The day Huy – my boyfriend – took me home to meet his parents, it was raining lightly. I carefully chose simple clothes, a little nervous and anxious. Huy was my first love – gentle, thoughtful, and had a stable job. His mother was said to be poor but she loved her son very much, as long as I was sincere.
I entered the large villa, my heart full of excitement. His mother was already sitting on the sofa, her cold eyes scanning me from head to toe. Her hand, wearing a large gold ring, tapped the table.
– Are you Linh? – she asked coaxingly.
– Hello, lady.
She didn’t respond, just poured tea, then said calmly:
– I won’t beat around the bush. If you want to marry into this family, there are four conditions.
I looked up, forcing a smile.
– First, no dowry. My family doesn’t want a daughter-in-law who values money over love.
– Second, all the housework – cooking, washing, taking care of parents – you do. Women should know how to manage.
– Third, all the monthly salary should be given to the mother to maintain. This family doesn’t need selfish people.
– And finally, a son should be born. Our Nguyen family needs a successor.
The air in the room seemed to thicken. Huy sat down next to me, hunched over, not having the courage to speak. I smiled, slowly placing my hand on the steaming cup of tea.
– What if I don’t agree? – I asked gently.
He raised his eyebrows:
– Then there’s no need to get married. My family has no shortage of people who want to get married!
I was silent for a few seconds, then I looked up, my voice calm but determined:
“Don’t worry, I don’t need to marry into this family. I’m marrying a husband, not a slave contract.”
Suddenly the atmosphere froze. Huy was stunned, and his mother turned pale and stood up:
– What did you say?
– I respect your family, but if love means losing your dignity and freedom, then I would rather remain single.
I stood up and bowed:
“Thank you for the tea. Maybe we are not suited to be a family, but I want you to be happy.”
I turned to face everyone’s astonished eyes.
That night, Huy called me, his voice choked:
– Linh, I’m sorry. My mother is always like that, but I will try to convince her. I don’t want to lose you.
I smiled faintly:
– Huy, I don’t blame you. But if you weren’t brave enough to protect me before we got married, how much more will I have to endure in the future?
After that call, I hung up. A week later, I received news that Huy had divorced, and his mother said to the neighbors, “He’s so arrogant, who does he think he is!”
Three years later, I opened a small pastry shop, which was always full of customers. On the opening day, I was busy entertaining customers when I saw a woman in an ao dai walk in. It was Huy’s mother. She looked haggard, her eyes were completely different from before.
– Linh… – her voice was trembling – Can I apologize?
I put down my cup and said calmly:
“This is old news, don’t worry about it.”
She bowed her head, tears welling up:
“Huy married the woman his mother had chosen, but the bride left after half a year. She said, the one he should marry is her…”
I was speechless. Outside, the wind was blowing softly, the smell of pastries filled the shop.
I said softly:
“Uncle, sometimes you have to be lost to understand the value of the heart.”
She nodded, her eyes welling with tears. I smiled – not because of joy, but because I had finally made the right choice: to maintain my dignity and kindness.