When I saw this week's prompt, I chuckled loudly because it brought back memories of my experience with a family member.
Halima is my cousin from my mother's side. She stays in the city while I stay in a somewhat rural area. We are not too close but we are close enough. We sometimes chat on social media and we do talk on the phone once in a while. I would say that we mostly get to see each other when there is a family occasion and we both attend.
Then she called me one fine afternoon. After exchanging pleasantries, she told me she wants to come spend some time with me. She just finished her University education and was awaiting her NYSC posting (usually called Youth Service).
I was skeptical at first but seeing as she has never stayed with me before, I finally gave in after she pleaded with me. She planned to stay with me for a month.
The first day she arrived. I received her warmly. She is a chatterbox so I knew her stay with me wouldn't be boring as she would have a lot of things to tell me about her time in school.
It was even better that she arrived when we just rounded up a term at work which gave me about 3 weeks of holiday.
There was constant electrical supply for about three days when she arrived, so we watched movies, sang together, played music, danced and so on.
After the fourth day, the electrical power was not as constant as before.
“Rukkie, won't you put on the generator tonight?”, she asked, looking straight at me.
“Generator?”, I asked, looking confused. “For what purpose?”
“You know, so that everywhere will be bright, " she said amusingly.
I looked at her and burst into laughter. “You mean, all these solar bulbs in every part of the house are not bright enough for you?" I asked, shaking my head.
“Hennn… you know now, to erm… put on the fan..”
“Only a person living in Antarctica would use a fan in this cold weather and not turn into an icicle”, I interjected.
“Our phones are fully charged, there is a power bank to use even if the battery percentage reduces. We have enough movies to watch on our phones and the weather is very cold. So I don't see any reason why we should put on the generator”, I said while she frowned.
“Besides, don't you know the price of fuel?, Or are we not living in the same country?”, she finally gave up seeing as she couldn't come up with any valid reason to put on the generator.
That weekend, we went to the beach since I promised her we would go out on a trip.
I even went to the beach because it was closer to home and aside from the gate fee we have to pay. We are free to bring in foods and drinks as iIt is not mandatory that we buy things at the beach If we don't want to.
The next week, I decided to get some more groceries since I noticed that the groceries at home wouldn't last us for the next long at the rate she was eating them.
She accompanied me to the market and as we were almost rounding up, we passed by a boutique and she exclaimed upon seeing a dress displayed on a mannequin at the front of the boutique.
“Wow!I have been looking for this particular color of this dress,” she said as she dragged me towards the shop.
“I don't have money for a dress now, Halima”, I told her but she dragged me still.
“Let's get the price first, then maybe you can buy it for me before I go back home as a gift”, she said, pleading with her eyes.
I followed her reluctantly, hoping the dress would be affordable.
We got into the shop and asked for the price of the dress. I couldn't stop the “what!”, that came out of my mouth when I heard the price.
We left the shop and I Immediately started laughing almost hysterically at the exorbitant price.
“Why the hell will I buy one dress with that price when I can get about 4 to 5 dresses with that amount in a thrift shop?”, I asked, still holding myself from the shock.
“Rukkie, you are very stingy o”, she said while I just laughed.
“Don't worry, why don't we visit this conversation again once you’ve started working and paying bills?”, I said, giving her a warm smile.
I wondered how this girl thinks, I am a wasteful spender. I mean, the few times she asked for support while still in school, I sent the little I could afford to her. I never gave any notion that I spend money anyhow.
I also noticed whenever we go out on walks outside, she always wants to buy this and that even when there is enough to eat at home.
During her stay, I made her know that I am a minimalist and so, I spend within my budget. She finally reduced the way she asks for money to buy things when she realized I don't budge on getting unnecessary things.
We were able to go to a thrift store at a later date and I got about two dresses for her. She “liked” the dresses but I knew she would have preferred the one we saw at the boutique.
After my holiday was over, she also packed her bags and told me she was going back home. I knew she couldn't keep up with my minimalist lifestyle even after I made her see all the benefits there are to it.
Images used are mine.
