I recently turned nineteen years old. I am studying at college at the Faculty of Economics. My parents and I live in a three-room apartment. My older brother lives with us with his family: his wife and daughter. Until recently, everything suited everyone: my parents lived in one room, I lived in another, and my brother and his family lived in another. I love my niece Diana very much. She is a sweet, cheerful three-year-old girl. I often spend time with the girl and stay with her whenever I need to. And recently my brother came into my room.
He said he had something to ask me. I, of course, guessed what he was talking about. My brother offered to change rooms with me, because mine was more spacious.
– You see, Diana is growing up and needs more space. Besides, she spends a lot of time in your room anyway. You’ll have more space for yourself, she won’t bother you,” said my brother.
– “But does she bother me? You see, I don’t mind playing with my niece. Your room has a balcony, you go out there to smoke, so what kind of personal space are we talking about?
I tried to explain to my brother as gently as possible that it was not a good idea.
– Your wife and mom hang clothes on the balcony. Do you think I want to turn my room into a passageway?
But I couldn’t explain my reluctance to my brother in a subtle way. He did not speak to me for four days. Though I don’t feel any guilt about it. Why should I give them my room? Everything here is arranged as I like. There is indeed more daylight in my room, but it is better for me, because it is better to study.
And yesterday, when my brother and his child went for a walk, and my parents went to the village, my brother told me everything that was on his mind:
– “You’re selfish! How can you think only about yourself? You are not a little girl, but you are still sitting on our necks. You are fed, and you don’t even want to give up your room?
I have never seen my brother so angry.
– You have no conscience! We three live in the same room!
I could not restrain myself and said everything I thought. There is no point in creating a family when you cannot provide for it. He runs from job to job. Either the schedule doesn’t suit him, or the working conditions, or the salary is too low. But living with his parents suits my brother. And your sister-in-law, what’s stopping her from finding a job?
I really feel sorry for my niece, but why should I agree to their conditions? I think it’s a man’s duty to do everything for the comfort of his family.
