The Unforseen Siblings' rivalry
Things we never think can happen sometimes happen, leaving us with nothing but surprise and regret. Back in 2016, in our landlord's house where he had lived for many years, there had been no form of sibling rivalry since all the landlord's children were already matured men. I was left speechless when what happened that night unfolded. If anyone had asked me to describe the landlord's family, I would simply have said it was a peaceful and happy family. I didn't know their relationship behind closed doors; I only judged from what I saw outside.
It was a blissful night as the rain poured nonstop, beating against the aluminum zinc of the compound's roofs. We began hearing an exchange of words accompanied by all forms of verbal abuse. Joe and Udo, two siblings, unexpectedly turned into enemies that night. It was a bitter argument, and their voices were louder than a beating drum. As their voices echoed, their dad, Mr. George, intervened, trying to quell the storm between them.
The reason behind their quarrel was unknown as they refused to disclose it, leaving the few tenants who went out to stop them angry as they retired to their homes, locking their doors.
All efforts by their dad to stop them from arguing proved abortive. Younger Udo kept asking his father to remain silent, but he refused, leading to Udo's anger. He began beating his dad, which led Joe to take action. That was how an argument turned into fists. In anger, the siblings started an unending fight, an act their dad couldn't just sit and watch. He didn't even consider that he wasn't as young as the fighting young men.
As he tried to hold Udo, who was chasing his father in the rain to prevent him from destroying the screen of Joe's car, the fury Joe drove off with the car led Udo to hold down his dad and start beating him up like a kid. A sudden blow to the head left his dad shouting, "My head o, my heading," as blood gushed. Witnessing that, Udo regained his sanity and stopped by force.
While the fighting stopped, his father's screams continued. It was then he realized the gravity of his actions. With shaking hands, he tried to stop the bleeding, but it was impossible. Three days later, their dad fell sick and was rushed to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with internal bleeding, requiring urgent surgery worth 18 million. Even if the whole compound were to be sold, such an amount wouldn't be generated. They pleaded with the tenants for assistance, but no one could help.
It wasn't a week after the news of his illness was discovered that he passed away. It was news that came with a heavy heart for me. I wasn't related to the man, but knowing he was too young to die as a result of his children's rivalry left me sorrowful. It could be seen in the faces of the two siblings, heavy hearts of sorrow and regret. It left an indelible mark that couldn't be erased in the minds of everyone who witnessed the incident that night. It was that night I vowed never to get involved in any rivalry with my siblings, as I witnessed the destructive power of sibling rivalry.
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