A WEEK LATER

Manza’s heart was in turmoil.

She hadn’t seen Kuuku since the night they went to the movies and had failed to take his phone number. All she knew was that he lived at Pipe Ano but she didn’t even know his place of work. Sitting morosely in front of her home and crying within her, she felt that he was her dream man. The man intended for her.

He was so handsome and sexy, and she had been yearning for a chance to get close to him for a very long time, so when she found him at the beach, she had seized the opportunity with both hands and had made her move on him. She wasn’t even aware that she was sniffling.

“Why are you looking so sad,” said Dinah who had been standing behind her for a while without her knowing.

“Nothing o, I am just minding my own business.”

“Liar! I can see that you are thinking about a man,” Dinah told her, her hands held in akimbo.

“No please,” Manza insisted.

“If you want a man, I can fix you with one. King Kong is even there.”

“Apuu! Do you think I want to walk with a limp? Didn’t you see what he did to Serwaa?” she countered forcefully.

Okay, I have heard you. What about that man you went to the movies with?”

I haven’t seen him since that time o.”

“Didn’t you once tell me that you knew his mother?”

Manza jerked up, caught Dinah in a suffocating embrace and said

Dinah, you are a genius. I love you.”

She left in a hurry, towards the market to where Kuuku’s mother had her store. She was there within thirty minutes but found it locked. It was closed for the day and she turned around disappointingly to leave. Something caught her eye and she found herself looking at a promotional banner of the store that had some phone numbers on it. She saved them on her phone and left for home, her heart singing lullabies.

***

It was Sunday and Pat was lonely.

She was new in Takoradi and even her brother who had always been her best friend was not around to cheer her up.

She had woken up early to clean up her new apartment even though a company cleaner had been assigned to her. Done with the cleaning and still unable to shake off the crippling effects of loneliness she was feeling, she placed a call to Kuuku.

“Hey, wosop?” she said with feigned breeziness.

“I am cool o. You?”  KL who was on his way to have a bath replied.

“Am good. What are your plans for the day?” she asked, just making conversation.

“I am going to church, care to join me?” he asked, not really meaning it.

“Which Church?”

“Methodist,” he told her.

“Give me fifteen minutes,” she said and cut the call.

And fifteen minutes it was. And another fifteen minutes was spent on dressing and making up. She reached for her bag and heard the doorbell ring.

She rushed out to open the door and stared. For a moment, she didn’t recognize Kuuku. He was so dashing. Made more handsome by the sky blue kaftan he was wearing. It was sewn with fine cotton and it looked so good on him. He smiled and she could have swooned.

He saw that the kaba outfit was good on her, showing off her nice shape. She even had a piece of the same cloth wrapped around her head in an Indian style.

They stared at each other briefly and Kuuku quickly readjusted himself. In a jovial fashion, he offered his arm and she hooked hers in his and they walked together to pick a cab. Upon Pat’s insistence, they took a few selfies as the cab cruised on its way to Christ The King Methodist Church at Anaji.

Church was good. It was exactly a week after Easter and the congregation was in a jubilant and victorious mood. Praises upon praises were offered to the Most High God, musically. Kuuku, to the utter amazement of Pat and others who knew him as a cool and unassuming young man, displayed his dancing abilities. His nimbleness was a sight to behold. And when it got to offertory time, he danced, whirled, and backslided amid singing to the offertory bowl, creating a long line behind him, with those in front long gone and had even reached their seats.

It took the coaxing and urgings of the Reverend Minister and ushers to get him to hasten up before he finally made it to the bowl.

Pat really enjoyed the church service. She wondered whether it was caused by the change of environment. All too soon, church was over and they took one of the numerous taxi cabs that plied that route to Pipe Ano.

***

Manza and Dinah went to the Beach to mingle, as do a lot of young people on weekends. They picked a place to sit and watch what was going on around them. Soon, Manza noticed the friends of Kuuku, Ayi and Ackah.

She clapped to get their attention and signalled Ayi to come to where she and her friend were. “How?” she greeted.

“Cool o,” Ayi responded.

“Did Kuuku come with you?”

“No, he didn’t come today.”

Ackah, seeing that Ayi was talking with two ladies, joined them.

Drinks were bought and in no time, they were enjoying themselves. They exchanged contacts with the ladies and took some strolls with them. Ayi had his arm around Manza while Ackah had his around Dinah’s waist.

They flirted, and fondled each other. Manza had it at the back of her mind to ask for Kuuku’s phone number but decided to ask for it at a more convenient time.

To be continued…

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