Olha, are those extra kilograms of yours? Isnt that a problem? Dimas mother persisted.
Honestly, I dont think I have any excess weight, especially since my future husband finds them acceptable. Not everyone has to be tiny sticks, Olha retorted, giving a teasing glance at Elena and Dimas mother. Elena flared up at such boldness.
Mom! Did you buy that slimming tea? And chia seeds? Why did you put so much butter in my porridgethose are extra kilos! Dima, did you buy that yeast bread again? Its unhealthy! You need to drink three glasses of water in the morning, otherwise the weight wont go down Wheres my water?! Dima had heard similar remarks since childhood.
His mother and older sister were constantly worried about their figures. Elena was thirtyeight, never married, and resembled a thin, hunched horse with perpetually hungry eyes. Their mother was as straight and rigid as a knitting needle.
This bothered Dima, who always gravitated toward lively people with hearty appetites. He dreamed that his future wife would be nothing like his mother and sisterand he found her.
Her name was Olga. Olya even her name sounded soft, pleasant, and sweet, like a fragrant pastry. No, Olya wasnt overweight, but at 173cm she weighed 85kg. Those kilos radiated health and good spirits: high bust, slim waist, feminine curves, and dimples on plump cheeks that begged to be pinched. The sight left Dima breathless.
One evening he took his sister to the bank for errands. She took a ticket and sat in the designated chair while he paced the hall, waiting.
Suddenly a silvery, belllike laugh reached his ears. It was quiet but contagious, and Dima couldnt help but smile. He was eager to see the source of the giggle, so he followed the sound.
A young operative, assisting an elderly client, laughed at something the man said. Dimas eyes stuck on herher wavy hair, lips shaped like a bow, and a body that seemed effortlessly composed, obvious even to an untrained eye.
He was riding in the car with his sister, listening to her monotone chatter, yet his mind stayed with the girl in the bank.
Dima, are you listening to me? his sister asked irritably.
Of course, Elena, Im listening, he replied, straining to recall her words.
I told him I dont eat fried meat, only boiled chicken breast, Elena complained about her latest suitor. Dima nodded sympathetically, sticking out his tongue as if to say, What a scoundrel
The next day, late afternoon, he rushed to the bank. The object of his daydreams was there, and Dima sighed in relief. After closing, he retrieved a bouquet of roses from his car and approached the girl.
Miss, do you need a husband, or perhaps a son for your mother? he blurted, extending the roses. His face looked bewildered and comical, causing her to burst into a bright laugh, though she accepted the flowers.
Oh my theyre beautiful! How they smell! she inhaled the fragrance, while Dima adored her.
From then on they were inseparable. Sometimes you meet someone and realize they are the one, no longer needing to search. That happened for Dima with Olha. After a month of dating he proposed; she gladly accepted. The only thing left was to meet the parents.
Olhas family welcomed him with a lavish spread of pies, laughter, and chatter. Olhas mother, a striking beauty, planted a kiss on both his cheeks, leaving him mortified. Her father patted his shoulder like an old friend and led him to the kitchen.
Stay away from women, theyll wear you out. But dont worry, Nataliya Yevhenivna, Olhas mother, is a gentle soulthats why Ive loved her for thirty years. And Olha is a real diamond. Take good care of her, son, Olhas father said, studying Dima intently.
They lingered at the table, eating heartily, laughing loudly, sharing amusing anecdotes. Later, Ivan Dmitrovich, Olhas dad, played guitar while everyone sang along. Dima felt completely at home, as if hed known them forever.
Three days later they visited Dimas parents. On the way they stopped at a pastry shop, where Olha bought handmade eclairs for the women. By five p.m. they arrived.
Dimas mother, Halyna Anatoliyivna, opened the door.
Oh hello, dear ones, she said, staring at Olha with her mouth agape, clutching the door handle.
Mom, I love you too. Shall we not linger at the threshold and go inside? Dima whispered, and they entered.
Of course, dear. Come in, come in And you must be Olha, right? Halyna examined Olha from head to toe.
Yes, Im Olha! Pleased to meet you, Olha extended her hand to Halyna and stepped inside. Dimas mother remained rooted, eyes fixed on the girl.
Dad, Elena, Mom, this is Olha, my fiancée. We filed the paperwork and the weddings coming up. Olha, meet my family: sister Elena, mother Halyna, and father Mykyta Serhiyovych, Dima introduced.
The wedding announcement surprised Dimas relatives; they fell silent, the only sound the clinking of silverware.
Yes! Olha! Were thrilled and welcome you to the family. Do you have a bottle? Oh, thats perfect! And some treatsfor you girls, Mykyta lightened the mood.
No, no, we wont be having cake tonight. Actually, Olha Halyna pushed the box of sweets away disdainfully.
Youre not eating, we are! Hand me that box, lets see whats inside. Im sure Olha wont bring anything bad, right, Olha? he joked.
Everyone settled, the tension easing. The table bore chocolate, light appetizers, and a bottle of sparkling wine. They popped it, toasted, took a sip, and an awkward quiet returned.
Mom, I met Olhas parents. Theyre wonderful people. Youll like them, Dima said, trying to fill the silence. Olha stared at her glass, while Elena kept her gaze on Olha. Their father began telling a joke; everyone laughed, and the pressure lessened.
Olha, dont worry, I have an excellent specialist. Ill introduce you, and shell help solve your problem, their mother suddenly offered.
A problem? I have none, Olha replied, surprised.
Then why do you have those extra kilos? Isnt that an issue? Dimas mother persisted.
In my view I have no excess weight, especially since my future husband finds them fine. Not everyone has to be twigthin, Olha said teasingly, glancing at Elena and Dimas mother. Elena flared again.
You have twenty extra kilograms! Thats unhealthy. And when you give birth, I cant imagine whatll happen to you
When I have a child, Ill be even more beautiful, with my husband and baby. Elena, are you married? Im sure a slender woman like you must have a handsome husband and at least a couple of kids, Olha retorted, biting into a pastry with relish.
Elena swallowed hard, about to launch another retort, but Mykyta interrupted, filling glasses and proposing a toast.
To the women of this familyso different, yet so beloved!
Two hours later they stepped outside, looked at each other, sighed in unison, and burst into laughter.
Finally, I didnt expect my future motherinlaw to call me plump.
Olha, dear, youre beautiful, and you know it! As for my mom and sister, forgive them generously. Relatives are not chosen.
The wedding was set for 25August. Relatives and friends gathered at the registry office, then moved to a restaurant for the reception.
The bride shone in a luxurious dress that highlighted her feminine, enchanting figure. The groom couldnt take his eyes off her. The brides mother, Nataliya Yevhenivna, flaunted her own elegance, matching her daughters splendor. The men in the room stared admiringly. Elena, Dimas sister, was a younger replica of her mother.
Music swelled, and the newlyweds began their first dance, swirling together as if the world contained only them. Guests were frozen in silent awe.
…the bride could lose a few pounds; shes huge, and that dress isnt flattering Dimas mother muttered disapprovingly.
As the old saying goes, words once spoken cant be taken back. Halyna Anatoliyivna tried to retract her comment, but it was too lateshe had been heard.
By the way, many men prefer normal, lively women, not skeletal ones. Your son, by the way, is among them. And you, dear, speak more carefully; Im a tender yet nervous woman. I cant handle it when it concerns my daughter, Nataliya pressed, hands on her hips, pushing Halyna toward the wall with her ample bust.
Women stared at each other for a moment, Halyna frightened, Nataliya angry. Ivan Dmitrovich quickly diffused the tension.
Ladies, look at you two already getting along! But I must steal my wife, dear Halyna! Nataliya, may I have this dance? He took his wife by the waist, and they twirled in a waltz as the music roared, faces beaming. The wedding sang and danced, just like the famous song predicts.
One can only hope the young couple will live well, thrive, and share goodness together.
