FamilyPeachTwig

19 Sept 2 min read

I Took the Bigger Share. Now My Parents Won't Let Me Sleep.

Five years ago, a road accident took both our parents in one day. My younger brother and I were the only two children. We stood side by side at the burial, held each other, and somehow got through the funeral arrangements. I thought grief had made us closer than ever. I was wrong. Our parents left behind three plots of land and a house. There was no will and no instructions. Just two sons and a lot of silence. And then my pride spoke. I was the firstborn, so in my mind that settled it. I kept the house and two plots, and I gave my brother one. I told him, "That's how it is. Respect your elder." He looked at me like he didn't recognise me. He said it wasn't fair, and I told him fairness had nothing to do with it. The argument grew into a fight, and that day we said things no brothers should say. A few weeks later, he packed his things, took his wife and children, and walked away from everything. No land, no house, no goodbye. For years, he barely called. We became strangers who happened to share the same blood. Time passed, and the truth finally caught up with me. I had used the word "firstborn" as a weapon against my own brother. I had chosen land over family. So I went to him and apologized, and this time I meant every word. I told him I was wrong, and that I wanted to make it right. He said quietly, "I forgave you a long time ago." I nearly cried. But then he added, "I don't want any of it. Things are hard for me right now, but I'd rather struggle on my own than take anything from you." I begged him to choose whichever land or property he wanted. He refused. I sent our uncles to speak to him, and he thanked them politely and still said no. Now the dreams have started. Almost every night, I see our parents. They never smile. They just look at me, sad and disappointed, and I wake up with my heart pounding and my chest heavy with guilt. I don't want our parents' property to be the reason their two children stay apart. I don't want to sit comfortably in a house while my brother struggles. So I'm asking you: should I keep pushing him to take his share, or should I respect his "no" and find another way to make peace?