Court was in session when Kwesi walked into the Labour Court, ready for the day’s case.

The court wasn’t packed, but the bar was, so he had to sit at the gallery and wait. As he did, he barely paid attention to what was going on in the courtroom; his only wonder was how his interaction with Nana Ayiba would be like.

Things had not changed; the communication between them was still not like what it used to be. After Kwentsiwa’s admonition, though, he wasn’t drowning in despair like he was a few days ago. Yeah, it still felt like he was the likelier to lose, but… sometimes the underdog came out on top. So there was no need to fall into a funk of sadness. He could still hope for the best.

Twenty minutes passed before his case was called. As he took his seat at the bar, he nodded at Maria and Nana Ayiba.

Maria, as usual, gave him a sweet smile and a mouthed ‘Welcome, counsel’.

Nana Ayiba gave a quick smile, then turned her gaze elsewhere.

Kwesi’s enthusiasm dimmed somewhat. That wasn’t the kind of reaction he had hoped for.

As he rose to his feet and the case began, he kept his attention on what was before him. Yet, at the corner of his eye, he couldn’t help but notice that she kept her head down and did not look in his direction at all.

Even when he was done and he was leaving. As he packed his file and diary, he nodded at Maria and smiled at her, to which she responded in equal measure.

Nana Ayiba didn’t even lift her head up to look at him.

***

Kwesi stepped out of the courtroom, his shoulders slumped and his mind heavy with disappointment.

All that hope and expectation, suddenly dashed to pieces. The strained dynamics between him and Nana Ayiba had just gone to another level. And now his previous pessimism had come rushing in, and it felt more confirmed by this encounter.

She had barely looked at him throughout the proceedings, as if trying to avoid any interaction with him, and now, he couldn’t shake the feeling that something had totally shifted between them, and that the fragile thread holding the chance of a relationship with her had finally snapped.

As he walked out of the Court Complex, that tiny fear he had been hoping would never come to fruition hit Kwesi like a blow to the chest: Nana Ayiba was pulling away from him.

And it was obvious why: she was choosing her boyfriend over him.

Just as Kwentsiwa had filled him with some hope and confidence, it had been riddled with bullet holes galore.

He sighed as he walked on to his car. “So much for hoping for the best,” he murmured to himself. “She might not have said it, but chale, actions speak louder than words, don’t they? Well, it was nice while it lasted, but… I guess it’s not meant to be…”

***

“Umm, Nana, are things okay between you and Counsel?” Maria asked, concern in her eyes when Justice Amankwah went on recess for half an hour a couple of minutes later.

Nana Ayiba, who was busily making some entries in one of the books, looked up at her. “You say?” she asked innocently, her voice attempting to convey some ignorance about the matter.

Maria cocked her head sideways. “Sister, you heard me. What happened between you and Counsel Kwesi? It was so obvious you were avoiding him. Why? Has he offended you or something?”

Nana Ayiba sighed and looked down, then shook her head. “No,” she murmured.

“You guys haven’t had some argument?”

“No.”

“Anaa did you and him do certain things that you’re feeling someway about?”

Nana Ayiba looked up at Maria in surprise, then shook her head vehemently. “Ah, Maria! Of course not. You know I don’t do those fornication things. God forbid.”

“Thank God for that. So then, what’s wrong? Why the sudden coldness toward him?”

Nana Ayiba let in deep breaths, gearing up to let Maria know the truth she had kept for a while.

“Hmmmm. There’s a lot that’s going on. And along the way, things have taken an unexpected turn. And I’m… I’m so confused…”

Maria’s eyes softened, and she placed a hand on Nana Ayiba’s. “Talk to me, my dear. Let it all out.”

Nana Ayiba nodded, then quickly gave Maria a summary. From Kwesi’s visit and proposal to Anthony’s sudden reemergence, she let her know everything.

When she was done, Maria looked pretty taken aback. “Wow. Wei diɛ, unexpected turn ampa. You never saw this coming, did you?”

Nana Ayiba shook her head, the same old mixture of emotions swirling within her. “Not at all, Maria. It’s like… it’s all happening so fast. But, there’s a part of me that’s excited about the prospect of being with him.”

A hint of concern lingered in Maria’s eyes. “And a part of you is thinking about Kwesi?”

Nana Ayiba nodded sadly. “I just don’t know what to do, Maria. I feel… kinda bad for Kwesi. He’s been so kind and lovely, and I hate to think that I’d have to hurt him. But at the same time, the way Anthony has suddenly popped up and is showing a whole lot of commitment in restoring what we once had… I feel it would be terrible to just abandon him. I-I-I dunno…”

Adjoa reached out and squeezed Nana Ayiba’s hand gently. “Listen, Nana. The way things are, you need to make a choice. I can imagine how difficult it is for you, but, with where you are right now, there’s no other option. And you’ll just have to accept that one person won’t be happy and live with it. At the end of the day, you have to make a choice, and stand by it. Living in this bubble of uncertainty won’t help you, or Kwesi or Anthony. So please, I can imagine how you feel, but sooner or later, you have to do what’s necessary. Please, do it. And make sure you’re content with what you choose.”

Nana Ayiba nodded slowly before letting out another sigh. “You’re right, Maria. I’ll do it. I just need to follow my heart and trust that everything will work out in the end.”

Maria nodded. “Your heart and your head. Let them work together.”

“Alright, alright. Thank you, Maria.”

“You’re welcome. Oh, lemme go and use the washroom before my Lord decides to come out.”

Nana Ayiba nodded as her colleague rose from her seat and stepped out. Shutting her eyes, she pondered on the words she had just heard.

Hmmmm… she’s right. I have to make a choice. What do I want? Do I wanna start afresh with Kwesi, knowing at least he’s here and will be with me? Or do I stick with Anthony…

“Nana! Nana! See something!”

Her inner debate was interrupted by Lily’s voice, who was walking over to her, an excited look on her face.

There were no prizes for guessing what she was about to show her: a video of her favourite girl on TikTok.

“Nana, you have to see this TikTok video! It’s Desiree on some couple’s cruise bi with her boyfriend. Na the way it’s nice, eh! Stopppp!” Lily exclaimed, holding out her phone.

Curious, Nana Ayiba took the phone and watched the video, a smile spreading across her face as she admired Desiree’s picturesque getaway with her partner. The influencer was looking steamy in her bikini as she walked around the cruise ship, arm in arm with her boyfriend, who looked French himself.

“Eish! Lily, this your Desiree girl, sexy borbor ooo!”

Lily shook her head. “Nope, we don’t say it like that. It’s seeellllzzyy borbor!”

“Ei, sorry ooo. This your Desiree girl, seellzzzy borbor paaa!”

“That’s right. Hot baby girl ankasa!”

“Straight! Slim tings. Chingilingi babe. Hmmm, how I wish I had this shape.”

“Nana, please! If you know the way girls wish they had your body some.”

“Hoh, ahiaaa?”

“My dear, bebree!”

The two laughed.

For a moment, her worries were shoved aside as Nana Ayiba admired the picturesque scenes. From the serene blue waters, the romantic ambiance of the cruise ship to the saucy sights of the couples enjoying the sun; they were enchanting, and Nana couldn’t help but wish for such a vacation one day.

This wouldn’t be bad kraaa. Hehehe. No wonder Lily has meant this good life!

However, her excitement dimmed as she watched on.

There was one part of the video where she noticed a familiar figure in the background.

A black man who bore a striking resemblance to Anthony.

Strange. According to him, he was supposed to be working some extra shifts for the next few days, not vacationing on a cruise ship. Especially one meant for couples.

A sense of apprehension suddenly crept over Nana Ayiba as she paused the video and looked at it, her mind racing with questions and doubts. Could it really be Anthony in the video? And if so, why would he lie about his whereabouts?

“Why? Have you seen something wrong?”

Snapping out of her moment of worry, Nana Ayiba looked up and forced a smile. “Oh, naaa, I just thought I saw someone familiar in there.”

“Hahaha! Saaa?”

“Yeah,” Nana Ayiba grinned, an idea suddenly coming to mind. “Ummm, what’s her full name on this thing again?”

“Desiree Hachette. H-A-C-H-E-T-T-E.”

Nana Ayiba nodded, handing the phone back to her. “Okay, okay. Thanks. Ei, Lily, you really dey feel the girl ooo. See how you’ve memorized her surname mpo!”

“Nana, me feeli no roff!”

The two laughed as Lily returned to her seat.

Keeping her smile plastered on her face while preparing as Justice Amankwah rang his bell to indicate his recess was almost over, Nana made a silent vow to herself. She would get to the bottom of this mystery. It looked so much like Anthony, but it didn’t make sense.

With his sudden reemergence and desire to marry her, there was no way he was out on a couple’s cruise, having the time of his life. Particularly when he had told her he had some major shifts at his workplace.

I mean, he said he works at Simonds Farsons Cisk, right? That’s some manufacturing company, the last I checked. Nothing to do with cruises. It can’t be him. It just can’t be him.

It better not be him…

Well well well!! There’s something new coming up!