Disclaimer: "All Victorious characters are property of Dan Schneider and Nickelodeon.
(!) "Jade and Andre find an empty shed called The Tiger Bar, little do they know of why it's where it is and why it was built in the first place. They discover what its all about and discover something else."
Chapter 6: Eternal Pledge
Saturday
30 June 2012 11:00- Morning
The Forest/ Tiger Bar
Kicking the door's knob as hard as she could, Jade asked Andre to lend her a hand, or shoulder to be more exact. Andre bumped his right shoulder in unison with her kicks, Andre backed up, putting himself a good distance away from the door. He charged the door and brought it down along with himself In the moment of contact. Dust came blowing out of the shed as air went in and out. Jade covered her eyes and nose as the last few bits of dust particles flew out of the shed.
A small snake slithered out of the shed which Andre caught sight of as being really close to him, he shot back up from lying down on the ground. He coughed and dusted off his shirt and pants which were just covered In dust. Andre stayed outside trying to clear his throat and clean up his shirt. Jade walked in and took a look at the inside of the shed, there was a table in the middle and a small bar counter to the left. The back of the shed had this old wedding arch.
"Andre come in here and take a look."
"Alright, just give me a sec Jade." he said from outside.
Near the wedding arch were two pelts that hung on hooks, she walked over to hold one of the pelts in her hand. It was dusty just like everywhere else she walked on or looked at. She dusted the pelt with her own hands and inspected it, it felt really heavy. It was beautiful but heavy. On the table there was a green book, it was so dusty she failed to notice it at first glance.
She placed the pelt back on the hook where she found it, she grabbed the book and shook it so the dust would come off. The title of the book was engraved with golden letters that read The Tale of Gordy and Khalla. Jade opened the cover and read the story which was only a few pages long.
The Tale of Gordy and Khalla
Monday, October 1, 1930
My name is Aadarsh, I am 30 yrs old and I came to this country with two special tigers from India, my homeland. I brought them to this country in fear that they might be taken away from me or if someone might want to hurt or take advantaged of them. These two tigers which I named Gordy and Khalla were born under the sacred Bodhi tree. The bodhi tree is sacred in the religion that I follow, Buddhism. It was under the bodhi tree where Siddhartha Gautama became enlightened.
Gordy and Khalla's birth underneath that tree is special because everyone who came in contact with them, always found their soul mate or had some miracle happen to them. I myself found my wife who made me a proud father of three children, two boys and one girl. When they were only two years old, they became a part of my village, and like many people of India, they took their kind and docile demeanor as actions by the gods. Everyone wanted to pet them, everyone wanted them over at their homes. They even took their licking as blessings.
One night a couple of months later, Gordy, the male lion went missing. I had thought someone from my village had taken him, I went to check on Khalla who looked depressed that her partner wasn't near her. I unlocked the steel door of her enclosure and put a body leash on her. I allowed her to lead us to Gordy. Our travels lead us to different villages who had stories of a tiger rescuing children, granting miracles and even leading more people to unite together. Days and nights passed when I found Gordy under a bodhi tree.
He looked sick and tired, Khalla knew something was wrong with him. I carried Gordy and decided to leave India and my family. On a British ship that was heading to America, I and my two friends boarded and stayed in the cargo bay where they ate meat that was quickly defrosting. True to their tiger roots, they would not be afraid to growl or swipe at me if I bothered them. I never minded any of it, I knew their power had to be respected at all times.
California, 1933
The ship arrived in California where I had done my best to hide Gordy and Khalla from people. I kept them inside barrels that I used to hide them in. I moved them using a dolly, I knew I had to take them far away from people. That's where I got my first telepathic message from Khalla, she said I needed to take them to forested area. I saw where she wanted me to take them like i had double vision.
My long two day trip lead me up here to in Angeles Forest, when Khalla and Gordy came out of the barrels, I never saw them so happy together. I traded my own happiness with my family so they could keep theirs. I chose separation so they could be united. Even right now as I write this, Khalla and Gordy are out playing somewhere.
1934
People who come hiking up here usually missed the small home and shed I created, but I knew one day I would be discovered and so would Gordy and Khalla. It wasn't long till two teenagers came and found my place. They were runaways, they wanted to get hitched but didn't know if they could go through with it. I told them about Gordy and Khalla's special gift of bringing two people together. They decided to get married, so I changed my shed into a small chapel which they named The Tiger Bar and it stuck ever since.
The first marriage went as followed, the male and female would have either Gordy or Khalla by their side. They would share what they felt for their partner. A kiss is followed and they both share a drink and write down on an empty notebook their names, the year they got married and a small love quote.
1940
It went on like this for several more years when my poor Gordy passed away in his sleep, heartbroken that her partner had passed away; Khalla joined him a few days after. I myself was heartbroken and I refused to bury them or burn them, so I skinned them and continued on uniting lovers of all ages and backgrounds with my two best friends. Now both partners would wear Gordy and Khalla on them as they pledged their love for each other.
1970
I feel myself becoming more tired, I can hear Gordy and Khalla's voices telling me that I will see them soon In my sleep. In my old age, as I go by the pages on this book, pictures lovers left on here, I can say true love does exist. There must be over 75 names on here in the next pages, to those who have read this far, if you're seeking to unite with the one you love, please follow the steps and have yourselves a drink at the end. Please add your favorites drinks to the bar area if there are none.
1975
Gordy and Kallah I'm coming back home, but first let me put this book down on this table. I have chosen a spot near my home where I want to lay down, so that when I open my new eyes, it will be you two who will greet me in my new life.
The Tiger Bar
Jade turned the last page of Aadarsh's journal entry and saw the list of people who found this bar and got married in it. The list went like so
Names, year of marriage and a quote by each of the partners.
Gina Miller, John Stein, 1934, "Love is like ice cream, be quick to have a taste before it melts or you'll never find out what flavor it was."
"Wow Andre, take a look at all of these people who got married up here. Check some of these photos too, their pretty cool, come take a look at them."
Andre walked in and took the book from Jade, he flipped through pages and saw some of the old photos. There were people from the 50's all the way to the year 2000. No one's been up here in the last twelve years.
"Wait so people came here to get married just by this story they read about to two tigers and a guy? Then that explains those tiger pelts over there. Don't tell me you actually believe this stuff Jade."
"I never said that I believed any of it, I just wanted you take a look. Learn to open up your ears next time." Jade answered in her usual mean way.
"Someone's fangs are sharp today." Andre quipped as he placed the book back down on the table.
"Their always sharp Andre." Jade walked over to him and grabbed his shirt, her face and lips were inches away from his own. "Always" she made it more clearer for him.
"Besides, theirs no beer in here at all so let's go. This place blows. This was a waste of time."
Andre kept turning the pages until he got to the page that the most recent couple from 2000 put their information and photo on. There were two pictures, one of them on a beach with the boyfriend holding up his girlfriend and another with both of them wearing the tiger pelts and kissing. If only couples came and found this place just to get hitched, then who took the photos of the couple after Aadarsh died in 1975.
Goosebumps ran through his arms and back, he placed the book back down and followed Jade back to their camp area. The door which Andre had knocked down on the ground, lifted up and reconnected back to it's hinges, it quietly closed itself.
(!) "Continued in The Next Chapter."