Burning Issue 09: Torn Between Love and Loyalty

Hi Sliq, this is my burning issue:

There used to be a man who rented a room in our home. He seemed happily married and showered his wife with love. But when they moved away, everything changed. A few months ago, I unexpectedly bumped into him, and he confessed that he had always harbored feelings for me. He claimed he had to hide those feelings while living with his family, but now that he had moved away, he wanted us to be something serious.

 

At first, I was hesitant. I’m in college, and I didn’t want to complicate my life with a man who already had a wife and kids. But he persisted, showering me with affection—offering rides to school, treating me to manicures, and surprising me with gifts like roses and earrings. It felt nice to be adored, especially when I was already feeling the weight of exams and expectations.

However, things took a dramatic turn last night. He saw a message from my actual boyfriend on my phone and exploded with rage. It was shocking to see him get so emotional over our relationship when he has a family of his own. In a heated conversation, he even called my boyfriend, who was understandably confused when confronted about our relationship. My boyfriend confirmed that we were serious, but the man got physical, raising his hand as if to hit someone but breaking down into tears instead.

Panicked, I jumped out of his car and ran home, heart racing. He followed me, but I made it inside and shut the door behind me. Since then, he has been bombarding my phone with calls, but I’ve chosen not to answer.

Now I’m at a crossroads. Should I confront him about his behavior and set clear boundaries, or should I cut ties entirely? And what about my boyfriend—how do I explain this tangled mess without hurting him? How can I protect my heart while dealing with the fallout of this complicated situation?

Burning Issue 08: A Twist of Fate: When Life Gets Complicated

Hi Sliq, this is my burning issue:

So, my husband suddenly had an epiphany about life being too short and that we needed to “live a little”—whatever that means. Honestly, I kind of suspected something was off, but I didn't want to jump to conclusions and doubt my man. Then, one day, I stumbled upon flight tickets and hotel bookings for two.

Curiosity piqued, I took note of the dates and decided to make my own arrangements for a little getaway for two. My friends had mentioned that there are guys out there willing to spend money on vacations with no strings attached—essentially a fling—and that intrigued me. I figured, why not?

So, I made road bookings, planning to arrive much later than him. When I finally got there, guess who I saw all cozy and holding hands with another woman? Yep, my husband, living it up! I waved at him, and he almost dropped her hand in shock. He came over, insisting that we leave immediately, even though his partner had a return ticket. He made a scene, and I told him he was embarrassing her.

We ended up leaving together—me, my escort, and my husband all squeezed into the same car for the long drive home. It’s been a day since that awkward encounter, and he hasn’t said a word to me, while my escort and I are feeling rather happy and carefree.

Now, I'm left wondering, what should I do next? Should I confront him about his betrayal, or should I let this new dynamic unfold naturally? How do I navigate this tangled mess of emotions and relationships?

Burning Issue 07: Trust and Transition: A Maid's Dilemma

Hi Sliq, this is my burning issue

I’ve spent the last six years working as a maid, trying to provide for my family, and now my husband is asking me to stop working. He promises that he will help me start a business at the beginning of the new year. On the surface, that sounds like a great opportunity, but there’s a catch.

While we do get along at times, our relationship is rocky. There are periods where he goes quiet, and I can feel the tension between us. We have one child together, and I appreciate that he is the breadwinner and offers some support. However, I’m aware that he has cheated in the past, and, honestly, I can’t say I’ve been faithful either.

Now, I’m left wondering if I can trust him or if he’s just trying to give me a “paper 2,” as we say here—a way to keep me from having my own independence while he maintains his affairs. Should I take the leap and trust his promise for a better future, or is this just another trap? How do I navigate this situation without losing my own sense of self?

Burning Issue 06: Family Feud: When Traditions Tear Us Apart

Hi Sliq, this is my burning issue:

My cousin's sister recently had her traditional wedding, but the situation surrounding it was anything but smooth. After both of her parents passed away, it was just her and her older brother left to navigate life. My aunt (tete) approached me, saying I had to step in as the father figure during the wedding proceedings because her brother had been causing chaos and even attacked my aunt.

I agreed to take on this role, but only if my aunt and cousin could resolve their ongoing issues for the sake of the family. After many conversations and interventions, they finally forgave each other.

However, during the roora ceremony, things took a turn for the worse. Our in-laws arrived without any money, unable to raise even a tenth of the bride price. I was stern, as advised, but in the end, I accepted what they offered, hoping it would bring peace.

When it came time to share the bride price, my cousin decided to keep the bulk of the money for himself and gave me a mere $25. I refused that and eventually got him to part with $65. The next day, I called to check on him, but he lashed out at me, hurling insults and even cursing my mother.

I feel he crossed the line, and I'm furious. The next time I see him, it won’t be pretty. How do I handle this escalating situation while trying to maintain family ties?