A ROUGH DIAMOND

him ever loving her when he met Sharon. She remembered how his eyes lit up in admiration and Karen almost had a heart attack. That was the end of her friendship with him. She just could not get over the fact that he preferred her sister to her.

Sharon never knew about the pain and disappointment that Karen suffered at that time, as she quietly bore it alone. As she lay on the sofa; a shadow of melancholy crept over her face, like a cloud dims the waving of a golden grain. She wondered what Sharon had that drew every good thing of life to her. Could it be her beauty? It could not be that because Ogechi and Amarachi, the sixth and seventh daughters in the Mathews family were better looking. So what could it be? She did not even come out tops in her class. Her GP score in college was much lower than mine, yet she has one of the best paying jobs, Karen wondered.

"Oh God, what will you have me do to have the same favor you showered on Sharon? Forgive me for being so jealous of her, but I can‘t seem to help myself."

Karen was so consumed with her thoughts that she didn‘t notice when the door opened. Adaobi‘s voice startled her as she almost leapt out of bed in fear.

"What is the matter Karen? What is it this time?" Adaobi asked, an impatient and irritated look on her face.

"I am tired of staying alone at home while you two go off to work; it is two years since I left college…."

"That is all right, I know where you are going." Adaobi interrupted as she saw Karen‘s eyes brimming with unshed tears.

She sat by the edge of the bed and stared intently into Karen‘s eyes.

"Listen well, little sister. I know this display of emotion started because Sharon got a job before you. I want you to stop comparing your life with Sharon‘s or anybody‘s, as you will only hurt yourself in the process. You just have to keep trying and believe that things will turn out well for you in the long run."

"So what should I do now?" Karen asked, her face forlorn.

"Wait for fate, God, whatever. Things have a way of working out on their own when the time is right,‖ Adaobi replied.

"Wait again? But I have been waiting for the past two years." Karen stared at her sister in dismay.

"Anyone who has the capacity to wait gets to have the best of everything. Note that waiting does not mean laziness? God has no business with a lazy fellow. Look for something else to do that will engage your time and intellect while you wait for the desired job," Adaobi added.

"Thanks. I wish I am as strong as you are."

"We all become stronger as we age," Adaobi replied, patted her on the shoulder.

"We seem to spend more time of our lives waiting for something or another," Karen said.

"How right you are. That knowledge will remove frustration and pressure from those who understand that there is a lot of waiting going on in life." ''Yea. I guess you are right."

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