The village buzzed with the excitement of the New Year festival just around the corner. The preparations were in full swing, with everyone contributing in some way-whether it was organizing the feast, arranging the dancing circles, or preparing the ceremonial grounds. Linda's family, as always, were in the thick of it, with her father taking charge of the traditional rites and her mother making sure that every dish was prepared to perfection.
One afternoon, as Linda was helping her mother in the kitchen, her father called for her. His voice was authoritative but tinged with excitement.
"Linda, come here, I want to discuss something."
Linda dried her hands on her apron and walked toward the sitting room, where her father was pacing with a serious look on his face. As she entered, he turned to her with a wide grin.
"I've been thinking," he began. "The New Year festival is an important time. A time for families to come together. And we must do it properly this year."
Linda raised an eyebrow. "What are you thinking, Dad?"
"We must invite Chris's parents to join us," he declared with finality, crossing his arms and looking pleased with himself.
Linda blinked in surprise. "What?"
"Why not?" her father continued. "They should experience this festival. It's a celebration of our family and traditions. I'm sure Chris would want them to see how we do things here. It's only right."
Linda felt a sudden knot form in her stomach. She had already been nervously anticipating the arrival of the New Year festival, and the idea of Chris's parents coming to the village made her feel even more jittery. She didn't want the pressure of playing hostess to both families, especially given the dynamic between her father and Chris's parents.
"I don't know, Dad," Linda hesitated. "Chris mentioned that his parents might be too busy with their own celebrations."
Her father waved away her concerns with a chuckle. "Nonsense! They'll be honored to come. Besides, Chris is a part of this family now. And you're not getting out of this one, my dear."
---
That evening, after dinner, Chris and Linda sat on the porch, watching the sky darken into a velvety evening. The soft breeze swirled around them as they talked, the golden light from the setting sun casting a warm glow over their faces.
"So, uh, my parents have decided that they want your parents to visit for the New Year festival," Linda said slowly, her words coming out with a hint of uncertainty.
Chris looked at her, blinking in confusion. "Wait, what? My parents?"
"Yeah, my dad said to invite them... they want them to be here for the whole thing," Linda said with a nervous laugh. "I tried to tell him it wasn't a good idea, but you know how he can be."
Chris sat back, exhaling slowly. "You know, I thought I'd be the one pulling the 'you can't come' card, but it sounds like your dad beat me to it."
Linda chuckled, but it was a half-hearted laugh. "I'm kind of freaking out. I wasn't expecting this. And my dad is acting like it's the most natural thing in the world."
"Yeah," Chris said, a teasing smile playing at the corners of his lips, "I can already see the chaos that's going to ensue. My mom-well, you know her. She'll make an entrance. And my dad... he'll probably ask your father a million questions about the village. It's going to be fun, right?"
Linda groaned. "That's what I'm afraid of."
Chris gave her a reassuring smile. "Well, I guess there's no turning back now. Besides, it might be good for them to see each other. It'll be an adventure.", I will ask my parents
There's no need Chris, Linda said trying to persuade him from asking his parents
I will still need to ask them, Chris insisted
---
The days leading up to the festival passed in a whirlwind of activity. Linda found herself juggling multiple tasks-helping her mother, coordinating with the village leaders, and making sure everything was in order. But in the back of her mind, she couldn't help but worry about Chris's parents arriving. What would they think of her village? How would they fit in with her family's customs?
Then, on the day before the festival, Linda's phone buzzed with a message from Chris.
"It's happening. My parents are on their way."
Linda's stomach flipped. She quickly texted back: "Are you sure? You told them not to come."
Chris replied almost immediately: "My mom said she wants to see the 'real' culture. She's dragging Dad along. I tried, Linda. I really did."
---
When Chris's parents arrived, the contrast was striking. Linda's family-her father, a tall, broad man with a commanding presence, and her mother, a shorter but equally strong figure-stood waiting at the village entrance to greet them. But it wasn't just their physical presence that drew attention. It was the cultural differences-the bright, colorful attire of Linda's family compared to the more understated, elegant clothing worn by Chris's parents. The contrast was immediately apparent.
Linda's mother took Chris's mother's hand as soon as she stepped out of the car, pulling her into a warm embrace. "Welcome, welcome! We're so pleased you could join us!"
Chris's mother, a stunning white woman with blonde hair and striking blue eyes, looked slightly overwhelmed but delighted by the reception. "Thank you for having us! This is just... incredible. We've heard so much about your village, but seeing it in person is just... wow."
Linda's father, with a proud grin, introduced himself. "I'm Linda's father. This is a special place, and we're happy to have you here."
Meanwhile, Chris's father-tall, with a graying beard and a gentle smile-shook Linda's father's hand, his eyes twinkling with warmth. As the group began to move toward the village square, the two men found themselves walking slightly behind, exchanging quiet pleasantries.
"So, uh," Linda's father began, glancing over at Chris's father, "I have to ask you something. How did you manage to get such a catch, huh?"
Chris's father chuckled, clearly amused by the question. "Ah, you mean my beautiful wife? Well, I guess it's all about timing. You know, life's funny like that. You meet someone, and the next thing you know, you're both swept up in the current."
Linda's father nodded thoughtfully. "I get it. Same story with me. It was the way she smiled, you know? Just something about her warmth and kindness. You can't explain it. And the rest just... falls into place."
Chris's father smiled warmly, his eyes crinkling at the edges. "I know exactly what you mean. Sometimes, it's not about how you meet or where you come from. It's about the connection you share. And you know, when you find that person, it's like the rest of the world fades away."
Linda's father gave a satisfied nod. "Exactly. A good woman, a strong family... that's what makes life worth living."
The two men continued to walk in companionable silence, their conversation weaving through memories of their pasts. Linda's father had always been a proud man, but it was clear that he held deep respect for Chris's father. The two shared a bond over the love they had for their wives and families, and that mutual understanding set the tone for the rest of the evening.
Meanwhile, the women-Linda, her mother, and Chris's mother-had already begun to chat animatedly, with Linda's mother eagerly showing Chris's mother the different foods being prepared for the festival. The two women's voices blended together in a lively conversation, filled with laughter, as they exchanged stories about their families and experiences.
As the evening wore on, the village square came alive with the sounds of drumming, dancing, and laughter. And in the midst of it all, Chris and Linda found themselves caught up in the joy of the celebration, their families slowly blending together as one.
For a moment, Linda thought back to their first days together-the awkwardness, the pretending, the hesitation. And now, with both families laughing and sharing in the moment, she realized that maybe, just maybe, they had created something real after all.