Whenever my sister wants to make
excuses or lie; she would go through a blinking ceremony that would leave you
almost dazed.
“Erm…Kay, you know that day’s my
birthday too, right?” she asked, blinking.
I sighed inwardly. I could tell
what was coming. In previous years, nothing stopped T.Y and I from celebrating
our birthdays together. Except for last year when I had been too depressed to
have anything resembling a party, my sister and I made it a ritual to do
something special together to mark our birthday...
It didn’t have to be a party,
sometimes we just went to see a movie together or gave ourselves ice-cream
treats.
I wasn’t still sure why I was
opting for a party this year but I felt like it was necessary. Something to
prove to myself and friends that I had recovered.
“Of course I know. But you know
how we do it na. Together!” I infused enthusiasm into my voice as I felt my
tummy drop.
“I know sis. But Tonye is already
throwing a party for me. We’re having family friends over and colleagues…”
“Oh… you now have family friends
so you don’t need me anymore abi?” I sounded like a petulant child; something I
hated.
“What’s that supposed to mean
Kehinde? Why are you behaving like a child? You’re my sister but we have
different lives, dammit!”
“I’m your twin. Read my lips…
T-W-I-N. Not just some random sibling. We’re supposed to have each other’s
back!”
“Wait. Are we still talking about
your birthday party here? Or is this something else?”
It was something else. It was
plenty things else that I couldn’t figure out. That I didn’t want to even
figure out.
I felt like I was losing my
sister, and in retrospect losing myself.
I felt stupid.
“You know what? Just forget about
it. It’s fine. I understand,” I stood, dismissing her. “Happy birthday in advance.”
“Kay, don’t be like that please.
Something is going on. Tell me. You used to be able to talk to me about
anything.”
“Same with you. Now you don’t
tell me things anymore. Since you got married, it’s like you have a life of
your own, that doesn’t include me.”
She sighed, standing beside me.
“You know this is more than that.
You’re my sister! A replica of me…how can I possibly not include you in my
life? Don’t think that way, please.”
“Oh please, when last did you
visit me?” I was feeling very confrontational.
“When last did you?” she flung
the question at me.
And she was right, since she got
married, I avoided her house like a plague.
Though my temper was more
explosive, Taiye could easily match me in wits. She never let me win a fight
un-squarely.
“Like I said, let’s drop it. Go
home to your husband. I have a party to plan.”
I moved away, towards my desk to
take my handbag but she grabbed my arm.
“This is about my husband right?
This is about the fact that I’m married and you’re not. Tell me!”
I was silent.
Credit: Pride Magazine
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