This woman walks around the neighbourhood washing clothes for people. On weekends, she’s the hot cake around here. People even book her a week in advance. I didn’t bother about her until our washing machine broke down. When I asked her to come wash for me, she came with a lady she said was her daughter. She said, “The job is plenty, so she comes with me to help.”

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They did a great job, so I asked them to come around every weekend until I could fix my machine. The next weekend, it was only the daughter who came. The following weekend, I travelled, but my husband was home, so I asked them to go and do the laundry. I came back from my trip and called them to come wash for me, but they started giving me excuses.

Her mother didn’t pick up my calls until I met the daughter and asked what was happening. She told me they had been busy recently and that was why they weren’t coming around. That day, she promised they’d come the next weekend, but they didn’t show up, nor did they answer my calls.

Finally, my machine was working again, so I didn’t need them anymore. But their behaviour shocked me. When I saw them washing for a neighbour (who was also a friend), I went there to complain and ask my friend to find out what I did wrong that made them stop coming.

Again, they gave excuses until I left.

Days later, my friend called me to visit. While with her, she whispered, “So, your husband touched the girl, and she told her mom. That’s why they stopped coming.” I screamed, “That’s a lie! My husband? How? He didn’t even talk to her when she was around. My husband is God-fearing. I mean, how?”

My friend answered, “I’m only telling you because they said they’ve reported it to the girl’s uncle, and they’re waiting for him to return from his trip to make a police case. Maybe you should speak to your husband about it and get his side of the story.”

I haven’t spoken to my husband about it for two reasons:

One, I trust him not to do that to a girl that age. It’s not just about the girl’s age—my husband hardly talks to strangers. He doesn’t even crave intimacy to the point of seeking it with another person.

Two, if it’s true he did it, I would want him to suffer the consequences of his actions. So I’d rather wait for the uncle to make a case out of it and hear his defence.

You Broke Me Into Pieces: A Daughter’s Emotional Conversation With Her Father

If I ask him and he tells me he didn’t do it, I will believe him and support him with all my might. But it would hurt my pride and the love I have for him if it later comes out that he indeed did it. These are the reasons I don’t want to discuss it with him. Do you think I’m making the right choice?

—Philippa

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