Quarantine and Chill (AMBW standalone Romance)

by Kenya Wright

  “No rings?” Karen scrunched her face in confusion. “What do they usually exchange?”

  “A mangalsutra. It’s a sacred necklace. And there are seven vows taken during the ceremony. They usually don’t kiss, but we will be.”

  “Mother is going to be trying to convince him not to kiss you. But, Kamal is all about the public displays of affection these days.” Zora rolled her eyes. “I’ve never seen my brother all over someone so much. It’s a bit extreme. Sometimes I want to hose him off you.”

  “Leave my baby alone.” My arms began to get tired holding Arya, I leaned back on the couch for a more comfortable position. “Okay. Let’s get into these five ceremonies.”

  “Five ceremonies? Girl, I am going to be a drunken mess for these three days.” Karen took another sip. “I mean how many outfits will I need?”

  Zora grinned. “At least five.”

  “Jesus Christ.” Karen poured more wine. “It’s like Beyoncé is getting married. How the hell are you going to do this?”

  “I don’t know. We’re trying to see how to schedule it all without losing her minds.”

  “Okay.” Zora put one book down and picked up another. “We have the first function you’d attend which is Mehndi.”

  I added, “That’s the Henna ceremony.”

  “Yes.” Zora nodded. “Wear something colorful and sleeveless, if you want to get Henna tattoos.”

  Karen snapped. “Hells yes. I’m definitely getting henna. I want it all over me.”

  I laughed.

  “Don’t worry if you can’t find Jade during the event,” Zora said, “She’s going to be surrounded by tons of Henna designers. They’ll be painting up her hands, feet, arms, and legs with intricate patterns. She’ll be busy.”

  I let out a long breath.

  “Don’t worry.” Zora gave me a weak smile. “It sounds like a lot, but you’ll feel like a princess.”

  “How long is the henna ceremony?” Karen asked.

  “Hours. But they’ll be drinks.”

  Karen clapped. “Turn up. Turn up.”

  I spoke, “Then you have the next ceremony which is the Ladies’ sangeet.”

  Zora looked at Karen. “Wear what you would put on for a club night. Sangeet is basically like a bachelorette party that everyone comes too. There will be lots of drinking and dancing.”

  Karen quirked her brows. “And strippers?”

  “My brother would go crazy.”

  I laughed. “He’ll be there along with our families. So. . .no strippers.”

  Karen frowned. “But you said ladies’ sangeet.”

  “First, it’ll just be us ladies. Later, others will come in. I think. This may change when Kamal and I sit down and discuss this. It will matter on what venues can be rented and at what times.”

  “When everyone shows up, there will be some choreographed dances done by friends and family. Maybe even the couple.” Zora turned around and displayed an image in the book. The photo showed six men and women dressed in fuchsia and twirling around.

  “What is up with all the choreography dancing?” Karen leaned forward to see the image closer. “And I thought black people loved to dance. You all have us beat.”

  “My cousins will go full Bollywood, so be prepared for a lot of choreographed dances.” Zora shook her head. “But, it’ll be a blast. After the dances, then a DJ will come on.”

  I asked, “Then, the next morning we have haldi right?”

  “Exactly.” Zora grinned. “I’m so glad you really took the time to read this. It would have been a bitch explaining all of this.”

  “Oh no. It’s a lot.”

  “What’s haldi?” Karen finished her second glass. By the time we did our official betrothal ceremony, she would be shitfaced or fast asleep.

  “Haldi is when they put the yellow paste on Kamal and me. Our loved ones will put it on our faces, necks, hands, and feet.”

  Karen poured her third glass of wine. “Well, turmeric is anti-inflammatory, so that could be good.”

  Zora pointed at her. “Wear yellow.”

  “Got it.” Karen nodded and turned to me. “So, what’s next or can you two finally get married? I mean at this point I’m going to feel like I’m married.”

  I giggled. “Yes. Then we have the main wedding and reception.”

  “With elephant?”

  A deep voice sounded behind me. “Lots of elephants.”

  I gazed over my shoulder. “Hey, baby. How was your mother’s flight?”

  “She complained about it the whole time. I just dropped her off at the hotel.” Kamal walked over to me and kissed my cheek. “How’s the planning going?”

  “Good.”

  He landed another kiss on my other cheek.

  “Oh, enough.” Zora rolled her eyes.

  “You’re such a little hater, sis.” Kamal gently picked up his niece from my arms. “Oh my. She is so tiny.”

  “She is.” I loved watching him hold Arya.

  Kamal placed a small kiss on her forehead. “She looks like her uncle.”

  “She does not.” Zora frowned. “She looks like me.”

  Kamal shrugged. “You look like me. The female version.”

  “Whatever, Kamal.”

  Laughing, I leaned over and grabbed my glass of wine. “Arya is beautiful and healthy, that’s all that matters.”

  Kamal checked the table. “Zora brought more books?”

  Zora shrugged. “I don’t want her to be overwhelmed.”

  “So, you overwhelm her now?” Kamal chuckled and walked off with Arya. Ganesha rose and trotted after him.

  “Forget Kamal.” She handed me a book. “Okay. We should discuss the Seven vows taken by the bride and groom while walking around the sacred fire.”

  “Oh shit.” Karen laughed. “We’re going to have a sacred fire, elephants, yellow paste, broom jumping, and choreographed Bollywood dancing. Girl, this is going to be some Game of Thrones meets Chronicles of Narnia shit.”

  “That doesn’t make sense.” Holding in my laughter, I pointed at her. “And no more wine.”

  “Fine.” Karen burped. “Tell me more about this sacred fire.”

  How the hell am I going to schedule all of this? I’m definitely going to do some rearranging.

  Chapter 22

  Jade

  Eight months later

  A Celebration of Love

  We’d just finished the puja.

  Earlier that morning, my mother-in-law brought over my wedding attire. They called the intimate ceremony parasam. Under Mrs. Patel and my instructions, Ross designed the crop top and lehenga—a full ankle-length skirt. He’d done a breathtaking job. It was a rich red color enhanced with gold beading over high-quality pure chiffon. The embroidering was luxurious. I had no idea he was so talented.

  Additionally, my mother-in-law personally brought over a huge amount of rich jewelry for the event. On my wedding day, I would be adorned in jewels and precious metals.

  I lifted a gold chain with gems dangling from them. “This is amazing, Mommy.”

  “A bride must be expected to carry some gold on her. It represents wealth and prosperity.”

  “I love it all.”

  Next, she pulled out the kanjipuram saree. The saree was nine yards of high-quality silk. In my wedding day, I would drape it around my body. When I gave birth to my child, the saree would be my baby’s first blanket.

  She kissed my cheek. “The kanjipuram saree is believed to be a favorite of Lord Vishnu. If you wear it, you will have a divine blessing.”

  “Sounds great to me.”

  Laughing, Mrs. Patel embraced me. “You will be the most beautiful bride of this year. I’m so happy that you will officially be my daughter, although you’ve always been that to me.”

  “I love you, Mommy.”

  “And I love you. Jade, you will make my son so happy.” Her eyes watered. “Be sure he does the same. If not, call me. Mommy will come over and slap him around.”

&nb
sp; I laughed through my tears. “I know.”

  “But he will do what is right.”

  “You taught him well.”

  “He makes me a very proud mother.” She held me tight to her.

  We stayed there for several minutes until Zora broke us up. She’d become the unofficial wedding coordinator, making sure all activities ran on schedule, guests were comfortable, and every decoration was in proper order. Zora had even made sure each wedding guest’s room had a basket full of snacks, cookies, and a bottle of wine with Kamal’s and my names on it.

  Zora whispered in my ear, “Now is a good time to check.”

  I sighed.

  “Go ahead. You’re going to worry about it the whole time. I left everything in the bathroom.”

  “Okay.” I headed there, nervous as hell. Once I entered, I followed the directions on the pregnancy test and waited.

  Of all the things I must deal with. . .

  Those minutes served as the longest in my life.

  Come on. What will it be?

  I set my phone to signal that time was up.

  When it rang, I picked up the stick and checked.

  No way.

  Stunned, I stood in the bathroom, staring at the white stick. Two lines showed on the result window.

  I’m pregnant. Holy shit.

  The world spun around me. I breathed through the anxiety rising in my chest.

  A knock came at the door.

  I jumped.

  Zora whispered on the other side, “What does it say?”

  “Yes.”

  “Oh!”

  “Zora, calm down.” I opened the door and let her in.

  “Yes!” Wearing a bright yellow dress, she rushed in and closed the door. “You’re—”

  “Shh.” I kept my voice low. “Everyone is going to hear you.”

  She covered her mouth with both hands.

  “I’m pregnant.”

  She dropped her hands. “I’m so excited. Does Kamal know that you thought you might be?”

  “No. We’ve been so busy. His company finally just expanded to the California and Tokyo offices. That took up a lot of his time this year. Lots of travel. When he came home, we only had time to go over wedding plans and have sex—”

  “Lots of sex. . .apparently.” Zora jumped up and down.

  “Would you calm down?”

  “Arya is going to have a cousin close to her age. And they’ll both be mixed.” She clapped her hands. “I worried about Arya feeling out of place as she grew up, but now her cousin and she can find comfort in each other.”

  “Well. . .that’s one way to look at it.” I set the test on the edge of the sink. “The other way is to scream in terror.”

  “You are going to rock motherhood.”

  I washed my shaking hands and dried them.

  “Jade?”

  I turned around.

  “It’s going to be alright.” She hugged me. “Don’t worry.”

  “I was already terrified about this wedding. Now I have this news and—”

  “Let’s deal with one thing at a time.” She let me go and held my hands. “Today begins your wedding celebrations. Breathe and enjoy them.”

  “When should I tell Kamal?”

  “Wait until after everything is over. He’s already mad that he will have to be away from you after haldi. If he knows that you’re pregnant, he’ll break tradition and crowd around you.”

  “I don’t know if I can hold the secret until then.”

  She grinned. “Me either.”

  “Zora, do not tell anyone.”

  “Not even my mother?”

  “Zora, if she knows, the entire wedding party will know before Kamal.”

  “Fine. I won’t tell anyone. Not even Corey.”

  “Awesome.”

  She turned to the pregnancy stick. “You should keep it.”

  “And do what with it?”

  “Wrap it up, put it in a box, and gift it to him during your honeymoon.”

  I smirked. “I like that.”

  “Good.” She took a small towel from the rack and gestured for me to leave. “I’ll get this, and gift-wrap it for you in the prettiest box and paper I can find. You go and get dressed. Haldi begins soon.”

  My stomach twisted with nervousness. “Okay.”

  An hour later, I sat next to Kamal.

  Since arriving in Los Angeles, we hadn’t gotten much time to talk. Each moment we tried, someone hurried over and congratulated us or started a long conversation. If not that, then both sides of our families took their turns rubbing the turmeric mixture into our skin. Flower yellow petals sat at the entrance. Guests could also grab the petals and throw them on us.

  I realized I was more ticklish than I thought I laughed a lot through the whole ceremony. Yellow liquid dripped down our faces and dotted our clothes. My family didn’t really understand the ceremony. Some of my cousins kept placing it in on our pants and shoes.

  My favorite part was when my niece Arya walked over to us and patted a little on my cheeks.

  Smiling, I hugged her. “Thank you, sweetie.”

  She shrieked with glee and walked over to Kamal.

  He leaned forward. “Give me your best shot, Arya.”

  She squished the mixture over his face.

  Laughter left me. And others joined along. Instantly, my fears of the future and nervousness left. Slowly, I fell into the moment of this amazing celebration of Kamal’s and my love.

  But that would be short-lived.

  Soaked in yellow, our families dragged us away, separating Kamal and me.

  No! I didn’t get a chance to tell Kamal that I loved him.

  With lust blazing in his eyes, he gazed at me and waved goodbye.

  Fuck. This is going to be excruciating.

  I bathed for an hour. It took forever to deal with my hair. Karen helped with detangling. I changed into my next outfit and off to another event.

  Okay. What are we doing now?

  I pulled out my phone and checked my wedding app.

  There we go. Henna time.

  All the women gathered together for my mehndi night. It was over a hundred women. Some were from Kamal’s family. Most represented my female relatives. And then there were my friends from college and the art world. All arrived in bright beautiful dresses. Many of my cousins wore saris and got their henna done, fully embracing Kamal’s culture.

  Throughout the night, we sat on colorful pillows and sampled traditional Indian food— samosas and chutneys, kabobs, and vada pavs.

  But most of all, I sat still for hours while artists applied my bridal henna. Red-orange designs stained my palms, back of hands, and feet. Many of the patterns symbolized various blessings of luck, joy, and love. Even cooler, Kamal’s name was hidden within the intricate designs.

  I was told it was easy to smudge so I had to remain seated forever to let it dry. Apparently, the darker the color of the dried henna, the deeper Kamal’s love would be for me.

  Thankfully, Zora and Kamal’s female cousins spent a large amount of my waiting entertaining us. They did dances and sung beautiful songs. I was told that I had to give gifts to all participates. For the huge guest list, I gave away small beaded bags with a tiny bottle of perfume inside.

  Once the henna dried, Zora rushed me away.

  I didn’t even get time to check my wedding app. “What are we doing next?”

  “You’re going to sleep.”

  “Good. I didn’t think I could do anything else.”

  Finally, the nervousness had begun to leave, I was fully infused in the celebration of Kamal and me. And with that, so many feelings gripped me. I felt special and so emotional. Ecstatic, yet completely overwhelmed.

  “Goodnight, Jade.” Zora left me in my room.

  “Goodnight.”

  Covered in henna, I collapsed into my bed by myself and passed out immediately.

  I hope Kamal had a good time.

  The next day, we had our sangeet
. Although we weren’t supposed to see each other due to tradition, it was difficult to plan everything perfectly and get the venues on certain days. We ended up rearranging traditional events and doing it our way.

  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.