I am 14 years old and have a friend in school. He likes me and always needs me next to him whenever we’re out of class, e.g., during lunch. He told me everything about his family, classmates, neighbours. He told me that his parents don’t like him at all nor does his sister, neighbours, relatives either. I was shocked when he said, “I wash all the utensils. My mum doesn’t do that.” When she makes something; it’s only for his father, sister and for her. He said, “I make my breakfast, dinner. I wash my clothes by myself.” He says he is forced to wash his mother’s, father’s and sister’s clothes too. If he doesn’t do that, then he has to sleep without eating anything. She always shouts at him. And when he replies back he is hit with something or gets a slap from his mum or dad. I don’t know whether to believe this or not. I don’t think that parents can do that. When I asked him the reason behind this, he told me that when he was 3-4 years old his parents lost their daughter, a college student, in an accident. He says that they do this because they lost her. He felt lonely and planned to commit suicide but I told him that it is really wrong and God will not forgive that sin. Should I believe all that he said? Should I continue my friendship?
You are right in doubting what your friend told you about his situation in the family; it all seems quite unbelievable. He claims to be a servant in his house, not a son. It is not for you to find out the truth or a solution to your friend’s problems. The fact that he “always needs me next to him” seems to prove his loneliness and insecurity. Advise him to explain his family problems not to you (who cannot do anything) but to a school counsellor or some senior teacher, who may know how to approach the family and find out the truth.
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