Since we both missed the beach so much with our living in New York, we held our sangeet on the beach. Several bonfires outlined the space in a huge circle. A dance floor sat in the center. To start the night off, several fire dancers performed. Then a band took over.
As soon as I arrived, Kamal rushed my way. “It feels like it has been weeks.”
“Yes.”
He pulled me into a warm embrace. “I fucking love you so much—”
“Excuse me?!” Mrs. Patel headed over and separated us.
Kamal scowled. “Mom, I’m just greeting my bride.”
“You two wanted to tempt yourselves. I told you to have the sangeet before the haldi, but no. You chose to do it this way so deal with the consequences.”
“But—”
“Over there, Kamal. Don’t you and your friends have a dance to perform soon?” His mother gestured to the other side of the dance floor. “We will follow traditions as much as we can.”
Backing up, he growled.
I blew him a kiss.
He caught it.
“You look beautiful, Jade.” His mother hugged me. “There. Enjoy my arms. It’s just like you’ve been embraced by Kamal.”
“Yeah. . .something like that.”
She chuckled and hurried away.
Zora got to my side. “How are you doing?”
“Good.” I checked out all the fire dancers, twirling flames up in the air. “This is a lot.”
“It is.”
Karen hit my other side. “What do you need me to do, girl?”
“Nothing.” I smiled. “We paid so much for this week. Everything should be handled to perfection.”
“I’m loving this. When I get married, I’m copying.” She high-fived me. “This shit is boss, girl.”
“Yours will rock too.”
That night, Kamal, his cousin Prateek, Tyler, and Ross performed a hilarious dance. A few times Karen slung a couple of dollars at them. To my shock, a few of my friends had been ready for the event. They did a whole dance to Beyoncé’s Crazy in Love. A couple more performances happened. At the end, Kamal and I united on the dancefloor and did a performance to Whitney Houston’s I Wanna Dance with Somebody. We practiced for the whole routine for six months.Throughout the evening, people offered me drinks. I smiled and nicely declined, giving them no reason. Most were already too drunk to wonder. The secret of my pregnancy burned on my tongue. Luckily, Kamal and I barely had any alone time together. I wanted to make sure that the moment I told him would be special and intimate.
The sangeet was supposed to end at midnight, but the party didn’t stop until two in the morning. Once again, as soon as I hit my bed, I fell asleep.
Dreams of Kamal and I twirling along the bonfire played through my head.
On the big day, I woke with a severe stomachache late in the afternoon. I wasn’t sure if it was a typical pregnancy symptom or absolute nervousness for my wedding day.
Zora arrived right at the moment I raced to the bathroom and vomited.
“Oh no.” She handed me a warm washcloth. “Do you need anything else?”
“A new stomach.”
Zora grinned. “The morning sickness will go away after a few months.”
“Do you really think it’s that and not me being terrified?”
“Yes. I think it could be the baby, especially after such a big night of food and partying.” She guided me into the bedroom, went to the small fridge, and took out a water bottle. “Did you get any sleep?”
“Yes. As soon as I closed my eyes, I was knocked out.”
“Good. You’re well-rested.” She handed me the water bottle. “Let me know what you need. The hairstylist and makeup crew is here. Ross called me and said he’ll be here in twenty minutes. He wanted to personally help you into the lehenga.”
“Sounds good.” I took a small sip of the water. “Thanks for everything, Zora.”
“Thanks for making my brother so happy. It makes me cry every time he looks at you.” Her voice cracked. “And. . .when you look at him, I know deep in my heart how much you love him.”
“Oh, Zora.” I hurried over and hugged her. “Don’t cry.”
Tears fell from her eyes. “It’s too late.”
“Stop. You’re going to make me cry.” My eyes watered.
“I can’t help it.” She sniffled. “I’m so happy.”
Someone knocked on the door.
“That must be the crew.” Zora left my hold and rushed over to it. She opened the door halfway and then shrieked. “No, Kamal!”
His voice sounded from the other side. “I just wanted to say hello.”
“Go!”
“This is ridiculous,” he roared back. “We have followed the customs enough.”
“You will see her in a few hours. Get control of yourself.” She closed the door on him.
I laughed. “That’s my baby.”
“Kamal has no self-control. He had his shirt opened at the top as if he thought he could seduce you.” Zora shook her head. “Men are insane.”
I sighed, knowing I would have loved to have sex with him this morning.