Kulu had always been close to her cousin, Summy. Growing up, they spent countless summers together at their grandparents' house, sharing secrets and laughter. However, as they grew older, their dynamic began to shift.
Summy started taking advantage of Kulu's kindness, consistently asking for favors and borrowing money without paying her back. He'd show up uninvited to her events, bring his friends along without asking, and even borrow her belongings without returning them.
Kulu felt taken for granted, but she didn't know how to set boundaries. Summy was family, after all. Yasir, their mutual friend, noticed Kulu's frustration and encouraged her to speak up.
One day, Lamba, Kulu's best friend, staged an intervention. "Kulu, you deserve respect," Lamba said firmly. "It's time to stand up for yourself."
Kulu realized Lamba was right. With newfound determination, she decided to confront Summy.
Kulu took a deep breath and confronted Summy. "Hey, Summy, can we talk?" she asked during their family's gathering at a funeral.
"What's up?" Summy replied, distracted by his phone.
"I feel like you're taking advantage of me," Kulu said firmly. "Borrowing money without paying me back, showing up uninvited to my events... it's disrespecting our family bond."
Summy's expression darkened. "You're being dramatic, Kulu. I'm your cousin; I'd never take advantage of you."
Kulu's frustration grew. "That's exactly what you've been doing. I want us to be equals, not with you constantly taking and me giving."
Summy scoffed. "You're just jealous of my success. I'm doing fine, and you're still struggling."
Kulu's voice rose. "This has nothing to do with jealousy. It's about respect."
Their argument caught the attention of other family members, including Yasir, Lamba, and Kareem. The tension spread like wildfire.
Summy's mother, Aunt Fatima, intervened, her voice shrill. "Kulu, how dare you accuse my son? You're the one who's ungrateful!"
Kulu's mother, Uncle Ahmed's wife, stood up for her daughter. "That's not fair, Fatima. Kulu has every right to express her feelings."
The argument escalated into a full-blown family feud. Relatives took sides, shouting over one another. The funeral, meant to be a somber celebration of life, had turned into a chaotic spectacle.
Kareem, respected for his wisdom, stepped forward. "Enough! We're dishonoring our deceased loved one with this petty squabble."
The room fell silent, but the damage was done. Kulu felt hurt and betrayed, while Summy stormed out, refusing to apologize.
As the family struggled to recover from the rift, Yasir approached Kulu. "You stood up for yourself, even if it was difficult. That takes courage."
Lamba nodded in agreement. "Your truth is valid, Kulu. Don't let anyone silence you."
Kulu realized that setting boundaries had unleashed a storm, but she was determined to weather it, knowing her self-worth was worth.