It was a pleasant evening and what made it even more pleasant was that I was going to meet my friends after a long time. I was standing outside Hotel Montreal, it was our favourite spot.
Hotel Montreal had seen a large part of our life. We had been here during a lot of important moments in our life. I was here to eat ice-cream along with my dad when my first tooth broke. I had brought my first date here, I had my first break up here, we celebrated our favourite team win, we came here after our graduation ceremony, we laughed, cried and done a lot of things with Hotel Montreal by our side, comforting us with good food, drink and a cosy environment.
So yes! I was excited. As I was lost in my train of thoughts, I felt a familiar punch on my back. As I turned back I saw Mathew standing with that familiar smile and lifting his right hand for our Bro fist ritual.
“How are you man, you look good” Said Mathew pulling my hand.
“You look good too man. Been a while” I said smiling with warmness to see my good old friend by my side
“Hey Hey … Don’t you guys start without me” we both heard the familiar husky voice and were excited to see Farhan , our third partner in crime.
We followed the same fist bump routine and I put both of my hands over their shoulders and we went into Hotel Montreal to make new memories and have a great time.
I loved how the aroma that was very specific of Montreal came gushing into our nostrils and made us immediately salivate. The aroma is somehow connected to the experience that we have as well. Because this aroma immediately took me to all the moments I had experienced here in here. A smile covered my face as I looked at my 2 friends.
Hotel Montreal had a setup that was more traditional than modern. It had all the tables on one side that were light red in colour while on the other side was the serving table followed by the kitchen. The tables were accompanied by glass windows that gave the view of the road. The lighting was mostly yellowish and that’s how I liked it. The yellow light somehow makes me comfortable.
At the last corner of the hotel there was a space enclosed with glass door which was used mostly for birthday parties and other similar stuff.
I saw some preparation going on inside that space where the employees were sticking red, yellow blue balloons along with ribbons on the walls. Looking at the colour and cartoon cut outs that were being pasted, I was sure that it was a kid’s birthday party.
“Hey did you guys see the new Mission Impossible movie?” said Farhan who was a movie freak and action movies were his favourite
“Yes man … I loved the movie. Such a well made action movie. It is so rare these to find a minimal CGI and hardcore action movie. Tom Cruise is the last of that lot man. He is the only one who still makes such movies. Otherwise all we get these days in Superhero movies with CGI Villain or else we get army of cars turning into robots and what not. ”I said immediately jumping the bandwagon of movies.
Looking at the silent expression of Mathew, we knew he had not seen the movie. He was the one among us who was not that crazy about movies. Plus being in banking sector working as Finance manager with Deutsche Bank, he hardly ever got free time to do stuff like movies and all.
“Mathew, seriously? You just keep working your ass off all the time. You should relax every now and then man. Go watch this movie, I bet you thousand bucks if you don’t come out entertained. ” said Irfan swinging his right hand with his invisible 1000 bucks.
Mathew had always been the studious among us. Hence he went ahead to pursue finance. His long hours during study and now in office had taken a toll on his hair. He was the only bald guy amongst us. He had also put on weight, but his charismatic smile still remained the same.
“I know man, but you know how the banks work. There is always something that comes up, and being a manager i have to go ahead and take care of it. But I will definitely watch this movie” said Mathew with an assuring tone.
All during our discussion, my eyes kept focusing on the party hall. The preparation was done, and I could see the room full of balloons, cartoons like Mickey and goofy cut outs plus a string with individual letter of happy birthday dangling from the wall. In middle I could see a white Cake with chocolate toppings and studded with candles. Just behind the cake I saw a kid who looked visibly shy and was anxiously looking at the entrance door. The kid was in blue T-shirt with Captain America shield printed on it.
I somehow felt something was not right. There are times when we feel that, although I was not related to the kid or anything but still, it felt like something was not right. I tried to ignore that and continue with our discussion but somehow my mind kept pulling me towards the room. So giving up on my mind’s instincts, I signalled a waiter. The waiter came rushing; we placed our usual orders of pancakes, burgers and coffee. After the order I signalled the waiter to come closer and whispered in his ears.
“What’s up with the party hall there? I just see one kid there, and it has been a long time he is all alone. Is everything Ok?”
“His name is Austin and it’s his birthday, but the thing is we were expecting his friends to be here around an hour back, but not one kid has turned up “ whispered the waiter with his head dropping low of disappointment
“Ok, so where are his parents?”
“The party was organised specially for the kids only as we are here to take care of the rest. The kids these days don’t like their parents to be present at their birthday parties, you know”
“Well now I believe that was a good option, so did you guys call his parents?” I asked
“Yes, but they will take time to come as they stay far away. We are still hopeful that his friends might turn up.”
“Ok, Thanks “i said concluding the discussion.
Wow, such a young kid and this is what life has thrown at him at this tender age. A LONELY BIRTHDAY PARTY. I kept thinking what made all his school friends not come to his party? Is he such a horrible kid? His expression showed otherwise. I wonder how he would contemplate this experience in coming years of his life.
My heart was wrenching in pity and pain. I started imagining myself in his place and how horrible would I be feeling right now.
I lost interest in food. The hot smoking pancake that was dripping in sauce along with berries dropped in between was my favourites, but at that moment I just lost the taste. It felt like tasteless piece of rubber. Even the conversation going around me had gotten muted and all I could hear was whispers as I was in my own thoughts thinking about this kid … Austin.
“Hey, what happened? You seem lost somewhere “nudged Farhan who was sitting beside me.
As I looked at him, he instantly saw my pale expression and understood all is not well.
He repeated his question again, this time his hands were wrapped around my shoulders while Mathew too looked concerned.
“You see the kid in the party room” I pointed my finger towards the room
“The Kid … his name is Austin. It’s his birthday party but not a single friend from his school has come. He is all alone on his birthday. It is making me sick man. Such a tender age and such cruel experience “
Both of them went silent as my empathy dripped in their heart as well. After what seemed like 15 minutes, Mathew spoke
“You know what … I have an idea, come “Said Mathew getting up from the seat and leaving while we followed him.
“Has anyone come outside, can you please check “Austin mumbled with his soft voice to one of the waiters. He nodded and pretended to go check when he knew no one would be there
Austin has black hair that were cut neatly making a circle around his forehead. He had dark brown eyes with chubby cheeks and a round shaped spectacle that rested cutely on his small nose.
He was constantly looking down and fiddling with his hands together. He was nervous and shy. The loneliness of the party hall was making him even more tensed.
But then he heard some noise of kids and as he lifted his head he saw kids entering the party hall with a smile on their face. There were around 20 kids who had gathered and each one of them wished Austin.
Austin didn’t know any of them. He also saw 3 men entering the room with some gift that was wrapped in pink foil.
The Cake was lit and just on time Austin saw his mom and dad enter the room.
Everyone started chanting the birthday song while Austin happily cut the cake.
“Excuse me, I heard you guys brought these kids.” whispered Austin’s mom to Mathew
“Yes mam. We saw Austin all alone and we didn’t want him to be like this on his birthday. So we went to Saint Anthony Orphanage where I am a member and brought these kids. I hope you don’t mind “smiled Mathew
“Oh … not at all … Actually you guys have done a wonderful job. I couldn’t thank you enough. If it wasn’t for you guys, Austin would have had the worst birthday. Thank you so much and god bless you.” Austin mom started sobbing when Mathew hugged her.
I was so proud of Mathew who came up with this idea and how he made Austin’s birthday a most memorable one.
I saw Austin approaching us. Austin’s mom quickly cleared her face and put up a smile.
Austin offered us the cake with his tiny hands.
“Happy Birthday boy, and thanks for the cake”
“No thank you for bringing me so many new friends” smiled Austin
I hugged Irfan and Mathew very hard.
Today was the best day we had in Hotel Montreal.
