The dinner table was meticulously set, with each dish a labour of love made by Abosede's skilled hands. The aroma of jollof rice combined with the scent of fried plantains created a warm and inviting environment in which Simi usually found comfort. But tonight, as she took her seat, a palpable tension hung in the air, like a storm cloud about to erupt.Simi looked around the table at her family. Gbolahan sat at the head, his face stern and focused as he reviewed some papers. Abosede moved gracefully through the kitchen, serving food with a smile that did not reach her eyes. Temi sat next to Simi, her tiny hands eagerly reaching for a piece of chicken."Dinner looks great, Mom," Simi said, hoping to brighten the mood."Thank you, my dear," Abosede replied warmly, but with an underlying tiredness that Simi could not deny. "I thought we could have a nice meal together."As they began to eat, Simi felt the familiar weight of Gbolahan's expectations fall upon her. The silence at the table was palpable, interrupted only by the clinking of cutlery on plates. She sensed something brewing beneath the surface, a tension that had been building for weeks."Why does Dad keep praising you?" Itunu's voice cut through the silence, sharp and accusatory. Simi looked up in surprise at her sister's sudden outburst. Itunu sat across from her, arms tightly crossed across her chest, scowl on her face. "It is as if you can not do anything wrong in his eyes."Simi's heart raced at the accusation. "It is not about competition, Itunu," she said cautiously, hoping to maintain the peace. "Dad wants the best for all of us." "It does not feel like that," Itunu replied, her voice rising slightly. "I try so hard to make him proud, but he ignores me!"Simi sighed deeply, feeling frustration rise beneath the surface. She understood Itunu's emotions; they had both grown up under Gbolahan's strict supervision, but Simi had always tried to avoid letting those expectations consume her."Ask him what you want." Simi began but was quickly interrupted."Talk? "Do you think talking will change anything?" Itunu made a scoff. "He only listens to you because you are his favourite. Stop it!" Abosede spoke abruptly from the kitchen, her voice rising above the tension. She turned to face them, hands on her hips. "This is not how we should behave during dinner."Simi felt guilty seeing her mother stressed; Abosede had always been the glue that held their family together. "Mom, we are just having a conversation," Simi explained gently."It does not feel like a discussion," Itunu said softly but clearly enough for everyone to hear."Could we eat peaceably?" Gbolahan finally spoke up, his tone authoritative as he looked at his daughters. "Now is not the time or place to argue."Simi clenched her jaw and nodded slightly in agreement; she did not want the situation to worsen in front of Temi. The little girl sat quietly between them, aware of the tension but unsure how to respond. Simi could not get rid of the uneasy feeling in the air as they resumed eating quietly. She looked at Itunu, who was frowning and picking at her food. Her sister's jealousy stemmed from a deeper, long-held insecurity. Following a few awkward silences punctuated by the sounds of chewing and cutlery clinking against plates.
Simi decided it was time to address Itunu's feelings directly.
"You know I'm not trying to compete with you," she said softly.
"Dad loves us both."Itunu looked up sharply,
her eyes flashing with anger.
"Does he? Because it sure doesn't feel that way."What do you mean?" Simi asked gently,
trying to understand where this was coming from.
"You know he cares about you." "No matter what he says," Itunu said bitterly.
"It's what he does that counts."Simi felt a pang of sympathy for her sister; she had always admired Itunu's determination and ambition but also recognized how deeply she craved their father's approval.
"You're talented too," Simi said softly,
"You have so much potential."It doesn't matter if I'm talented if he never sees it!" Itunu shot back,
her voice rising again.
"He only sees you!"The accusation stung more than Simi expected; she had never intended to overshadow her sister or take their father's affection for granted.
"That's not true! I've worked hard for everything I've achieved. "And I have to!" Itunu countered fiercely.
"But it feels like I'm invisible next to you."The emotional weight of their conversation hung heavily in the air as Simi processed Itunu's words—words filled with frustration and hurt that echoed deeper insecurities within their relationship as sisters."I'm sorry if it feels that way," Simi said finally,
her voice softened as she reached across the table toward Itunu.
"I never wanted you to feel less than me."Abosede watched silently from the kitchen,
her expression pained as she sensed how strained things had become between them both.
Simi could see tears brimming in Itunu's eyes,
a reflection of years spent vying for their father's approval while feeling overshadowed by someone who seemed effortlessly successful."I just want him to notice me," Itunu admitted quietly after several moments of silence between them both; vulnerability seeping through cracks formed over years of competing against rather than supporting one another."I notice you," Temi said suddenly.
Her innocent voice cut through the tension at the dinner table, where emotions were high.
"You're my big sister! You're really good at soccer!"Itunu turned towards Temi,
her expression softened slightly as she smiled through tears forming in her eyes.
"Thanks, little sis."Simi felt warmth spread through her chest watching this exchange unfold before them both—proof that despite conflicts faced along the journey ahead,
there remained love shared amongst family members even when tensions threatened to pull them apart. Gbolahan cleared his throat again, breaking momentary peace formed amidst the chaos surrounding them all once more.
"Let's focus on what matters—our family."What matters is how we treat each other," Abosede interjected firmly,
focusing on Gbolahan now who seemed taken aback by a sudden shift in conversation."We can do better than this," she continued,
facing both daughters now with determination etched upon their features—an unwavering strength shining through despite challenges faced along the way forward. Simi nodded slowly,
feeling grateful for Abosede's support while also recognizing the need to address issues lingering beneath the surface, waiting patiently until the opportunity arose once more."I want us all to be happy together," Simi said finally,
focusing on both sisters now, hoping to bridge gaps formed between them over years spent competing rather than supporting one another. Temi nodded eagerly beside them both; innocence radiating from the small frame reminding everyone present how important love remained amidst trials faced along the journey ahead dinner continued,
Simi felt a renewed sense of hope filling the room surrounding them all—an unspoken promise hanging heavily between each member present, waiting patiently until the next round came around again. Later that evening after dinner concluded and dishes cleared away,
Simi found herself sitting alone outside on the porch, gazing up at stars twinkling overhead, illuminating the path ahead leading towards an uncertain future waiting just beyond the horizon. She thought about everything discussed during dinner—the tensions between siblings and pressures placed upon each member present within the family unit formed around love and resilience amidst challenges faced along the way forward towards achieving dreams held dear by all involved throughout the journey ahead then,
a soft voice broke through the silence surrounding the night sky-filled sounds echoing from nearby streets bustling alive under stars twinkling overhead, illuminating the path ahead leading towards uncertain future waiting just beyond the horizon."Simi?" Temi called out softly from the doorway leading inside the house, where warmth radiated invitingly against the cool evening breeze, greeting warmly against the skin, reminding me how much life existed beyond the walls surrounding them all.*"Yes?" Simi replied, turning towards their daughter, standing there looking small yet brave beneath the starlit sky above the illuminating path ahead, leading towards an uncertain future, waiting just beyond the horizon."I don't want us to fight anymore," Temi said earnestly looking up into Simi's eyes filled with innocence reminding everyone present how important love remained amidst trials faced along the journey ahead. Simi smiled gently, reaching out and taking Temi's hand in hers, offering comfort against the uncertainties that lay ahead, knowing full well that whatever lay ahead would require strength and resilience built on love shared between them both—an unbreakable bond forged through trials encountered along the journey ahead.