Patience Heart

The Bachelorette Party

The night was full of energy, the kind of buzz that only comes when good friends are gathered, and the air is thick with laughter and excitement. Kristin's apartment was warm and inviting, with soft lighting that made everything feel a bit cozier. It wasn't an over-the-top bachelorette bash, just an intimate gathering with my closest friends—Maya, Kristin, Julia, Putri, and Kania.  They'd kept things simple and low-key—just the way I liked it. The apartment was decked out with fairy lights, snacks were scattered across the table, and a playlist of throwback hits played in the background. 

We'd all known each other for years, forming a tight-knit group that had seen each other through countless office dramas, career milestones, and personal triumphs. From the early days of fresh-faced interns to the seasoned professionals we were now, we had navigated the highs and lows of office life together. Our days were filled with shared deadlines, brainstorming sessions, and the occasional lunchtime gossip, which had only deepened our bond.

Kristin, the ever-organized team leader, had a knack for keeping us on track while still making the workplace enjoyable. Maya, with her quick wit and infectious laughter, was the heart of our group, always ready to lighten the mood. Julia was our quiet strength, the one who offered sage advice when things got tough, and Putri, the empathetic listener, had a way of making everyone feel heard. Kania, with her adventurous spirit, was always up for anything, adding an element of spontaneity to our routine.

Together, we had weathered project crises, celebrated promotions, and supported each other through personal challenges. We had become more than just colleagues; we were friends who shared a unique camaraderie forged in the fires of office life. The friendships that had started within the walls of our workplace had grown into something deeply meaningful, and it was these women who were here to help me celebrate the last days of my single life.

It was the final evening before I'd leave the office for good, and the girls had made sure it was one I'd never forget. A bottle of wine sat on the table, along with an array of snacks that Kristin had thoughtfully prepared. There was music playing softly in the background—a mix of our favorite throwback songs that instantly brought back memories of late nights and carefree times.

"To Viola, who's finally taking the plunge!" Maya raised her glass, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "We thought this day would never come."

"Hey, I'm not that hard to catch!" I protested, though my smile gave me away.

"Oh, please," Kania laughed, nudging Julia. "You've always been the hardest nut to crack. Adam must have the patience of a saint."

I blushed, taking a small sip of my wine. Just a little, I reminded myself. I couldn't afford to let my guard down, not with the secret I was carrying.

"Adam's a good guy," Julia chimed in, her voice softer, more thoughtful. "He's stuck by you all these years, Vi. That's got to count for something."

I nodded, though the knot in my chest tightened just a little. Adam was a good man, but the closer the wedding got, the more the doubts began to creep in. Could I really do this? Could I marry him and make this life together when so much of my heart still felt tangled in the past?

Kristin must have noticed my hesitation because she quickly changed the subject. "Speaking of Adam, did you know he was practically giddy about picking out the flowers for tomorrow? I swear, the man has gone full wedding mode."

Maya snorted. "Men and flowers. They never get it right."

"He did, though," I said quietly, remembering the lilies he'd brought me earlier. "He got it exactly right."

That earned me a chorus of approving noises, and for a moment, the tension eased. It felt good to talk about Adam, to focus on the things that made me love him, even if I couldn't quite shake the shadows that lingered at the edges of my thoughts.

As the evening wore on, the conversation grew lighter, filled with laughter and teasing. And then, just when I thought the night couldn't get any more memorable, Kristin brought out the cake.

"Okay, ladies, brace yourselves," she announced, a wicked grin on her face as she set the box down on the table.

"What is it?" Putri asked, her curiosity piqued.

"Only the most ridiculous thing I could find," Kristin replied, lifting the lid with a flourish.

The room erupted into laughter as we all caught sight of it—a cake shaped unmistakably like male genitalia, complete with realistic detailing and a fondant bowtie for good measure.

"Oh my God, Kristin!" I gasped, my face burning as I covered my mouth. "What were you thinking?"

"I was thinking it was the perfect way to celebrate your last night of freedom," she said, still laughing. "Come on, it's hilarious!"

"It's definitely... something," Julia agreed, wiping away tears of laughter.

Maya was doubled over, clutching her stomach. "I can't believe you brought that into your house. What if your neighbors see?"

"They'll probably just think it's art," Kristin shot back. "Besides, who cares? This is about having fun."

And fun it was. For a moment, all my worries, all my doubts, melted away as we joked and teased each other about the cake. It was silly, ridiculous, and exactly what I needed.

Even as I took a small, hesitant bite—because, really, what else could I do?—the laughter continued. The whole situation was so absurd that it somehow made everything else seem a little less daunting. We were just a group of friends, sharing a night together, making memories that would last long after the cake was gone.

But as the party wound down, and my friends began to gather their things, the reality of what lay ahead started to creep back in. The wedding was just two days away. Tomorrow would be my last day at work, and after that... everything would change.

As I hugged each of them goodbye, I felt a mix of emotions—gratitude for their support, anxiety about the future, and a deep, gnawing uncertainty that I couldn't quite shake.

"Don't overthink it, Vi," Maya whispered as she hugged me tightly. "You're going to be just fine. You've got us, and you've got Adam. Everything's going to work out."

I nodded, forcing a smile as I watched them leave. But as I stood alone in Kristin's living room, surrounded by the remnants of the evening, I couldn't help but wonder. Could I really do this? Could I marry Adam and move forward with a clear heart, or would the past always be there, haunting me, pulling me back?

And then there was the baby—a secret I hadn't even begun to figure out how to handle. How could I ask Adam to love a child that wasn't his? How could I bring this innocent life into the world and pretend that everything was okay?

I sighed, reaching for my coat as I prepared to head home. The night had been wonderful, full of laughter and love, but the weight of the decisions I had made seemed heavier than ever.

As I walked out into the cool night air, I couldn't help but glance back at the apartment, at the warmth and light that still lingered inside. Tomorrow would be a new day, a day filled with preparations, with the final steps toward a future I wasn't sure I was ready for.

But for tonight, I would hold on to the laughter, to the ridiculousness of a cake that had somehow made everything feel just a little bit easier. Because in the end, that's what I needed—a reminder that life, with all its uncertainties and challenges, could still be filled with moments of joy.