“Are You Not Aware That A Married Woman Doesn’t Wear Black?” [#ShortStory]

“For Riya, it was not about wearing black or golden, for her the colour didn’t matter. What mattered were the feelings she had attached to this particular saree.”

“Riya are you ready?”

“Almost, Maa!” replied Riya to her mother in law.

Vivek entered the room and held her waist. “What are you doing?” asked Riya.

“Nothing, just admiring the girl I have in my life. You are looking more beautiful today in this saree! I love you, Riya!” Vivek whispered in her ears. She blushed and said, “Love you too!”

They were enjoying their special moment when they heard someone coming to their door. It was Vivek’s mother. She entered the room, “Riya are you ready? Help Sweta in getting ready.” Riya replied, “Yes Maa! I am almost done, just going to help her.”

“Wait”, her mother in law said As Riya was about to leave the room. “What are you trying to prove to the world?” asked the mother in law. “What happened Maa? Have I done something wrong?” asked Riya.

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“What have you worn? Are you not aware that a married woman doesn’t wear black? How many times do I need to repeat the same thing to you?” her mother in law said in anger.

“Maa, it’s a golden saree! I know you don’t like wearing me black that’s why mom has gifted this golden saree. Even Vivek has complimented me for this saree.” Riya said in a soft voice.

“Don’t you dare to argue with me, Riya! Vivek, can’t you make Riya understand not to wear black?” Maa said to him. Vivek was silent.

“But Maa, the base color of this saree is golden. Only a thin layer of black is given in the pallu to make it more gorgeous and trendy”, Riya said.

“I don’t want to listen to any excuses or anything about your modern outlook and style. Change this saree now.” Vivek’s mom ordered Riya.

“But Maa, mom has given me this saree and I wanted to surprise her by wearing it today. Please understand, I want to wear it today only, please,” Riya said.

“Riya, we are getting late, change your saree and help Sweta in getting ready,” replied Vivek’s mom. She was not at all interested in hearing her daughter in law’s viewpoint…

“But Maa …” Riya was about to say something when Vivek cut the conversation by saying, “Come on Riya, ek saree ki hi to baat hai, change kar lo na yaar, Maa kuch soch ke hi na bol rahi hai, mom ko achha lagega. Kyu baat badha rahi ho. Jao change karo!” (It’s just a matter of a saree. Change it…Maa must have some thoughts behind it, she will feel better. Why are you arguing now…go and change!)

After hearing this Riya looked at Vivek for a second. She was shocked and at the same time very disappointed by thinking of the Vivek who was giving her compliments a few moments back, and now his perception and reaction changed because his mother would be happy if she changed the saree. “Strange! What kind of a world is this?”

Riya didn’t respond. She took a different saree from the cupboard and changed.

She was feeling guilty inside. She was swimming in a pool of thought forms. So, it was all about the husband’s mother. What about my mother for whom I am wearing this saree, to give her a surprise, to make her happy? But alas! no one understood her feelings, not even her life partner.

For Riya, it was not about wearing black or golden, for her the colour didn’t matter. What mattered were the feelings she had attached to this particular saree. For her, it was an essence, a blessing, a gift given to her by her mom but for her family it was black…

Does colour really matter in today’s world? Is colour is more important than our feelings? When will our society respect the viewpoint of a daughter in law as well?

She was in her own thoughts when suddenly she came back to the real world by Sweta’s, Vivek’s sister’s voice.

Sweta came into the room to show her mom how pretty she was looking in the black gown, to which Vivek’s mom replied,

“You are looking beautiful, Sweta! Black suits you.”

Riya felt broken from inside. Her heart was crying hard but she stopped her tears from coming to eyes. With a fake smile on her face, she attended her mom’s birthday.

Published here earlier.

Image source: pixabay

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