Black paint ruined my prom dress, but Karma had the final say
On prom morning, I opened my closet to discover my dress covered in black paint, but Karma wasn’t going to sleep.
My perfect prom dress was smeared in black paint, and I thought everything was lost. It was a day that some people had spent attempting to make perfect at my expense, and I had no idea that karma was waiting in the shadows, ready to topple the wicked plan.
I remember being eighteen and a senior in high school, and all I could think about was prom. I was going to dance with my friends, dress perfectly, and make memories.
It took me months to save up enough money to buy the most beautiful baby blue gown. It was beautiful and classic, making me feel like a princess—everything I could have asked for.
My excitement was shared by my father. The only painful moment was knowing that my mother wouldn’t be here to see me. Dad, Carol, my stepmother, and I were the only ones left since she passed away years ago.
All right, so Carol was complicated now. She married my dad when she was fourteen, and our connection was rocky to say the least. We didn’t talk much either, but we also didn’t argue much.
She always seemed to have other things on her mind, especially when it came to her daughter Julia. Carol had moved out of the house and matured by the time she married my dad. Although we’ve never truly communicated, we’ve always been courteous to one another.
As a result, I was clueless about what would come next.
The morning of prom, I sprung out of bed with excitement racing through my veins. My dress was hanging in the closet, my hair appointment was booked, and my makeup was ready. It was all going to be perfect.
I smiled and headed to my closet to take one last look at my clothes before getting dressed. I just wanted to admire it, you know. But when I opened the closet door, my heart stopped.
“No… no, no, no!” I gasped out.
I ruined my pretty baby blue gown. The fabric was splattered all over with thick black streaks of paint. I just stood there, not saying anything. I had trouble believing what my head was seeing.
Tears welled up in my eyes. “What… how…?” I whispered.
With hands that were shaking, I stroked the ripped cloth. It was unfixable. What I had been fantasizing about for months vanished in an instant. My perfect ensemble. My perfect evening.
I was running downstairs with tears streaming down my cheeks. “Carol” I started crying. Carol, someone tore my dress to pieces! It is—it is painted!”
Carol was sitting in the kitchen sipping her coffee, as if everything was alright. She didn’t even appear shocked when I told her what had occurred. She looked up at me, clearly bored.
“Oh no,” she answered in a composed tone. That is really terrible. Maybe you should handle and store your possessions with more caution.
I stared at her, my heart pounding. What does “more careful” mean? I persisted. “How is this even possible? In my closet, I discovered it.
Carol drank more of her coffee, unfazed. “Maybe it’s a sign,” she said gracefully. Maybe prom wasn’t the right place for you after all. It’s not the end of the world, you know.
I blinked, trying to figure out what she was saying. “A signal?” I repeated, my voice quivering with confusion and anger. “What are you discussing?”
She shrugged, without even bothering to look at me. Prom is just a foolish dance, she said, sarcastically. “In life, there are more significant things.”
That’s when it dawned on me. The way she said it and the look in her eyes started to make sense. She was to blame. Carol purposefully ruined my clothes.
I could not speak. With tears still flowing down my cheeks, I simply shook and stood there. Carol showed no emotion. Without delay, she went back to her coffee, acting as though nothing had happened.
My father came in through the freshly opened front door.
“Hey, little one! Are you ready for the celebration that’s coming up?” He asked, his smile wide.
But when he saw my face, he stopped smiling. “What is incorrect? Why are you crying?
I made a gesture toward the clothes, not even making a whisper. “Dad, this outfit.” It’s completely destroyed. There is paint all over it.
His face turned red with wrath. How come? How did this happen? He turned to look at Carol, who was still sitting there, calm as ever.
Carol didn’t miss a beat. “Jack, maybe you should talk to her about her priorities,” she said in a fake but kind voice, adding, “It’s only a dress.” Julia needs you for her wedding today. It doesn’t really matter for prom.
I glanced at her and felt like I had been hit across the face. Julia’s wedding was the reason behind it. My prom night happened to be the date that they had hurriedly set up. Dad had told me he would help, which clearly infuriated Carol.
I said, shaking my head, “You did this.” “You destroyed my dress because you thought Dad should attend Julia’s wedding rather than my prom.”
Carol looked up, her expression strained with frustration. You’re overstating a little problem. Prom is just a foolish dance. For Julia’s wedding, her father must attend. He should be with her today, not wasting time on your big night.
My dad’s face reddened. Carol, what’s wrong with you? I told her I will be there. I will not abandon Julia for any cause, not even Julia herself.
Carol got up and gave a scowl. “Jack, you are the father of Julia! Today is her wedding day, and she needs you. Will you allow her to walk down the aisle by herself?
“And you intend to ruin her prom night in order to make me go along with it?” Dad went crazy. This isn’t a game, Carol. You overreached yourselves.
I just stood there, nude. My heart broke when I realized how far Carol would go to avoid me. Although she has never really expressed interest in me, this was incredibly hurtful. Naturally, she thought of Julia as the golden child. I was constantly in the background, an afterthought. But Dad was not having any of it.
Dad said with conviction, “I’m staying with my daughter.” “And it’s your problem if you can’t handle that.”
Carol didn’t say anything, but her face clouded. With my clothes soiled and my heart broken, I stood in the kitchen and she just stormed out.
I was forced to skip prom. not like this. My dress was missing, and I had nothing else to wear. I had no power at all.
Dad put his arm around me and said, “Call Sarah. Tell her what happened.” in a quiet voice. Maybe she can help.
I nodded and pulled out my phone with unsteady hands. Sarah, my closest friend, answered on the second ring. Hello! What is happening? Are you getting ready?
“No,” I stumbled out, my voice breaking. My clothes are a complete mess. Carol, it was a complete mess. I am unable to attend prom, Sarah.
A long moment of quiet fell. That’s when Sarah’s tone turned stern. “That cunning sorceress. This is not credible. Don’t worry, we’ll figure it out. Something has crossed my mind. Visit me at my aunt’s house in thirty minutes. In the past, she worked as a seamstress. Bring the attire.
“Sarah, everything has been painted over. I don’t think so.
She interrupted, “Believe in me.” “Just arrive.”
We rushed to Sarah’s aunt’s house, me holding the dress. Even though I wasn’t sure what could be done, I had nothing to lose at this point. When we arrived, Sarah’s aunt glanced at the dress and nodded.
“Let’s see what we can do,” she remarked.
After that, we worked together for a few hours. Her aunt was a cutter, a seamstress, and a magician. By the time she was done, my dress had completely changed. It was gorgeous, even though the baby blue gown was not the same as the one I had fell in love with. She’d added extra fabric to cover off the worst of the paint, turning the dress into a stunning off-the-shoulder item.
I stared at my reflection in the mirror, tears in my eyes. “It’s… it’s flawless.”
With a smile, Sarah said, “You’re going to look amazing at prom.” “We succeeded.”
My phone began to buzz right before Dad was about to take a few pictures. Carol seemed scared beyond anything I had ever heard.
Where is your father, she enquired? “Julia’s marriage is falling apart! Julia is not happy since the flowers never arrived and the caterers are running late! Your father isn’t here, she is screaming. He needs to get here right away!
I couldn’t help but smile. Karma.
“He’s with me, Carol,” I firmly said. “As he had promised.”
When I hung up, my dad was already shaking his head. “Oh, Julia’s wedding is a complete mess?”
“Seems like it,” I shrugged in reply. However, that isn’t a problem for you tonight.
Dad smiled. Not at all. Tonight, everything revolves around you.
I arrived at prom feeling like a queen. After all, here is where I was. I had my best friend at my side, my dad’s love and support, and my gorgeous, original costume. As I was laughing and dancing with my friends, I couldn’t help but think back on how everything had turned out.
Karma has fulfilled its duty, and I will always be grateful for that.
