Jumpin' Jaks

As soon as I entered it, I felt good. It was enthralling to see most of the young crowd of stevenage (and adjoining parts) swaying there in one big hall. It was all festive, rock music on the record, wine & beer in hands, and beauties all around. It was very cool, guys and gals were all very relaxed in easy outfits determinedto enjoy every bit of this frdiay eve.

The dancing floor was 2 steps lower than the floor and there, at present only few svelte skirts were rocking tothe tunes. DJ, on a stage 8 feet higher, was playing the foot-tapping numbers and exhorting the crowd to plunge into the dancefloor. My frnd handed me a glass of beer without disturbing my reconnoitre of enchanting faces. I analysed each and every facethere, savoring every making myself familiar with the surroundings. But still the spunk was missing. Folks were thumping to themusic but only at their places, with dance floor still empty except some high-charged tipsy dolls displaying theirmoves.

I soon knew where I wanted to be. Right up there, on the center of the stage, in the midst of the lights and all eyes on me.But was waiting for the dance floor to get filled up. When I took second glass in my hand, I jumped into the arena and my body was soon depicting each note on record. As I was alone dancing amdist of strangers all around, I looked for opportunitiesto graciously sneak into any of the dance groups already formed. Like smoking and drinking, dancing becomes more delightful in the company of partners.

I soon made myself friendly with two other young guys. And soon we made three other well-endowed dames join our group.No intros , no hi, just letting eyes do the talking and smiles replying. Soon it appeared as we were all long time friends while in reality I didnt even know their names. Then one of our mate took an empty beer bottle and spinned it on the ground. It stopped withits mouth pointing towards one of the gals in the group. They agreedily shared a kiss and I understood the game. Again after one two numbers the other boy spinned it,but to his misfortune the bottled stopped pointing to the former guy, they laughed but still shared a kiss, leaving the gals giggling and me horrified.

One of the gals was just right for me. Right height, great shapes, pretty look, full of energy and endearing smile. We were exchaging glances for a long time and she had realised that I had marked her. After 2-3 songs, the boy who had started the game asked me to take the turn now. I took to the initiative both with hope and fear. Hope that if stops in the direction of my gal of the nite,then it would be like manana from heaven, and fear that if it stops pointing to any of the guys it would be a torture.But then, no game without risk so I spinned the bottle with all my heart beseeching it to stop in the direction I wanted. It was like I was playing the biggest gamble of my life and I just did not want to lose it. But as lady and luck both have been alien to me, the bottle did not stop on the gal I wanted, but hold on, on the positive side it did not stop pointing to any boys. I heaved a sigh ofrelief and dismay. Before I could make myself aware of what I need to do, the gal gracioulsy walked up to me, easily hugged me and left the warmthof her cheeks on my cheeks. I was left there numbed. Believe me, the kick was much more stronger than a score of tequila shots.

Now, I was fully charged and my body swerves were in perfect resonance with the rythum of the musical numbers. Numbers like 'Ole-Ole' and 'we will,we will rock you' had the crowd go wild. Lyrics did not matter and also the fact that most of the songs was unfamiliar to me,it was all music which was doing the magic. And I giving it full respect by tripping the light fantastic toe energetically.It never occured that I was in a foreign country, with britons all around, it never mattered that the colour of their skin and mine was different,the truth was we were all bundle of same emotions in different proportions, enjoying ourselves and celebrating life.

I grudgingly left the place at 2:00 am in the morning, all because my frnds were insisting on its being too late and also that we had to travel 10-12 milesor so. In the end the trip all the way from welwyn was worth taking.

Epilogue: The above passage recounts my first experience of a 'light-hug' and 'cheek-to-cheek' kiss from a gal. This happened when I was in the year 2005 when I was in Welwyn Garden City, UK.