Whatever It Takes…

EUNICE ANSAH-AGYEMAN

WHATEVER IT TAKES

EPISODE 37

[avatar]

The Author

 

Esenam stood at the gate of her parents’ house undecided whether to go in or not.

She still felt she was making a big mistake by honouring her Mom’s invitation.

She thought of Boat.

If only he was with her, then she would be sure everything would be okay because if she got burned he would cool it in his usual loving way.

Boat had not called her the whole day.

Esenam was a little alarmed by that.

That was so unlike him.

She wondered if his silence had something to do with what happened the previous day.

Esenam tried his phone but it was off.

She decided to call him again as soon as dinner was over.

She mustered courage and rang the doorbell.

The huge gates opened and the gateman, neatly dressed, ushered her in.

She walked up to the house surveying the compound critically.

Nothing much had changed.

The doors opened immediately she got to it and Yayra stood in the doorway full of smiles.

She threw herself at Esenam.

Esenam gave her a big hug.

“Someone is all grown now. You look big. Glad to see you, Little Angel!”

“I’m so happy to see you too but am also angry at you.”

“Angels don’t get angry. What did I do to incur your anger?”

“I’m angry with you because you’ve not come to see us in a long time. The last time you were here I was in stage two now I’m going to stage four when school reopens. Why didn’t you come to see us? Why did you stop coming to school to see me?”

“Oh, my little darling, do you think it was easy for me? I had to stay away, trust me. I do love you very much. But I never forgot you, I talked to you often on the phone, didn’t I?”

           

“Yes you did but it wasn’t the same. I wanted to see you.”

[stextbox id=”alert” caption=”WARNING”]Exclusive Content to http://www.aaron-ansah-agyeman.com Do not copy or share on any other site. Do not share on any WhatsApp, Facebook or Social Media page. ONLY SHARE THE LINKS TO THE STORY[/stextbox]

 

“Okay, now I’m here so let’s go inside and say hello to everyone.”

Esenam took her by the hand and entered the living-room.

Mrs. Fiagbe walked in from the kitchen.

Esenam embraced her and told her she had missed her.

Mrs. Fiagbe took a step back and took a good look at Esenam.

“Just look at you. You look too good for a girl who is under so much stress. I’m so proud of you. We’ve all missed you, Esenam. What is your secret?”

“Secret? I guess it’s by God’s grace that I look like this but believe me when I tell you it hasn’t been easy living without you all. I had to pretend we lived in different countries to be able to bear the void I felt living apart from you under the circumstances.”

“Why did you stop coming to see me at the workplace, Esenam?”

“I’m sorry, Mom. I just couldn’t bear that anymore. I saw how your bitterness towards Dad increased every time I came to see you. And I didn’t want to be the reason for your marital problems. I’d rather suffer than have that happen.”

 

Elorm walked in from town and gave Esenam a huge hug.

He expressed how nice it was for having her back in the house after a long while.

He teased about forgetting he had a sister and they all laughed.

Between Esenam and Elorm they knew they saw each other frequently. He was the only one Esenam kept constant contact with.

 

“You look good though,” Elorm remarked.

 

“I can see you’ve been very fine. I can also see you are in love.  Your eyes, they are telling a story of some sort. Am I going to get some money soon from this guy?”

 

“Elorm! Leave her alone and stop your jokes.” Mrs. Fiagbe cut in.

 

“I’m not joking Mom; she is in love. You ask her and she’ll tell you I’m not lying.”

 

Mr. Fiagbe walked into the living room at that moment.

Esenam greeted him politely hoping he would at least respond.

But that did not happen.

“Can we eat now?” Mr. Fiagbe said, looking straight at his wife.

Mrs. Fiagbe called everyone to the table. She offered a short prayer when everyone was seated and served the food.

No sound apart from the sound from the cutlery was heard in the dining room afterward.

Elorm tried to break the silence by insisting Esenam provide answers to his earlier questions on her love life.

“Is that all you can talk about, Elorm. We invited Esenam here because we’ve missed her and we want to congratulate her on her success in her examination and the job and that is that. No prying please!” Mrs. Fiagbe replied.

“Mom, just let her answer. Maybe we will have another reason to congratulate her. If you’re worried about Akwasi, don’t worry; he’s running around with some chicks. He is not serious and I hope everybody sees that. My sister at least can use some real love, you know.”

“Elorm. please stop that. This is not the place or the time for that,” Esenam pleaded when she saw the frown on her Daddy’s face.

Elorm decided to let go and tried to change the subject.

 

“Okay, I rest my case for now. I heard you wanted your privacy so much you got yourself a new place?”

“Elorm, what has gotten into you? Yes, I have an apartment now but it’s not for the reasons you are suggesting.”

“Asking for your own room, moving into a new place, these are symptoms exhibited by someone in love. Very soon we will hear you say you are getting married.” Elorm pushed.

“Stop your insinuations, Elorm. Since you are so much interested in relationships, why don’t you tell us about yours?” Esenam replied.

“Can we have some quiet here? You know very well that it’s not good to eat and talk at the same time.” Mr. Fiagbe called them to order.

After dinner, Esenam took the opportunity to thank her family for all that they had done for her.

She was grateful for their time, care and efforts.

“I made it this far because you loved and cared for me. I’ll always be grateful and love you no matter what. Thanks to you all, especially Mom and Dad for the sacrifices you made for me.” Esenam concluded.

Mr. Fiagbe stepped into the garden afterward.

He was so proud of Esenam’s academic glories but decided not to say anything more. He was aware he had behaved irrationally with the way he handled the matter with Esenam but there was no turning back now. Too much had passed under the bridge. He really wished he had done things differently but at the same time, he was hurt. Hurt by the fact that Esenam gave him up in a twinkle of an eye.

Esenam walked to him and asked if she could have a word with him.

“Be swift about it, whatever you have to say.”

“Dad, first of all, let me thank you for all that you’ve done for me. I also want to apologize for the pain I caused you. Please understand that I did what I had to do. I didn’t want it to seem like I was disrespecting or disobeying you. Please find it in your heart to forgive me. I’ll be very glad if we can go back to being father and daughter again. I miss those wonderful times we spent together.” Esenam implored.

Mr. Fiagbe gave a sarcastic laugh.

“I think we should leave things as they are. You made your bed, lie in it. Things can go back only when you reconcile with Akwasi. You can stay with the Church if that’s what you really want but there surely will be some conditions. All I ever wanted for you was happiness. I know Akwasi will give you that, giving the background. I know he will never mistreat you because of the family ties.”

“Dad, I wish it were that easy. I don’t love him anymore. There are sides of him you don’t know. He is not the angel you are wishing him to be. Please understand that I can’t go back to Akwasi. “

“I don’t even know why we are having this conversation. I still stand by my word and until you do what’s expected of you, consider yourself without a father. You being here was your mother’s idea. These days all she does is threaten me at the least opportunity, thanks to you and your wayward ways. I only tolerated you for her sake. I want you to know and remember that nothing has changed and will ever change. You are disrespectful and disobedient. Now your minute is up.”

Esenam felt a sharp pain in her heart.

She got to her feet sadly. Her feet wobbled and she felt lightheaded as if she was going to pass out.

Her father’s words had cut through her like a double-edged knife.

She steadied herself and headed for the living-room.

 

“One more thing, young lady,”

Esenam stopped and turned to look at her Dad with tears coursing down her cheeks.

“Whenever your mother invites you to this house tell her anything but don’t accept the invitation. I can’t bear the sight of you. It makes me sick.” Mr. Fiagbe concluded.

Esenam closed her eyes tightly to clear the tears that were blinding her.

“I’m sorry you feel that way, Daddy. I love you. I want you to always remember that.”

Esenam wiped her tears and hurried to the main house, picked her bag and said her goodbyes.

Elorm tried to push for answers for the drastic change in her attitude and countenance but she simply could not utter a word.

She needed to get out of that house in a hurry.

Yayra insisted she stayed till it was her bedtime so she could read to her but Esenam told her she could not stay.

Elorm and his Mom exchanged worried looks.

Esenam gave Yayra a peck on both cheeks and promised her she would stay the next time she came around.

Esenam walked into the cold evening with a broken heart.

She went straight home and took a long bath to stay calm.

 

She picked up her phone to see

messages from Boat. He was online.

 

“Hello!” Esenam posted.

“Hi, Pretty Face. How did it go with your folks?”

“Not as well as I had hoped. You should have heard the things my Dad said to me. He’s hurt me deeply again but I will get over it. I think I’m getting used to that now.”

“Sorry, my love. I really wished and prayed that things would be different this time. Anyway, don’t worry; God’s time is the best. Don’t lose hope because God will melt your father’s heart someday. Just remember that I have enough love for both of us.”

“Yes, I know, and I love you too.”

Boat could not believe his eyes.

Had Esenam posted she loved him?

He read Esenam’s last post ten more times and smiled broadly.

 

“Yaw, are you there?”

“Yes sweetheart, I’m here. Do you know this is the first time you’ve actually said it?”

“Said what?”

“That you love me.”

“Oh, that. Yes, I love you and with my very soul.”

“Oh my Esenam, you just made me the happiest guy in the whole wide world. I thought you only liked me.”

“Ah! You should have thought better. What I feel for you is more than love. You are my lifeblood.”

“And I love you twice as much as you love me.”

“Oh, stop kidding me; it’s simply impossible to love twice as much as I love you. I simply can’t live without you.”

“That makes two of us. I do love you, Esenam.”

“I love you too, Yaw Boateng.”

“You just gave me an overdose of a sleeping pill. I’m going to sleep blissfully. I have to go now because I feel drowsy with love. Goodnight Pretty Face.”

“Goodnight.”

[stextbox id=”info” caption=”JOIN US ON WHATSAPP“]

Join Our WhatsApp Family.

Click HERE To Join Our WhatsApp Group 2

[/stextbox]

 

[insert-comment-form]