The host opened the first envelope while Anja and Damir were cutting the cake. They thought he was reading a greeting. Then he announced the name of Damir's uncle, held up the banknotes, and loudly stated the amount. Some guests applauded. The uncle stood and bowed as though he had just won a prize. Anja lowered the knife, but the host was already reaching for the next envelope in the box beside their table.
They had provided the box so they would not spend the whole evening carrying gifts in pockets and bags. In none of their conversations about the program had they mentioned opening them in front of guests. Damir started toward the host, who winked at him and said this would liven things up. He opened the envelope from Anja's friend Vesna. Inside was a handwritten message and a smaller amount. As he read it out, somebody at the back joked about rising prices.
Vesna straightened the napkin in her lap. Anja knew her friend had traveled all night and swapped two shifts to attend. She did not want to defend the size of Vesna's gift publicly by listing those sacrifices. She approached the box and closed the lid. "This stops now," she said loudly enough to be heard without the microphone. The host laughed, convinced the bride was joining the joke, then offered Damir the next envelope to open himself.
Damir returned it to the box. He requested the microphone and said people had been invited to their wedding because they wanted their company. Nobody would read out the remaining amounts. The host protested that everyone loved this part at other celebrations. Anja asked him to play some music. She did not wait for his agreement. She carried the box into the room where they had left their coats and gave the key to Damir.
When she returned, the uncle was explaining that generosity was nothing to be ashamed of. Vesna had gone to the restroom. Anja waited beside the door instead of following her inside. "I'm sorry," she said when Vesna emerged. Vesna replied that she did not want to spend the rest of the evening as the woman everybody comforted. She asked Anja to return to cutting the cake because she was hungry and wanted the biggest slice. Anja smiled for the first time since the envelope was opened.
After midnight, the newlyweds read the messages in their room. Damir put the money into a single envelope without listing names and amounts. Anja placed Vesna's card in the bag she would take on their short trip. As he was leaving, the host said he had never encountered such sensitive newlyweds. Damir paid his agreed fee. At that moment Anja was carrying two slices of cake for Vesna's journey, and she did not stop to make the uncomfortable farewell easier for him.