Pressure to party!

Aradhika  Sharma

When I went into the cafeteria to fetch my customary 4 o’clock cup of tea today, I found an excited group of ‘new joiners’ in the middle of an animated discussion. They smiled, greeted me politely and invited me to join them.

“What are you girls discussing?” I asked.

Joiner 1: Oh, our New Year eve party plans ma’am. We’re in a fix.

Me: Why?

Joiner 2: We must do something awesome on New Year Eve, na.

Joiner 3: But honestly, I don’t even like to go to these parties. It’s cold and crowded and you don’t even get proper food.

Joiner 1: Plus, you’ve got to find someone special to celebrate with! Where is one supposed to find the ‘perfect person’ every year? Last year I got stuck with this guy who spent hours trying to pick a piece of food out of his teeth.

Joiner 2: Better than my date who talked non-stop about strength training and fitness all evening. Boringggg! 

Me: Sounds like New Year’s Eve brings more woe than joy!

Joiner 1: You better believe it! You’re so lucky that you’re old, ma’am.

(Old! Me? Darn these pretty young things who think anyone above 30 is geriatric!)

Me: If these parties are so painful, stay home with your friends. How would anyone know whether you’re at a party or chilling at home?

The girls stared at me uncomprehendingly. Joiner 2 broke the silence: “Through social media, obviously. How will everyone know that we’re having the best time?”

Joiner 1: Last year I went to an acquaintance’s house party. It got super crowded and by midnight people were pushing and shoving badly. Someone spilled wine on my dress and ruined it!

Joiner 2: My date turned out to be an awful dancer. He stomped all over my feet and almost fractured them.

Joiner 1: Mine was worse! He drank so much that he passed out.  I didn’t know anyone else at the party and had to call a cab to go home. I felt like weeping.

Joiner 2: Really? But you looked so happy and jubilant in the pix you posted on Instagram and Facebook. I felt quite jealous.

Joiner 3: Hmm… The ‘likes’ I got were the only good part of the celebration.

Joiner 1: But you must agree. Anything is better than being alone on New Year’s Eve!

Me (laughing): Every frog isn’t a prince and having no one to kiss at midnight is much better than embracing the wrong person! What’s wrong with celebrating with family or staying at home?

Joiner 3: No way! You can’t be the only one left out while others are having a blast.

Me: Are they? From my geriatric perspective, I can tell you that there’s no reason to stress out about this booze-splashed celebration. It’s wonderful if your evening is enjoyable but if it isn’t, then 2019 can only get better, right?