My kid sister got it many years ago and I was very happy for her. I wondered why she chose to marry when she turned eighteen. For me, marriage wasn't in my mind at that moment despite the pressure that came from all quarters. The mere fact that my younger sister got married made the pressure more intense than I thought. However, I still held onto my decision.
My plan was to build my career, advance myself through school and be financially independent before thinking about marriage whatsoever. A year later, my sister gave birth to a girl child. They were successful in their businesses. Her husband owns a pharmacy while she sells provisions. In every sense of it, they were living fine.
During their first year of marriage, I was still home. Most of the time, I will visit them and stay there with them. Sometimes I will spend weekends with them and help her with some chores, especially when she gives birth to her first child.
One fateful day, I visited her as usual. I greeted she didn't respond in a friendly manner as she used to.
“Madam, what's the problem”? I asked
“Nothing, oh, I am fine”, she responded carelessly.
“So why are you not responding to me well”? I pressed on to hear more from her instead she snubbed me and concentrated on the clothes she was washing. At first, I thought she had issues with her husband. I didn't know I was the problem.
“While I was away for antenatal, what have you been coming to this house to do with my husband” she let it out.
The statement hits me hard, and it re-echoes through my ear and finally to my heart, causing cardiac arrest. Maybe I didn't hear that so well, probably she wasn't referring to me so I asked again.
“What did you say”?
“You heard me,” she protested.
“Are you out of your mind”? I asked, feeling like laying my hands on her.
“..you are the one that is out of your mind” she interrupted, beginning to raise her voice.
At that point, I became silent and allowed her to pour out everything that she was harbouring in her heart against me. She said openly that I was spending time with her husband and that I told the entire family that I wasn't ready for marriage, yet I came around to date her husband.
I have never been disgraced in my life. I was totally weak, my legs became feeble, my heart beat increased, my eyes were blurred as a result of tears that flooded them. I couldn't defend myself anymore, if anyone should accuse me of such a nefarious act, it shouldn't be my kid sister.
I summoned courage and told her “thank you” and I left.
A few days later, the issue escalated and a family meeting was called, but before the said date, I had already travelled to another state. I had made up my mind not to absolve myself into such a wittle disposition. I told them to believe whatever they want because I don't have time to defend myself on anything.
When I took my husband to the family and during all preparations for the marriage ceremony, she came around but couldn't be so free with me. I didn't have her time even when I told everyone in the family that I've forgiven her, she didn't believe me.
She later told me that it was her neighbour who told her everything that happened.
“So you choose to trust your neighbour over your sister” I asked
“I am sorry for all that happened” she apologised
“No need for that, I had already forgiven you”
“Are you sure”?
“Yes of course” I responded holding her hand,
We embraced each other.
It was a happy moment for her and everyone in the family who heard about it commended my attitude towards her.
I live my life in another city with my husband and am pursuing my life and my career. For the past three years, I haven't visited home, but I am planning on doing so this holiday. At home, I will spend more time with her and let her know that life is a journey and that it's a bad character trait to talk down on people. I knew that her apologies were not genuine. She was pushed to do so by her husband and some family members.
