I observed him carefully as he walked to the door. I knew that time was running out but suppressed the urge to check my watch. I took a deep breath and started counting in reverse under my breath, “ten, nine, eight, seven… silent tears smudged the mascara I was wearing from the ball… holding close the pendant on my bosom I continued...six, five, four, three, two… a pull!! And a hand twirled me around to pin me against the wall, it half cupped my face and there I was shrieking trying desperately to get the hands off me. Amidst all I could see was his lips curving explicitly into a curve. A victorious smile. “Happy New year!!” I quickly glanced at the clock over his shoulder. It was already 12, and I closed my eyes hopelessly to conjure up images of the night I had planned for us. Endless questions evaded my mind. “Where are you lost?” A voice to my side startled me. And in vain I opened to reality. “Who the hell are you and what are you doing on my balcony?” I blurted out push