01/10/2024
I don't find it funny when people try to destroy a beautiful relationship between two people. Whether it's between friends, or a couple. So when Mrs Ajah my tailor's neighbour, called me aside and started speaking badly about my cousin, it took all the respect I could muster for the older woman, to stand through the first five minutes of her whispering.
Eddy, my cousin, is my best friend. Strangers think we're sisters and family members envy our bond. We were born in the same year, a month apart. Eddy is older. From primary school to University, we were in the same space. As we grew older, our love deepened. She knows my secrets, and I know hers. She's approved of everyone I ever dated and I've approved of hers too. So when Raphael asked me to marry him, she was the first one to know. My wedding is a month away and Eddy was supposed to be my chief bridesmaid. The ''Was'' you just read is not a grammatical error. Eddy will not be attending my wedding. It's because of my conversation with Mrs Ajah.
Eddy is jealous of you, those were Mrs Ajah's first words. She had pulled me into her shop and shut the door. I stood, watching her, listening as she poured vile words about Eddy, my Eddy. I wanted to know her aim, did our relationship make her feel lonely? I heard rumours that she never remarried after her husband left her, and that she lives alone. No friends and no children. I wondered if she couldn't stand our friendship, and that was why she wanted to cause a rift between me and Eddy.
'Normally, I'll mind my business but I don't like standing by and seeing evil happen to innocent people.' She said looking sincere, I sat and crossed my hands over my chest. 'Eddy has been telling your tailor terrible things about you. She said your father picked your mother from the gutter, that she almost dragged him down to the dirt. That when you were born, the clothes used for you were hers.'
My hands fell, beads of sweat broke on my forehead, all Mrs Ajah said was true. It confused me. Why would Eddy say such things about me, and to a tailor I brought her to. Then the biggest of all made my confusion diffuse into pained shock.
'She says you're travelling for a course in the UK, shortly after your wedding. Is it true?'
I nodded, too weak to speak
Mrs Ajah heaved a sigh and said 'She plans on moving in with your husband.'
'That is not true!' I screamed and Mrs Ajah hurried to my side to hush me.
'I don't know if she meant it,' She said, shrugging her slender shoulders. 'I just want you to be careful. She and the tailor find you a topic to jeer at and joke about.'
When I left the complex of shops and stores, I went to Eddy's place. She was in the kitchen making dinner for her family, just as she had said when I asked her to accompany me to the tailor's.
'Did you get the dress?' She asked.
'Yes I did. But I'm here for something else.' She wiped her hands and leaned against the kitchen wall, eyeing me. 'I'm worried about my trip after the wedding. Raph says he wants to come with me. We'll stay in the UK and return after my course. He even wants to apply for a course of his own. What do you think?'
'I think he's a typical Nigerian man. He doesn't trust you. He's insecure and wants to follow you to be sure you don't cheat on him. I mean, why else did he insist on putting a ring on you before your travel?'
'That was my choice.' I said 'Besides why do you sound so pi**ed at him? This is not you, Eddy.'
'Sema, you know I have your back. I'm just not going to stand by and watch a man do all he can to be around you so he can cage you. Don't agree to this plan. Let him stay back. Insist on it.' She threw her head back and laughed 'Girl! You deserve to concentrate on your studies without a man distracting you.'
'Will you distract him for me?' I asked, feeling my jawline hardening.
'What.. what do you mean?'
'I mean, do you actually believe Ralph will you let you move in with him when I'm away? That Ralph would cheat on me with my best friend? My blood?'
'What kind of accusation is this?' She said, but she was whispering and looking at the door, probably afraid someone might be listening.
'I mean, all you said to my tailor about me, was it necessary? Years of secrets, my highs and lows, all bared to a stranger whose only link to you is me. Why? Eddy!' I didn't care who was listening.
'Don't shout in my father's house! Perfect Sema! Sema with the milky skin, Sema with the good grades, Sema with the scholarship to study abroad, Sema who is getting married. Every good thing seems to jump over me to you, and you don't care how I feel, you don't care how I'll feel walking my younger one down the aisle to marry a man we met together.' She took a step toward me. 'Have you asked yourself why he chose you? Well I don't care and I decided to stop standing by to watch. It's time to take what I want, and I want Ralph. I've been in love with him as much as you have but you've been too blind to see. Too selfish, as usual.'
Stunned, I stumbled out of the house through the backdoor. Two days later and I'm still in shock. Everything she said came back to me, past events started making fresh sense. I don't know when I lost her. I don't know when envy wrapped its neck around her. Eddy, my Eddy, plotting my downfall? Hating me while hugging me? My own blood?
I still can't believe it! I mean, how?
Before I left Mrs Ajah, she hugged me and told me 'I know this is heartbreaking but pray for her. Don't hate her, don't be overcome by evil but overcome evil by doing good. It's wise to end the closeness, but don't let your heart condemn her. Pray for her, wish her well and keep your heart from absorbing the bitterness.'
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