I caught my cousin applying for the same job I helped her get an internship for

Two years ago, my younger cousin Fatima needed a foot in the door. I pulled strings at my parastatal, got her an internship in our HR unit. I trained her myself, showed her the system, even shared my strategy notes for the coordinator role I had been eyeing for months.

One evening I stayed back to finish a report and saw her laptop open. She had a draft application for the same position. The same one. She had been using family gatherings to ask me questions about the interview panel, the salary range, everything. I confronted her at the next dinner. She said I was being selfish, that she deserved a chance too. My aunt took her side, said family should help family.

I did not get the role. She did not either, they gave it to an external candidate. But something broke between us that cannot be fixed. I still mentor younger women at work but I watch my back differently now. Trust is a fragile thing in this capital.