ALEXANDER AKOTO ADJEI

THE COFFIN MAKER

EPISODE 34-35

Episode 34

Opana is pushed into the police cell and immediately he is placed inside the cell he rushes to the toilet to ease himself because he had developed an emergency running stomach due to the new development that had taken place and now he sees that there was no escape route for him. Akua Yankey at this point was very devastated and didn’t know what to do at the very moment, she broke down with tears and approached Eno Bruwaa’s daughter again.

Akua Yankey

(in tears) My dear there is no need for you to do this to my husband. He is an elderly person and keeping him behind bars is the biggest mistake you can ever make in your life. Remember what the bible says, that children should obey their parents so that their days would be long on this earth and that my husband is old enough to be your father.

Eno Bruwaa’s Daughter

No father of mine will behave like the way your wicked husband in there did. For me, I have done what I felt was right and the law has taken its course. I wouldn’t like to step in again to intercept the law from doing what it stands for. I am sorry but I can’t do anything to help you or anyone from your family. Next time you and your husband will know how to treat people. Officer please where is your colleague who is handling this case because I want to go back home and put things in place before darkness creeps in.

Police Officer

I don’t know where the arresting officer who is handling your case has gone to but I will advise you stay around and see him before leaving this place.

Inside the Cell:

Cell Leader

Motombo the cell commando, bring that man who was just brought in here before me.

Motombo

(pulls Opana to the cell leader) Chairman please I take am come.

Cell Leader

Hahahaha, this world is big but very small and if you don’t take care you wouldn’t be able to live in it if you don’t take proper care of your mouth. You came to insult me the last time and I told you that I will get you at the right time but you thought this place was only meant for dirty and smelling criminals like me erh. You see we are now on the same platform or level now? Now read out what is written on the wall above my head old man.

Opana

50ghana cedis!!! Nothing more, Nothing less.

Cell Leader

Good!!! That is the cell dues so how do I get it?

Opana

(runs back to the toilet to ease himself again and in about 5minutes time he returns) Yes you were saying something like I should pay some 50cedis as dues. Why, do you have a club or an organisation here for me to be paying dues to you?

Cell Leader

Nonsense!!! Mr. Man, you better respect yourself before I make my commandos descend on you mercilessly. You think this is your house erh. For now, I’m the landlord over here and if you can’t pay the money, then my boys will keep you inside the toilet and the only time you will come close to the gate is when you have gotten a visitor. Now Motombo get him out of my sight because he is boring me with his arrogant attitude. That cell dues is like the rent you pay here in this cell.

Motombo

My friend get up make we go, you want take wanna head play but you dey lie, dat thing no go happen for here.

Opana

(raising his voice) My friend let go of me, is this place your father’s house? If you don’t let me be I will slap you for you to see stars. Do you know who I am and what I can do to you people?

Motombo

This place not dey respect any brother man oooo, if you be big man, you be big man for your house or pocket. If you get connections like them no go take you come here, see you dey wanna custody now and not the police so make you shut your mouth for der before I silence you one time with my blow.

Michael Ansah hearing the loud noise coming from his father inside the cell felt very bad and immediately went to stand behind the counter where you are allowed to talk to your relative or friend when in police custody.

Michael Ansah

Yoo, my guy what’s up?

Cell Leader

Bro, I base oooo, what are you doing here by this time of the day?

Michael Ansah

Charlie brother, my old boy was arrested and brought here so I’m making a follow up to see if he can be released.

Cell Leader

Oh, sorry about that so where is he now? Is he in the CID office or what?

Michael Ansah

Mmmm, actually he has already been locked up and we are now trying to find ways and means to get him out from the cell.

Cell Leader

Hey, wait a second, don’t tell me that arrogant and controversial man is your father.

Michael Ansah

Well that is who God gave to me as a dad. Please how is he doing inside there?

Cell Leader

Well I planned to punish him inside here because of what he came to do here the other day at the charge office. He insulted me as if I had spoilt something precious of his so when he came inside here I made my boys push him into the toilet but knowing that he is your old boy I will get him out of that place and make him feel comfortable inside here.

Michael Ansah

Ah, thank you very much, bro.  I’m very grateful and I don’t know how to thank you enough.

Cell Leader

Don’t mention bro. Hey Motombo, get the old man out from that place and please be very gentle with him. Let him sit at the VVIP section of the cell and no one should disturb him again.

As Michael Ansah was showing appreciation to his friend, the door to the commander’s office opened and the new commander who had taken charge came out of the office. He was a bit young in his mid 40’s and the moment Michael saw him he took a second look at him and mentioned his name.

Commander

And who am I seeing here in this police station this afternoon?

Michael Ansah

This is a lie; don’t tell me it is you, sir Albert.

Commander

It is me you are seeing live and coloured. What are you doing here in my police station?

Michael Ansah

My dad was arrested a moment ago so my mum, sister and I are here to see how his bail can be arranged but it seems the officer in charge of the case is nowhere to be found. Are you the new commander here?

Commander

Oh yes, I was just transferred here this afternoon and I’m now even going round to get myself acquainted with the officers and environment. But what is the crime of your dad and why is your mum weeping like she has lost someone precious to her?

Michael Ansah

Senior, my dad angrily pulled down the roof of one tenant who is owing him rent and causing problems in the house with her gossips, her daughter came to report the incident and one of your men led his team to arrest my old boy and with my little information at hand, my dad has not even written down his statement.

Commander

Whaaaaat? How do you lock someone without writing the person’s statement first? That is not what the law says and this is not professional. Corporal, who is in charge of the case? I want the person in charge of the case summoned before me right this moment.

Michael Ansah

Well, it seems for this police station, anytime someone is brought here the first thing is for you to be locked up before later you are brought out to write your statement.

Commander

That is very bad. It’s not all cases that the culprit or suspect should be locked up. Some you have to be detained behind the counter whiles for others you must go and come and report yourself later to the officer handling the case that you haven’t fled or taken to your heels.

Michael Ansah

Hmmmm, sometimes when you don’t know the law, you are always taken for granted.

Commander

Oh, so the rent control people gave a letter for the arrest of your dad and his statement hasn’t been taken down yet?

Michael Ansah

No, there was no involvement from the rent control office, everything was done by your men.

Commander

Whaaat? The police don’t act on certain things directly. A letter must first come from the rent control before the police steps in to effect arrest. Things have to change here in this police station, every new king comes with a new law so you officers must be up and doing or else I will be charging and dealing with you people ruthlessly. Now Corporal, release that man immediately, his arrest was unlawful and he has been detained unnecessarily. Please forgive my men and don’t let your father hear about our conversation. Take my call card and call me later in the evening, I have a brief meeting with the chief of this town to introduce myself to him.

Opana was released immediately because of the conversation Kwaku Mike had with the commander who was his school teacher at the secondary school. He has respect for his son now. He is not worthless or useless as he thought all this while.

 

Meanwhile, back in the house, Agnes Kyerewaa had just seen Kwaku Mike’s number in one of her old diaries and she immediately stored his number. She refreshes her WhatsApp contact and scrolling through her contact list, she saw Kwaku Mike’s display photo which had his face showing boldly in a selfie he had taken, she gave a devilish smile as she saved the picture on her phone. Immediately, she called the unknown person who had left her place some minutes ago to meet someone.

 

Eno Bruwaa’s daughter got home and started packing the things in their room because the place looked scattered and as she was packing the things she stumbled upon the lotto coupon that fell from Opana’s pocket as he was pulling down the roof and when she picked the lotto coupon up, she made a comment that was very surprising…

 

What do you think will happen next?

Episode 35

Eno Bruwaa’s Daughter

Eeeeiiii, so this old woman has not stopped staking lotto? No wonder anytime you give her money she comes back to complain to you that the money is missing. Well, I’m going to tear this lotto coupon into pieces and throw it into the dustbin. I will wait patiently if she will come here and ask me if I have seen any lotto coupon and she will hear from me very well.

Back at the police station the police officer who was handling the case was very mad at the action the new commander took because he wanted to punish Opana badly.

Police Officer

But sir, this is how we have been doing things over here for a very long time.

Commander

My friend, shut that thing you call a mouth up. I don’t want to hear any word from you again because the more you talk, the angrier I become. Is that what you were taught when you went to the police training school?

Police Officer

But sir, the previous commander never reprimanded us or spoke negatively about such kind of detention. I and the other officers have been doing……

Commander

(shouts at the officer) My friend don’t make me lose my temper and release the bad side of me towards you. You wouldn’t like what I will do to you if I unravel what I have in my head towards you. Go and tell your colleagues that dawn of a new era has been born and you people must change from your old ways or you will not like me at all. I am a very simple person who likes justice to prevail all the time. Remember the motto of the job you are doing which says “Service with Integrity”. Now leave my sight right now, you unprofessional police officer, you must bow your head in shame.

Opana

Commander, may God richly bless you sir for your professionalism. I don’t know how to thank you enough sir, for this kind gesture I will say anytime your family member or you yourself dies, I will present one of my best coffins free of charge.

Commander

I beg your pardon, sir. Are you by chance wishing me or any of my family members dead? This is ridiculous and I’m not finding it amusing as a kind gesture from you.

Michael Ansah

(seeing how bad the statement was) Oh sir, don’t mind my father, this is one of his funny jokes that he cracks to people he comes in contact with.

Commander

Mike, then I don’t see his joke to be one that will make me laugh. Some jokes are very expensive that I don’t subscribe to, all the same, you are  free to go but please be guided accordingly and to treat all manner of people with respect. If there is anything you don’t understand, the police are your friend so you can always walk in for any advice or assistance. Have a nice day.

Opana and his family walk out of the police station feeling thankful to the new commander who acted professionally without even demanding for a pesewa or cedi. As they got home they bumped into Eno Bruwaa’s daughter who was rushing to the police station to see the police officer handling the case she reported earlier on to.

Akua Yankey

(in a sarcastic way) Hehehe!!! Enemies can never be God and no one can curse who God has blessed. Someone thought she could take my husband away from me but I’m sorry to disappoint her, my husband is standing next to me right here and now.

Eno Bruwaa’s Daughter

This battle is not over yet, you think because you have money you can always get your way. First, your stupid son assaulted someone and was arrested, you paid and he was released, now it is your husband and again you paid and he is out but I promise you that on the third occasion, you people won’t get any escape route to use.

Michael Ansah

Enough, you ugly bitch, I have taken enough of your gross disrespect in this house and the next time you try this nonsense towards any member of my family I will…..

Eno Bruwaa’s Daughter

(cuts in rudely) You will do what? Beat me, as usual, Mr woman beater or rape me. You think it’s everyone that you can corner and the person won’t fight back? If you like try me and I will get you a free ticket to hell, look at me very well and you will see I’m not the type that you can trample upon just like that.

Michael Ansah

Another word from you and I swear I will beat the living hell out of you and nothing will ever happen.

Opana

Mike let the devil pass you by, refuse to be tempted because this is her style of luring you into another problem. She saw that her first plan backfired and she wants to use a new one against us. My dear when you go back tell your people that, you saw us but we refused to fall victims to your cheap trap which was not properly orchestrated. Let’s go home, guys for it has been a hectic day for all of us.

Eno Bruwaa’s daughter left to town and Agnes Kyerewaa also called the unknown person to act fast since she has been able to get him the information he needed badly.

7:05pm

Opana tells Kwaku Mike to turn on the radio for he wants to listen to the winning numbers that the lotteries came out with. Tune in to the radio Ghana dial. They mention the numbers before the sports news. In no time the numbers were mentioned and as if by miracle, Opana’s numbers were the first numbers that were mentioned and as he heard the good news, he jumped to his feet and he started screaming for joy which got the attention of his family members and that of his tenants. Those who were bold enough came to knock on Opana’s door to find out what the problem was and they were informed that Opana has won a big amount of money in the lotto he went to stake earlier on in the day. When Akua Yankey heard this great news she opened her purse and ordered Adjoa Bernice and Kwaku Mike to go and buy drinks so that they make merry for the great thing God has done for her family. Kwaku Mike and his sister left the house to a bar which was about 280meters from the house to buy the drinks but as they were going the necklace started strangling his neck again which called for his sister’s attention to see if her brother was alright, Kwaku Mike requested for water so his sister rushed to get him the water and in her absence,, Kwaku Mike saw that someone has been following them at a reasonable distance, the moment he got suspicious of the unknown person, the necklace that was strangling him stopped immediately. As his sister came back with the water, her brother was back on his feet again. Together they rushed and bought the drinks but as they were heading to the house they saw a man rejoicing and calling for the attention of others. As curious as they were, they asked the people around what the noise was about and they were informed that the man has won lotto and that is the reason why he was so happy like that. Meanwhile, somewhere in the dark, some people were making a move to finalise their promise and Kwaku Mike started feeling the strangle on his neck again.

Unknown Person

CP, now is the chance for you, take the shot now.

Charlie Pee

Boss, I’m not getting a clearer view of our target. I don’t want to take the shot where I might hit the wrong person and that is what you don’t want me to do, we kill for money.

Unknown Person

Let’s  abort the mission for today, we will get him before the end of the week. He’s enjoying the last days of his foolish life.

Back in Opana’s House:

Opana

Why have these children kept long this way? They should have been home by this time, I hope they are not in any form of trouble again, all the people who came to join us are gone.

Akua Yankey

Ah. they are here already, what kept you out there for long?

Michael Ansah

Papa, I have been getting some serious strangling on my neck and just this evening I have had that feeling twice, I tried pulling the necklace off but I couldn’t do that. I even fell on the ground in the first attack this evening and there was someone stalking us whiles we were out there. That is the reason why we kept long.

Bernice Ansah

But where is everyone mummy? When we were leaving this place some of the tenants were here with you.

Opana

Oh, yes they were here but because you kept long they all left. I was about to…….. (Opana’s phone rings to cut him short)

On phone:

Opana

Hello

Caller

Hello good evening master Opana.

Opana

Good evening, may I know who is on the line?

Caller

It is me the lotto agent, sir am calling you to inform you that your numbers dropped this evening and that you have won for yourself a very huge sum of money.

Opana

Oh, that is great news even though I have heard of the numbers already. So when and what time will my money be ready? I don’t want any wahala or stories from you oooo. When it comes to money matter I am totally a different person and the people who know me well will tell you that I am money conscious.

Caller

You don’t have a problem, sir, I have been doing this work for a very long time and transparency has been my hallmark. Please by noon tomorrow come to my end with the lotto coupon for me to pay you your money and please don’t forget my small share ooo. Congratulations to you all the same.

Opana

I will be there even before noon my brother and don’t worry you will get your cut the moment I receive my money.

Caller

Okay then master Opana. Have a pleasant evening and God willing I will see you tomorrow. Good night

Opana

Good night my brother and thanks for the call (call ends)

My dear tomorrow is going to be a good day, our enemies will bow their heads in shame. I will get you a shop at the market square and stock it with goods, for Kwaku Mike I will get him enough money to start his life an independent person and I will change the hostel of my daughters in the university. I will get myself a small private car and customise the number plate as “Opana 1 – 18”.

Bernice Ansah

Papa, what about me? It looks like I have been left out of the equation oooo.

Opana

Don’t worry, my baby last, I have a better plan for you so just relax. If you are able to pass your final exams with flying colours, I will fly you abroad to further your education. What those foolish boys have taken and enjoyed from you is enough. When you get there and a white boy even impregnates you,  I will get a white in-law and a white grandchild.

Akua Yankey

Papa Blackman and your fast opportunity grabbing, anyway where is the winning lotto coupon? It has to be kept in a very safe place this evening.

Opana

Oh yes, you have reminded me, it is in the shorts I was wearing in the morning, let me go and get it…….

To be continued………………………………………………………………. #Yeb3toaso

Edited By:

Joana Mensah

The Coffin Maker

The Author

Guest Writer: Alexander Akoto Adjei :: THE COFFIN MAKER :: EPISODE 31-33

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