New Year's Heart Suivre l’histoire

It is almost New Year in New York, and the Big Apple is buzzing with excitement and bustling with busy people here and there. Among the ringing bells and car honks, lies two people: Charlotte and Andre. Charlotte has been cursed by a strange fortune teller who lurked on the streets of New York by night while returning from a cafe. If she didn't find true love before midnight, she will be a slave to the fortune teller, forever. Andre on the other hand, is Charlotte's best friend, some even say her boyfriend. They both have feelings for each other but don't know what to say.

12PM, Central Park

Amidst the car honks and ruckus, there is a great silence across the park as I approach it. My eyes search for him as I find him on one of the benches near the fountain. He was nothing short of dreamy: blonde hair, sapphire eyes, smooth shiny skin that glowed under the sun, and of course a good physique. He is drawing a picture on his sketchpad, fully engrossed in it when I approach him.

"Hey, I really like your drawing." I say as I peer over at what he's doing.

He jerks a bit as he drops his sketchpad and looks at me.

"Oh, um... thanks."

"You ought to draw me a portrait sometime."

He laughs at me. He gestures me to sit down beside him and I do. Our eyes lock for some minutes as he stares into my emerald eyes and I stare into his sapphire eyes. The world holds its breath, the trees stand still, the birds hold their peace as they wait for the next movement. We then stare at the fountain as it spurts out life.

"Uh... you want to go to Starbucks cafe?" I ask shyly as I try to break the silence. I hide my face behind my long brown hair and then he brushes my hair out of my face and looks at me.

"Sure." he replies.

3PM, STARBUCKS CAFE

We walk over to Starbucks cafe, hand in hand. We look like the cutest couple to ever walk the streets of New York. People stop to stare at us which is embarrassing but I don't care. We approach the cafe and take our orders. It's only hours before midnight and if he doesn't confess his love, I'll be cursed the next year! My body fidgets on my seat, sipping the cappuccino I ordered.

"Can I ask you something?" he says.

"What?"

"If there was something you'd really wish for the new year, what would it be?"

"To have true love of course."

He stays silent for some time and then he sips his coffee. The awkward silence was really annoying but I just had to wait.

6PM, TIMES SQUARE

The evening sun sets in making a rainbow wave of colours in the sky. The New Year Parade takes over the place, making music and parades of decorated horses, cars and train floats take the stage. Children stand at the side, cheering and clapping as the floats pass by giving free balloons to them; something I would've enjoyed if I was seven. We follow the floats as they make their way through the Square. We dance to the music together when I gently tap his shoulder and whisper, "Do you believe in wishes?"

"I believe in destinies that change life forever."

9PM, BACK AT CENTRAL PARK

It's only three hours till midnight, and he has still not said anything. I am getting worried. We find ourselves back in the park for goodness knows why. He says he wants to show me something; something special.

"Why are we here? I ask.

"I want to show you something special that happens here only at this time of day." He replies sweetly as he squeezes my hands and runs over to the fountain.

The water in the fountain is now like crystals that pour out in the rain. The grass around it glows so much that it could brighten the entire park. The flowers hum and the trees sway to the symphony that slowly but surely plays.

"What is this?"

"You said the only thing you'd wish for the New Year is true love, right?"

"Yes."

"Well, there is something I want to tell you."

"What do you want to tell me?" I say as I lock my eyes into his.

"What I can say can change the course of our life forever. Are you sure I should say it?"

"You know you can tell me anything. I am always there for you."

"Hmm..." He paused for some minutes and then, all of a sudden, he firmed his grip on my arm and starts to run. I don't know where he's going but I follow him anyway like a blind bat. We then enters a tall building and head all the way to the balcony. I don't know what happens but our clothes transform to a beautiful silver dress and suit.

11:59PM ON SKY HIGH TOWERS

We wait patiently for the New Year to strike. Just one more minute. It echoes in my head so drastically. The silver moon glows above us to set the scene. He lets go of my hand and places it on my shoulder.

"I want to say it now; the truth is... I love you, a lot!"

I have finally heard the words I've been waiting to hear from him, the beautiful words to save my world and make it a better place by having him by my side now. Then, we heard the countdown:

"Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one... Happy New Year!"

He then raised my chin and places his lips on mine gently, into a kiss. I press my lips against his under the booming fireworks that light up the sky.

He did it. He broke the curse but I don't tell him; all that matters is that we are now held by the ties of love, making our lives a whole lot sweeter than a box of chocolates.

Many years later,

Love has held us for such a long time that now, we are married and have children. We live in Paris in a beautiful home. I am clearing out the basement in the house, carrying a box when something falls from the box. It's an old picture of me and him in Sky High Tower on New Year's Day many years ago. I trace my finger around the picture, shedding a tear remembering the time that happened.

"Hey, honey, what do you have there?" Andre asks.

I guess he got back from work early and asked one of the children where I was. I show him the picture.

"I remember this. It was New Year's Day when we went there; Sky High Towers. We also went to Central Park, Times Square and Starbucks cafe too, when I wanted to show you something special."

"Yeah, those times fly so fast, you forget what makes love so magical."

"Wait, but who took this picture and how did it get here?" I realise.

"That's another story for another time dear." He whispers but I don't pay attention to him.

He wraps his arms around me as we stare at the picture together.

Sometimes love is so powerful, we take it for granted but for our two good friends, love was the only way to break a forever curse and led to a destiny that changed their lives forever...