First Dance

In the darkest hour of night, a party is being held. There wasn't a light in the sky save one for the building that is full with lights. 

JS Promenade.

I see it was a smoky dance floor, full of elegantly dressed people, the flickering orbs of light and excited colorful lasers dancing around the room following the lively beat of the music. I stood near the large and black speakers as I can feel the bass of the music. Nothing more, nothing less. I was simply bored at this time. I was holding my purse, that stored my camera, handkerchief and pieces of mint flavored candies. On my other hand, I held the blue detailed candle that has this unique twisting effect and decorated with a white ribbon that was given by my partner during the ceremony of the candles; and lastly my partner's gift, a rectangular box with a five pieces of chocolate inside.

Completely bathed in the colorful flickering lights, I took a glance at my watch. I simply let my hand dangle on the side as I let out a sigh. Seriously, it's still 10 in the evening or so. I straightened my cocktail dress and I glanced at the side, looking at my girl friends who happened to have their own fun conversation near the table. I sighed ever so deeply, not wanting to kill their fun as I took a glance of the time again and brushed my hair over my shoulder.

A minute or so, a familiar male figure approached me slowly. Wearing his usual goofy smile yet charming at the same time; showing those perfect pearl white teeth. His usual body built that is similar to a jock or Adonis. Oh wait-- he is an Adonis. I was shocked to see him, not expecting that he'll approach me.

Back in our elementary days, I remember the time I had a crush on this guy, this guy walking towards me. I knew my best friend also had a crush on him. Well, I also admit, many fell in love with this man. However, the two of us practically see each other as siblings because of some weird family tree thing that we impulsively made. However, as time passed by, I eventually realized I had something more; something that crosses the boundary of friendship kind of love. Out of 1 billion people living in world, I'm one of the people that wouldn't confess their love to their crushes. 

What a sad love life, I told myself.

He held his hands up and landed on my shoulders, his fingers gripping it gently as if he is holding something fragile and held me closer to his chest.

"Come on! Let's dance!", he said enthusiastically. He was practically dragging me and I was lost at his actions. I tried looking at my friends, well, my peripheral vision allowed me to but they seemed to notice and, for some reason they didn't tried to help me. Internally, I was crying, sobbing and confused. How am I suppose to act anyway? I don't even know how to dance since the people were basically like an animals when they dance due to the lively beat. What? Nicki Minaj?

"Wait! I don't even know what kind of dance are we going to do!", I basically shouted so that he could hear me. The bass was quite loud... obviously.

We were getting near the dance floor and my legs are already wobbling, quite nervous to be exact. Thus we stopped at the smoky dance floor. He's in front of me, wearing his usual smile; showing those perfect white teeth. He was such a tall man, very tall one. Still, I'm holding my things and Ms. Subconcious here was screaming that I should set it down first. However, I decided to ignore it. I smiled sheepishly and asked him, "What now?"

This time, he let out a charming smile - which for the first time I've ever seen it. Ever. "I don't know", he said followed by a chuckle. You fool.

I puffed my cheeks as I decided to threaten him, jokingly "Geez, you are my leading man right now, but then you don't know what to do? I'll go away", I simply said.

A song entitled, So Close by John Mclaughlin played.

One of my bestfriends loved this song and I do too. My eyes widened and my mind is completely blank. 

♫ You're in my arms. 

Suddenly, I snapped back to reality. He held my arms as he put it over his shoulder, making my fingers interlock together around his neck.

♫ And all the world is calm. 

However, I failed to do so since I was carrying a lot of things and he didn't gave me time to set my things aside.

♫ The music playing on for only two.

I realized our bodies were close to each other. By the word 'close', very close; almost glued to each other. My eyes widened when he placed his hands on my hips, his warmth transmitting to me; I can even feel it even I am using a two layered cocktail dress. He actually took the lead; moving ourselves from side to side - a slow dance indeed. God damn it, I could even feel my face heating up!

♫ So close together. And when I'm with you.

I could smell his faint bittersweet scented perfume. My face is perfectly glued on his chest yet I purposely shifted it on his shoulders. His warm breath that brushed my hair and my right ear which made me feel the bearable ticklish sensation. This is slowly killing me due to embarrassment.

♫ So close to feeling alive.

He then started a conversation. Making it normal as possible as we were having our slow dance, not minding the people around us.

"Where's that line of men that wanted to dance with you?", he asked. His low voice resounds in my ear as his breath brushing my ear.

I just decided to follow his flow as I let out a laugh. "They were long gone"

♫ All that I want is to hold you. So close.

"So it's only me?", he asked. I could feel his smile through my covered ear.

"Yep", I said as I chuckle.

♫ So close to reaching that famous happy ending.

He laughed. "But at least even they are gone"

Stopping our movements, I looked at him, "And why is that, hm?"

♫ Almost believing this one's not pretend. And now you're beside me and look how far we've come.

He smiled sheepishly, "Just be glad that I'm the one who stole your first dance"

My eyes widened slightly, utterly defeated at his statement. Presenting a smile to this person, I'm finally at ease. "I see", was all I can say. I look down and smiled and we resumed our dance.

♫ So far, we are, so close.

The song continued as we continued to dance. Just like we own the world like no one could ever disturb us. If only I confessed him back then and even I'll be rejected, could we still end up together someday? Truth to be told, I regretted everything. I had my chances telling him that I actually love him. But it seems like I can't get back to that feeling anymore. Time healed me and it's time to move on and find the best. I held the side of his shoulders tight as I placed my head on his chest. I could feel his smile and I closed my eyes. The last lines I heard from the song was, "Let's go on dreaming for we know we are, so close." Echoing in my ears, I finally had my closure.

The music ended and I got my hands back. He escorted me back to my girl friends and now I could see some of them looking at me with their malicious grins. I talked to them for a while, explaining in a condensed version. His friends also approached our group which made me stop speaking. Most likely, they would hope they could dance with one of my friends. Oh this is good. Payback time.

At the corner of my eye, I saw him going back and I immediately excused myself for a while and tugged his sleeve. He turned around and once again he presented his charming smile, "What is it?"

My lips parted and I sweetly said,

"Thank you"

Thank you for everything and farewell. Till we meet again.