“Valet Service Sir!”, a man in uniform bowed as he drew the glass of our car window down. “Sure”, he replied haughtily and handed over the keys to valet. I carefully gathered the falls of my expensive saree and came out of the car.
Soon, we were in the exotic entrance of one of the most expensive and high class, trendy banquets of the city. The interior was all decorated with lofty console tables standing with pride displaying their huge mirrors embellished with intricate carving.
Each in the entrance passage was supported with variety of columns, vases and armchairs bearing fresh flowers everywhere. Oh! There I noticed that endless array of blooming chandeliers.
We crossed each after the other, till we reached this grand hall further adorned with aristocratic sofas aligned with imperial center and side-tables each bearing soaring lamps and crystal pieces.
The sitting arrangement was spread all over; leaving the space for buffet tables lined up side by side covering both our left and right where as the front area was covered with a glamorous stage all covered in off-white not to mismatch the theme of the night.
The backdrop, however, had multicolored flowers organized appealingly. The middle of the stage had royal sofas for the bride and the groom.
The space was all filled with the aroma of the continental cuisine. We were about to settle somewhere when a teenager came calling us to the front. He led us to the “special set up” for VVIPS of the day. The area was for the protocol of special acquaintances. Soon we were served with welcome drinks and starters while Ladies and Gentlemen chit chatted about their pricey wearing and accessories on the day.
I was also posed with few inquiries such as “nice ring! Diamond or Zircon?”
Suddenly, the lights of the hall went off and their entered the couple followed by the spot light. They elegantly moved towards the stage with the bass shuddering the walls and some disco lights danced over their reaching upon the stage. The photographers asked them to pose for the pictures (as these are the memories they make) before they sat down for more.
Of course, the last part was the long awaited dinner. The waiters opened the dishes thunderously informing the guests for their next move.
Soon all the decorum vanished!! All the manners turned into undisciplined reckless hustle bustle of a fish market. Ladies in extravagant dresses and jewels and gentlemen in suits and boots all seemed terrified as if any draught might hit the event. Everyone moved for more with their hands filled with toppled plates. All tables in a flick of a moment were filled with all variety of food served.
This turn down suddenly led me out of the fairy land. I couldn’t help myself seeing the money notes everywhere! Yes, they were savings I guess or maybe the sum of the whole life …. All ruthlessly flying in the air.
I heard someone criticizing about the shortage. And then few men were tearing the thousand rupee notes, some women had bundles of hundred and even five hundreds…and they cheerfully threw some on the floor while complaining about the ratio of salt and spices in the food. A group smashed some notes under their feet. I heard them gossiping about the arrangement. Few more, walked on the thrown money lying on the floor, diplomatically praised the event in the foolish but proud host’s face.
I don’t know what happened?? The chandeliers started flickering….where was all the light gone? Why was the off-white changed into black? Oh my God!! I couldn’t breath…..Oh these women…why weren’t their valuable attires covering their inner anymore?? Oh hell…where is all the makeup gone?
I had to run! Yes, I wanted an escape…but alas I came across the same towering mirrors before I could exit the area. One of them grabbed me. It wanted me to look into its eyes. It yelled, “Use Me!”. I tried to get rid of the hold but it held me tight aggressively piercing its fingers into my soul but not screaming rather beseeching this time, “For God’s Sake”.
Also read:Words matter
With utmost respect to the team, the above write up is narrative, not persuasive. Thus, use of ethos, pathos, and logos was neither needed nor found in the article. Furthermore, the writer’s narration was inappropriately flooded with unnecessary adverbs. Narration was monotonous. There was wrong use of their instead of there a few times. Wrong use of prepositions also made the write up bleak. The topic was neither new nor stylistically modern. Grammatical Mistakes: 1. “Valet Service Sir!”, a man in uniform bowed as he drew the glass of our car window down: Who is “he”? This is a basic… Read more »
Respected Sir, I appreciate your fair criticism on style, grammar and diction. This serves the true purpose of the whole practice which is to form a healthy learning community. However, there are few things I would like to mention with due respect as you seem to be a staunch linguist with comparatively a lesser interest in literature and fiction writing. Firstly, the purpose of using this narrative piece as an activity is to evoke critical thinking and not the identification of persuasion modes only as our next session is on storytelling where we will discuss that modes of persuasion are… Read more »
Thank you Respected Ma’am,
Your response is appreciated and duly noted. And I must thank you for your delineations. This response has been helpful in learning your point of view as the author, and the vehemence utilised in the write up.
With hopes to learn more from you,
Regards,
Usama