A Road to Close

What a strange thing it would be to just move on and not to celebrate? It was a nagging notion for Kaia as she watched her friends pick out gifts for their annual New Year's Eve celebration. Boredom and awkwardness enveloped her as she stood like a billboard not half a meter away from them.

She sighed and heaved a breath. "What's the use of the new year celebration, really? They're only wasting their pennies. Christmas is done," she whispered to herself.

As she was thinking that her buddies were too engaged in the feeling of euphoria to notice the salty look of distaste on her face, her one friend, Annie, approached her and asked her what she should wear while waiting for the clock to strike 12 a.m. on December 31.

The dress with a vibrant dotted pattern or one with gleaming strips detailed from the collar to the fabric's end?

Without minding the nature of her insensitivity, Kaia looked down and bluntly said, "Both aren't my type. Wear what you want, Annie, 'cos it doesn't matter at all. Dotted or stripes, it shouts for no advance luck of prosperity. Just wasting your money for nothingness."

Annie's eyes widened in surprise. Her brow furrowed, and she shook her head in astonishment, "Wearing these dresses with dotted, striped, or whatever doesn't mean I am after for prosperity, Kaia. It's the spirit of another year to come and not what you think."

Kaia couldn't help but squint her eyes and comment," Oh really? Because it's not what I have seen. People are crazy for that feng shui and new year rituals and practices because they are wishing for luck. Luck without guarantee and hoping means no assurance at all. "

Kaia stopped and chuckled, "It's just another year in a century, another month, and another day. There's no something special. So why bother yourselves with those things?"

Annie and Kaia keenly stared at each other for so long. No one wants to retreat. The cold air caused by the air-condition of the mall slowly turned warm as their confrontation went hotter as the seconds went by. The situation was about to devolve into hell until their friend, Raya, intervened.

"Uh, is there something wrong? What's with the staring...contest, guys?" she inquired out of concern, but no one responded.

Raya tried to relax and lighten the mood by letting out an uneasy laugh. Annie looked at her and smiled a-not-so-smile at her when she asked again.

"Nothing. There's just someone who's too bitter, too proud, and egoistic with her version of belief about the essence of celebrating the new year. Can't appreciate small things," Annie said.

On the other hand, Kaia shook her head, stared disgustingly at the girl, and smirked in response," Hmm, yeah. And there's someone who's too hopeless with those new year misconceptions. Just too sad. After all, luck sucks."

Days went by. Kaia and Annie stop talking to each other after the heated scene in the mall and just move on. However, a strike of lightning turned their world upside down the night before the new year came.

In an inebriated state, Kaia leaned on her car. She's too drunk to even speak correctly and to pay attention to what's going on around her. Too hazy to observe Annie and Raya bickering over who gets to drive her home.

"I can't, Raya. We're still not okay. If you want, go drive for her. Keep me out of it," Annie explained.

Raya let out a sigh and desperately held both of Annie's shoulders. Her eyes were pleading like a puppy asking for her owner to give the bone back.

"Just this one. Please, Annie. Put your grudges against Kaia aside. I'd drive for her if I could, but I can't. Mom's calling and wants me home now. And Kaia's out of the way. Please, for me. Maybe...just, maybe it's a way for the both of you to get fine to each other. Don't let the new year catch up with your misunderstanding," Raya pleaded.