The table had discovered the Bollywood selections on the karaoke machine while Jana was gone, but at least no one insisted she sing again. After many songs, several of the older generation left, Mom included. The remaining group continued to chat aimlessly. Jana didn’t exactly join the conversation. But she still sat with them. The tropical breeze passing through the mosquito netting was making her feel serene again. It was pitch-dark—darker than it ever got in Toronto. Eventually, the party had whittled down to just her, Anil, Tim and Jerome, Rohan, Kamila, and Farzana Aunty and Sam Uncle.
“Such a beautiful place,” Dr. Lopez said. He looked at Rohan. “I am selfishly pleased that I came back into your life in time for this wedding.”
Rohan chuckled. “We’re glad you were able to join us. My summer trips with you in California were some of my favorite childhood memories. That and the big holidays with the rest of you.” He smiled at Kamila and Jana.
“I find it so strange,” Jerome said. “You, Kamila, Shelina, Zayan, and Jana grew up together, and now four of you are married to each other.”
“I’ve always been the odd one out,” Jana said. “I don’t really fit.”
“Nonsense,” Kamila said. “Youfit. You’re one of us forever.”
Jana smiled. That wasn’t how Kamila used to feel about Jana.
Anil looked at Jana. “I remember being so sure you were an only child when I met you. I’d recognize one anywhere.”
Jana frowned. “Why?”
“I’m an only child. And you’re like me.”
Jana shook her head. “I don’t think we’re that alike.”
“I disagree. We’ve never had to compete with limited parental resources, so we haven’t learned toxic methods of fighting for them, but we’re both still driven. We’re both a little stubborn and maybe not great at compromising, but we understand the value of seeing other people’s points of view. And we’re both terrible at communication in our relationships, despite being excellent at professional communication. Relationships with other only children are challenging for us.”
Jana blinked, looking at him. Was he saying this to give Dr. Lopez and Farzana Aunty a reason for why she and Anil divorced? Or was he being honest? Jana had no idea, but she decided to play along.
“I suppose you’re right.” She let out a nervous laugh. “We were doomed to fail.”
He smiled before taking a long sip of his beer. “Nah, we didn’t fail. We’re friends now, aren’t we? Unless you count the sunk cost of our wedding.”
“Did you have a big wedding?” Farzana asked. This was a question that Jana didn’t have an answer to.
“Not huge,” Anil said without skipping a beat. “If it had been up to me, we would have run away to Vegas and eloped. It was certainly a memorable night, though.” He looked around the table. “I don’t think I’d ever been as nervous as I was on my wedding day. But that’s weddings, right? You all know what it’s like.”
“Oh yes, I remember it well,” Dr. Lopez said. “My stomach was in knots. But then I saw my beautiful bride waiting for me, and all the nerves fell away. It was like there was no one in the world but the two of us.”
“That’s beautiful,” Kamila said. She looked at Rohan. “Is that how you felt?”
“I wasn’t nervous,” Rohan said. “I’d never been surer of anything in my life.”
Tim snorted. “Is that why you bawled through the ceremony?”
Kamila glared at Tim. “You shush, mister.” She put her hand around Rohan’s neck and pulled him in for a kiss. He whispered something in her ear, which made her giggle, then stand. “Well, would you look at the time. We’re going to call it a night. See you at breakfast.” And they left the lounge, clearly eager to be alone.
Tim chuckled. “Newlyweds,” he said. “I’m surprised they lasted this long.”
Jana smiled. They were all silent for a few moments. Jana wondered if she should escape, too. She didn’t need to be here until the end tonight—she’d already checked that item off her list. But she couldn’t quite find it in herself to leave the table.
“I wasn’t nervous on our wedding day,” Jerome said, looking at Tim. Jana didn’t know either man well, but she knew they were Kamila’s friends before Rohan’s. She assumed the two ended up on Rohan’s side of the wedding because Kamila had so many more friends than he did.
Tim smiled. “Me neither.” He looked at the others at the table. “Wediddo the speedo-wedding-in-Vegas thing, and they don’t give you enough time to get nervous.”
Anil snorted. “Speedoorspeedy?”
Tim laughed, blushing. “OMG. I meant speedy.Speedy.”
Jerome snorted. “Technically, it was both. And a bitseedy, too.”
Everyone laughed. After Tim and Jerome told everyone about their wedding a decade ago, there was another lull in the conversation. Jana again considered if it was time to leave.
