Starlight Over the Shore

Chapter 4: Lani's relatives

Lani is part of a large extended family that includes nine uncles and three aunties, all married, surrounding her with a veritable army of cousins all living within a five-mile radius. The beauty of village life was undeniable, marked by a close-knit community that supported each other during times of trouble. However, the same familiar faces could also harbor envy as one of their own began to rise above the common expectations. Initially, when Lani started excelling in her exams and making a name for herself, some relatives treated her poorly, cautioning her that too much education might hinder her prospects as a housewife, suggesting instead she settle for a small job post-K-12 to better prepare for married life. Despite the turbulence in their own relationship, Lani's parents never wavered in their belief in the value of education and continued to support her academic ambitions.

One of Lani's uncles, his eyebrows knitting together as he surveyed the family gathering, grumbled quietly, "All this studying, but what about enjoying life na? Marriage, family—these are real happiness. All these degrees won't keep her cozy at night. You see, only loneliness will come with all this bookish knowledge. Over a casual family meal, Lani's aunt dismissively said, "What's this big need to go to collage in Mumbai, huh? Isn't what we have here good enough? She's just running after the wind. When it's time to settle, what will she do with so much education? A simple job would have been plenty for her."

However, the dynamic within her family began to shift dramatically once Lani secured a scholarship to study in the US. Suddenly, those who had once resented her achievements began to show respect, and even admiration, adopting the proverbial stance of "kissing the hand they could not cut." Yet, not all the advice against pursuing higher education was malicious; some relatives genuinely believed that the pinnacle of a woman's success lay within the bounds of marriage and local life, reflecting the best version of life they knew. The complexity of these relationships painted a nuanced picture of the challenges Lani faced as she navigated her path to further her education and fulfill her dreams.

At a family reunion, Lani's uncle, his face glowing with pride, exclaimed to the gathered crowd, "See, our Lani has truly made us all proud, yaar. Bagging that scholarship to study in America is no small feat. She's really showing the way for all the younger ones here!"

During a lively dinner, one of Lani's aunties spoke up warmly, "Our Lani has really raised our family's name high. We always knew she was something special, but to see her achieve like this... It's really God's grace to have such an ambitious girl in our family. She's not just studying hard; she's building her future!"

While chatting with friends, one cousin couldn't hide his excitement: "Lani has done what we couldn't even dream of. She's off to America! From our little village to the big world—she's showing us all it's possible. Really inspiring, da."

At a casual get-together, another aunt remarked, "I've always said that Lani was meant for big things. Now look at her, off to the States with a full scholarship. It just goes to show, no? Hard work and persistence do pay off. All of us are so proud of her."

A younger cousin shared in the family group chat, "Lani is like a superstar now, going to America on a scholarship! I'm gonna be just like her."