The Rudest Thing Said to Me, Despite Being Right

I have an aunt who is rather toxic. When I was a kid, my grandmother bought three dolls for me and two for my aunt. My second aunt is a genuinely kind person, but she is not the subject of this story. There was an incident when I was five years old when my first aunt, who you might now call my problem, made a comment that stuck with me forever.

A Toxic Childhood Moment

My grandmother gave me the chance to choose which doll I wanted from the ones she bought, and I excitedly picked one to put on my shelf. Later, my first aunt came to the house, angry and demanding to take the doll I had chosen. I stood my ground and insisted that the doll was mine, but she responded with, ‘Don’t you realize who you are?’ It was utterly baffling for a five-year-old to grapple with such a condescending statement. Though I didn’t cry, I remember talking back to her, which resulted in her crying heavily and leaving the house in a whirlwind of emotions. Her husband became furious, and he was visibly angry at a child of just five years old.

Family Tension Grows

There were other instances where my first aunt continued to diminish my character and intelligence. She once told me that I was nothing more than a burden to my parents. She also suggested dropping out of university, as she thought it was a waste of money. She also said she felt sorry for my father because he never knew the pride of having smart children, alluding to her own children ranked first in their classes. I ranked second in my class and sixth among all classes, and my father was even praised for my achievements.

Higher Education and Family Conflicts

My first aunt’s comments continued even when I graduated from university with two honors. When my siblings later shared that I was the target of more negative comments from my aunt to other family members, I was both shocked and hurt. I considered letting these insults slide, but when the same rhetoric resurfaced, I decided to take action.

Confrontation and Consequences

I composed a long message on WhatsApp recounting all the insults that had been hurled my way. I asked, ‘Why are you doing this? I’ve known this from months ago, and I decided to let it slip, but today, can it ever stop?’ My aunt replied, ‘What’s wrong with you, oh God? Why are you mad at me?’

Though I did not use any offensive words, her silence suggested she was cornered. She then unleashed a barrage of insults, calling me names and even comparing me to animals. She tried to justify herself, saying, ‘I am not at your level. Only someone with a diploma and two children could have written such things.’ My response was cutting, ‘What a great example you are, didn’t you get the memo she needs to be respected, too?'

Blocking and Moving Forward

The insults continued until she blocked me on WhatsApp. This toxic behavior isn’t just a message she wanted to erase; she wanted to avoid future confrontations. Sadly, no matter how advanced my education, it did not shield me from her inconsiderate remarks.