Covetousness

Oh la la!

I was aghast today when I learned about Mom's siblings making a scene at a cousin's housewarming party. Apparently, they were coveting this compound, where our houses were built. It's funny that after all those years when Mom was alive, they didn't say a thing. Now that she is gone, two of them are crafting tales that this property should be theirs. Dad isn't happy. And who would be? Especially when he had been paying the property taxes since the 1970s.

Last year, just two weeks after Mom's burial, her younger sister approached me at a cousin's wedding, asking a certain sum of money, saying it was payment for a piece of land somewhere. "You've got to be kidding me, Auntie? Why didn't you say a word when Mama was alive, so I would know her side of the story?" I couldn't hold back, especially with the pain of losing Mom still fresh. How could you do this to me, Auntie, when you know we are mourning? She is your own blood! Do you expect me to believe you now? I bit my tongue so that I wouldn't spout these words.

My heart cried in silence, and my aunt lost my respect on that day.

Today, my uncle (Dad's brother) visited us. He wanted to talk to my father about a recent feud he had with their brother-in-law (their sister's husband) because of their ancestral land.

"Aah... This day wouldn't go any crazier, would it?" my mind mumbled. I laughed scornfully and shook my head. Some people are truly greedy. It's human nature, yeah? Some are just good at taming or controlling theirs.

While I didn't want to absorb the negative vibes of the day, I couldn't help it. These issues affect us directly. All the while, I thought we were living in peace, ayayay!

I sighed in utter dismay.