"Now is the time you choose to talk about hardships and challenges? Through the afternoon, you were happy to play the happy girlfriend and suddenly you have donned the avatar of the victim. From my perspective, you seem to have a better life than me. A dream job with the embassy, a doting husband, a set of best friends who love you…I don't understand what is all the fuss about," he challenged.
Tears welled up in her eyes and she could only stutter, "you are the biggest jerk in the whole world," before walking away.
Tang threw his hands up in frustration. The prospect of going back into the celebrations seemed to make him feel nauseous. Irrespective, he turned his back and started walking towards the long pathway that lay ahead of his residence.
Jia Li was grateful that she didn't encounter anyone while going up to her room. Once there, she bolted the door and gave the waterworks a free rein. Her head swam with his harsh words. Though she was terribly hurt by his accusations, she was forced to acknowledge truth in his uttered words. He didn't know anything about her marriage or her loneliness. She had absolutely no right to take her frustration out on him or anyone else.
"I have no excuse to behave like this with Tang or any of my friends. I am the one responsible for things to reach where they are today and I shall have to carry that burden till my grave. I have been so caught up in my own woes that I forgot that this was supposed to be the best moment of my dearest friend's life," she thought guiltily.
After an hour or so, she went in search of Tang's mother.
"You are back from the trip early", commented Mrs. Xie when Jia Li walked up to her.
Jia Li gave her the same version as being told by Li Jie about meeting an old friend.
"I just spoke with Chung. They should be coming back anytime soon, aunty. In the meanwhile, please let me know if I can help in anyways with the wedding prep. I should have come and asked you sooner but…," her voice trailed.
Mrs. Xie smiled kindly and said, "you told me that you had had a hectic week prior to this and anyways, there is not much to be done. You know how Tang is, right? He has planned everything to the minutest detail and delegated efficiently. So, I have no chores to give you. Why don't you come sit with me and bring me up to date on what's happening in your life? It's been such a long time since I had a chat with you. How long has it been since your marriage now?"
"Five years now, aunty. Seems like a lifetime already," she replied with a hitch in her voice.
"I had really hoped that Fu would have joined us during this wedding. Would have liked to get to know him," said Mrs. Xie wistfully.
Falling back on her practiced lie, she replied, "with his intensive travelling, it becomes very difficult for him to juggle personal commitments. He had really tried to shift this official commitment but it didn't work out."
"Aunty, actually I sought you out just now to say something. Hope you wouldn't mind", she started tentatively.