Midnight on New Year’s Day

At the stroke of midnight on January 1, 2009, I was stood in the middle of my room surrounded by my friends and their friends. Big Ben had struck 12 midnight and everybody shouted with excitement for the prospect of the New Year ahead of them.

The evening was pleasant. I had thrown a bash at my penthouse at a posh apartment block in Canary Wharf. The party was flowing with drinks and good food. A live band was playing in the room. Some people where dancing to the music. Some people where standing on the balcony taking in the views of their surroundings and some people were simply talking amongst themselves. The river was flowing calmly. The stars were shining brightly in the sky and a shooting star flew by in the star struck sky.

This night was perfect.

So there I was stood in the middle of the room when I felt a light tap on my right shoulder. So light that I almost ignored the touch, thinking nothing of it. But I turned just in case someone was standing behind me. So when I turn round I come face to face with the most handsome looking man that I have ever laid my eyes on. He stands just inches behind me wearing a big smile. I can smell his aftershave, faint and mellow like a freshly grown meadow. He is tall, fair skinned with bright eyes. He wears smart black jeans, a casual black top and brown boots. I stand there dumb struck, lost for words, just staring at this handsome guy.

“Hello”, he says again.

As if awakening from a deep sleep I realise that I am staring deeply at him. It seems an eternity has past by. I avert my eyes to my shoes feeling embarrassed. I apologise to him for my rudeness but keep my eyes glued to my shoes. I don’t want him to see the embarrassment in my eyes.

His fingertips are now on my chin. His touch is light and gentle. He lifts my face to bring it level with his face. I am face to face with him again. There is a sparkle in his eyes, as bright as the shooting star that had flown by earlier. My heart is beating a little faster. My hands are starting to sweat. I hold me hands behind my back trying to wipe the sweat away.

“Hi”, he says.

“Hi,” I say, in a calm and steady voice. “Sorry for staring at you. That was rude of me.”

“No apology is needed. Lets start afresh. My name is Hasan. I was talking with my friends when from the corner of my eye I notice a stunning beauty. I made my excuses with my friends’ as I simply had to talk to you. So here I am and here you are. What’s your name?”

Trying to feel unmoved by this little speech I calmly say, Samar, my name’s Samar. I don’t believe I know you. Whom have you come with?”

“It nice to meet you Samar. I’ve come with my friend Sam.”

“Ah, I know Sam. We studied together. How is Sam?”

“Sam is doing good, but less about Sam. Lets talk about you. This is a nice place. How long have you lived here?”

“Thanks. I’ve lived here for a year and a half. I share the place with my sister. Canary Wharf is a nice area to live in. Handy for work and shopping for clothes. Where do you live?”

“A place made in heaven then, for all girls.” He says.

I give a little giggle. A funny guy. I think to myself.

“I live over in Pimlico. It’s not a bad area but I could do with a move to a different area. I’ve lived there for quite a few years now and feel a change is in order. I work in the City as an IT Programmer. What’s your job?”

“I’m a Legal Executive. I’ve only recently started this job. The office is just round the corner from here, so nice and easy to get to work and no more cattle rides on the tube everyday.”

“Yep, tell me about it. The tubes these days are horrendous. People pushing into you. No room to move your arms. I wish for the day to come when I no longer have to endure these monstrous rides everyday. But at the moment I haven’t found a place nearer to the city to rent so I’m stuck where I am.”

He stops talking then and just looks straight into my eyes. I wonder to myself, what is he thinking? Should I say something? Feeling a little uncomfortable by Hasan looking right at me I open my month to speak but he breaks the silence first.

“Lets move to the sofa. It’ll be more comfortable than standing here the whole night.”

We move to the empty sofa by the French windows. The night is cold outside and the window has been left open. I close the window to stop the cold breeze coming into the room. I take my place on the sofa nearest to the window. I can still feel the cold so I wrap the shawl around me to warm myself. Hasan sits down next to me. He places his empty glass on the table in front of the sofa.

“Are you cold?” He asks.

“Just a little. I will be fine a few minutes.” I say.

We sit in silence lost in our own thoughts. I turn my head to say something to him but he puts his index finger on my lips to silence me. He then removes his finger from my lips and takes my left hand in his right hand. He moves himself a little closer to me. He bends his head slightly towards me and places his lips on mine. He kisses me. His kisses are warm and tender, sending a soothing warmth through my spine. I am taken aback but I do not pull away.

After all it is New Year’s night and what better way is there to spend the night but wrapped up in the arms of a handsome hulk.