We got married when I had nothing—no job, no savings, nothing. But my husband was ready to take care of everything. He wasn’t wealthy—perhaps rich in love, but not in money. Still, he was always willing to support me. After we got married, he provided for me and even stepped in to help my parents when they needed something. I could see he was struggling, but he never complained. I prayed fervently to get a job so I could ease the burden on his shoulders.

When I finally got a job, the first thing I did was ask him how I could contribute to making our home a happier place. He didn’t say much, but I understood what he needed—support.

Since then, I’ve been helping out financially. For months, I didn’t ask him for housekeeping money; I just provided. When the utility bills arrived, I paid them. My salary isn’t huge, but we’re not a big family yet, so we manage while working toward a better future.

In January 2024, I bought a money box and started saving extra cash. My plan was to save enough to surprise my husband with a meaningful gift by the end of the year. I didn’t want to buy the usual last-minute gifts. I wanted to buy him an iPhone, which he always talked about, or a high-quality suit because I wasn’t proud of the only one he owned. It was old, and he wore it everywhere he needed a suit.

I saved diligently all year, determined not to disappoint myself. My husband didn’t know about the savings because it was meant to be a surprise. By December 20th, I had saved close to GHC9,000. Excited, I went shopping for him. I bought two suits, shirts, a beautiful pair of shoes, and a watch.

I could already imagine my husband looking like a successful businessman in those suits. I wrapped everything and hid them under the bed, planning to give them to him on Christmas Eve. But my plan failed—he found the gifts before the 24th and started asking questions.

“I wanted to surprise you. Too bad you found them,” I explained.

He unwrapped the items one by one, disbelief written all over his face. “Where did you get the money for all this?” he exclaimed.

I explained how I had saved throughout the year, showing him the broken money box and the receipts. Instead of being pleased, he asked, “So you had this money in the room while we’ve been struggling all year?”

Yes, the year had been challenging, but I didn’t see it as we suffered the way he painted it. We had tough moments, times when we were unsure about tomorrow, and moments when life felt unfair. But we pulled through, and I didn’t think of it as the kind of suffering he described.

He said, “I don’t want these. Take them back and get your money. I can’t wear these things when everything isn’t right at home. People might think I’ve made it, but you know we’re still struggling.”

He refused to accept the gifts. They’re still lying here like stolen items. He insists I should return them, but I doubt the shop will take them back. Deep down, I’m hoping he’ll change his mind someday and accept them. To appease him, I put the items on my status for sale. I got two inquiries but told them the items were already sold.

She Came To Do Industrial Attachment

I look at him and feel bad for thinking I did the right thing. What did I do wrong? Are we so poor that we must look like our financial struggles? I still dream of seeing him wear those clothes. I want to take a photo of him in them and say proudly, “That’s my husband.”

I won’t sell them. I’ll wait until he changes his mind and takes them.

— Afrakoma

This story you just read was sent to us by someone just like you. We know you have a story too. Email it to us at submissions@silentbeads.com. You can also drop your number and we will call you so you tell us your story.

******