Page 68 of Pillow Talk
‘So why are you going with Sen to this wedding, anyway?’
Anni lay on her stomach on the bed with jewellery, saris and other traditional outfits scattered around her. Shona had invited her over to help choose an outfit and accessories for the wedding.
‘I think it’s because he needs a buffer,’ Shona said as she searched in her closet for more outfits.
‘A confident man like Sen needs a buffer? Mmm,’ Anni mused as she dug in Shona’s jewellery box.
‘Even the most confident and strongest man doesn’t stand a chance against matchmaking aunts at weddings,’ Shona said.
‘I forgot about that. A catch like Sen – they’d have him married off in no time,’ Anni said.
Shona chuckled but didn’t look back at her friend. She didn’t want her to see any hint on her face of the secret she shared with Sen.
‘Remember how many times your mother tried to set me up? I think I married Sam just to stop your mother,’ Anni joked.
‘Oh gosh! Don’t remind me. Creepy Kreeson! I was lucky to escape that one,’ Shona replied with mischief in her eyes.
‘I thought we always had each other’s backs until you told your mother that Creepy Kreeson was more my type than yours. Shona, that creepy man is no one’s type!’
Shona pulled out a shimmery silver sari from her closet and turned to her friend.
‘I think he’s married now, so clearly he is someone’s type. I won’t be surprised if my mother set it up,’ she said and sat down on the bed with the sari folded on her lap.
Anni didn’t respond. She just looked at Shona with worry in her eyes.
‘You want to know if my mother called. No, she hasn’t,’ she said softly.
‘You haven’t tried?’
Shona stood and walked to her closet again to avoid eye contact. ‘Nope.’
Anni stayed silent, the only sound in the room the soft clink of her fingers rummaging through the jewellery box.
Shona sighed and turned back to her friend. ‘What do you think I should do? Go back?’
Anni looked up and shook her head. ‘I have no opinion on this, Sho.’
Shona closed her closet door, walked back to the bed and sat down facing her friend.
‘Since when do you have no opinion? You’re my voice of reason,’ she said.
Anni’s eyes softened. ‘I’m just worried that not making contact means more time will go by and the relationship might become irreparable,’ she replied.
‘I know,’ Shona whispered.
Anni reached out and covered Shona’s hand.
‘Sho, your parents are good people and good parents. Trust me, I know bad parents. Your parents have always been so good to you and even me. They’re the only parents I know. They’ve always been there for me,’ Anni almost choked on what appeared to be built-up tears.
She removed her hand, delicately swiped it across her eye and looked away.
‘They even stood for me as my parents at my wedding, Sho,’ she added.
‘But remember, Anni, my dad had to go to the shop on the morning of your wedding even though Drake was going to be in charge that day,’ Shona said. She held back from raising her voice because she was irritated that Anni was obviously siding with her parents and she couldn’t lose Anni too.
‘I know Sho, but it’s clear you hate the shop, not your parents.’
‘I don’t hate my parents. I hate that they put the shop first,’ Shona said.
