The Joy That Got Away

Chapter 1: The Gala

It was the night that everyone has been waiting, for even the gloomy weather would not stand in our way for having a perfect night, and indeed it was a perfect night. Everyone is all dressed up and ready to give their best impression on the red carpet. Ladies dressed as bright as a glistening star in hopes of shining the brightest while gentlemen dressed to capture the most beautiful star. And there was I, dressed as dark and mysterious in a black suit and tie wishing a star would shine through my darkness.

Everyone is wearing a mask – colorful, shiny, edgy, and many more. As I sat on our table daydreaming, asking myself if these masks reveal how they truly feel or is it a defense that protects one's true emotion. With all these thoughts here I am, wearing a plain and dull black mask – empty and dark. While I lose myself in my cloud of thoughts more people arrived to join the Gala.

The tables are full, and the program is about to commence. My co-workers are complete and finally, I snapped out from the sea of my thoughts. Sitting beside me is a good friend of mine and as our conversation continues, I cannot help but notice he is a bit distant. As I investigate the reason as to why he is acting distant I noticed that he is looking at something, but then it was not just something - it was someone.

As I glanced at the direction where he is looking all of a sudden everything went in slow motion, my heart skipped a beat and eyes locked to a person. The only thing I hear is the sound of my heart beating rapidly, it all felt like I was in the plot of a movie. The lights flicker and dazzled to a girl in an elegant, black laced – brown dress walking down the aisle. A star that outshines the darkness away.

I was motionless for a few seconds and it felt like hours, forgot that I am still gazing at this mystery girl and unexpectedly - our eyes meet. Butterflies flew around my stomach, feeling ashamed as she might have caught me gawking at her. Jon broke the silence and asked if anyone recognizes the mystery girl. Luckily, one of our co-workers knew her.

The subject of our conversation changed, my mind and heart are still held captive from what happened earlier. I can't get her off my mind - I don't want to stop thinking about her. Her name continues to echo in my head, a name that entertains the sense of me being with her. A name that shortly will have a significant impact on my life and her name is Joy.

It was time to announce the Star of the Night and all of the candidates are called one by one. To my surprise, they called my name, and as I walked towards the spotlight a familiar name was called. Joy stepped towards the other side of the stage and for the second time our eyes meet, she smiles and I replied a humble smile. They have announced the winner and with her glam, Joy won the Ladies Category.

The program has ended and the real party was about to begin. The tune changed from solemn to upbeat. My eyes kept on searching for her, but I presume I am running out of luck. The dance floor is getting crowded but my friends are tenacious to join the rave. Jon and I stayed at our table; I was too occupied to realize we are almost out of liquor, suddenly a gentle hand taps my back.

My eyes could not believe who is standing in front of me. She is too perfect now that I am standing close to her. I was frozen and mumbled through my words as I said Hi. She asked if I want to have some of her wine and as I examine her face, I handed her my glass. Her eyes speak as if she can see through me. It seems like tension is building around us and before I even say something she slowly walked away.

It was the last time I saw her that night. People are starting to leave the party and I'm still sober but most of my colleagues are already intoxicated. The night is still young and so we move to a different club. Finally, the alcohol is starting to get the best of me. I met someone and directly asked her to go somewhere different, as we enter our room things went intimate but my mind is still picturing Joy instead of her. I can still remember all the features of her face, like it was engraved in my mind.

Her scent that lingers underneath your spine, her eyes that can pierce through your soul with one glance, her provocative lips that can make you beg for more – I am craving for more. With all these thoughts I am beginning to imagine the woman with me is her and makes me more aggressive. The next day I woke up to a bad headache, as I searched the room, she was already gone but left a note with her number.

Days have gone by and my memories of Joy are still clear. My best friends and I went out to grab dinner and watch a movie. Later on, we agreed to go to our favorite coffee shop so we can catch up. Jake's girlfriend left us in our table to grab our orders. I started to tell him the story about the mystery girl I met at the Gala. As we saw Samantha pacing back towards our table, we instantly change our subject. We noticed that someone is right behind her, a familiar face that I haven't seen for a while. It was Veronica – My Girlfriend.

TO BE CONTINUED...