RUNAWAY LOVER

HAPPY NEW YEAR

At 11:40 PM, the lively party atmosphere came to a momentary halt as all eyes focused on the platform ahead. The pulsating volume of the party music gradually subsided. Dana, the host, graced us with her presence, and a warm greeting set the stage for her speech.

"Good evening, everyone!" she exclaimed, a radiant smile adorning her face. The crowd responded with cheers and exclamations of joy. "I hope everyone is having fun tonight!" Dana giggled, further fueling the festive spirit. As the anticipation for the approaching new year grew, she continued, "2018 is just one hour away. Are you all ready for our countdown?" The enthusiastic response from the crowd filled the room with noise. Dana announced, "Our countdown will commence once the curtains behind me start opening, revealing a screen that will flash the countdown. Make your evening last, everyone. Let's have more fun!" Applause erupted, celebrating her words of encouragement.

Descending from the platform, Dana approached me with a friendly inquiry, "Hey, are you having fun?"

"Yeah, I guess," I replied, glancing at my wine glass and giving it a gentle shake.

Observing a hint of melancholy on my face, Dana inquired, "Why the sad expression? Is the party boring?" Despite her glamorous makeup, her pouty expression added a touch of adorable innocence to her demeanor.

"No, don't get the wrong idea. It's just that some things happened to me last New Year's Eve, and I'm having flashbacks," I explained, offering a reassuring smile to dispel any concern.

Before Dana could respond, a girl approached her, diverting her attention and leading her away from our conversation. Dana glanced back at me, making a playful "eh" face and mouthing "be right back." I reciprocated with a reassuring smile and a subtle "It's okay" gesture.

As the night progressed, the bottle in my hand neared emptiness, and Devin, succumbing to the effects of the wine, seemed to revel in the merriment around him. Though the wine's impact was subdued for me due to Devin partaking in my supposed shots, I found myself engrossed in watching the varied expressions of joy on both Devin's and Dana's faces as they reveled in the festive celebration.

As the clock ticked closer to midnight, and the hands of the clock approached the position that heralds the birth of a new year, I found myself immersed in the celebratory ambiance, my fifth glass of wine in hand. The grand curtains before us gracefully opened, revealing a breathtaking panoramic view of Boston. The entire city sparkled with a myriad of lights, and the bustling streets below created a lively tapestry of illumination. The brilliance of Boston at night was a spectacle to behold.

Captivated by the spectacle, numerous partygoers gravitated toward the platform, seeking a closer look at the city that sprawled beneath us. From this elevated vantage point, everything seemed diminutive, yet simultaneously awe-inspiring. The collective gasps and murmurs of appreciation reverberated as the attendees marveled at the mesmerizing vista.

Silence descended upon the gathering as a colossal screen materialized, projecting the anticipated countdown that Dana had earlier alluded to.

The digital display illuminated with a bold proclamation: 4 minutes. In those brief moments, my gaze swept across the diverse faces in the room, each person adorned with an expression of happiness. It seemed that, in this fleeting interlude, everyone was contemplating the aspirations and goals they hoped to achieve in the upcoming year.

As the countdown dwindled to 3 minutes, Dana gracefully joined the onlookers on the platform, exclaiming, "Hey, everyone! Three minutes more, and together we embrace a new year. Start thinking of your New Year's resolutions now!" Her laughter, resonating in the most elegant manner, added to the festive atmosphere. However, amid the revelry, my mind couldn't escape the ponderous question of who Dana reminded me of.

With 2 minutes remaining, my focus shifted to the glass of wine cradled between my fingers. In a contemplative motion, I swirled the wine within the glass. As my gaze traversed through the translucent liquid, the blurred outlines of the tablecloth and surrounding elements mirrored the haziness that enveloped my thoughts. Lost in reflection, my mind delved into memories of the tumultuous events that unfolded on my last New Year's Eve.

"Hey," my mind wandered amid the lively celebration, lost in the reflections of the past.

"Hey, D!" Devin's tap on my shoulder jolted me back to the present, rescuing me from the depths of contemplation.

"Huh?"

"You good right there? Why don't you join me by the window?" Devin's concerned expression prompted his invitation.

"Uh, yeah, be right there. I'm just savoring the moment," I replied with a smile, reciprocating the tap on his shoulder.

"Are you sure that you are okay?"

"Yeah, don't worry." I reassured him with a smile, and he nodded, returning to his activities.

With 50 seconds left on the countdown, Dana seized the attention, delivering a speech that echoed through the grandeur of the penthouse.

"I wanted to invite people who don't have anyone to spend their New Year. This occasion should have been just for us, lonely people. But," she continued, her words carrying a deeper meaning, "I said to myself: I think it wouldn't hurt if we welcome people with different statuses."

She paused, clasping her hands together, a moment of contemplation before revealing, "There's another reason why this event was held." Her gaze seemed to linger on me for an instant, a mysterious smile gracing her lips before she extended her glance to the others.

"The second reason is for you guys to find out tonight." The room fell into a momentary hush, absorbing the enigmatic revelation. However, Dana swiftly lifted the mood again with a radiant smile, bringing an air of anticipation to the gathering.

"Okay, we're down to the last 30 seconds! Everyone, gather around, and let's capture this moment with a picture. Look, right in front of us, there's a camera with a red blinking light on the platform," Dana excitedly pointed out the camera, setting the stage for a picture-perfect moment. The backdrop? The entirety of Boston, a city filled with strangers of diverse backgrounds, each carrying their own unique life experiences and challenges.

"10 seconds, everyone count!" Dana encouraged, igniting a wave of cheers, jumps, and enthusiastic countdowns. I found myself standing on the platform, attempting to immerse myself in the contagious energy of the crowd.

"8!" I joined the countdown, Devin by my side, a moment of shared anticipation.

"7!"

"6!" I mused internally, realizing that this might turn out to be a memorable night after all.

"5!"

"4!" I savored the last sip of my wine, letting the lively music elevate the atmosphere even further.

"3!" A bittersweet smile formed on my lips as I contemplated the joyous scene unfolding around me. Was this the essence of a happy New Year's Eve?

"2!"

As the countdown continued, I looked around at the animated faces in the room, but my gaze halted abruptly. There she was, standing across from me, sharing the same platform, floor, and room.

"1!"

"HAPPY NEW YEAR!" The room erupted in cheers, marking the beginning of a new year.