SISTERINLAW DEFLOWERS NEPHEW

Dear Taiwo,
I am in a state of confusion and sorrow. I have always believed blood is thicker than water, but I never knew it could be to the state of complete blindness. I thought I knew my husband of over 15 years but alas, I have been so wrong. I never for once believed that my husband would take a sibling’s words against his nuclear family’s.

Oba and I met the very first day I started my first job at his branch. It was love at first sight and for the two of us; it was serious business from the beginning. The snag however was his mother who for one reason or the other had something against the tribe I come from.

She did not hide her displeasure for Ekiti people, she is from Ijebu and I always wondered why because we all are Yoruba. Her displeasure did not stop at the tribal sentiment, she extended it to me. It became a source of worry, but Oba always told me not to worry as she would get over it. Unfortunately, she never did. Instead of the issue getting better, it started spreading and taking root in their family as his siblings began to take sides.

His dad, was a pleasant man and he showed his displeasure all the time when Oba’s mother discriminated against to me. I really did not know why, but his only female sibling and I did not get on. She always took sides with their mother. I tried all I could to get close to her, but I wasn’t lucky.

I always thanked my stars that Oba and I got married before his father’s demise. Probably I wouldn’t have got married to him if his father died before we did. Oba and I got married two years after we met, some people felt it was too early, but for us we would have wished it was earlier. We had a beautiful home. We were happy with each other. The only comma we had was when we had to wait for the fruit of the womb for two years, but the waiting was bearable because we had each other. Although, Oba’s mother wanted to create problems, but the Lord was on my side.

I gave birth to Eyitayo three years after my marriage and his sister came to stay with us not long after. Oba’s father died not long after my second child was born. After Oba father’s death, his sister travelled abroad with her fiancée. No one knew exactly what happened, but not long after she left, the relationship broke; but she did not return to the country immediately.

She however came back two years ago and things have not been easy for her. She still remained unmarried. She stayed with her mother for some months in Ibadan and Oba later suggested that she moved to Lagos. He helped her secured a job and accommodation was no problem as we have a boys quarter apartment that no one occupied in our house.

I had no objection to her staying with us; I felt it was a good development. I saw an opportunity to befriend her and I tried my best to do just this. I never allowed her to cook or do anything, my house keeper combines her chores and her cooking with ours. It was just an extension of the house. Oba wanted privacy for her and her apartment was just good for his wish.

My son turned 12 three months ago, a student of Junior Secondary School 2, he looks so much like Oba’s father and he equally has his mannerism. In fact, we all call him Baba because of his attitude; level headed and loving. He cares about everyone and loves his aunty. He made it a point of duty to check her every evening before going to bed and once in a while, she too would take the children out on her free weekends.

On this fateful Saturday evening, Eyitayo went to see his aunty, who had been in the house throughout the day. He, however, came back few hours later looking uncomfortable. This was rather unusual because nothing rattles him easily.

Initially, I ignored him. Probably he misbehaved and his aunty scolded him. When I later noticed that he was unusually quiet, I asked him what the problem was. He said he was okay, but I knew he wasn’t saying the truth. After much probing, he came out with what was eating him up.

He had a terrible experience at his aunt’s. His description of his experience resembled sexual harassment and molestation. I really could not comprehend the meaning of what he told me, but when the realisation dawned on me, I refused to believe it could happen in my family. I had no reason not to believe my son. I know him very well and I know he wouldn’t tell lies.

I was confused, I didn’t t want to believe it was true, so I went to my sister-in-law’s apartment to raise the issue with her.Shockingly, I met her drinking and smoking, something I never thought or knew she was into. Had I known, I would have left. But because I realised she wasn’t drunk, I raised what my son told me with her. In my heart, I never wanted to believe it.

I expected that she would deny it. But she neither denied nor admitted the allegation, only to quarrel with me.

In fact, she would have beaten me up if my house-keeper hadn’t intervened. She called me different names and said I shouldn’t think I am a superstar because I have a husband, kids and home. I was stunned; I had to narrate what my son told me to my housekeeper. When my children saw what was going on, Eyitayo especially began to cry.

My housekeeper asked that we all move inside and let my husband know what happened when he returned. I phoned him and he pleaded that I should allow him return, his sister however, called my mother-in-law who later spoke with my husband. When Oba came in, he was a different man from the husband and father I had called earlier who pleaded with me to hold on till he came back.

Oba accused my son and I of framing up and accusing his sister of sexual harassment. I was shocked. You wouldn’t believe that this issue generated so many problems that for two weeks running now, I have been out of my matrimonial home with my children. The situation is so bad now that Eyitayo is badly affected. He kept crying because his father did not believe him and this led to his being sent out of the house.

What should I do? Please, somebody help me. This issue has generated so much wahala. Sides are being taken. My mother-in-law is now in my home supporting her daughter. I trust that my son will not lie. I am so handicapped. My mother and my siblings are giving their support and some of my husband’s family members are against his subjective attitude. I don’t understand why Oba suddenly turned against my children and I. I don’t want to lose my home and my husband. Help me.

Ola.