Anyone who works rotating shifts will understand my feelings when, early one quiet morning on my much-needed day off, the persistent ring of the doorbell jolted me awake.
Before I was fully conscious, for some reason my mind immediately jumped to a water problem, so I rushed around checking all the taps to make sure there werent any leaks. Both the bathroom and kitchen were dry, so thankfully it wasnt a repeat of the time I flooded my downstairs neighbours six months ago.
The doorbell kept ringing non-stop. When I finally opened the door, I found myself staring at a collection of suitcases and a cluster of people behind them.
Philip, I never would have recognised you walking down the street! came a dubious compliment from an older woman, catching me off guard. I tried to recall who might not recognise me. Youve grown so much. Your father said youd be a giant, and he wasnt wrong! Now I studied her companion, who greeted me with a broad grin and a handshake. Behind them, another man peeked out, thankfully not adding to my confusion. But the woman insisted, Dont leave us standing here lets go inside!
Sorry, what do you mean by lets go inside?
You havent recognised your uncle? I used to look after you! He gestured towards the young man beside him. And you wont remember him either your cousin. Hes just started at university here, and hes got nowhere to stay. So we thought he could move in with you. Well get him a bed later, so itll be fine. Weve brought some gifts for you! Didnt your father call about this?
No, he didnt… Well, he must have forgotten. Well sort it ourselves, were family after all! What do you mean sort it? Youre trying to give me a student to look after?
Thats exactly it. You know how tough it is in a new city when youre just starting out! Youll look after him. Im not going to look after anyone, especially since my fiancée often comes over how do you expect this to work? Well figure something out… I dont want to figure something out. There are halls for students, I lived in them myself, so he should stay there. I can show him around the city, though. No, thats out of the question!
My relatives were visibly irritated, trying to push their suitcases past me and into my flat. I realised that once those bags crossed the threshold, getting rid of them would be much harder. I asked them to give me five minutes, then took them to the student halls where my cousin could stay.
The reaction was swift: accusations of heartlessness and selfishness, the smiles vanished, and soon enough so did my relatives and their luggage. When I rang my parents to ask who these people actually were, my mum simply said, Your aunt and uncle. After hearing the full story, she was furious and scolded me for not being a family man.
Deep down, maybe I do feel a pang of regret, but truthfully, Im relieved that my life wont involve a creaky bed and my cousin under my roof for the next five years. Sometimes, setting boundaries even with family is necessary for your own well-being, and its important to remember that caring for yourself doesnt mean you care any less for those around you.
