A silver heart

I've never been a great fan of balls. But I will write a bit about it, seeing all the hard work that Non put in. Phase 1: I like to dress up, dress my friends up, put on make up, wear heels and feel oh so feminine. Phase 1 of the ball is characterised by us girls checking each other out. Everyone looked fabulous and the guys were looking smarter than usual in their suits. Even I had to give a begrudging nod to them for putting in the effort.

I was quite pleased with the decorations given that it was a low budget ball. Sprinkled with tiny silver hearts, our table had our names placed neatly at our seats lit by the soft hues of the flickering candlelight. The room was decorated by pictures taken artfully in black and white and a jazz band was playing in the centre.

The girls wasted no time checking out the band members. Phase 2 of the ball is perfect. Everyone is sitting at the table, eating good food, trying to perfect Dinner Etiquette 101; which fork to use, whether to cut the Bruschetta or just stuff it in with our bare hands (elbows of course!) and good conversation was flowing all around.

I simply love Bruschetta. It completely changed my perspective on tomatoes. If I had to eat a 1000 tomatoes to save my life, I would like it served with thick grilled bread, rubbed with extra virgin oil and garlic and topped with chopped, ripe tomatoes seasoned with basil, salt and pepper.

Phase 3: This is the phase where I take a backseat. It's when the lights go off, the disco lights start to swirl and good music begins to pound (after many vehement requests from the girls to play more groovy music). Everyone (almost) goes to the dance floor and starts to dance.

I love to dance. I can spend all day dancing in my room and feel absolutely exhilarated. I simply simply enjoy it. Ask anyone who's seen me at Sahara Nights or at one of our girls-only parties, and they'll tell you the same. But I can never really let myself go in company of others. In the midst of gyrating bodies and deafening music, dancing is suddenly no longer liberating for me.

So I sat back with some friends and we tried to have a conversation by shouting ourselves hoarse. I didn't stay till the end and walked back home across the fields alone. It was a balmy night and the stars were scattered across the sky winking at me. I began to hum a slow and soft melody. And there in the distance, I can see a couple, their heads bent low in a slow dance under the beautiful moonlit sky. I smiled at my silly vision.

It was good catching up with friends.