“My sister and I share the closest bond in the whole wide world. We have always had each other’s back and our bonds have seen the test of time and survived all odds. And it strengthened, even more, when we lost our dad to an unknown illness. He was talking to one of us and fainted in front of us. As we looked at him, he passed out right in front of us and we could sense that something was seriously wrong. We rushed him to the hospital when our worst fears were confirmed. Only, neither of us could digest the fact that he was no more and that the life of a person is so uncertain.
After that moment, our whole family and all of our friends gathered to help us and to support us. But when it was time to perform the last rites, all hell broke loose. We as a nuclear family did not have much family support until that day. We were not visible to most of our relatives but when it was time to send my father to the wonderful heavenly universe, people started asking within themselves as to who was going to do the last rituals.
Being girls limited our roles and our rights had to be given to our relatives with whom we haven’t had any contact for the past several years. A huge fight broke out and the arguments started to fill the air. It was horrible to witness and heart wrenching, to say the least. That is when my sister and I decided to do the rituals ourself.
With one of us taking hold of the steam pot and the other holding a plate full of flowers, we walked over 15kms to the cemetery. Two of our friends and two of my sisters walked along with us and supported us that day. At last, we were given the chance to do the last rites for our beloved father.
Despite having other male members in the family, none of them turned up or supported us. But we were indeed thankful and appreciative of the people who stood by us in that testing period of time.
The loss to our family is immeasurable. But together, my and my sister, we are sailing through holding on to each other for dear life. You don’t get to choose your family they say, and it is true. We have been facing so many objections and obstacles from my family members but we have crossed each stage with our head held high. And as long as I have my sister and mother with me, I will continue to strive in this life.”
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