**Diary Entry A Lesson in Pride and Pretence**
If only you knew what your precious sister was up to in the capital, you wouldnt dare mention her namelet alone brag about her.
*”My daughters so clever!”* Oksana boasted to the neighbours. *”Top marks in all her exams! And she even earns her own moneynever asks us for a penny!”*
*”I envy you, Oksana,”* sighed one woman. *”Mine only know how to beg for money. My Maud says shell marry right after collegelet her husband provide. And my son well!”* She waved a hand in despair. *”But your Anastasianow theres a girl with a head on her shoulders!”*
*”Oh yes, of course,”* muttered Michael under his breath, stepping away from the gossiping women. Hed have gladly gone home, but his mother wasnt done shopping yet, and with Father at work, the honour of carrying her bags fell to him. *If only you knew what Anastasia really does in London, youd never speak her name again.*
*”Did you say something?”* Oksana shot him an irritated glance. Couldnt he wait five minutes? She hadnt finished sharing every detail of her daughters brilliance.
*”Just that Ive got a presentation and an essay due tomorrow,”* Michael replied calmly. *”Maybe save the bragging for another time?”*
*”Youre just like your father! Never let me talk! Fine, lets go.”*
Michael shrugged, catching the relieved looks from the neighbours. They hadnt bargained for a full session with Oksana the Proud Mother. She never missed a chance to gush about Anastasia, painting her as some perfect ideal everyone should aspire to.
But he knew the truth. Knewand kept silent. He didnt want his mother to worry.
***
*”Does Anastasia Miller live here?”* The disdain in the womans voice threw Oksana off. Two broad-shouldered men loomed behind her, adding to the unease.
*”My daughter lives in London,”* Oksana said proudly. *”Shes at university. What do you want with her?”*
*”University? Anastasia? Are you serious?”* The woman laughed outright. *”She dropped out after her first term. Failed every examhardly surprising, since she never attended lectures. Too busy chasing wealthy men.”*
*”How dare you slander my daughter! Ill sue you for defamation!”* Oksanas voice trembled as murmurs rose behind neighbouring doors. Letting this woman inside would mean admitting she was right. But refusing? What would people say? Truth or lie, theyd feast on the gossip either way.
*”Come in,”* Michael cut in, ending his mothers hesitation. *”No point giving them more to whisper about. Mum, let them through.”*
*”But, Michael!”*
*”Let them in.”*
At sixteen, he suddenly seemed olderstern, a flicker of worry in his eyes. He led the visitors to the sitting room, motioning for them to sit. The woman chose an armchair, while the men remained standing.
*”Michael! How could you invite them in? Did you hear what she said about Anastasia?”*
*”I heard. Thats why I let them in.”* He rubbed his temples. With Father away, he was the man of the house now. Damage control was his duty.
*”What”*
*”Perhaps you know your sister better,”* the woman sneered. *”Any idea where she is now?”*
*”Shes in London, just as Mum said. But not in student halls,”* Michael admitted bitterly. *”Shes in a flat paid for by a married mantwenty years her senior, with three grown children. And filthy rich.”*
*”Would his name happen to be Gregory?”*
*”Let me guessyoure his wife?”* Michael tensed. What mess had his foolish sister landed in?
*”Thank God, no. His sister. And Im tired of his antics,”* the woman said coldly. *”Gregory has a wonderful wifethe daughter of our biggest business partner. Shes devastated by these side affairs. Divorce would ruin everything.”*
*”So you cant let that happen, can you?”*
*”Clever boy,”* she murmured. *”Any idea where your sister is now?”*
*”No. But her friend might. Ill call herbut first, tell me your plans. Ive only got one sister, you know.”*
*”Michael, whats going on? Whos Gregory? What flat? Whats happened to my girl?”* Oksanas face drained of colour. Michael dashed to the bathroom for her pills.
*”Should we call an ambulance?”* The woman sounded almost guilty.
Michael shook his head. Hed already dialled 999Nina, their kindest neighbour, had promised to fetch a doctor.
*”Michael how do you know all this?”* Oksanas voice broke. Her daughtera mistress. How could she face anyone now?
*”Last time Anastasia visited, her phone brokeremember? She borrowed my laptop to message her friend. Forgot to log out.”* He exhaled. *”I read the chats. Confronted her. She didnt deny it. Only begged me not to tell you.”*
His heart ached for his mother. She was good, kindher only flaw was bragging about her childrens achievements. He cringed whenever she paraded his awards to strangers.
Later, once the doctor had settled Oksana in bed, Michael returned to their guests.
*”So what now?”*
*”Nothing drastic. Ill give her money, introduce her to eligible bachelorsunmarried ones. If shes smart, shell marry well.”*
*”Fine. Wait here.”* He braced himself for an unpleasant call. Anastasias friend was sharp-tongued and sly. But he had an excuse readyher *”brilliant exam results”*. What better time for a brothers gift?
*”Here.”* He handed the woman a note. *”Hope you keep your word.”*
*”I will.”*
As she left, she announced loudlyfor eavesdropping neighbours*”Sorry for the upset. No other way to talk privately. Im sure your good neighbours wont spread rumours. But if they do, Ill apologise to Anastasia myself!”*
Whispers still spread, though faint. Oksana shut them down fiercely, defending her daughters namethough she stopped boasting altogether, barely leaving the house.
Michael and his father agreedthey had to move. Oksana couldnt face the neighbours, knowing they saw through her lies.
One bright morning, the family left. *”To London,”* Michael told the curious. *”Better doctors thereMum hasnt been well lately.”*
Anastasia never visited again. She married well and forgot her family entirely.
**Lesson learnt: Pride blinds. Truth, no matter how bitter, spares deeper wounds.**
