No. He wanted someone to fight for them. They both deserved that. Their family deserved that. It was time for Jana to do the most “letting loose” thing she could think of—to knock that damn comfort zone so far off its axis that she could never go back there again.
It was time for Jana to be bold. Jana quickly opened the #BridalBrigade chat group.
Jana:I need to make a grand gesture. Kamila, are you still open to some karaoke at your wedding reception?
It was a few long moments before anyone responded, and Jana was worried she’d overstepped. This was Kamila’s wedding reception—why would she want anyone stealing her thunder? Even if this was now the fourth official event for this marriage, it still wasn’t Jana’s to hijack.
But then a series of exclamation points and hearts filled Jana’s screen.
Kamila:YES
Kamila:A thousand yesses. Let’s do this!!! Grand gestures are my favorite thing in the world! Let’s put a big, Bollywood-style ending to this wedding and get you your man! I can talk to the restaurant and they’ll set it all up.
Everyone else in the brigade started cheering and lighting up the chat with emojis and throwing out song ideas. Jana laughed. She loved this crew so much.
Jana:No, not Bollywood. I know exactly what song.
Over a video call, the Bridal Brigade planned and rehearsed the song. Jana would be in the middle this time—whether her voice could manage that or not. The center of attention. In front of her friends, family, and even her boss. She was ready to put herself on the line for her own happiness.
Chapter 29
After rehearsing with the Bridal Brigade, Jana had just enough time to rush to the mall and get a new outfit for the party. Her muted beige cocktail dress wasn’t right for this gesture, so she bought a rich fuchsia formal jumpsuit to wear instead. With its plunging neckline, it was bolder than what Jana usually wore, but tonight, Jana wanted to be noticed. Before leaving for the party, Jana put the small, wrapped soapstone carving in her bag.
Finally, she drove downtown for Rohan and Kamila’s wedding reception. Since their wedding had been on another continent, and they both had a ton of Toronto friends, clients, and colleagues, they’d booked a large Harbourfront restaurant for this last party to celebrate their marriage. It was a stylish, laid-back event rather than a formal wedding reception. The brigade had no specific duties and had been told to just enjoy themselves.
Jana’s mother and all the aunties and uncles would be in attendance, but this was a child-free event. Jana and Anil’s regular babysitter, a local college student, was with Imani at Anil’s condo. Jana should have been nervous about seeing everyone again. All the aunties and uncles and, of course, Sam Lopez and Farzana Aunty. She had no idea if he would mention what had happened at the Think office the day before. Either way, Jana knew it would be awkward. But she didn’t care. A week earlier she would have cared. But it appeared that Jana’s element had changed.
All her nerves were saved for Anil and the song she had planned. Jana insisted that they sing later in the night so most of the party was focused on Kamila and Rohan first. Jana was afraid that Anil would want to speak to her before her performance. She was afraid he would ignore her. She was afraid of his reaction to her song. And she didn’t know if it was futile, if there was no longer anything between them to fix. But Jana was determined. She wasn’t going to let fear guide her life anymore.
The restaurant had a vast indoor space with wide-open doors at one end and a large patio illuminated with twinkle lights and flickering candles on the other. Kamila’s stamp was all over this party. It was tasteful, elegant, and the right amount of over-the-top.
Jana found most of the wedding party at the bar. There were several others who weren’t at the wedding there, too, including one of Kamila’s close friends, Maricel, who hadn’t been able to travel because she was due to give birth any day now.
“Jana!” Asha said. “Come—we’re showing Maricel all the dik-diks she missed. Ooh, love that outfit! That’s the last thing on your ‘letting loose’ list—a bright color you picked out yourself!”
Jana laughed. Asha was right. The “letting loose” list was officially complete.
The party was lively. Jana stayed close to her friends, although she did see Sam Lopez across the room with the aunties and uncles. And of course, Anil was there. He didn’t greet Jana when he saw her. Not a smile, nod, or anything. But he did look at her for a moment longer than usual. And, if she wasn’t mistaken, she saw his gaze travel down her body in the bold jumpsuit that showed off her curves, and there was heat in his eyes. His brain might not want Jana anymore, but she’d bet his body did.
But all she needed to know was how his heart felt.
The food was all served tapas style, with servers bringing around little plates of pili pili chicken and mishkaki as a nod to the East African wedding, but also other Kamila and Rohan favorites like biryani, coconut shrimp, fish pakoras, and samosas. Plus, fresh vegetable rolls and ceviche. Jana mingled, laughed, talked, and pushed her nerves to the bottom of her stomach where they wouldn’t get in her way. She was still determined. She was going to do this—she was going to fight for her family. Whenever she felt afraid, she put her hand on the soapstone carving in her bag, reminding herself why this was important.
Finally, after the party had been in full swing for many hours, Kamila climbed the stage decorated with twinkle lights and big green floral arrangements and took the microphone. She and Rohan had already made a speech together earlier thanking everyone for coming and showing some pictures and video clips from Tanzania on a screen.
Kamila smiled. “I know my closest friends and family are probably tired of me and Rohan by now. I dragged y’all all the way to Africa and back to celebrate us. But since I have the absolute best friend squad in history, I knew they’d do anything for me, just like I’d do anything for them. And that’s why when one of my favorite people in the world told me she needed the hashtag Bridal Brigade’s help with something tonight, I gave a big, resounding yes. So, my amazing bridesmaids and I have one last performance for you, led by my incomparable, brilliant, gorgeous friend, Dr. Jana Suleiman, PhD!”
As they had discussed, Jana and the brigade joined Kamila on the stage. Jana’s heart was beating so hard she was sure it was louder than the cheers of everyone at the party. She was glad she’d worn flats because there was no way she’d be able to stand now in heels.
Jana said a silent prayer and took the microphone from Kamila, thanking her, as the rest of the brigade stood on either side of her.
She looked at the crowd from the stage. Her mother was there, smiling. Dr. Lopez and Farzana Aunty. Kassim Uncle, Jon Uncle, Nadira Aunty. Rohan and Kamila’s professional colleagues. Other friends and family.Everyonewas about to see her put her heart on the line.
But Jana’s eyes were only on one person—Anil. He had a surprised look on his face—like he couldn’t believe Jana was in the middle of the stage. Well, neither could she.
“Okay.” She put on a smile. Focusing only on Anil instead of everyone here helped. “Today, someone—he knows who he is—told me that I knew how he felt about me. Well, Idon’tknow. And I can’t really blame him for not telling me when I haven’t told him how I feel either. So…here goes.” She looked at the others on the stage. “Let’s do this, girls.”
The ABBA music started, and Jana began singing. The audience burst out into applause when she got to the title line of the song, “Take a Chance on Me.”
