When Margaret received a beautifully wrapped box on her doorstep, she knew immediately it was from her daughter-in-law, Anita. After all, who else would send such an extravagant gift?
With a mix of curiosity and apprehension, Margaret unwrapped the box to reveal a stunning white maxi dress. As the note slipped out, it read: “Please wear this to the wedding. Love, Anita.”
The insincerity in the words “Love, Anita” seemed palpable. Margaret couldn’t help but feel that this was another attempt to provoke her. Their relationship had been fraught with tension since Anita and her son James became a couple. Initially, Margaret had found Anita charming—modern and confident—but their differences had soon become apparent.
The conflicts began with minor lifestyle choices but escalated as Anita took over the wedding planning. Margaret was kept out of every decision, learning about the venue from a friend rather than her son. And now, this dress.
Margaret dialed Linda, her best friend, feeling her frustration bubble over. “You won’t believe this! Anita sent me a white dress for the wedding. Can you imagine?”
Linda’s voice was soothing. “It could be a setup or a misunderstanding. Maybe you should talk to her directly.”
Margaret shuddered at the thought of confronting Anita, but Linda had a point. The next day, Margaret met Anita at a quaint café. Her hands trembled as she sipped her coffee, while Anita remained calm, her serene smile unwavering.
“You don’t like the dress?” Anita asked, her brow slightly furrowed.
“It’s a lovely dress, but I don’t understand why you want me to wear white to your wedding,” Margaret replied, trying to keep her voice steady.
Anita leaned forward, her eyes earnest. “This wedding is about bringing family together. I wanted to honor you, Margaret, which is why I chose this dress. It’s important to me that you wear it.”
Margaret scrutinized Anita’s face, searching for any hint of deceit but found only sincerity. Could Anita genuinely mean it?
Leaving the café, Margaret wrestled with her doubts but decided to give Anita the benefit of the doubt.
On the wedding day, Margaret stood in front of the mirror, her anxiety mounting as the white dress clung to her. Her mind raced with fears—what if people laughed or judged her? She gripped the steering wheel so tightly that her knuckles turned white.
Upon arriving at the venue, Margaret was greeted by a breathtaking sight. The hall was a burst of vibrant colors and intricate decorations, blending traditional Indian elements with modern elegance.
Then, she saw Anita, radiant in a stunning red sari. Margaret was stunned, her breath catching in her throat. The unexpected beauty of the scene overwhelmed her.
Anita’s father approached with a warm smile. “Margaret, thank you for honoring our traditions by wearing white. It means a lot to us.”
Margaret’s mind raced to understand. “I… I didn’t realize. I thought…”
