It was the second last day of the holiday season & most people had already planned it in advance. After all, the last day of a year deserves some celebration! As for us - Our deportation in a foreign land did not leave us with too many options. The lack of family/friends & the cruel weather further added to the agony. Thankfully, there was this City Square (Nathan Phillip Square to be precise) which hosted an open air extravaganza [I like the last word – Goes to show how well they marketed it!]
A leading TV Channel had sponsored the event which brought together some of the renowned local/international artists in an open air ground. We’d already been there @ the same time last year & since we’d no better options this yr., thought of sticking to the tried & tested formula. Our team consisted of just two people – Me & Ravi. Being our usual selves – We started @ 11.40pm, knowing that it was just a 2 min. walk from our place. However – This day was to be different. The regular 2 min. walk took us a good 10 mins. - Thanks to the crowd! It looked like the whole city was converging @ one point. It was definitely a good build-up to the actual event. Excitement was in the air. People were singing & shouting all along the way. Most of them were in good (read: ‘High’) spirits & were suitably dressed with accessories ranging from 2008 painted faces to massive balloons to ‘Happy New Year’ hats. It was pouring, like a tradition, for it was raining on the same time last year too. But the rain just wasn’t enough to dampen the spirits.
So we arrived @ the spot & joined the several thousand other heads which were fighting the rain & cold just for the ‘feel of the moment’. It was just like another rock concert. The countdown started soon & just at the stroke of midnight – The crowd bursted! Everyone released the balloons they were carrying, there was a loud noise of different whistles, trumpets & mere screams :). The ambience quickly transitioned from a ‘Rock-concert’-ish to something close to the Inaugural Ceremony of a world-wide event. And when the moment finally died down - followed the loooong kisses! When we looked around, everyone was embracing & kissing their partners [Believe me or fail - I rarely mean ‘everyone’ like the everyone in last sentence.] Looked like we were the only lonesome losers in the crowd of millions. Surrendering to the occasion - We shrugged shoulders & embraced each other a Happy New Year!
Clichéd as it may sound, there are moments when you think you’re a part of the crowd & then, there’s the very next moment when you realize you’re all but alone. All for yourself & nothing more! Cruel are the designs of destiny. For when you have friends, you keep striving for some free time & when you have good times, you fall short of company!
Name: Nihar Ashish Home: Bangalore, India About Me: Nature soothes me...
Speed thrills me...
Adventure appeals me...
Art mystifies me...
Music entices me...
Beauty inspires me...
All of these, COMPLETE me. See my complete profile