When my elder sister got married, her husband was working in another town. He came home mostly on weekends. Sometimes, he was too busy to come home at all. My sister didn’t like being alone, so I went to live with her.

My sister and I had always been close. She’s five years older than me, but you wouldn’t notice the gap because of how close we were. Growing up, she was the person I looked up to. I admired how she carried herself, how she dressed, and how she handled difficult situations. If I wanted advice about something I couldn’t discuss with our mother, she was the first person I called.

Living with her felt natural.

I helped with the cooking, cleaning, and other household responsibilities. When her husband wasn’t around, we kept each other company. I was there for three years.

READ ALSO: My Father Doesn’t Talk to Me Because I Bought a Car Instead Of Helping My Brother

During those years, I noticed how much my sister wanted a child. Whenever someone in the family announced a pregnancy, she would congratulate the person, but afterwards, she sometimes became quiet. I knew it bothered her. Nobody pressured her with questions about when she would give birth, but that didn’t stop her from being bothered about not having a child after three years of marriage.

One day, she came into my room and told me we needed to talk. She told me I was getting too old to continue living with my elder sister and that it was time I found somewhere else to stay.

I was surprised. I asked whether I had done something wrong. She said no. She simply believed I needed to become independent. I reminded her that I hadn’t moved in because I couldn’t find somewhere to live. I had come because she specifically asked me to come and keep her company because her husband was mostly away.

I was hurt. For three years, I had treated her home like my own. I wasn’t expecting her to reward me for keeping her company, but I thought she could have approached the conversation differently.

A few days later, I packed my things and left. Our relationship changed after that. Whenever I called, she either didn’t answer or kept the conversation short. Sometimes, I would send her messages, and she wouldn’t reply.

A little over a year later, I got married to my longtime boyfriend. We started dating while we were at university together.

I sent my sister the details of my wedding and expected her to be there. Whatever misunderstanding existed between us, I believed my wedding was important enough for us to put it aside. She didn’t come.

Later, I heard other explanations about why she couldn’t attend. None of them made sense to me.

A few months into my marriage, I became pregnant. I was excited, but I’m not the type who announces such things immediately. I wanted to enjoy the news privately with my husband before telling other people. My mother found out and, without informing me, called my elder sister and told her.

My phone rang. When I saw my sister’s name, I smiled. It had been over a year since we had spoken properly. I answered warmly and asked how she was doing. She went straight for the kill.

“So you’re pregnant? After locking my womb under the sea, you used yours to carry a baby. You think God will watch you go unpunished?”

For a moment, I couldn’t speak. Then I asked, “Ekua, what are you talking about?”

“You know exactly what I mean,” she screamed. “I’ve been quiet because I know my God will fight for me.”

I became angry. We exchanged words. I won’t pretend I remained calm. I was hurt, confused, and furious. I said things I shouldn’t have said, and she said even worse things. By the time the call ended, I was shaking. I immediately called my mother.

Before I could finish narrating what had happened, my mother sighed. She said, “Eiii, Ekua. She still believes you’re the reason she can’t give birth?”

That was when my mother told me everything. According to my mom, while I was living with my sister, my sister called to tell her she was having a recurring dream. In the dream, I would enter her room and massage a strange oil on her stomach. She had the dream several times. Eventually, she discussed it with her pastor.

The pastor allegedly confirmed that the dream had spiritual implications and told her I was the reason she couldn’t conceive. He advised her to send me away, warning that she wouldn’t have a child for as long as I continued living under the same roof. That was why my sister asked me to leave.

I sat on my bed, listening to my mother while my heart was beating out of my chest.

My mother continued. She said my sister had also told her that she wouldn’t attend my wedding because she didn’t want to have anything to do with a sister who had tied her womb to a rock. She had even asked our mother to warn me to use my witchcraft for something better instead of disturbing her marriage.

I asked my mother, “So you knew my sister was calling me a witch, and you kept quiet?”

She said she had tried to convince my sister that the accusations were unreasonable, but my sister refused to listen.

I cried. I finally understood why someone I loved had treated me like an enemy. What hurts even more is that she never confronted me. She never gave me an opportunity to defend myself. She simply listened to her pastor, asked me to leave, and cut me out of her life.

My sister has been married for almost six years without a child. I know how painful that can be, but why should her pain become an accusation against me?

Since that conversation, I haven’t been myself. I didn’t want to tell my husband about it, but he sensed my mood and started asking questions. When I told him, he got angry and asked me to stay away from her.

What Caused The Breakup Between You And Your Ex?

My mother wants us to reconcile, but I keep asking her how I’m supposed to reconcile with someone who believes I’m a witch.

I asked my mom, “If my sister sees me holding my baby, do you think she will be happy for me, or will she believe I’m enjoying a blessing I stole from her?”

She couldn’t answer that question.

Sometimes, I’m scared that out of envy, my sister would do something against my pregnancy spiritually so she could say it’s God who has punished me for being a witch. I think of it and I shudder because it can happen.

Reconciliation is a good thing, especially between me and a sister I once held dear, but I don’t know how to repair something I didn’t break. So for now, I will pray, stay calm, and see what God will do for the two of us.

—Alby  

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 [email protected]. You can also drop your number and we will call you so you tell us your story.

******