MY SISTER-IN-LAW AND I
Episode 1
I sometimes wonder why sister-in-law’s or some in-law’s generally like treating their brother’s wives like trash. They just derive joy belittling and making them look stupid.
This is the case of Salamatu Suleiman.
I was in the village with my siblings and parents. We weren’t well to do but we had enough to weather any storm and still stand tall.
Everything was moving fine until a very well to do widower with two little kids approached my dad for my hand in marriage.
My mum strongly opposed the marriage, but my dad approved the marriage and in a months time I was married to my husband.
My husband though rich was down to earth kind and simplicity personified. I was young and didn’t have much experience taking care of a large house, unlike ours which was very small. I did try my best and he appreciated my efforts.
The only issue I had in my marriage was my sister-in-law. She practically ruled the home, owing to the fact that she had bin doing it since he lost his wife while giving birth to his second son.
I couldn’t sneeze without her permission, to her I couldn’t cook, clean nor take care of the home. She never let me do anything for the kids as she believes I will mess them up.
She barely allows me assist in the kitchen, she makes all meals and serves her brother. He doesn’t like having issues with her. So I didn’t complain about her behaviours.
She frustrated all my efforts to be a wife to her elder brother. I just wasn’t the right person as I wasn’t educated. I just managed to get a secondary school leaving cert. To her I was an illiterate and will make the kids dull
I silently began to wonder if i was married for laundry and general clean up. Washing of plates, pots and pans as that was the only chores I was allowed to do without supervision.
I felt like a glorified maid, and I dared not talk or else I would be reminded of my status.
My hubby bought so many beautiful clothes for me and yours sincerely seized them that they were too expensive for me a nobody and she returned them and got me the ones she felt were befitting for me.
I never complained to anyone but bore everything in silence. She lied about almost everything. She humiliated me any chance she got.
I was a maid , I served water and food to her guest any time they came around. She always makes rest of me in their presence. She never wants to recognize me as her brother’s wife nor introduce me as one.
My hubby was a traveler, I always received his calls on loudspeaker in her presence, she felt threatened and didn’t want me to complain about what was happening. He assumed all was well and enjoined us to be good friends and take care of each other.
She made sure I wasn’t allowed to step out of the house, except to make my hair. She goes to the market herself and make sure she counts and measures all the groceries, provisions so I couldn’t take out of it no matter how badly I wanted it.
She complained I ate too much and would taunt me,telling me if my father could afford such meals while I was with me. I tried enduring because I didn’t want to be termed a bad wife.
She doesn’t allow me a moment’s rest with my hubby neither does she allows us be intimate. She knocks at intervals like a deranged person to prevent anything from happening and swore that I wouldn’t birth any dirty child in her brother’s house.
I got frustrated and decided to park out on my own so I can have peace of mind. But on a second thought I decided to stay and fight for my home.
She had so many suitors but she refused getting married, because she felt I was going to spend every dime her brother made. I also shouldn’t be allowed to get too comfortable that I would become too fat. I was never giving money because she felt I wasn’t entitled.
I had tried being nice but since it isn’t working, I would just have to complain to my hubby and see how it goes. If no changes then I will go back to my parents.
TBC
©️HUSNA MUHAMMAD YUNUS
Hmmm fire on