You're Invited(42)
What if she didn’t tell anyone? Chances: Slim to none. Information like this can’t be kept to oneself. Aunty Josephina would probably implode. The question is who she would tell, who they would tell in turn, and whether everything would move quickly enough.
Would she take the news directly to Mr. Fonseka? Chances: Middling, but she’d have to explain how she ended up with the envelope in the first place, and if there’s one thing I could guess about Aunty Josephina, it was that she’d do just about anything to save face. It’s not like she could say that it magically appeared in her handbag or something.
I noticed her peering into her tote a few times through the evening, though she had enough sense not to pull the envelope out at the table.
I looked over at Kaavi, who fluttered around, greeting the guests. I couldn’t believe how ridiculous I was earlier today. All I had to do was go up to her and ask—Kaavi, why did you say your parents wanted me here when it’s clear they had no idea I was coming? That’s all I had to do. But yet—
But yet, here I was, my words catching in my throat whenever I thought about it. Why was that? When did I become so intimidated by her? By all of them?
I started to stand up. Perhaps I could just ask her now.
“Excuse me, ladies and gentlemen,” Mr. Fonseka’s voice boomed out over the speaker. Everyone automatically turned toward the stage that the band had vacated and where Mr. Fonseka now stood, looking smart in a navy blue formal shirt that clashed ever so slightly with his wife’s dress. I sat back down.
“I’m sorry to interrupt your evening. I just thought of saying a few words before, you know, the party really got going and everyone started seeing two of me up on stage.” There was a round of generous laughter at this. Nihal Fonseka was, after all, nothing if not charismatic and likable. Everyone wanted to be his friend. It was what stood out most about him.
“I just wanted to thank you’ll for being here today to kick off the festivities. I know this wedding was a bit of a surprise for everyone, but you know we Fonsekas love our surprises.”
I heard a hmph go around my table while some of the aunties exchanged knowing looks.
“And what a wonderful surprise this is. You know, most fathers would have a heart attack at the idea of their daughter suddenly deciding to get married, but not me. I have every confidence in my Kaavi, who is smart and kind and, of course, beautiful. She has done us proud in every way, from the way she conducts herself, to the way she has been an essential part of my business, to the wonderful work she’s doing with her own charity—Pink Sapphires—which, mind you, she set up completely on her own. And now she’s brought us Matthew, who, much like those of us in my own alma mater, S. Thomas’ College, goes by his last name, which is Spencer.” There was a round of laughter and cheers at this, too, especially from a table of uncles who were already red-faced—his classmates, no doubt. Mr. Fonseka never made a speech without referencing his college at least once. Imogen once said that guys who refer to themselves by their last names are douchebags, and I was inclined to agree with her at the time.
“Spencer, too, is a self-made man. A very successful one, I might add, and I appreciate how much time he has put into getting to know my family. It’ll be nice to have another man around. We’ll still be outnumbered, but at least I won’t be alone.”
Another round of laughter.
“Of course, I’m only joking. Everyone here knows how much I simply adore my three girls.”
My heart jumped out of my chest, but it was just for a moment. He meant Nadia now. I wasn’t one of his three girls anymore. Of course I wasn’t.
“Can you believe this, ah?” one of the aunties leaned in and whispered to Aunty Josephina. “I was so surprised that Nihal agreed to give her in marriage to a suddha. But then, I guess he’s not one to talk about morals, no?”
Aunty Josephina was about to reply, but she was drowned out by Mr. Fonseka continuing.
“Fiona and I are blessed to have a new son, and my girls are lucky to have an older brother.” The seafood quiche I ate earlier started to swirl in my stomach. “I couldn’t be happier than I am right now to welcome you into our family. I only wish, Spencer, that your parents were alive and here with us today, to share in our joy. But I know they must be so proud of you and the man you have become.
“This is an amazing year for us. Our Kaavi is getting married, and Fonseka Jewellers is opening its new luxury concept store to be headed by my new son-in-law, who has graciously agreed to take some time off from his well-established businesses to give our new showroom a little boost. Spencer, you and Kaavi together have brought us nothing but joy and luck. I wish you a marriage as long and as successful as mine and Fiona’s. Cheers.”
“If that’s what he wishes her, well, good luck,” muttered Aunty Josephina, as the applause that burst from the crowd left me reeling. Looks like Spence was getting everything he ever wanted. My stomach hardened. That’s not true. Kaavi couldn’t keep him happy for long; there was nothing I was more certain of.
He joined Mr. Fonseka up onstage and shook his hand, and then beckoned for Kaavi to join him as well.
The two of them held hands and beamed and I wanted to close my eyes and die. But still, I couldn’t help but stare at him—his perfectly styled hair, his broad shoulders. He had rolled up his shirtsleeves, and the muscles in his forearms were visible even from where I was sitting. It made it difficult for me to breathe.