Thorns, Fire, and Petals

Chapter 5: Illumination

The beams of sunlight came flashing to my face, my eyes hurt from its ray. When I opened my lid, I was lying in a grassy meadow half-naked, I placed my hands on my chest embracing my nakedness. I felt a strong dry branch and grabbed it to help me stand as I felt the numbness of my feet, it helped me stand-up and walked as if I know where I am going. I managed to reach the foot of the hill when suddenly I heard a slithering hiss and looked at the branch cane I'm holding when a snake crawl from it attacking me. To my fear, I dropped the stick and run to the top of the hill forgetting the numbness of my feet. The snakes followed me as I gallop, I was gasping for air when a shadow covers the rays of sunlight, and big creature coming towards me. Though the creature was big, I did not feel afraid and I run towards its direction in the same manner that the creature flying to me, from a blink of an eye it grabs the snake, strangled it in the air and took its head with its beak. It was now looking towards me, I have seen those eyes before but I cannot recall. It landed next to me and opens its big wings cuddling me. I felt warm, my nakedness seems to disappear, I felt like crying yet contented. I closed my eyes to savour the moment. I once again felt the flare of sunlight in my face, when I opened my eyes I'm back to my room.

It was just a dream but it felt so true the snake, the stick and the mighty bird. I sat down and utter a silent prayer, whatever the dream meant I pray for the Lord to guide me. 

The days went by so fast and the event is just a day away. I met with some of Andy's friends along with the celebrant, Mrs Fuentes. She was a consultant for one of the ministers and has been living in Thailand for about 15 years. She's celebrating her 50th birthday tomorrow and the party seems extravagant. They've invited me to join in their meeting with her and their suppliers. 

"Don't worry will introduce you as part of our team, just sit down and observe," Andy told me

They've introduced me to everyone as their new team member. And started to discuss the venue and program intricacies

"Andy, the venue set-up was nice but don't forget to add 1 more food station on the left corner of the stage it can be a noodle or dessert and please check all the lights around the pool area," the celebrant said

"Yes, Tita (Aunty) I already informed the banquet manager earlier about this request. We will also check the stage set-up tomorrow morning and send you the photos." Andy said. 

We did a site visit on their hotel yesterday, Andy has shown us where the party will be held as well as the floor plan of the event and how it would look like. It will be an outdoor event and the stage and dance floor will be covering half the pool, which I imagined would be so astounding while there will be four food stations surrounding the venue. The VIP tables were near the pool while the rest is scattered around the pool area. According to Andy, they are doing the food tasting today and review 

"There are 2 photographers and 2 videographers including drone operators which are around 6 people in total. We've already briefed them of the program and the time when and what types of photos we would require. The briefing was also done with Emcee Desiree and Vichewatt and their script have been checked. They will have stage rehearsal tomorrow at 1 pm along with the sound system testing and band instrument set-up" Jay updated

"We've sent Claire the video of the Japanese Drum performers including the list of music they will play, you just need to inform us your top 3 choices among the 5 music that they gave." he continued

"So the registration starts at 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm, the guest will be ushered to the photo backdrop for a quick shot and write on the message book. During registration,  their table number will be given. As they enter the venue area, welcome drinks will be provided and will lead them to their tables." Andy priming

"6:00 to 7:00 pm the Japanese Drum performers will play as part of the pre-function entertainment. Followed by the Emcee's introduction and opening of the food stations and live cooking, while the Japanese Drum continues to play until 7:30 pm" he continues

"During this time you can go to each table to greet your guests, the photographer and videographers will be on stand by while the local singers will take the stage and run their 1st set" he looked at celebrant to get her acknowledgement, which she nodded

"At 8:00 pm will bring out the cake and the emcee will call you at the stage and play the birthday song, waiters will roam around to give wine and champagne to guest for the toast. This will be followed by our special performance" Andy grin

"Andy, make sure this performance is wholesome" Mrs Fuentes said

"Don't worry Tita, you will love it" Andy chuckles along with Jay, I was just smiling with them

"Carlo, are you joining their performance tomorrow?" Mrs Fuentes asked

"Not yet Mrs Fuentes," I said

"Hijo, just call me Tita, ok. Andy, please continue" she said

"The band will start and local singer will come alternately for their sets and this will last until 10 pm, the dance floor will also be open for those who wanted to dance." Andy continued

"The food station will be closed at 9 pm but the dessert station will be open until the program ends as well as the free flow of drinks. Each table will have 3 bottles of wines and 2 whiskeys" he added

Andy and Jay were in charge of the entertainment while the venue and catering were done in their hotel. This is the kind of gig that they were talking about, managing events for people, they prepare proposals, take care of the venue, entertainment, food, photographer, videographer, and the actual rundown of the event making sure everything will go smooth. It wasn't so difficult as they divide the work among themselves and the majority are contracted anyway its just a matter of organization. The decoration was managed by the hotel itself along with the people who man the registration. I don't have to do anything other than to observe the whole activities and performance. And throughout this gig, they share the profit equally.

***

The night has finally come, I'm on my blue jacket, white shirt and red tie, I was sitting with the Red Velvet girlz table. The venue was amazing, I came in around pass 6 pm and the Japanse performers aka Taiko were amazing with their drum performance, you can hear it echoing the whole place. The drummers' movement was so refined, creating music that is so exquisite and the performers are mesmerizing, undeniably one of the tantalizing visual treats. I was stuck there for a moment listening and watching them play, it gets you blood pumping yet it's so tranquil and soothing, their movement and dynamics, I love this kind of art. The audience applauds in each of their performances.

While every station is busy some of the guests are chatting at the back where the cocktail tables are. I went to the performers dressing room to see Andy and the group, they were doing their make-up. They were all fabulous, they looked like ladies, big, tall ladies, with their heels. I cannot contain my excitement for them and wished them good luck. I and Jessie went to our table, we meet Louise and her band along the way and greeted each other. We also wished them luck for their performance.

The program has started and on the stage was the Emcee greeting all the guests, the stage LED screen now were playing some photos of the celebrant. We grabbed some drinks and sat on our table. Jessie is sitting next to me since Junel and the rest are on the backstage dressing room preparing for their performance. Sitting with us are some of their friends, Claire (the celebrant's niece) introduced as to some of their friends. 

"Carlo, I'd like you to meet some of my friends who will be joining our table, this is Anais and her brother Pierre, Clemence and her date Ivan and of course my boyfriend David. And for those who don't know yet this here is Jessie, Junels girlfriend" 

"Hi! Nice meeting you" I exchanging handshakes to each one of them. Jessie and Anais were now chatting, so I ended up talking to Pierre who came and sat beside me.

"So Man, are you related to Mrs Fuentes?" he asked

"Nah, I'm friends with Andy, Junel, Don and Jay, how about you?"

"I'm with Anais, she's working with Claire"

"Where do you work?"I asked

"Me, I'm here visiting. I just arrived last week" he raised his glass to give me a toast which I retorted and we drank

"So what do you plan on doing here? I hope you won't mind me asking" 

"Well, I'm planning to get a job and stay maybe a year then I'll move again, I wanted to explore this region. what about you? are you working here or just visiting?"

"I'm teaching in one of the international school. I also just arrive a few months ago. Do you want to grab some food?" I asked him since I ran out of things to asked and I also saw Jessie and the rest took their food.

We went around to see the cooking station, I got some pasta, meat and some dumplings and went back to my seat. Pierre had his food and sat next to me. The singers are now on the stage, their voices fill the background while people enjoy their dinner. 

Mrs Fuentes came by our table and we all paused for a photo. She asked us if we are enjoying the food which we all smile and nod in response to her. She said goodbye and went to the next table.

The food was good, Jessie, Anais, Pierre and I talked about some of the opportunities available in the market, we talked about recent government regulations on visa and working permit as well as the restrictions of the visa stamps on the border for those who travel or doing business with the neighbouring country. Our discussion stopped when the emcee called our attention cake and toasting of the celebrant. Mrs Fuentes is now on stage and she has changed her dress, she is now wearing an elegant red belted knee-length wrap dress. She looks younger and stunning as she takes the gold sword-like cake cutter from the platter, cutting the cake as the music plays the birthday song. After cutting the cake they gave her a flute glass for the champagne toast, cheering for her good health and longer life.

The entertainment continues you can hear Andy's voice, smoke fills the stage, and they went out one by one. The light dimmed and spotlight are now following them. The crowd were now clapping and cheering for the sexy goddess performing on the stage. Their choreography is well-coordinated, it is an amazing performance. I was on my feet singing and swaying on my place following their every move, I cannot help my self but to jive with them silently. 

They performed 3 songs from Lady Gaga and Beyonce and the crowd loves them. The dance floor is now filled with guests dancing, Andy and the group has now changed back to their party clothes but still wearing they're hair and make-up. They are sitting on our table drinking with us, their friends' ad some people greeted and had a toast with them. Some even asked them for selfies, they were like celebrities. 

The next day, my head hurt a little because of the alcohol I drank from the party, I wasn't able to say no to whisky after drinking some wine and beer, so it was a disaster. The good thing is that this morning is we are just having a meeting for the upcoming school foundation day, so I didn't need to do anything but be there.

"Carlo, are you okay?"Jane asked

"Headache!"I just said

"You can go home after the meeting, and just do your lesson plan at home," she said

"I know you went to that party last night, so how was it? are you convinced to join them" she is now whispering 

"It was fun, I think I will try and see how it goes" I murmured speaking in our language

"I think the only thing I cannot tolerate is drinking. I need to find a strategy on how to get away from it" I continued

The meeting took another 30 minutes, we were assigned with some task with the children. I was in charge of some art exhibition for kids, which I think is not a problem since this is something I have done in the past. I will just have to draft the proposal and mechanics and submit it on Tuesday. They gave us about one and a half month to prepare.

I was in front of my laptop when my phone vibrated. I checked and it was a message from an unknown number. I crinkle my brow wondering who send me the message

"Hi, Carl its Pierre" written on the message 

"Hey, what's up?"I typed back

"Are you busy tomorrow?" he asked

"Not really, Why?"I asked

"Have been to the Grand Palace and Wat Pho? Anais is busy and since you were also new I was wondering if you wanna go" he asked

"I've seen it a few years back then, but it's not bad to visit again, so sure why not" I retorted

"Great, Let's meet in front of the palace at around 7 am, Anais, said it's better to come early, please message or call me on this number" he countered back

"Okay, see you then" agreeing on his plan

I was a bit lazy to type so I just agreed on it. I told the others I'm going home early because of my headache. Before going home, I drop by at the 7/11 shop to buys some essentials for tomorrows tour. I brought some Gatorade, chips, and cookies. I also buy some medicine for my headache. When I arrived home, I throw myself to the bed and doze off.