Last updated on October 17th, 2025 at 10:14 am
At the beginning of a new year, I like to reflect on the previous year. I know that life is unpredictable but I also like to work with previous information to guide new decisions. It’s the first of January, yet another year, and this day is no exception. I stretch my arms and shake out my body as I settle before my laptop to continue what I began about an hour ago. I’ve just concluded my career inspection, and I’m moving to my personal life.
Career-wise, I didn’t do too badly last year. I gave back to the community, employed a few hands and managed to keep the business afloat. Being the first year that I properly settled down with the business, we did well. Once I recovered from my illness, I started implementing the prelaunch steps and finally launched another collection before the year ended. Not only was it well-received but the extra assistance I got from my teammates made a difference.
My plan this year, probably like every other business, is to scale up. This means that I have to employ maybe two more people, one especially dedicated to my social media page. I’d like to focus more on the creativity, which is my passion, rather than the admin and networking bit. So, a social media manager and PR expert, I guess. I leave the conclusions circled in red.
Frankly, I’m avoiding going into my personal life because it just seems to be a mess, even though I’m better mentally. Of course, I used the annual launch as an excuse not to tie up any loose ends in my personal life. Business is easy, just go through with your strategy and be persistent. Creativity is easy; all you need is to create the right space for it to thrive—although I can’t say that that was the case for me last year.
After my illness last year, I spoke to my parents and I was going to let go of the issue of Constance seeing as my mother had better and positive news. This was until she mentioned Constance herself. I have been avoiding thinking about that day since it happened. I let my head drop into my hands as the memory of that day forces itself into the now. It started with a simple statement from my mum, ‘Constance told me that you both talked recently.’ I was too stunned to speak.
“Hellooo,” She said.
“I’m here, ma.”
“She was really excited to have talked to you. You know she’s really doing well as a hair stylist; her hands were made for women’s hair. I go to her shop every time I have to make my hair.” My mother droned on.
“So, you and Constance see each other often?” I finally asked.
“Oh, yes, we do. She’s the sweetest. When she complained that you weren’t answering her messages, I told her to persist, seeing as you’re also a busy person.” She answered, laughing.
“Mum, do you know that Constance molested me?” I asked without thinking twice. I was met with a deafening silence. I looked at my phone to confirm that my mother was still on the call. She answered as I was about to talk.
“How would I have known? Why is this something that I’m hearing now?” She asked and I swear that she sounded defensive and offended even.
“That’s the reason I called you. The ‘talk’ that Constance and I had was me clarifying things, getting closure, as they say.” Another long silence.
“That’s not what she told me. Constance wouldn’t do such. What do you mean by she molested you? When was this? How?”
“Mummy, are you saying that I’m lying?”
“No no,” She backtracked as if she was only recognising that that’s exactly what she was implying.
“Okay. That’s what I wanted to tell you. Now you know. Extend my greetings to daddy.” I said, then hung up.
It’s been three months since that call and the last time I spoke to any of my parents. I also avoided Constance’s call and resorted to blocking her number, finally, after she left me unsavoury messages online. It seems as if my mother went to cause a scene in her shop. I don’t care. One thing that confirms that Constance is evil is how she’s reacted to everything she did to me. But that was the younger me; I can take care of myself now.
