by S L Lewis
As I looked at the disaster zone, I decided if I couldn’t beat them, I would join them so I decided to catch up with Amelia before I went to meet Renesh.
Pretending to clean the apartment, whilst really gossiping and watching TV, it was apparent that:
Neither one of us would look good in a ruffled wedding gown;
Dancing to ‘I will Survive’ with wet hands and trying to wash glasses does not work (as we realised after the 4 glass smashed to the ground!);
Trying to put Geron in a good light with Amelia would end in the conversation being cut dead and her giving you death stares. So I just came to the conclusion that eventually he will get the message and leave her alone or she would admit her true feelings and let herself be ‘vulnerable’ enough to let him show her how sorry he is…obviously I would never tell her this though! I like my ear drums to stay functional!
Two hours of putting the world to rights with Amelia was exhausting and the hangover was creeping up on me again so to shock the energy back into my body, a cold shower was needed and a hair of the dog was required to prepare me for whatever bad news Renesh had.
He was sat in the back of a busy, very chic, ultra modern restaurant; my purse was already screaming, ‘back away from the entrance. If it smells looks and the air taste’s expensive then…it’s going to be expensive!’ Stupidly, I ignored the warning signs and approached his table.
The eager waiter barely gave me enough time to sit down before he was handing me the menu. ‘Thank you,’ I muttered.
Renesh looked tired and visibly upset.
He hadn’t shaved for a week it seemed, and although he still had the rugged, manly look, it wasn’t the intended appearance he was going for.
After ordering starters and a bottle of white wine from the increasingly annoying and overbearing waiter, I didn’t hold back.
‘Bro, no offence but you look like you haven’t slept for days. What’s going on? Did mum tell you, her and dad are back together thanks to me and Yatin? Just call us the uber cool Cupids of North London!’ I chuckled as I tried to make light of the tense situation.
However, he didn’t laugh and I knew it was serious.
Waiting for me to savour the three perfectly positioned prawns on the largest plate I had ever seen, Renesh announced, ‘Shilpa has moved out.’
Unfortunately, a piece of bread I was mopping up the sauce with, got stuck in my throat due to this revelation and I began to choke.
Renesh looked embarrassed as my coughing grew louder and stronger, which attracted the attention of all the staff (and fellow diners), who came running over with water and a new, overly enthusiastic chef (possibly fearing a law suit) tried to perform the Heimlich Maneuver but instead managed to make the situation worse by putting me in a position that left me forgetting the choking law suit and thinking of filing a sexual harassment suit!
‘I’m ok,’ I gasped as my natural colour came back and I feebly explained I had just choked on a piece of bread.
Once they heard that the choking was not the fault of the restaurant, all the staff dispersed quickly and with a few more looks of annoyance from the older, snobbier customers, all went back to normal and I vowed to leave the bread alone!
Taking a few more gulps of water, I started my investigation. ‘What do you mean she moved out? I thought you were sorting things out?’ I was confused as I thought he was determined to make things work with her.
Making sure I was no longer eating or drinking anything, Renesh replied, with a deep sigh, ‘I explained about Manisha and she said she would give me another chance but it’s not that simple. The trust had gone and she couldn’t cut down her hours so it was exactly the same but now she doesn’t believe anything I say. If I said I was going to the gym she would doubt me. If I said I was going out with the boys, we would argue. It just wasn’t working.’
Showing I was visibly annoyed at his need to play the victim, I retorted, ‘she could argue with you for the rest of your life and you couldn’t blame her as you made her feel like this due to your actions.’
The waiter obviously felt the tension at the table and placed the main courses down quickly and left without speaking.
Taking a large mouthful of the disappearing wine, Renesh continued, ‘I know it’s all my fault but I really wanted to work it out with her, Neets. I was prepared to do anything but then a week ago Manisha called and asked me to meet her as she had something important to tell me and I had to go. She was hysterical and crying on the phone, I didn’t know what she was going to do. The only problem was Shilpa heard the call and followed me to the coffee shop.’
The anger was brewing inside me and I was overwhelmed with disappointment as I couldn’t believe my brother was turning out to be this kind of man.
Fearing he was going onto the ‘Angus List’ of despicable, cheating men, I growled, ‘you went to meet Manisha, when you were supposed to be saving your marriage? If you called me here to hear me say I am on your side then you are sadly mistaken,’ and with that, I placed £40 on the table for my share of the meal and got up to walk away.
He pleaded with me to wait and sit back down but I was too angry.
I pushed the chair and stepped away from the table; he got up grabbed my arm and announced, ‘she’s pregnant with my baby, Neets and so is Shilpa!’ to which he dissolved into tears and all I could do was hold him.
Chapter Six – The Best Gift to bring to the Engagement Party?
The following weeks consisted of trying to be a counsellor to Renesh and making sure my mother didn’t end up in prison for ‘murdering’ him. And trying not to end up in the cell next to her myself for killing Gabrielle for her endless demands, and screams, when she came to the conclusion that she could not delegate any tasks to her bridesmaids as they were all ‘dimwits’. Needless to say there were many occasions I had to escort Anya out of the room before she had Gabrielle’s blood on her new Louis V’s!
‘Neets, I need your help,’ Gabrielle screamed from her bedroom as we all started to get ready for the engagement party.
The sun was blazing and there was a nice breeze in the air. With clear, blue sky, all bridesmaid’s were still sober (surprisingly, especially with the stress of the bride-to-be becoming increasingly unbearable) and mum and dad were working through their issues successfully, it was like icing on the cake when Shilpa rang.
‘Hey Neets, it’s Shilpa. Just checking to make sure it’s still ok for me to come today?’ she asked with pain in her voice. I wanted to put my hands down the phone and give her a big hug as over the past few weeks, after seeing my brother’s deteriorating mood, I have been calling her non-stop begging her to come to the party. ‘Of course it is hun. You know you are still part of this family and we all want you there. Call me when you set off and I will come outside to meet you,’ and with that the nerves and anticipation began.
Maybe it was all the stress of trying to be a mediator, counsellor or maybe it was the increasing workload but I had been feeling horrid, so when Gabrielle screamed at me to hurry up through the bathroom door, I couldn’t be calm anymore. ‘Fuck off, I’m being sick, so I’m sorry I can’t rush,’ obviously Gabrielle wasn’t the only one behind the door. ‘Babe, I need to speak to you. Can I come in?’ Amelia said softly, to which I obliged.
I loved Amelia so much, as no matter what she had going on in her own life she was always thinking of others and never had a bad word to say (unless you angered her) or selfish bone in her body, so when she wanted to talk to me, or offered her opinion, I always welcomed her with open arms.
‘What’s up chick?’ I asked slowly getting up from the toilet and examining my green complexion in the mirror.
She was wearing a beautiful deep red Oriental inspired mini dress, with her hair perfectly styled with two chop sticks with elegant gold and red tassels hanging down…trust Amelia to bring the real style to the party!
From her equally chic gold clutch bag, she pulled out a white paper bag. ‘Babe, there’s no time to ha
ve a quick snort,’ I chuckled as she raised an eyebrow at my terrible humour. She pulled the bag back, which revealed a box.
‘Hun, I have been hearing you talk about how sick you’ve been feeling for the past few mornings now and unless you have been going to the worst take away, which needs to be shut down ASAP, you do not have food poisoning, nor do you have the flu,’ to which she put the box under my nose to reveal her true thoughts.
I examined the pregnancy kit as though it was alien to me.
I couldn’t be pregnant, could I?
Ok, so my clothes have been feeling a bit tight recently but I haven’t been saying no to the odd late night burger or doughnut. My periods are not regular, so it’s not a big deal that I haven’t had one for a while but I have only been with Yatin for just over 3 months, what is he going to think? He’s going to run for the hills when he hears this!
That last thought had me losing breath and I began to gasp. ‘Babe, it might not be this but it’s just to rule it out and I’ll always be here for you, so don’t worry so much. You don’t have to do it now,’ Amelia stuttered as the concern and worry at my cracking appearance began to frighten her.
After a long hug and words of encouragement, I decided to quickly do it.
Three minutes feels like a life time, when in one spilt moment the result could change your life forever (also Anya and Gabrielle banging on the door every second to see what was going on was piling on the pressure).
‘She is just overwhelmed about the wedding so just give us a few minutes,’ Amelia shouted, which bought us a bit more time.
The time had come and the results were as clear as the sky…POSITIVE!
Unfortunately, my vision had become less clear as I showed an opened mouth Amelia the evidence and felt my knees buckle beneath me.
I passed out!
As I came round, I heard the rustling of paper (which I realised later was Amelia hiding the evidence as she opened the door to get help) and the screams of Gabrielle and Anya telling her to shut up and to go get water. ‘Guys, I’m ok. I just haven’t eaten,’ I managed to reassure them as I found the energy to sit up and gratefully accept the water from a shaking Gabrielle.
After avoiding the many questions the girls had, Amelia reminded everyone of the time and the drama was forgotten for the moment.
Everyone made such an effort with their appearance; I was scared to think how much of my child’s university money I would need to spend on my wedding outfit to keep up with everyone. ‘Can you do my clip please?’ Gabrielle asked kindly.
Dressed in a long, gold, silk boobtube gown, which accentuated her petite curves, with gold coloured crystals highlighting the breast region; Gabrielle looked like a Greek Goddess with her hair spilling loose curls down her back.
We were given strict instructions on what we were to wear, so we didn’t upstage her; I was very shocked that Anya obliged.
Anya looked demur and beautiful, which wasn’t always easy for her as she loved to show her ‘money makers’ in case there were potential clients in a 5 mile radius.
Wearing a fitted, silvery blue, mini dress with batwing sleeves and thick, jewel encrusted belt, she topped off the shimmering splendour with luxurious silver, strappy high heels with an equally elegant clutch bag.
Dealing with the endless shopping trips and failed diets, I ended up deciding that every dress made me feel like a frumpy bloated ball, that wouldn’t look out of place at a volley ball competition. So, after many tantrums and tests of both Anya’s and Amelia’s muscle power, when I constantly asked them to help me pull up the defiant zips on all the dresses I tried on, Amelia said, ‘This one looks beautiful Neets’ as I glanced in the mirror and saw the frilly horror she tried to convince me to wear as her patience had run out.
Now, although Amelia is wonderful in a crisis and thinks on her feet, she does lack patience when shopping with me. Anya regarded the frilly mess as she tried not to laugh, when she saw the disgust on my face.
‘Errrm, maybe this von vould be better,’ she giggled as she handed me a long, jade green, halter neck dress with crystal embroidery around the neckline.
There was a silent pause as I took a deep breath and went to try it on.
I could hear them whispering and Anya laughing at Amelia’s attempt to dress me up as her Grandma’s toilet roll holder.
‘Come on Neets. I need a drink after all this stress,’ Amelia demanded as I slowly emerged through the white curtain.
The shopping assistant walked into the changing room as I twirled around on demand from the judging panel of two.
Sucking in my waist, making my shoulders appear smaller and giving me a cleavage that could rival a ‘Page 3 Model’ I was very impressed and vowed to spend my last pennies on getting Anya and Amelia the biggest bottle of Cava my purse could afford.
‘You look beautiful. Like an emerald swan,’ the shop assistant swooned as I posed for my audience with pride and sophistication.
They all agreed I should buy it and when I questioned the price, I was quickly reminded it was an investment, not to just be worn once. Before I could respond my credit card was quickly swiped from my hand and we were out the door.
Putting it on a second time made me feel just as sexy and elegant but with my new secret I was finding it hard to enjoy the moment, and finally the questions to my new bloated exterior were answered.
With one glass of champagne, we toasted to Gabrielle’s new life-to-be and celebrated her fond memories, we all shared of her in the flat.
The champagne toast was not enough for Anya, so when she produced a round of Vodka shots to allow Gabrielle to bid farewell to her single life properly, I slyly gave mine to Amelia and we went through the door for the last time as four single ladies.
*********
Decorated in a Middle Eastern theme with beautiful deep blues, reds, orange and gold fabrics draped from the ceiling and big bronze Moroccan lamp shades hanging down gave the hall the cosy and exotic feel Gabrielle wanted.
Lowered gold coffee tables and soft, chic bean bag chairs circled the sides of the room, leaving just enough space for the dance floor and a corner for the one man bar.
With low lighting and loud music, it took me a while to get through the crowd to find dad holding mum’s hand, whilst Renesh was on the other side of them being comforted by a large rum and coke.
‘Is she here yet?’ Renesh asked eagerly as I greeted them. With compliments oozing from mum and dad, I shook my head as I gave him a hug and promised I’d tell him as soon as I saw her.
Feeling a kiss on my neck, I prayed Yatin wouldn’t put his hands anywhere near my stomach as I swung round and greeted him with a nervous kiss. ‘I’ve missed my baby,’ he cooed as the sweat began to make an appearance on my brow. ‘I missed you too hun but I’ve just got to nip outside for a minute,’ I gasped as I pretended my phone was ringing and ran out.
Taking deep gulps of air and trying to steady myself on the wall, I didn’t realise Shilpa walking towards me.
Visibly upset and shaken, she put on a brave smile and gave me a hug. ‘I’m so glad you decided to come. It wouldn’t have been the same without you,’ I said as we made small talk to avoid the situation and trying to bide more time before we had to go into the questioning crowds.
The number in the hall had increased since being outside and it was becoming increasingly difficult to get through the enthusiastic guests.
Gabrielle and John had it easy, as they put thrones on the stage, so they could look down on the crowd, much like the King and Queen of the ball.
‘Neets, come over,’ Gabrielle waved as she beckoned me to her hierarchical chair. ‘Do you think it was a good idea to invite Shilpa?’ she questioned as she pointed over to the stressed and awkward looking pair.
As I examined the car-crash couple, I came to the conclusion that they were not fighting or arguing so it was a start. ‘I will keep an eye on them so don’t worry yourself and enjoy the night,’ I comforted Gabrielle as I went away
to get her a drink to calm her nerves.
Getting through the crowds, I managed to avoid Yatin and bump straight into my Grandmother.
‘Hi Gran,’ I said nervously as she regarded me coldly.
To break the tension, I gave her a hug and began small talk, which was cut abruptly. She looked around, as though not wanting anyone to hear or looking for Grandad, she whispered, ‘I’m fine sweetheart but I’ll be even better by the end of this evening.’
I tried to ask her to elaborate as it sounded quite sinister, but she refused and walked away when she saw my mother approaching.
‘What did that witch say?’ my mum asked giving her daggers, as she gave them back whilst walking away with a smug grin on her face.
‘Nothing mum. Just ignore her. Don’t let it ruin the evening. Anyway how’s things with dad?’ I asked feebly as I tried to distract her attention.
The last thing Gabrielle needed was a WWF fight between our mum and Grandma!
