She Said She’d Bewitch Me Because I’m Becoming Successful

I have this cousin. She’s my auntie’s daughter and ten years older than me. She grew up with our grandma, but after one of those family fights: because you know how it can be—she came to live with us. From the beginning, she was stubborn. Very stubborn. Troublesome, too. But she was also bubbly, loud, and entertaining. We joked about everything. We laughed a lot.

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When she moved in, we got close. We teased each other, talked about everything, and laughed till our stomachs hurt. I’m naturally very dark in complexion, and she’d joke about that sometimes. She’d say I was too dark or even ugly. But I didn’t mind. I thought it was just jokes. That’s the kind of person she is – always talking, always laughing.

But over time, I started noticing something. She’s competitive. Maybe even jealous. She carries this “I must be the best” attitude. Like no one is allowed to shine brighter than her. You can see it in how she talks, how she walks, and even how she treats my mom: her own aunty. It’s wild. How do you compete with me? We’re not even the same. I’m quiet, academic, and reserved. She’s loud, dramatic, and always in the centre. All fingers are not the same, but she doesn’t see it that way.

When I was 18, I got my provisional licence: the first step to learning how to drive. But money was tight, and my parents couldn’t afford the lessons. The licence expired after a year. I let it go.

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One day, she came to visit us after she got married. I told her I’d come pick her up with our car. It was a joke. I couldn’t drive. My mom was the one driving. We picked her up, and when my mom stepped out to buy something, my cousin turned to me and said, “I’m so glad you weren’t the one who picked me up. It would’ve hurt me so much if a kid like you got a licence before me. Do you know I was happy when your provisional expired? I was so happy.”

I laughed. But inside, I felt something shift. That wasn’t funny. That was something else.

Recently, I joined a college project and, by the grace of God, I won. The prize was a trip to an Asian country. Somehow, she heard about it. I expected a simple “congratulations”. Instead, she said, “There’s no need to say congrats. You’ve always been intelligent. It was obvious.”

No joy. No warmth. Just that.

I’m working closely with her husband on a project. He’s been supportive, always asking how it’s going and offering help. We had a meeting recently, and she came along. She looked at me and said, “Wopɛ sɛ wo di nkɔso wɔ m’ani so yɛbɛyɛ wo abayisɛm.” You look like you’re about to be successful right in front of my eyes. We will bewitch you.

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I laughed. I thought she was joking. I said, “Why would you bewitch me? My success is our success. We’re family.” She replied, “What if you forget me?” Then she laughed and said, “I’m just joking.”

But I didn’t laugh back. I just smiled.

Now I’m asking myself—was that really a joke? Because sometimes, the things people say when they’re “just joking” carry the most truth. And sometimes, the laughter hides something darker.

—Adjoa

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