Chapter 29: The Holi Night Out

As the evening sky deepened into twilight, the office crew, still abuzz from their vibrant Holi festivities.

“Thank you, everyone! Today has been absolutely amazing, and it’s all because of you!” Oki’s voice rang out, full of enthusiasm.

The Boss, standing next to Oki with a mischievous grin, pretended to be shocked. “What? Are we done already?”

Oki laughed, shaking her head. “Yeah, it’s almost time to call it off.”

The Boss’s eyes lit up with a playful sparkle. “Listen up, everyone, nobody’s going home yet!”

The crowd, curious and excited, buzzed with anticipation.

Haari, always quick to catch on, exclaimed, “What?”

The Boss raised her arms triumphantly. “Now we’re going to celebrate with a night party!”

Cheers erupted from the crowd. “Yeeeeaaaahhh!”

Everyone arrived at a chic downtown bar named "The Color Splash Lounge." The bar was aglow with lively colors and warm lights, echoing the day’s joyous spirit. The employees, still sporting remnants of their colorful poolside antics, eagerly entered, ready to continue the celebration.

Inside, the bar was a riot of color and sound. Vibrant balloons and streamers hung from the ceiling, and colorful tablecloths adorned the tables. The atmosphere was electric with upbeat music, and the staff was busy preparing Holi-themed cocktails and mocktails.

Oki, Ashi, and the Boss, looking both exhilarated and slightly worn out, entered with a burst of energy. Oki grabbed a microphone from the DJ booth, calling for attention.

As the excitement settled, the bar staff began bringing out an assortment of appetizers—spicy samosas, crispy pakoras, and a spread of colorful, Holi-themed snacks. The bar’s special menu featured drinks with names like “Rainbow Bliss” and “Splash of Joy,” adding to the festive atmosphere.

“Here’s to a day filled with fun, laughter, and unforgettable memories!” Oki clinked glasses with Ashi as they toasted with their drinks.

“And here’s to a night that promises to be just as amazing!” Ashi grinned, taking a sip of her vibrant cocktail.

The DJ turned up the music, and the dance floor soon filled with employees showing off their best moves. The bar was alive with energy as the crowd danced, laughed, and enjoyed themselves.

Saito, always one for the dramatic, took to the stage with a microphone. “Ladies and gentlemen, it’s karaoke time! Who’s ready to sing their hearts out?”

Ashi, never one to shy away from a challenge, pushed her way to the front. “I’m definitely up for it! Let’s see if I can outshine everyone!”

Oki, always supportive, joined in. “I’m going to give it my best shot!”

Ashi took the stage and delivered a powerful rendition of "I’m Still Standing"her voice filling the room.

"I’m Still Standing"

🎤 I walked through shadows, I faced the night,

Turned the pain into a blazing light.

You thought I’d crumble, you thought I'd fall,

But I’ve got the rhythm, and I’ve got it all.

🎶 I’m still standing, dancing through the storm,

Stronger than ever, I’m reborn.

Oh, I’m still shining, watch me rise,

With every beat, I reach the skies.

🎤 Heartbreak tried to knock me off my feet,

But I turned the struggle into a victory beat.

You see me soaring, you see me soar,

I’m unstoppable, I’m so much more.

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🎶 I’m still standing, dancing through the storm,

Stronger than ever, I’m reborn.

Oh, I’m still shining, watch me rise,

With every beat, I reach the skies.

🎤 No more tears, no more doubts,

I’ve found the power in my own shout.

Gonna keep on moving, gonna take my chance,

This is my moment, this is my dance.

🎶 I’m still standing, dancing through the storm,

Stronger than ever, I’m reborn.

Oh, I’m still shining, watch me rise,

With every beat, I reach the skies.

🎤 Yes, I’m still standing, yes, I’m alive,

With every heartbeat, I will thrive.

I’m still shining, feel my light,

I’m unstoppable, and I’m taking flight.

The crowd cheered and sang along, clearly impressed by her performance. “Looks like Ashi’s got the power of a thousand disco balls!” Oki joked, high-fiving Rafta, who was dancing with a drink in each hand.

Next up was Oki, who took the mic with a playful grin. She launched into a hilariously off-key version of "Keep the Laughter Rollin’"complete with exaggerated dance moves.

"Keep the Laughter Rollin’"

🎤 I’m a small-town gal with a big ol’ smile,

Gonna sing it loud and go wild.

Off-key notes and crazy moves,

Gonna make you laugh and bust a groove.

🎶 Keep the laughter rollin’, don’t you stop,

Dance around, let the fun pop.

Oh, keep on grinnin’, make it bright,

We’ll laugh and sing into the night.

🎤 Got my tune all mixed up, but that’s alright,

We’ll be rockin’ out till the morning light.

Don’t need perfection, just some cheer,

With every note, let’s spread good cheer.

🎶 Keep the laughter rollin’, don’t you stop,

Dance around, let the fun pop.

Oh, keep on grinnin’, make it bright,

We’ll laugh and sing into the night.

🎤 So grab a friend and join the ride,

Let’s get silly and take it in stride.

Life’s too short to be so tame,

Let’s turn this night into a game.

🎶 Keep the laughter rollin’, don’t you stop,

Dance around, let the fun pop.

Oh, keep on grinnin’, make it bright,

We’ll laugh and sing into the night.

🎤 Yes, we’ll keep on laughin’, let it roll,

Singin’ out from the bottom of our soul.

Keep the fun alive and strong,

We’ll keep on rockin’ all night long.

The crowd roared with applause as Oki’s enthusiastic, though off-pitch, performance had everyone thoroughly entertained. “Who knew Habi-san was a karaoke comedian?” Saito chuckled, wiping tears from his eyes.

The Boss, having observed the fun from a distance, was nudged by her team to join the karaoke fun. With a mock sigh, she took the mic and sang an impromptu rendition of “Sweet Moments.”

"Sweet Moments"

🎤 Where the sun meets the sky,

And the day turns to night,

Every moment’s a memory, shining so bright.

With a smile and a song,

We’ll keep singing along,

Feel the rhythm in our hearts, where we belong.

🎶 Sweet moments, oh, they come and go,

Sharing laughter as we let the good times flow.

Sweet moments, feel the joy inside,

With every note, let the love abide.

🎤 In the warmth of the crowd,

And the music so loud,

We find magic in the air, lifting us off the ground.

Every note’s a delight,

Turning ordinary to bright,

In this moment, we’re all stars shining in the night.

🎶 Sweet moments, oh, they come and go,

Sharing laughter as we let the good times flow.

Sweet moments, feel the joy inside,

With every note, let the love abide.

🎤 So let’s raise a glass to the times we hold dear,

Sing out loud, let’s spread some cheer.

With a melody so true,

I’m here with you,

In these sweet moments, we’ll make dreams come through.

🎶 Sweet moments, oh, they come and go,

Sharing laughter as we let the good times flow.

Sweet moments, feel the joy inside,

With every note, let the love abide.

🎤 Yes, sweet moments, we’ll treasure the night,

In the glow of the music, everything feels right.

Sweet moments, let’s hold them tight,

As we sing our hearts out, under the moonlight.

To everyone’s surprise, her voice was smooth and surprisingly good. “Guess the Boss is full of surprises!” Ashi exclaimed, impressed.

As the night wore on, the bar was filled with the sounds of laughter and music. The employees enjoyed impromptu dance-offs and even a whipped cream pie-throwing contest that had everyone running and laughing. Haari, with whipped cream smeared across his face, joked, “I always wanted to star in a pie fight, but this wasn’t exactly what I had in mind!”

The Boss, watching the chaos with a grin, approached Haari. “You look like a walking dessert. Want a napkin or a spoon?”

“A spoon would be nice, but I think I’ll settle for a shower!” Haari laughed, wiping his face.

In a quieter corner of the bar, Haari took a moment to thank the Boss. “You know, Boss, this has been one of the best nights ever. Thanks for making it happen.”

“Sometimes, you just need to let loose and have fun. Tonight has been incredible.” The Boss looked around at the happy faces and smiled warmly.

“Absolutely. And let’s not forget the Boss’s epic karaoke performance. Who knew you could sing like that?” Haari nodded in agreement.

The Boss chuckled, shaking her head. “Well, it’s all about having a good time. Tonight, we’ve definitely achieved that.”

As the night drew to a close, the bar was still buzzing with the remnants of joyful energy. The employees, though tired, were in high spirits, exchanging heartfelt goodbyes and promises to stay in touch.

Oki, raising her glass in a final toast, said, “Here’s to a day of fun and a night to remember!”

Everyone raised their glasses, joining in the toast. “To unforgettable memories and the best Holi celebration ever!”

With their hearts full of joy and their spirits high, the employees left "The Color Splash Lounge," carrying with them the vibrant memories of a day and night filled with laughter, color, and camaraderie. It had been a Holi celebration like no other, and the echoes of their laughter would linger long after the night had ended.

To be continue.............