Winnie sat across from her friend, Sandy Odei, at a local café, her eyes reflecting the weariness of an angry soul in a failing marriage. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee lingered in the air as she sighed while facing her friend, who was a mutual friend that knew about the issues plaguing their marriage.

Shaking her head while leaning on her arm, Winnie had the look of a deeply frustrated woman. “Look, Sandy, I can’t do this anymore. I’m just tired of him. It’s like we’re living in two different worlds. Nicky and I, we’re not on the same page. I’m sure he’s going to search for a divorce lawyer or something, and honestly, I’ll probably have to do same. I’m tired.”

Sandy had the saddest expression on her face. She had known the couple long before Nicky even began pursuing Winnie, so this was heartbreaking to hear. “Winnie, this… this really hurts… I dunno what to say, honestly. Haven’t you… tried talking to him about it?”

Winnie waved her hand dismissively. “Talking, arguing, pleading – it’s all the same waste of time. He’s checked out, and I’m tired of trying.”

Sandy sighed and shook her head as she took a sip of her latte. “Hmmm. It wasn’t always like this, you know? I still remember the good old days when you two were so in love…”

Winnie’s expression tightened, her frustration bubbling to the surface. “Well, things change, Sandy,” she snapped. “Love doesn’t fix everything. Now, it’s just a mess, and I don’t care if he wants to get a lawyer and start divorce proceedings. Maybe that’s what’s best for both of us.”

Sandy grimaced at that. “Winnie, I just miss seeing you both happy together. What happened to that spark?”

“Life happened, Sandy. Responsibilities, expectations, disappointment. Love doesn’t conquer all. Don’t romanticize what you don’t understand.”

Sandy’s attempt to reminisce about the happier times had been met with Winnie’s defensive anger, and the atmosphere around them started to grow tense. Uncomfortable with that aura, Sandy reluctantly gave in. “Alright, fine. I’m sorry. It’s just… I just wish things could go back to how they were.”

Winnie quickly shut it down. “Well, they can’t, Sandy. This is my reality now, and I have to deal with it. If Nicky wants a divorce, fine. Maybe it’s time we both move on.”

The weight of Winnie’s words lingered in the air as the conversation took an unpleasantly dark turn. Realising there was no point in belabouring the past, Sandy just kept quiet and took a sip of her beverage.

As far as Winnie was concerned, the past was irrelevant and worthless. What mattered now was the fact that the man she called her husband was nothing more than an infuriating thorn she had to put up with. Whatever she had thought of him in the past was inconsequential now. Like she had said, love didn’t conquer all.

And she had learned that the bitter way.

***

Nicky and his friend and colleague, Edem Afeke, were spending their lunch break in a bustling restaurant not too far from their workplace. The aroma of various soups, from groundnut to ebunubunu soup, wafted through the air as the two engaged in casual and random conversation about Tracy Chapman’s classic song, Fast Car, which was blaring loudly in the restaurant.

“Chale, that song diɛɛ, ibi timeless oo. It’s like a journey every time I hear it,” Edem gushed.

Nicky nodded in agreement. “No be lie. It’s one of those songs that never gets old no matter how many times you listen to it.”

“Exactly! And that opening guitar riff? Bro! Instant chills, every time.”

“I swear, chale! That riff be killer! And Tracy too, her voice. One of a kind, chale!”

As they continued to chat, Nicky’s attention was momentarily diverted when he spotted a fine lady entering the restaurant. Clad in a black blouse and jeans that revealed a level of thickness to her backside, his eyes followed her, a spark of excitement igniting within. Well damn! What a nice lady!

Edem noticed Nicky’s distracted disposition and followed it before calling out to him. “Yo, Nicky! Wossop? You dey watch the woman like you never see woman with that ass before.”

Nicky snapped out of his distraction, then chuckled nervously. “S-s-sorry, sorry, bro. Just appreciating the scenery, Edem. You know how it is sometimes.”

Edem simply smirked and shook his head.

As they continued their conversation, part of Nicky’s mind wandered to thoughts of having a new relationship. He obviously had stopped getting intimate with Winnie; they hadn’t slept in the same bed for almost three months now. He had missed the sweetness of it all, and now that he had seen that lady, maybe it was time to consider getting that satisfaction elsewhere.

Maybe I should find myself a new shorty. It might be good for me. At least, something to bring back some excitement in my life…

Yet, a conflicting internal debate began.

But wait, I’m still married. Whether I like it or not, I’m still bound to that irritant of a human being. I don’t think God wouldn’t be pleased with me getting a girlfriend while I’m married. Maybe I might have to hold back on that for now… but chale, konji too has been ignored for a long time. That woman obviously won’t give it to me, so chale… what do I do?

He took a thoughtful bite of his food, mulling over the idea while listening to Edem talk. After a moment, he made a decision, albeit a hesitant one.

No, I need to finalize the divorce first. It’s the right thing to do, and it won’t offend God. Yes, I need to get some, but… chale, it’s best not to do what will get me in trouble with Him…

Edem, sensing Nicky’s contemplation, interjected. “Something on your mind, bro?”

Nicky looked up, then shook his head. “Nahhhh, nahhh, just thinking about work stuff. Anyway, what were we talking about?”

Edem smirked and shook his head. “You eh, you go loss for some sea inside as I dey talk. A sea of deep thoughts. But, seriously, I was saying that I still think you and Winnie should try to work things out.”

Nicky’s expression instantly darkened. “Edem, abeg, let’s not get into that again. We’ve been through it. You know how I feel.”

Edem nodded reluctantly. “Fine, fine. But you can’t blame a friend for hoping you two figure things out.”

As Nicky nodded curtly in response, he kept his internal thoughts about dating and divorce to himself. The prospect of starting anew was tempting, but he felt compelled to properly end things with Winnie first before letting any new lady into his life.

Surely that wouldn’t be hard to achieve, would it?

***

After a hearty meal and a good drive back, the two were back to the office.

As Edem saw Nicky off at his workspace, he patted him on the back. “I’ll catch you later, Nicky. Don’t let Ogyam catch you slacking off ooo, na that fufu dey work pass.”

Nicky chuckled. “You no for tell me twice, chale. See you around.”

As Edem left, Nicky’s phone buzzed with an incoming call. He smiled, glad to have a welcome distraction from his work from none other than dear Mr. Philip Koomson, whom he hadn’t heard from in a while.

As he answered and heard his father’s voice, his expression lifted.

“Hey, Dad! What’s up?”

“Nicky, my boy, how are you doing?”

Nicky cheerfully replied, “I’m good, Daddy. Just busy at work. What’s happening?”

“Oh, nothing much. Your mother and I were just talking this morning, and we said it’s been a while since we saw you and your wife.”

Nicky rolled his eyes at the sound of ‘your wife’. Nonetheless, he agreed. “It’s true ooo. It’s been too long. Too, too long. I’ve missed you guys. Definitely need to see you as soon as possible.”

“Good, I can see the feeling is mutual. So, we were thinking of having you and Winnie over this weekend. How does that sound?”

Nicky’s initial enthusiasm waned. He did not mind seeing his parents at; he truly had missed seeing them as he had claimed. However, the plan was to see them on his own, not with that infuriating irritant. He hesitated before responding, trying to sound casual. “Oh, uh… Daddy, this… this weekend might not be the best time. We’re… we’re both pretty tied up with work, you know? So… so I think… m-m-maybe, we should make it another time, perhaps?”

Mr. Philip Koomson, however, could be pretty persistent. “Nicky, it’s been a while since we’ve seen you two. We miss you both. Just a short visit. Your mother and I would really appreciate it.”

Nicky sighed reluctantly. Making the short trip to Aburi with that woman in the car alone was a massive turn-off. Not a chance! he internally swore to himself.

“Daddy, I… It’s just not the best time, you know? Maybe we can plan something for another weekend. I mean, yes, it’s weekend and all, but… it’s… it’s a very busy weekend…”

“So your Sunday after church too is included?”

Nicky went silent. His father had gotten him. The Koomson family knew he did not toy around with that part of the week. Take whatever time you would from him, but that period after church was not allowed to be touched by anything that didn’t have to do with family. There was no way work would be taking that time up.

In any case, now that he thought about it, the stuttering definitely gave him away. One thing Mr. Philip Koomson knew about his son was that a stuttering version of him was one struggling to concoct a lie.

“Nicky, family is important. I understand you two are busy and all, but we’d really like to spend some time with both of you. Even if it’s for an hour or two. Make an effort for your mother and I, alright?”

Nicky sighed, already feeling the weight of the impending talk, or fight, that would follow. “Okay, Dad. We’ll try and make it work. I’ll talk to Winnie about it and get back to you.”

“That’s my boy. I knew I could count on you. We’ll be waiting to hear from you, and hopefully, we’ll see you both this weekend.”

As the call ended, Nicky slumped back in his chair, dreading the conversation he was about to have with Winnie. Ironically, this would be one thing they could agree on, that they did not want to go there. But having given his word, he knew it would be nigh-on impossible to get out of this.

And as for sitting in the same car as her, the thought alone filled him with dread. They couldn’t even sit in the same room for two minutes without flaring up and barking at each other. An hour’s trip in a car would definitely bring out the absolute worst in them.

He sighed. “I just have to get it done. God, help me…”I

Mmm, I wonder how that’s gonna go, considering how this couple is literally always at each other’s throats…