Nadir

The day was so busy that I forgot about Joshua and the plans that he imposed. It’s past 7PM and I am just getting home.

‘Oh my God you are here.’ I say apologetically

He smiles but I can tell that the smile is not reaching his eyes and I feel bad. I don’t owe him anything but I gave him the assurance that I was going to see him at 6PM it would have only been right to be here at that said time.

‘At your service. Just like I promised.’

‘Honestly Joshua I am so sorry, I got so held up that I forgot about your cooking offer.’

‘Don’t beat your head, is beautiful seeing you chasing after your dreams.’

‘Like I have a choice.’ I tell him honestly

I quickly get my things out of the car and and walk to the door, I unlock it and welcome him inside. But immediately I switch on the light I am drained.

‘You have got to be kidding me.’ I say anger building up

‘You have been robbed?’

I remove my phone from my pocket and dial Martha’s number.

‘What is the meaning of this?’ I ask immediately she picks up

‘I had to get my share of the household goods.’

‘Your share of what?’

‘All the things that were bought in the house we used our parent’s money, since I am no longer staying with you I figured I get my share.’

I could blast at her right now. But I have a guest in the house so I decide to cut the line.

‘Are you okay?’

‘I wish I was hey. I wish I was.’ I say the anger fading away and now being replaced by hurt.

‘Do you want to talk about it?’

‘I am not so sure.’

‘It might help.’

I walk to the kitchen and hope she has left the kitchen table, which she has.

‘At least she left me somewhere to seat.’ I say with a little sigh

I take a seat and he follows suit, I notice he didn’t come with any ingredients to use for cooking or maybe he has left them in the car.

‘Martha is your sister? I couldn’t help but overhear the conversation.’

‘Yeah. Martha is my little sister. It has just been the two of us from the time our parents died and I am not sure where I went wrong because I got here from your place and she told me that she wanted to move out. I could have stopped her, I had a whole fight built up in my head but then decided if she wanted to spread her wings I couldn’t stop her besides I know how rebellious people can be and that’s what I didn’t want. So she moved in with her best friend and then now I get home today and she has swept the living room clean saying she owns half the things in the house.’

‘Wow.’

‘I know Joshua. I know.’

‘I don’t think your sister just woke up and decided she wanted to leave the house, this could be something that has been building up and you just didn’t notice it. How has been your relationship?’

‘We always had a good thing, but along the way she preferred to talk to Peggy her bestfriend and I didn’t want to push it. I have had so much going on I just let so much slide but not once did I think she would leave home. I still can’t understand hey.’

‘If you want my advise, you need to sit your sister down. Trust me I am a victim of sibling fights and it’s not something I would wish upon anyone. You and your sister have a chance to mend the bridge before it gets too stretched. And she might be in the wrong but you need to be the bigger person and just listen to her.’

‘Bigger person huh? That is what the world keeps telling me. But do people realize what I have gone through just taking care of her?’

I can feel myself shedding off a layer.

‘Joshua I was forced to grow up faster than my age. I didn’t ask for this, I didn’t want to be left with a young sister to take care of but I had no choice. I had to give up some of my wants just to be the bigger person, to be someone she would look up to and what do I have to get in return. Of course you will tell me that she doesn’t owe me anything because she didn’t ask for me to step up and play the role of parent but what choice did I have?’

I breathe out heavily blinking back the tears.

‘I have an idea.’

‘What?’

‘Let her be.’

‘What?’

‘Let her be. When you try to put a hold on her she will continue to rebel and who knows everything she is doing is just to get your attention?’

‘Well she definitely is getting it.’

‘Those are just material things she got, let her be. In fact let’s see how far she can go. If you don’t pay her any attention eventually she will come back because it will be bugging her that you are not responsive to everything she is doing.’

‘So let me get this straight, you want me to play fool?’

‘Just trust me on this one, she will come along.’

‘Is that what you did?’

‘Did where?’

‘You mentioned you know about sibling rivalry or was it fights I can’t remember what exactly you said.’

‘Let’s just say Ems and I haven’t really seen eye to eye.’

‘Ems? What sort of name is that?’

‘Emmanuel, my elder brother. You remember him yes?’

‘The angry guy going for peace keeping?’

He laughs.

‘He actually left this morning.’

‘Great, the world is rid of one angry man.’

He laughs again.

‘He will be back in eighteen months.’

‘Some sanity until then.’ I say and he lifts an eye making me laugh.

..

Kwenje’s Girl

Winnie

🙇🏽‍♀️