matthew) are really nice names, but what’s wrong with their first names? They aren’t used much in the modern world, I can understand that. But having an uncommon name, makes them even more special, never mind them being twins! Even mine is uncommon, and I would never let it be changed to anything else. Plus, the meanings of the twins’ names are very powerful and they are blessed to be known to have them as their first names. Besides, the twins never really asked to be known as Mark and Matt.
      However, after Xeena was taught a lesson, she never once addressed my boyfriend and Vernon as Mark and Matt, but simply by their first names.

      The College Lovers Band grew in number as the years passed. But the number isn’t very big, just under twenty members. One member in the band was a big surprise to me as I was to her, but that’s a different story all together.
      Plus, if our kids choose to follow our footsteps, the number would grow even bigger! But, of course, as proud parents we support them no matter what they choose to do. And I love my Andy and Carrie very much!

      Each band member means a lot to one another, and so for each birthday, we try to arrange an unforgettable party with a few surprise guests.
      We made a few friends with other singers and bands whilst touring around and some we became a fan of.
      But every time a party is arranged, the plan of a surprise guest backfires. Never the less, we try and make it the best party ever!
      However, today, lucky Xeena had everything, including the surprise guests ready for her birthday party. 

      It was late afternoon and the party was in full swing in a big hall room, which we always book, with flashing lights and loud disco music. Everyone was dressed formally with the girls in beautiful dresses and gowns, and the boys in dashing tuxedos as the theme was ‘Prom Night’. That’s another thing, our parties never happen without a theme!
      Everyone was enjoying themselves. All except Xeena. She feared that this party was going to be another ‘just friends and family and no specials’ party. She, for one thing hated it. I can never understand why she can’t be happy with what she’s got!
      I stood in my long red dress, by the table of refreshments, holding Carrie in my arms, watching Xeena in her black glittery dress as she sat in the corner with an empty wine glass watching with a long face at the others dancing away. Hair bangs of her shoulder-length spikey black hair almost covered her sad purple eyes.
      Suddenly the hall became dark as if there was a blackout.
      Poor and confused Carrie started to cry, and I tried to hush her with gentle bounces. Then when the light of a spotlight appeared on stage, she stopped crying.
      The stage spotlight appeared on a well body built man in a black shirt and tuxedo, holding a micro-phone. His black short bob-cut hair was flatly combed to one side and his bangs almost covered his navy blue eyes.
      “Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls!” He announced. “I like to say this is going to be the most special birthday party ever! I know it’s mentioned every time, but this time, it is meant to be, right?”
      “YEAH!” Everyone cheered with their glasses up high.
      “So, without further ado,” the announcer continued. “Xeena Medley, my darling, they have come to save our love just for you.”
      Xeena frantically stood up. “Jason, what have you done?!”
      With a big grin on his face, Jason silently left the stage as the music of ‘Save Our Love’ began to play.
      Xeena’s eyes widened.
      “Wait, I know this song.” She said as she turned to face Jason as he approached by her side.
      “I know you do.” Jason kissed her cheek.
      “But no one has ever sang it except…”
      I saw Xeena turn back to face the stage when her jaw dropped and her purple eyes twinkled with tears of joy as she saw three identical men under the spotlight singing the song she loved by them. One was playing the guitar and another on the piano, and all three had a micro-phone in front of them. They were dressed accordingly in white shirts and straight black trousers, and their jet black hair were cut in a similar fashion to one another.
      Xeena turned to Jason again who kept on smiling at her.
      “Are they for real?!” Xeena shrieked in a whisper.
      “Why don’t you find out?”
      Andy and Mike ran to her and tugged on her arms. “Come on Aunt Xeena! They’re here for you!”
      I for once laughed with joy to see Xeena’s happiness come to life as the kids pulled her to the stage. They looked cute in their Tuxedo outfits!
      My husband in his blue shirt and wedding tux came to my side and smiled at me. “We did it!”
      “We sure did.” I smiled back and gave him a peck on the lips.
      “Oh my!” Aarthi Sitar shrieked as she came out from the restroom and saw the young performers on stage. She was about to run to them too, but she was gently held back.
      “No no, Miss Sitar, you can’t have them just yet.” Vernon said patting her shoulders. He wore a similar tux as his twin brother, but with a purple shirt.
      “Looks like me and Vernon are off the hook for once.” My husband smirked.
      “I wouldn’t bet on it just yet, honey.” I smirked back.
      I passed Carrie on to him and headed to Aarthi’s side. “Come on Aarthi let’s sit you down.”
      Aarthi turned to me with a pout. “OK.”
      The first song was almost finished and Vernon ran to control the spotlight as everyone took a seat and sat down.
      Andy ran to me and sat on my lap as my husband took a seat next to me with Carrie on his lap.
      Andy’s cousin, Mike ran to his parents’ comfort too.
      Sophia who wore a blue flowery dress, sat down next to us with Leanne cradled in her arms as she slept with a thumb in her mouth.
      Everyone applauded as the song ended and Jason stepped back on stage with Xeena now grinning ecstatically.
      The three identical men stepped forward, away from their instruments.
      “Thank you guys for giving up your time for this lovely young lady who means the world to me.” Jason said to the three men.
      “It is a pleasure being here.” Said one of identical men, who was playing the guitar. “Thank you for having us.”
      “And thanks Ade for assisting us with the drums.” Added another.
      Ade nodded and waved from where he was sitting behind the drums.
      Lisa, who sat next to Sophia gave a clap with her hands as she cheered. “Yeah Adey!”
      “And Happy Birthday Xeena.” The guy with the piano patted Xeena on the shoulder.
      “Thank you!” Xeena replied, clutching her hands together with excitement.
      Before the three men went back to their places to play another song, Jason asked an additional question. “For those of us who don’t know you, could you please introduce yourselves?”
      “Sure!” Said the guy with the guitar. “We are 3nity Brothers and we are triplets from France, Paris. My name is Romain.”
      “Sylvain.”
      “Et Vincent.” Finished the guy with the piano.
      “Hai Hai!” Aarthi shrieked again and almost leaped off her chair. But I managed to keep her put.
      “Aarthi please keep calm.” I whispered.
      My husband couldn’t help but give a little snigger under his breath. I could see his twin brother Vernon doing the same behind the lights. Two fathers acting as kids again! Sophia and I couldn’t believe it, but we smiled helplessly, just to see them with such positive attitudes despite the fact of what we have been through.
      Back on stage, Xeena now held the micro-phone that Jason was holding.
      “Well, I wouldn’t have been a big fan of you guys if I didn’t know you.” She said.
      The boys laughed.
      “And so, I did a bit of research on your names.” Xeena continued. “And I found out about your middle names.”
      “That’s good.” Sylvain nodded.
      “So, is it ok if I call you Alex, Nick and Fred?”
      Before the boys could answer, almost everyone gasped, recalling the last time Xeena ever addressed anyone by their middle names.
      There was a few seconds of silence in which my husband and I exchanged a face of anxiety, as Vernon, Sophia, Ade and Lisa did the same. Uh-oh! Not again!
      A cackle from Xeena broke the silence.
      “Come on, guys!” She said facing her audience. “As if that’s going to happen again!”
      “That’s right!” Jason cheered, taking the micro-phone and held Xeena tightly by the waist.
      Everyone cheered and applauded again with relief.
      “On with the party!” Jason announced gleefully.
      Mike and Andy immediately sprang off to continue running around and playing together.
      Aarthi leaned over me to reach my husband.
      “Beta,” she pleaded. “Is it ok if I meet the lovely boys now?”
      My husband smiled.
      “Sure, let’s go.” He passed Carrie back to me as he assisted the plumped Indian woman towards the young men on stage. I followed right behind them.
      Once on stage, Aarthi ran like a child straight towards the guitarist who was the nearest to her. We ran after her, striving to keep her calm.
      For those who don’t know Aarthi Sitar, she is a retired college teacher in Geography, and is very fond of the twins. Plus, she is a very special person in my life.
      “Can you remind me what is your name, beta?” She asked the guitarist.
      “It’s Romain.” The guitarist smiled, trying not to look so embarrassed while he tuned up his guitar.
      “Oh Rommie beta! You’re so cute!” Aarthi squeezed his cheeks like a baby.
      Romain’s brothers hissed a laugh through their teeth and tried covering them over with their hand.
      Vernon and Sophia came to our side. Leanne still sleeping.
      “Wow! We really are off the hook now!” Vernon laughed.
      “Hey VC!” Vincent called to my husband. “What was Xeena talking about something happening again?”
      “It’s a long story, my friend!” My husband called back. “But none of you have to worry about it.”
      “Yeah!” Vernon added with a giggle. “But you will have to worry about dear old Miss Sitar!”
      And with that, every one of us laughed together.

      In the end Xeena Medley had a magical birthday with everyone she loved. Definitely a birthday to remember!
      Happy Birthday Xeena! xxx

20th August 2012

      To find out what fully happened the past. Check us out in ‘S. T. Haque’s College Lovers Series’ so far in:
Book 1, College Lovers: Always The Best Of Friends
Book 2, College Lovers 2: Is She Another Friend?http://www.blurb.co.uk/bookstore/detail/2453767

3nity Brothers were the only characters that were not fictitious even though the event was. They are currently in France, preparing themselves for a school tour in Switzerland from 10th September.
Check them out: