In my childhood, my younger brother was always the apple of my mothers and grandmothers eye. They fussed over him endlessly, placing him at the centre of our little world, while I remained quietly in the background. He seemed to have the best of everythingtop-notch toys, sweets from the high street, homemade tarts, the freshest berries picked from the hedgerows. In contrast, I was often overlooked, left to tidy up after him, make his bed, and set out his breakfast each morning. It weighed heavily on me, feeling as though I was merely a maid for him, always rushing to fulfil his every whim and request.
This pattern troubled me deeply, particularly because I knew the history of my mothers own hardships, mistreated by her husband until she finally divorced him. Yet here she was, raising another boy in much the same way. Whenever I tried to object or protest, my complaints were swiftly dismissed and nothing ever changed. I remember well the struggles I faced during my last year at school, when I was engrossed in studying for exams. My mother and grandmother would call out to me every few minutes, urging me to put my books aside and go feed my brother. Your brother is the most important of all, theyd say, always putting his needs ahead of mine. Despite it all, through sheer determination to my studies, I managed to pass my exams, though the workload pushed me to my limits.
When I began preparing for the university entrance examinations, my grandmother questioned whether education was truly necessary for a young woman. She pressed me to focus on marriage, children, and keeping a tidy home. Still, I persisted and went on to complete university. By then, I could no longer bear the burden and finally decided it was time to leave home. I was tired of bearing the whole weight of responsibility for my brother. My mother and grandmother were furious that Id left, especially as it forced my grandmother to give up her job to mind her precious grandson.
Leaving home was not an easy decision, but it was one I had to make for my own well-being and growth. I knew I deserved more than being relegated to a servants role, and I was determined to carve out a life for myself in which my worth would be recognised and respected. Looking back on those days, Im grateful I found the strength to step away and seek my own path.
