A second chance
I dialed her line for the umpteenth time but she didn't answer. However, I expected no less from her. I glanced at my phone and the time read 10P.M. Another night of staying up to wait for her. I would have gone to bed hours ago if she weren't my sister.
I got up and paced around my cramped room. There wasn't much space to pace around, not with the big bed and the television that had eaten up most of the spaces in my small, onebedroomed apartment. I reminded myself of the need to move to a bigger apartment to make space for the extra person living with me.
Two months ago, I had invited my sister to come live with me in Asaba. Asaba was a much better option than Kwara State where my parents lived. Before she arrived, I made some calls to some friends and secured a job for her.
The glare on my phone alerted me to an incoming call. She was at the gate and needed the gatewoman to open up for her. I muttered under my breath preparing myself for the words I'd unleash on her as I made my way to the gate. I retrieved the key to the gate from where I kept it and unlocked the padlock. I pulled the gate open to find a car parked nearby. Through the dim light, I could make out figures of a man and a woman inside the car talking. I left the gate ajar and walked back into the room.
I sat at the edge of the bed with my fists clenched as I waited for her to come into the house. My anger surged through me like lava. I've had enough and this time around, she had set my teeth on the edge.
She opened the door and walked in with a smile on her face. Her typical way of making serious situations light. She walked up to where I sat on the bed and tried to touch my cheeks but I slapped her hand away.
"Someone is feisty tonight. Good evening, Big Sis!" She greeted. I ignored her greeting and watched as she walked over to our makeshift wardrobe to hang her bag and then started undressing. Still on the bed, I thought of the best way to broach the subject to avoid it escalating into a heated argument that night.
My sister is very respectful but sometimes, she can be very stubborn and annoyingly defensive.
"What have I told you about coming back home by this time?" I asked.
She turned to take a look at me before resuming with her undressing. I stood up from the bed and stomped towards her. I held her left hand and turned her around, forcing her to look at me. She gave a grimace of pain but I ignored and held on.
"I'll not have you come back anytime you like in this house.” I scolded. “I've been living here for the last 5 years and everyone knows I am not a night crawler. I wouldn't want a bad name just because my little sister decided to be otherwise. You think I also don't have invites for dates that would keep me out so late?"
"Are you done?" She questioned, pulling my hand off hers.
The question made a fresh swell of rage rise within me. "Are you high? I erupted. “It's alright! Let it be known today that next time you come back late to this house, you will find your way in because I will no longer be your gatewoman. Our mother didn't raise us this way. From this night going forward, do not speak to me and you have one month to find your own house and move out."
She remained where she was, with her arms folded across her chest. I expected a response from her but she didn't utter a word. Breathless with anger, I climbed on the bed and laid down. It was too late to call my mother to inform her of recent happenings. As I lay on the bed, trying to calm down my racing heart, I resolved to speak with her first thing the next morning.
For three weeks, my sister and I lived like strangers. The only thing we did together was cook and eat from the same pot. She stopped coming home late but she still had yet to ask for forgiveness. My mother had asked us to come back home so we could settle amicably but my schedule was tight and since my leave was the following month, I opted to wait until then.
The next month I informed my mother I was coming home and she instructed my sister to apply for some days of leave and come home too so the issue could be settled. I traveled two days before my sister. On the night of her arrival, my mother summoned us to the sitting room. I sat on the double settee and placed my hands in between my crossed thighs. Across was my mother in a single settee while my sister stood beside her.
"I'm glad you girls came home so we can resolve this issue amicably,” my mother began. “It's unheard of that two sisters live under the same roof but do not speak to each other. No matter what you do to each other, it shouldn't have gotten to that."
"Look mum! I am not interested in making peace. I just want her to move out of my house. I am tired of condoning her nonsense," I blurted.
"Why do you raise your voice at me? My mother queried. “I spoke softly and I expect you to speak the same way to me." She chided.
"I'm sorry, mum,” I apologized with lips curled inward, peeling my glance away from her to my sister and back to her.
"Now you!" She pulled my younger sister to her front. "Why do you always come back late? Your elder sister has lived in that compound for years, and no bad report has been heard of her. Both of you are single ladies and I don't care if you both can afford your own apartments, I will not support living apart from each other. Now, apologize to your sister!"
My sister was sniffing like she was resisting tears while my mother was speaking. As soon as my mother stopped talking, an involuntary whimper escaped her lips. She turned and traipsed towards me. As she knelt before me, I could see her tears stained face. She reached for my hand in between my thighs, pulled it out and held it in hers.
"I'm sorry, big sis. At first, I didn't think I was doing anything wrong by coming home 10PM. That was why I never apologized. But you not speaking to me for weeks had me feeling drained and empty. I don't want us to fight no more. Please, forgive me," she pleaded, tears still in her eyes.
I love my sister but I don't wish to be seen as vulnerable so I didn't know how to react.
"It's fine. You can stand up. I forgive you. However , as the big girl you are, you will have to submit a part of your salary for our upkeep from now onwards. I'll no longer bear that burden alone.” I declared.
"Ah! Big sis. I thought I am forgiven."
"Yes, but things are different now. Every month you are to give me $15 once your salary is paid." I reaffirmed.
"That's fine, big sis. A big hug?" She asked, spreading her arms wide open. I slapped the arms away. I do not like hugs because it gets me emotional.
Not minding my hesitation, she pulled me up and forced me into a tight embrace. I struggled to set myself free much to the amusement of my mother. “I love you, big Sis.”
True to her words, my sister never came home late again, and we lived together peacefully for two more years before I got married.
This is a kind of love. Well, I want to believe that you had it in mind initially that she will need to contribute to the upkeep of the house but you kept it inside of you. She gave you the chance to demand, I guess.
I must add that you are a good sister, nothing short of that. You don't want your sister to misbehave or put down your reputation and you didn't send her away.
Hahahahhahaa! Well since she was proving to be a big girl, I had to bring that option in. Thank you for acknowledging that I am a good sister. I appreciate your comment.
Coexistence is difficult whether as a couple or as a family. Communication and the rational voice of someone external are important. Thanks to your mother for intervening on that occasion, perhaps you and your sister would continue fighting or perhaps you would find a solution in another way.
Anyway, it's good that everything worked out for you.
You can say that again. Coexistence requires lots of patience and understanding. Perhaps if my mother hadn't intervened, the relationship we share may have fractured beyond repair. Thank you so much for stopping by.
Your sister is a lovely girl most people would have felt too big to apologize and even moved out. But your love and bond is great. What a great story.
Life drama makes for great stories, doesn't it? You set some important boundaries for your sister to make sure she either changed her ways or moved out. It made for a happy ending that your mother mediated your discussion and your sister decided to change her behavior! Thank you for sharing your creative nonfiction story in The Ink Well, and for reading and commenting on the work of other community members!