“I missed you,” said Jen to Sid in a soft voice. “My, my, aren’t your hands soft? These are certainly not worker’s hands.” She looked flirtish at Sid and pressed her red lips together.

“I think I have a phone call.” He reached for his phone in the pocket of his trouser, freeing his hand. He stared at the screen with a surprised face. He seemed to be distracted. Was it because of the missed call or because of Jen? The three could tell that Sid felt uncomfortable by Jen’s behaviour.  

“Is everything ok, Sid?” Jen looked at him like a tigress ready to jump on her prey any minute.

“Yes, everything is ok,” he said and then turned to Trisha. “Can we switch seats, please? I would love to get to know Meera’s husband better.”

Trisha looked surprised. “Of course, we can.” When she stood up, she felt Jen’s eyes fixated on her. She did as if she didn’t notice but could see Jen’s disapproving look.

“Are you leaving me, Sid?” Jen sulked like a little kid.

“Jen, darling, leave that boy alone. He is just switching seats with that pretty lady. Now you can talk to her.”

Jen looked at her husband, her eyes sending him the message to keep his mouth shut. Peter put his hand on top of her hand and looked at his wife with a smile. Jen quickly removed her hand. The entire table, except for Chris and Sid, who were in a deep conversation, noticed how Jen treated her husband. Making them all wonder if she loved her much older husband.

The DJ announcing the wedding couples’ first dance drew their attention to the newlyweds. Meera and Fan looked at Trisha and smiled at her. Jen noticed the three friends exchanging glances. She raised her eyebrows and looked curious at Trisha.

“Now join the newlyweds on the dancefloor; let’s give them a night to remember,” the DJ said. Jen reluctantly accepted her husband’s invitation to dance with him and tried to make eye contact with Sid but much to her dislike, he hadn’t noticed.

You look wonderful tonight

Trisha and Sid were the only ones left at their table. Trisha was uncomfortable and stared at the dance floor without saying a word. Her mind wandered off to the day she got married. She scolded herself for her memory of going there once again. Her stomach was in a knot, and she felt alone among 200 people. ” Trisha,” said her inner voice, “why do you keep returning to that question? Why do you torture yourself? What good will it do? You have decided to move on, didn’t you? Why torture yourself? The past is the past. Let it be. See it as a life lesson, a very hard one.”

“You know, I am enjoying myself; it has been a long time since I have allowed myself to do something else besides my work.”

Hearing Sid’s voice made Trisha come back to reality. “Sorry, did you say something?”

“It seems like you were distracted for a second.”

“Yes, I was. I am sorry.”

“It is ok,” said Sid. He watched the wedding guest as they were having a good time on the dance floor.

“Come on, guys! Join the newlyweds on the dance floor! It is time to take it slow,” the DJ said in a flirtatious voice.

Trisha heard Eric Clapton’s ‘You look wonderful tonight,’ filling the air. The song she had danced to on her wedding day. Her then prince had especially requested this song for his princess. Trisha felt choked up and hoped that she wouldn’t start crying.

 ‘You heard what he said.” Sid stood up. “Shall we?” he asked with a big smile.