The cousin who used family dinner to mine my career secrets

Two years ago, I helped my younger cousin Fatima get an internship at my company. She was fresh out of uni, bright eyed, always saying 'Zainab, I want to be like you one day.' I felt proud. I even mentored her, told her which directors to impress, which projects to volunteer for.

Then I noticed she started asking questions at family gatherings. 'Which certification did you say helped you get promoted?' 'What did you put in your application for the HR coordinator role?' I thought she was just eager. I answered everything, thinking I was helping her build her own path.

One evening at my mother's house, my aunt let it slip. 'Fatima is also applying for that HR coordinator position, you know. She said you've been helping her prepare.' I felt my chest tighten. Wallahi, I just sat there, my hand frozen over the rice.

I confronted her quietly after dinner. She said 'I didn't think you'd mind, we're family.' I told her 'Family does not spy on family. You could have just told me.' She got the job eventually. Not because she was better but because she played the game better. I learned that day that even blood can bleed you dry if you let it.