It's going to be a disaster!" Tiannah announced almost satisfactorily.
Tiannah is my big sister, my biggest competitor, and my critic.
"Why would you say that?" I asked, crossing my arms over my chest in a defensive stance.
"I shouldn't have to spell it out to you, you are the one who just got enrolled into a baking school.
Tiannah is my elder sister and she's two years older than I am, we used to be close until she became a teenager and started making the wrong choices.
She tried her hand at everything a teenager could do, partying, drinking, doing drugs and even testing her luck with different careers. The bitter truth, Tiannah was angry at herself, especially since she was still stuck in limbo at 23 trying to figure her life out after rehab.
I loved Tiannah more than I ever loved anyone and I was sure she loved me the same way some years back, but our parents ruined stuff for us.
"I have a feeling you would do better than Tiannah did if you go for the audition."
"I completely agree, Betty has got such a soulful voice that touches the very core of one's essence, I'm sure she would be a hit. There's no comparing her with Tiannah for sure, she's the better singer."
That was my parents dialogue when I signed up for a music audition a while ago. I liked to sing and was trying to figure out if there was anything in it for me, but I never found out, I didn't go for the audition.
Tiannah and I liked the same things, singing, cooking, dancing, acting, and even writing. It could be because we grew up tight together until Tiannah went astray.
Everything I've tried to do, Tiannah has attempted to do before, and my parents always compare me with her, heaping praises on me to spite her.
Whenever I showed interest in pursuing any career, they pushed me extra hard like they were making up for the way Tiannah turned out.
As soon as I announced I had an interest in pursuing a profession, it always was, "We are certain you would excel at it, the way Tiannah never could."
I felt bad for my big sis, I loved her so much, and always wanted to have her back, but those comments made her grow to resent me.
We don't even talk anymore and the only time we were ever under the same roof since we moved out of our parent's house was during Christmas.
I had recently enrolled in a baking school as per my love for baking, we both loved baking, Tiannah and I, but she's been there, and done that. She dropped out of a baking school barely two years ago, and only just recently returned from rehab.
I loved her but I wasn't going to let her dim my shine, cooking for Christmas had become a family tradition in my house. We always had all the uncles, aunties, and extended family converge in my parent's house for Christmas.
I had promised to bake the cake for dessert after the meal on Christmas day. It escaped my mind during the family video call that Tiannah dropped out of a baking school earlier.
My mother as usual couldn't let things be, and to spite Tiannah said,"You need to taste Betty's cake, it tastes deliciously heavenly and God, I couldn't stop myself the day I first tasted it."
"Nothing truer, she makes soft, sweet, deliciously smelling, and even better-tasting pastries, the cake is just one of many." My father added, smiling proudly.
It was only then that I realized I just might have bitten more than I could chew. Don't get me wrong, I was confident in my baking abilities and could bake a decent cake, but nothing near the standards my parents just depicted. I only just got enrolled in a baking school, and I'm nowhere near that good.
The whole family looked out to tasting my dessert and having a wonderful Christmas day with family, but I was on edge throughout. No big deal baking a basic cake for a family gathering and sharing in the joy of the season, but my family was different.
We had two food critics, a food blogger three event planners, and a restauranteur in the family, I had high standards to meet, and boy I felt like absconding every time I thought about it.
I found the courage and gallantly took on the task. No big deal baking a cake, I just had to stick to the procedure and everything was going to be fine. I had finished mixing the batter for my soft red velvet cake when Tiannah waltzed in.
I didn't pay her any attention as she looked at my mixture, took her time to look through my ingredients, and announced, "It's going to be a disaster!"
"Why would you say that?" I asked, crossing my arms over my chest in a defensive stance.
"I shouldn't have to spell it out to you, you are the one who just got enrolled into a baking school."
"So?"
"It's obvious, you should have used baking powder, not baking soda. It's going to taste bitter with the baking soda and in such a large quantity, you added. So much for the perfect child doing everything right." She walked out of the kitchen, cackling.
I looked through the recipe again and realized she was right. I added too much baking soda. Everyone knew Tiannah was the best kitchen hand, and it was indisputable. Some things you learn, and some things, you do effortlessly.
"Oh God, I thought I did everything right. I knew I was going to make a mistake, I've been too tense. What to do?" I moaned sliding off the wall to sit on the tiles.
I heard the kitchen door creak open, and there stood Tiannah, staring at me pitifully. "It can still be salvaged, kid sis, no need to be dejected."
I was short of words, so I nodded gratefully.
Together we added a little lemon, to even out the taste. She taught me many other hacks, and we chatted throughout the time the cake sat in the oven. it felt just like old times.
We had the traditional family dinner with our extended family, and I sat beside Tiannah, throwing skeptical glances at her.
Once the dishes had been cleared, my food critic Aunty turned to me and said, "Let's see if you are as good as I've heard. Let's have dessert."
The cake turned out to be very good in looks, it came out smooth and attractive. The red color made it unique and it had no rough edges, it was served and I held my breath, preparing to dash it if didn't meet their standards.
My food blogger uncle, Edward, was the first to comment, "Now, Betty, this is what I call top shelf. You should give serious thought to making baking your career. This cake is so sweet and fluffy."
I blushed happily and heaved a sigh of relief. "Thanks, Uncle, I'm considering it."
It was praise all around the table, and I felt proud of myself.
Tiannah just sat there smiling at me and I felt guilty for not giving her credit.
"I told you, Betty is better than Tiannah in every aspect." My father said beaming with pride.
Every hypocritical head on the table nodded their assent and commented on how true the statement was. I saw Tiannah's eyes turn red and at that moment, I lost it.
"With all due respect, Dad, let this be the last time you ever say such. Tiannah is so much better than you all give her credit for. One little mistake and you have all given up on her. I don't mind telling you all that she was the mastermind of that cake, else, you would be having a bitter dessert right now instead of a sweet one."
"Betty, stop, please. I'm used to it." Tiannah pleaded with me, her head bowed in shame.
"I won't, Tiannah, you are my sister and everyone has got to stop treating you like your mistakes define you. She's back from rehab and is clean now. Who better to raise her rather than put her down if not her family? I'm not sorry to say this, but I'm ashamed of you all. We are celebrating love in this season, and you can't show it to your own family? Bible-carrying Christians be doing the most."
You could have heard a pin drop after the silence that followed my speech. The atmosphere was tense and very quiet.
The result of that evening was that Tiannah re-enrolled in a baking school, and we have plans to set up a bake shop together in the near future.
This whole episode happened last year, and we are both looking forward to stun everyone with our upgraded cooking skills this year at the traditional family dinner.
