"Riya are you ready?" "Almost maa," replied Riya to her mother-in-law. Riya was getting ready to attend her mom’s birthday party. She had worn a beautiful golden sari gifted by her mom. She was looking gorgeous with minimal make up and a beautiful hair-do. Her face was glowing radiantly with the inner happiness showing how internally happy she was wearing the sari her mom had gifted her.

Vivek just entered the room and held her from the waist. “What are you doing?” asked Riya. "Nothing, just admiring the girl I have in my life." “You are looking even more beautiful today in this sari. 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 towards their room. It was Vivek’s mother. She entered the room saying, "Riya are you ready? Help Sweta in getting ready." Riya replied "Yeah maa! I am done. I am going to help her."

When Riya was about to leave the room. “Wait," her mother-in-law said. “Yes maa” replied Riya. “What are you trying to prove to the world?” said her mother-in-law. “What happened maa? Why are you saying this? Have I done anything wrong," Riya said.

“What are you wearing? Are you not aware that married women don’t wear black? How many times do I need to repeat the same thing for you?" her mother-in-law said in anger.

“Maa, it's a golden sari, I know you don't like me wearing black, that’s why mom gave me this golden sari. Even Vivek complimented me." Riya said in a soft voice.

“Don’t you dare argue with me Riya!" 

“Vivek can't you make Riya understand that she shouldn't wear black?” (Vivek was quiet)

“But maa, the base colour of this sari is golden. Only a thin layer of black on the pallu to make it more appealing," Riya said.

“I don't want to listen to any excuses or your modern outlook and trendiness, change this sari right now.” 

“But maa, mom gifted this to me 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 sari and help Sweta,” replied Vivek’s mom. She was not at all interested in hearing her daughter-in-law’s view point. 

“But maa...” Riya was about to say something when Vivek cut the conversation by saying, “Come on Riya, it's just a sari. Change it naa. Maa must be asking you to change it for a reason, don't have to make a big deal out of this."

After hearing this, Riya looked at Vivek for a second, she was astonished and at the same time, very disappointed. Just a minute ago it was Vivek complimenting her and now his perception had suddenly changed to make his mother happy. 

Riya didn’t respond, she took out a different sari from the cupboard and changed. She was feeling guilty inside. She was swimming in a pool of thoughts. So, it was all about her hubby’s mother now. What about her own mother whom she wanted to surprise to make HER happy? But Alas! No one understood her feelings, not even her life partner. 

For Riya, it was not a golden or black saree, for her, colour didn't matter. What mattered was what she felt for that particular sari. For her, it was a blessing, a gift given to her by her mom. However, for her husband's family, it was the black that mattered.

Riya was busy in her own thoughts when suddenly she came back to the real world hearing Sweta’s loud voice (Vivek's sister). Sweta came into the room to show her mom how pretty she was looking in the black gown, to which Vivek’s mom replied, "Yeah Sweta, you are looking beautiful. Black suits you."

Riya felt broken from inside, her heart was crying out loud but she stopped her tears. With a fake smile on her face, she attended her mom’s birthday.

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