My night seemed to be ruined when I found out that the dress I had been dreaming of for prom was smeared in black paint. However, fate had other ideas for me; karma was waiting in the wings, ready to turn their evil strategy on its head and destroy the lovely evening that they attempted to steal from me.
The prom was the only thing that I could think about when I was eighteen years old and in my final year of high school. Over the course of several months, the memory of that evening motivated me to persevere through a never-ending stream of schoolwork, lengthy practices, and the pressure of applying to colleges. To dance with my friends, to wear the beautiful gown, and to create moments that I would never forget were all things that I desired.
I had finally been able to purchase the dress of my dreams after putting aside every last penny from babysitting, working overnight shifts at the bookstore, and forgoing extracurricular activities such as going out for coffee with my friends. In addition to having a flowing skirt and delicate off-the-shoulder sleeves, the gown was made of baby blue satin and was both lovely and simple. After I had put it on for the first time, I spun about in front of the mirror until I felt like I was going to pass out. It was as if I were royalty.
It was almost as exciting for my dad as it was for me. Over and over again, he assured me that the dress would have been a hit with my mother. I was ten years old when she went away, and even after all these years, her absence has left a void in our lives. Her passing had changed our lives forever. Before my father remarried when I was fourteen years old, we had spent a considerable amount of time together as a couple.
“Marlene” was her given name.
It’s likely that the word that best describes her is complicated. Although we did not exhibit overt hostility, we also did not exhibit warmth. She was always courteous and respectful, but she conducted herself with a kind of distant superiority, as if she had married into our lives without completely wanting to be a part of them. She was always polite and cordial. We didn’t see her daughter Felicia very much because by the time Marlene came in, she had already reached adulthood and was living on her own outside of the house. In spite of this, it was not a mystery who her mother prioritized the most in her heart.
Despite this, I was completely unprepared for what came next.
As I awoke on the morning of prom, I was overcome with a sense of excitement. I had already scheduled an appointment for my hair, I had already planned out my makeup, and my dress was already hanging in the closet, waiting for me to come in. All of the elements were in place for the ideal evening.
I made my way across the room while humming to myself, and then I opened the door to the closet to take one last look at my dress. All I wanted to do was take in the beauty of it and revel in the excitement of the anticipation. Nevertheless, the moment I opened the door, it was as if the entire universe came to a halt.
Sadly, my outfit, which I had lovingly selected and had been dreaming about for a very long time, was ruined.
A thick layer of black paint was spilled all over the bodice and the skirt, leaving unattractive streaks that also penetrated the satin. This substance poured down the delicate cloth like tar, penetrating the threads and leaving a permanent stain on the fabric.
A gasp from my lips as my hands flew to my mouth. It is not. “No, no, and no!”
Despite the fact that my fingers were shaking, I reached out to touch the dress. My heart was racing. There was still a tacky residue on the paint. It hadn’t been there for very long. As I came to the realization that there was no way to save it, tears clouded my vision. The fantasies of feeling attractive and confident at prom are no longer a reality, despite all of the hours of work and savings that were put in.
As I lurched backward, I pressed my hand against my chest as if doing so would prevent it from shattering.
Afterward, the shock was replaced by rage.
My cheeks were drenched with tears as I hurriedly made my way downstairs. It’s Marlene! I yelled, my voice breaking as I did so. Someone has ruined my dress, according to Marlene! It is literally covered with paint!
It was in the kitchen where she was sitting quietly, reading the paper while sipping coffee. The expression on her face did not show even the tiniest hint of surprise when she looked up at me.
The tone of her voice was indifferent and lifeless when she uttered, “Oh dear.” That is a bad thing. She drank once more, almost in a relaxed manner. Perhaps you ought to exercise a little more caution with your belongings. “Leaving it out in such a manner…”
My closet was where I found it! I shed tears. With a sense of desperation, my voice raised. It’s my closet! I don’t even know how this could exist.
She let out a shrug, maintaining her composure. “Perhaps it may be a sign. Not everything is about prom. Not much more than a ridiculous dance. You will survive.”
While I was stunned, I stared at her. The expression on her face did not correspond with the words. Chilly. It was computed. I am content. At that moment, the reality struck me like a ton of bricks.
This had been done by her.
“Marlene,” I mumbled, my voice shaking slightly as I spoke. “You have done this.”
The tiniest hint of a smile flickered across her lips. “It’s the dramatic part of you. It’s a dress here. The events that are taking place today are of a much greater significance.
I blinked my eyes. The wedding of Felicia came to my mind at that moment.
A frenzied affair that, of all days, arrived on the exact date of my prom, it had been thrown together in a hurry and had been thrown together hastily. My father had assured me that he would be there for me some months ago. On that particular evening, he had made it abundantly apparent that I was his top priority, despite the fact that Marlene had not been pleased with his decision.
“You ruined it,” I replied, my voice quivering with wrath at this point. “You ruined my dress because you decided that you wanted your father to attend Felicia’s wedding instead.”
She was unable to react since the front door opened before her. As he entered, my father had a broad smile. “Good morning, young man! This is a big day, isn’t it?
As soon as he laid eyes on my face, his grin disappeared. “What is the matter? Tell me, why are you crying?
It was the tattered dress that was draped over my arms that I pointed to. I’m sorry, Dad, but it’s gone. Paint was poured all over it by someone.
The expression on his face darkened as he froze. “What is it? To whom and how did this come about? Now he was looking at Marlene.
The woman did not flinch. “Jack,” she continued in a seductive voice, “perhaps you ought to chat with her about the things that are truly important.” Simply said, it is a dress. Now is the day that Felicia will tie the knot. It is essential that her father be present. That is, without a doubt, more significant than a dance at the high school.
My dad’s eyes widened in surprise. I can’t believe you are serious.
“She’s your daughter,” Marlene yelled out, her serenity beginning to lose its grip for the very first time. “She is going to walk down the aisle today, and you would rather waste the night at some gymnasium that is decorated with streamers?”
The kitchen was filled with the tremors of Dad’s voice. ” Have you completely lost your mind? I assured Ana that I would be present. It is not possible for me to give up on her for anyone, not even Felicia!
Angry expressions appeared on Marlene’s face. Felicia is also your daughter, we are told! He is deserving of—”
What gives you the idea that destroying Ana’s outfit is the best method to deliver your message? With a voice as resolute as steel, Dad interrupted her. It is not about priorities at this point. This is a harsh act.
My heart was beating as I stood there motionless, watching the sight unfold before me. I had known for a long time that Marlene did not care very much for me, but I had no idea that she would go to such great lengths.
As he turned to face me, Dad’s tone became more soothing. Our dear, we will make this right. I solemnly swear.”
However, up to that point, I was not convinced by it. I was unable to realize my dream.
Once that was done, he whispered, “Call Mia.”
From kindergarten forward, Mia has been my closest buddy. It would be her who would be able to assist.
I scrambled around for my phone and phoned an extension for her. Right away, she took up the phone, her voice brimming with enthusiasm. “Ana! ” You are getting ready, right? “I can’t wait to come across—”
“Mia,” I stutteringly uttered, my entire voice breaking. My dress is… It was damaged by Marlene. It has a painting all over it. I am unable to go.”
For a moment, there was complete silence. The tone of Mia’s voice then became more resolute and resolute. “That witch,” she said. Make no tears. This is being fixed by us. You are to bring the dress, and I will meet you at the residence of my aunt in thirty minutes. In the past, she worked as a seamstress. Believe in me.
“Having said that, it is entirely covered—”
“Trust me,” she stated many times.
Then, my father and I went to the residence of Mia’s aunt. As I sat there, my damaged garment was weighed down by paint and my feelings of loss.
The gown was reviewed by her aunt, a gentle woman who had years of experience in tailoring, when we arrived. Her admission was, “It’s not good.” Still, it is not impossible. I need a few hours to myself.
We collaborated on the project, with Mia holding the fabric, myself assisting with the pins, and her aunt stitching with hands that were rapid and experienced. By removing pieces of the gown that were so damaged that they could no longer be saved, she added panels of glittering silver cloth, and the gown was changed into something completely different. The silver shimmered like moonlight, and the baby blue satin peeked through like the sky first thing in the morning. It was modified into a sweeping asymmetrical neckline, which is both elegant and dramatic. The off-shoulder style was updated.
During the time that I was trying it on, I was unable to stop the tears from falling. “That is absolutely stunning,” I murmured. The phrase “even more than before”
Mia wore a grin. “I told you that we would fix it.”
My mobile phone rang as my father was taking pictures. It was Mrs. Marlene.
She spoke in a frenetic manner. “Is your father still around? There is no way to save the wedding! Felicia is in a state of full-blown hysteria; she need his presence at this very moment. The caterers are running behind schedule.
It was impossible for me to suppress the smile that appeared on my face. It is karma.
“He’s with me,” I said in a chill manner. “Just as he had promised.” And then I hung up.
Dad simply shook his head and laughed in a sarcastic manner. “It seems as though the wedding is not going as smoothly as planned.”
I responded, “It’s not our problem,” and for the first time in the entire day, I experienced a sense of relief.
That next evening, I wore my one-of-a-kind gown as I made my way to the prom. The heads turned. People let out a gasp. Not only did I appear to be a princess, but I also had the spirit of one.
Over the course of my time spent laughing and dancing with my friends, with the steadfast support of my father in my heart and the friendship of Mia by my side, I came to a significant realization: Marlene was capable of destroying fabric, but she could not destroy me.
What about Felicia’s wedding, by the way? According to what I learned afterward, it was a complete and utter catastrophe. There were complaints from guests, the food was cold, the bride was irate, and Marlene was on the verge of having a breakdown while she was attempting to keep her composure.
The karma had completed its task. And I danced the night away, feeling an overwhelming sense of gratitude that, in the end, love, loyalty, and friendship had prevailed over resentment.
