ss - Ring in the New Year

New year...something new to look forward to, a chance to make a better life, a better tomorrow.

Ring in the New Year

She gazed at herself in the mirror. Was it really her? The face that stared back at her…all polished and glowing, the glossy black hair sculpted into perfect up do, the face a perfect mask of makeup, her eyes dressed up in glitter, lips painted cherry red and cheeks highlighted with a dust of rose…and the midnight blue guaze sari sparkling with tiny crystals, draped around her petite body, the tiny blouse baring her shoulders, the neck and the midriff. His choice was impeccable, just like the Armani suits he loved to wear.

Almost a year since they met, yet her life has changed beyond her imagination. She had walked into his mansion seeking support for herself and her two younger sisters. She shook her head to get rid of the thoughts, he was waiting for her downstairs, probably getting impatient as he liked punctuality. But she couldn't help, nerves had got better of her and had dawdled in getting ready for the end of the year party he had thrown. Even now her stomach felt as if it was rolled up in a tight ball, her palms glazed with moisture and her throat parched.

"Bhabhi…" a voice called out softly, "Bhaiya is waiting…" Karuna stared at Bani, "Wow…you look amazing." No wonder her brother was so grouchy downstairs, and she couldn't blame him. He knew his wife would look drop dead gorgeous in the designer sari he had picked for her…love did change people she mused to herself.

Bani smiled shyly and pulled the pallu of sari around her, "Don't you think it's a bit to too revealing? I feel as I am half dressed in this sari…it is so thin."

"Honestly bhabhi…it is fine. There are lots of women down there who are wearing less than you," Karuna winked, "and you know why…some of them want a piece of your husband you know."

Karuna grabbed Bani's hand and laughed at seeing shock on Bani's face, "Come lets go bhabhi and put my bhaiya out of his misery."

He eyes drifted to the stairs even before she set foot on the first step. As she came into his view, his breath hitched. She looked even more beautiful than he had thought. When the sales girl had first showed him the sari, he had imagined how she would look. But with the sari now adorning her, he felt as if it had been made just for her. He heard the faint gasps and murmur as she made her way down, conscious of all the eyes on her. She would not look up and meet his eyes, too shy to stare boldly at him. Karuna gave him a wide smile and her eyes sparkled with knowledge of his state mind.

"Well bhaiya…what do you think? Doesn't she look amazing?' Karuna said as she took Bani's hand and put it in Jai's hand.

Jai gazed at the bent head, "Yes she does Karuna."

"Go ahead and take her on the dance floor then…make all your friends jealous." Karuna gave them a little push. Bani tripped slightly and found his hand slipping across her bare waist, steadying her. "Are you ok?" he asked in a soft voice, pulling her close to him. His hand stayed on the curve of her waist, the skin beneath tingling from the electric tingles coming from his palm. She raised her face slightly to take a peek at him and found her eyes locking with his. "You look ravishing Mrs Walia." He whispered, his mouth hovering mere inches away.

Her head went light and dizzy, she looked away and leaned in to rest her head against his shoulder. They swayed to the music, their bodies in sync with each other, they effortlessly danced while myriads of eyes strayed towards them. Not caring, ignoring his guests, Jai does not let go of her, wanting to keep her close to him, never wanting the night to end.

"Ahem! Could I sneak in a dance with your beautiful wife?" a familiar voice cuts into his thoughts. Jai glares at his best friend Tarun, looking dapper in a black satin tuxedo, his mouth held in a wide grin. Jai reluctantly lets go of her and watch Tarun take his place.

"Hello beautiful…" he teased deliberately loud enough so Jai could hear.

Bani looked up and laughed, her tinkling laughter making Jai stare at them. Jai felt his heart fill with angst as he watched his wife, who seconds ago was all shy around him, now talking freely with his friend.

A hand came around his shoulder and he heard Karuna say, "Stop shooting daggers with your eyes bhaiya…he is not going to die. Let him have one dance with bhabhi…look at her, she is having fun. Just don't know what you do to her…that she goes all quiet and shy around you."

Jai gritted his teeth, "You are not helping much Karuna. I hate Tarun…he can always make her laugh."

"It's natural, he flirts crazily with her and she knows its just harmless…she just sees him as your young brother. She is one of those that probably categorizes each man she meets…you know brother, uncles…good friend."

Jai turned and stared at Karuna, "Really…women can actually do that? How come most women that flirt with me do it because they want to bed me?" he asked caustically.

Karuna smirked, "I did not say all women…I said some. And let me tell you…the only way you will keep other women flirting with you is if you turn yourself into an ugly toad."

Jai's head titled as he broke into laughter, "Ugly toad…not a bad idea…but in the story doesn't the ugly toad gets turned into a handsome prince when the princess kisses him?"

"Yes…and it's going to be almost midnight. I suggest you rescue your princess and run off with her into some corner to steal a kiss when the clock strike midnight."

"Thanks for the tip!"

Karuna kissed him on the cheek hastily, "You are welcome bhaiya…"

Jai moved towards the dance floor. With a soft jerk, Jai moved Tarun away from Bani, "I think that is enough dancing for tonight Tarun…go and find someone else to dance."

Tarun slapped Jai on the back, "You dog…Happy New year yaar…see you next year bhabhi."

Jai swiftly moved Bani away from the dance floor and out of the hall. The music faded as he pulled her into empty room. It the dark room with a moonlight filtering from a lone window the clock ticked the final seconds.

Ring out the old, bring in the new

A midnight wish to share with you

Your lips are warm, my head is light

Were we in love before tonight?

I don't need a crowded ballroom everything I need is here

If your with me next year will be

The perfect year

No need to hear the music play,

You eyes say all there is to say

The stars can fade and they can shine

'Long as your face is next to mine

I don't need a crowded ball room everything I need is here

If your with me next year will be

The perfect year

We don't need a crowded ballroom everything we need is here

If your with me next year will be

The perfect year

It's New Year's Eve and hopes are high

Dance one year in, kiss one goodbye

Another chance, another start

So many dreams to tease the heart

We don't need a crowded ballroom everything we need is here

And face to face we will embrace

The perfect year

Oh, we don't need a crowded ballroom everything we need is here

And face to face we shall embrace

The perfect year

Ahh, the perfect year (by Dina Carroll)

Jai could feel the rapid beat of her hear as he held her close. "Are you scared?" he whispered, his lips brushing against her hair.

Bani shook her head.

"No…why?" he teased, his lips now feathering kisses along her forehead. Bani shuddered as a myriads of emotions crowded her, yet the surge of love that filled her heart was the only one that mattered…somewhere in the path that they had tread, he had become more important to her. She heard his silent words, understood his emotions and had wanted nothing more than wipe out the bitterness that resided somewhere deep inside his heart. It was time to be truthful…to voice what her heart was telling her.

"Because…" he felt her breath hitch and then a deep inhale, "you are with…me...and I love you Mr Walia."

His voice now husky, he murmured against her cheek, "You know…its been an imperfect year…so much happened…yet it feels as if it has been a perfect year…because I fell in love with you…I finally found someone who completed me in a way…makes me care about nothing else." His mouth slides across to capture her lips, wishing away the old year and welcoming the new. "Happy New Year Mrs Walia…" he pulls back enough to whisper the words before kissing her again. Nothing mattered now, they were together and the new year promised a new beginning for them.