I banged the counter three times and screamed for the bartender. “Hit me with another one!” I shouted excitedly, over the blaring music.

With my mouth open so wide, I caught the taste of stale cigarettes and cheap alcohol on the air. Bright lights flashed in my eyes. I looked around. People were on the dance floor going wild, gyrating like no-one was watching, others were kissing in booths, taking full advantage of the privacy of the dimness and smokiness. This club was a bit out of the way, not our ordinary hangout place. But then again, it wasn’t an ordinary day.

“I think you’ve had enough now, Zuki!” my friend Kerosha shouted. “You’re more than a little tipsy.”

“Are you joking? We’ve only just begun!” I yelled, enjoying swinging my long hair behind my shoulders. It was usually curly, but tonight I’d straightened it for the special occasion. I heard Kerosha say something about the time but didn’t really pay attention. I was so hyped, I really felt like I could conquer the world. Drinks now in hand, Kerosha and I navigated our way through the sea of people, back to our friends, Musi, Dahlia and Megan.

“Hey, Zukz,” Musi said.

I tore my lips away from the glass and answered, “Yeah?”

“That guy over there is checking you out,” he said.

“What? I can’t hear you over the music.” This place was rocking.

“I said, that guy is looking at you!” he shouted, and pointed to the bar. I had to squint to see through the flashing lights and smoke, but a scary looking man in a leather jacket and dark glasses seemed as if he was checking out our table.

“Maybe someone should go tell him that he’s too late,” Kerosha laughed. “I don’t think he knows that this is your bachelorette party and that tomorrow is your wedding day!”

“I guess not,” I laughed. But something about the way he stared at me was off-putting. I shrugged it off, downing my drink and picking up another one. Then, just as we were about to play ‘truth or dare’, one of the waiters arrived with a fancy drink.

“I didn’t order this,” I told him.

“Compliments of the manager,” he said. Looking more closely at him, I could see his uniform was different to all the other servers. Maybe he was a special waiter for VIPs.

“What? Is it free?” Dahlia asked.

“Yes, Miss. Made especially for the lady of the night,” the waiter said, looking at me.

“Well, thanks, but we don’t want it,” Dahlia said.

“I’ll take it,” Megan said. Dahlia began to protest.

“Let her have it,” I said. “Why let it go to waste? And besides, it’s my bachelorette party after all.”

Dahlia rolled her eyes.

“Thanks, err … Mikki?” I asked, reading his name tag. It was mostly a big yellow blur to my unfocused eyes.

“Nikki,” he corrected, straightening the tag.

“That’s a girl’s name,” I laughed drunkenly.

He scoffed, “No, it’s not!” in reply and smoothed down his hair.

“Someone’s a little sensitive,” I said.

“What?” Kerosha said. The music was still really loud.

“Never mind,” I said, and looked around. This was it. My last night unmarried. My heart beat faster. I thought of this night and realised I could never have it over again. I was happy. The smell, the crowded club, the abnormally loud music, the flashing neon lights, and my best friends. Perfect. I didn’t want the night to end. In truth, the thought of finally getting married to my hubby-to-be, Lungile, was a little scary.

“I think it’s only right for me to give a speech,” I said, clearly drunk. “I can’t even begin to tell you how glad I am to have all … one … two …” I counted. “… eight of you here? You guys didn’t tell me you all had twins!”

They laughed. All eight of them. Kerosha looked nervous. “Are you okay, Zuki?” both Keroshas asked.

“Yes! Now let me finish,” I began, even though I was light headed and I was seeing double and I had just got hiccups. “You guys are like … hic! Oooer … I think I’m gonna be sick!”

“Oh, wow. Now we know the truth!” Musi joked.

The wave of nausea passed quickly, and as I recovered, I realised that it really was time to go home. But first I needed to say something.

“No, no. Wait! Kerosha, you’re a wonderful friend and I’ve known you the – hic! – longest. You’re like my sister and I’m so happy that you agreed to be my bridesmaid – hic! – and for supporting me. I love you.”

Kerosha had tears in her eyes.

“M – hic! – usi,” I continued. “Moo. The big em man.”

“Oh, no. Here it comes,” he said.

“You’re so cute!” I laughed. “I had to say that, to keep you smiling on my wedding day. I know you – hic! – think Lungile isn’t good enough for me and that he’s going to end up breaking my heart, but he’s done well so far, hasn’t he? Hic! And I just wanted to say that you are my bestest friend ever and we’re going to find you a decent guy tomorrow. I’m sure Lungile has a few good-looking cousin brothers.”

“Let’s hope so,” Musi said, his face softening just a little. It was true: Musi disapproved of my relationship with Lungile. He thought I could do much better.

“I love you,” I told him.

He raised his glass. “Love you too, Zee.”

“Now, Meg! I know we used to hate each other and I used to beat you at everything because I’m awesome, of course–”

“A-hem.” She cleared her throat and coughed. It came out sounding a little like, ‘Phu-lease’.

“But,” I continued, “working together with you has made it obvious that us together is better than us apart. Hic!”

Meg smiled.

“And lastly, but not least-lee, Dah – hic! – Dahlia! What are you doing here, anyway?” I asked.

Dahlia looked uncomfortable.

“Just kidding, love.”

I was not. Dahlia was like a frenemy that I couldn’t get rid of because she was Lungile’s sister. Urg.

“Now, Dali. I know you’re gonna run home and tell Lungz everything that happened here tonight – hic! – but I just want you to know that I love your brother and …”

I drifted off. The glass fell from my hand. The music played in slow motion and it seemed as though the cigarette smoke filled the whole room, because my eyes misted over. I felt them burn and close. I passed out.

***

Tell us: What do you think of having a bachelor’s or bachelorette’s party the night before the wedding? Fun or foolish? And, do you have a ‘frenemy’?