It was 31st December, we were all at our boss's house. All 10 of us were given chores preparing for the New Year. I was new to this as I had just started working here a few months back. By year end, most foreign workers from the neighbouring countries had gone back to have their working permits and relevant documents renewed in their respective country. Some of us were tasked to cleaned up the back yard, the garage tidied up, some dressing slaughtered chickens, I was marinating chicken parts, lamb chops, and slices of pork.
After 3 pm we all headed back to our workers' lodge to bathe and prepare for the night's event. Everyone was light hearted and eager. Tomorrow we will all head back to our respective village. We took our bath and did some laundry. Some sang while bathing while others busily brushed soiled clothes. We dressed up putting on our cleanest t shirts and faded jeans. No cowboy boots though, all we had were slippers. Two fellow workers brought along their guitars. We started walking to the boss's house not too far away.
I prepared charcoals and have them burn for the barbecue. Tables and chairs were carried outside. Plates, forks and spoons, saucers and all were all brought out on the table. Crates of ice chilled beers in buckets and local brew wine were all made available outside. Assortment of fire crackers were brought outside to be let off when the clock stroked 12.
The boss and his wife appeared and supper began. Eating and talking amidst laughter filled the air. There were so much merriment after which all the used plates and spoons were carried inside. We all proceeded and crowd round the burning charcoal attending to the roastings. Wine bottles went round making sure no one missed a turn. The boss never kept his can of beer long. He was served the best slice of roasted pork which he feasted on washing it down with beer. Before midnight, the wine knocked three of our fellow workers out. They were carried into the garage to sleep it out.
By midnight, the skies were illuminated by flashes of colourful fireworks. The deafening booms could be heard everywhere. We let off as many rockets into the night skies exploding into colourful flares. As the last rocket shot into the night sky, a single boom marked the returned of tranquility. Our boss sat slumped to his chair, head resting on his shoulder. His wife requested us to carry him in. Four of us did a great job carrying him to his bed. Beer alone wouldn't knock him out that easily. It's the mixture of locally brewed wine of unknown alcohol percentages in its content that did the damage. We resumed our happy times outside.
As the drinking and eating slowed down, signs of drowsiness showed as one by one left the fire place to recline in the garage. I wasn't much of a drinker and had consumed little beer. I was the last man standing. That little glass of beer had only quickened my pulse rate that kept sleepiness away. As the last of my mate fell out of the party, I was left alone smoking.