The slow-rising morning sun filtered through the curtains in Nana Ayiba’s bedroom as she sat on her bed, with Madam Theresa by her side. Following the events of the previous evening, the old lady had elected to keep her daughter company throughout the night, and Nana couldn’t be more grateful for that, as she told her the whole story and showed her the videos once she had calmed down and could let out the truth.

To say the older lady was outraged would be putting it mildly.

“What nonsense! So that’s the kind of mindset he carries? Whilst he’s far away from you, he’ll enjoy himself with another woman, eh? Rubbish! Ah, ah, ah! Foolish boy! Let him try calling me to beg. He’ll see what happens.”

Anthony, in a moment of desperation, did try, calling Madam Theresa later that evening, in a scattered and quite unimpressive attempt at damage limitation. All he earned himself was an upbraiding for the ages, with the older Mensah lady absolutely ripping him into a million and one shreds.

“It was a mistake s3 sen? When you were letting whoever that silly girl is jump up and down on you in some dark room, you didn’t know it was a mistake, eh? When you decided to do enjoyment for the last with her on some luxurious boat bi, you didn’t know it was a mistake, eh? Young man, don’t be stupid! You’re not sorry for anything. You’re only sad you got caught. Don’t you dare try to explain yourself. There’s nothing to explain. Nothing whatsoever.

“Do you have any idea the pain you’ve caused? The sleepless nights she’s had, all the tears she has shed? Listen here, my husband and I did not raise our daughter the way we did to give her away to some shameless ofui who doesn’t know what self-control is. We didn’t! Only God knows what you’d do if you marry her. You’ll probably go back and sleep with half of the women in Europe and come back and behave like some good man bi. Stupid idiot!

“Now listen to me: You have no place in our lives, from this moment onwards. You are not going to marry my daughter; she is done with you. And mark my words, if you ever dare to come back to Ghana and show your face around our house, you’ll face the full wrath of a mother scorned. Don’t test me. Goodbye!”

It was safe to say that Anthony probably wouldn’t attempt that again.

With the pain of betrayal still cutting deep, Nana Ayiba was relieved that she could confide in her mother.

Dressed up for work as always, she sighed, holding on to Madam Theresa’s hand. “I still can’t believe Anthony would do something like that,” she commented, her voice filled with a mixture of anger and hurt. “Enjoying a final fling with that woman before coming to marry me.”

Her mother’s expression darkened with disgust at the mention of Anthony’s betrayal. “He’s not worthy of you, Nana. You deserve so much better.”

Nana Ayiba nodded, grateful for her mother’s support. “I know, Mama. Hmmmm, I know…”

“You know something, though?”

“What?”

“I can sense there’s some relief deep down in there. I knew there was something holding you back from the moment you told me about the proposal, Nana. And I know this one has just made it easier for you.”

Nana Ayiba’s heart raced with apprehension.

How in the world was Madam Theresa able to read her that well?

In the midst of all the anger and hurt she had felt throughout the night, there rang one thought through her mind: At least you don’t have to choose between the two anymore.

Thoughts of Kwesi had popped up, and now she felt some level of relief, knowing that the philanderer had exposed himself, and that that part of her that wanted Kwesi could now be realized.

But could it? After all that had happened? Especially after the deliberate way she ignored him in court yesterday? Surely he was offended and had given up on her, right?

Feebly, she tried to deny her mother’s words, knowing how useless it was. “I… I don’t know what you’re talking about, Mama.”

Shaking her head, Madam Theresa placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, her touch gentle yet firm. “Nana, I know you better than anyone. And I could see it written all over your face. You were there saying, yes, I’m hundred percent sure I’m happy with that boy’s proposal. Yet you weren’t. There was someone else in the picture. And he still is. Isn’t he?”

Nana Ayiba’s façade crumbled under her mother’s unwavering gaze, tears welling up in her eyes. She sighed. “Yes, Mama. There is someone else.”

“Is it who I think it is?”

Nana Ayiba nodded. “Yes… I… it’s Kwesi.”

Her mother’s expression softened with compassion as she pulled Nana Ayiba into a comforting embrace. “It’s okay, sweetheart. It’s okay. I could tell. I knew his arrival would shift things somewhat. Listen, this just happened, so… take your time and decide on what you really want. You don’t have to turn to him as just some mere replacement. Clear your head and be sure in your heart of hearts that you truly want something with him.”

Nodding her head, Nana Ayiba then let out a deep breath. “Yes, Mama. I’ll do that. It’s time for me to get moving, though.”

“Oh, of course, of course. Lemme not keep you here, na Accra traffic diɛɛ…”

***

“So Kwesi, how do you like your fufu? Pounded or Neat Fufu style?” Myles asked, a grin on his face while he sat in the seat of Frances, who was at court. Shani and Sarah were around, also waiting on his answer.

Kwesi smirked. “Pounded, of course.”

“Ahhh, I told you, Sarah! Didn’t we tell you that there’s no way Kwesi will be in the ‘Neat Fufu’ category?”

“Ashock!” Shani laughed. “Ashanti boy through and through diɛɛ, what he dey take Neat Fufu do?”

Kwesi shot Sarah a surprised look. “Eii! You thought I’ll go with that other one? Really?”

Sarah shrugged helplessly. “I dunno… I just… I thought you’re different, you know.”

Kwesi snickered and shook his head. “No please ooo. Hwɛ, you think Opanin Kwadwo and Madam Yaa Asantewaa will agree? Never oo. That’s what I’ve known my whole life.”

As they laughed, Kwesi felt a comforting surge gush through him. It felt good to not have any worries about Nana Ayiba anymore. He had accepted his fate, and was moving with it.

It might have hurt that the most beautiful woman he had seen in the judicial service was already taken, but hey, there was nothing he could do about it. His wish was unlikely to come true, but hey, who wouldn’t come back for a fine lady like Nana Ayiba? Only a fool would fumble her, and it wasn’t likely this Anthony guy was one.

There were many fish in the sea. He’d find another stunner soon.

***

“Herhhh! Ei, how can some men be this wicked?”

Nana Ayiba shook her head, facing Maria as they ate their fried yam with pepper and shito. Recess was underway, and they had gone for lunch, with Nana Ayiba taking advantage of the situation to let Maria know what had happened the previous day.

“What annoys me kraaa was the way he said ‘I knew this “for the last” would go bad’. Rubbish! Kyɛrɛsɛ, if not for Lily, this guy will come and put a ring on my finger and be cheating on me after that. Whilst I was waiting, he was there having fun with some other girl.”

Maria shook her head. “Pathetic. Ahh, ah, ah, this is terrible. Abi you’ve blocked him now?”

“Oh yeah. I forgot to do it after the call, I was so upset. But I did it as I was coming. He can continue with the white girl there. I don’t need him anymore.”

“That’s it. Trust me, with the way he moved, eh, nanka God knows the number of women you’ll be sharing your husband’s penis with. Ah! How do you do that? Silly boy. He thinks you’re some toy he can toss somewhere and go back to pick up when he feels like it? God punish him paaa!”

“Oh, forget his life for him, wai. I’m done. Now, it’s time to right what’s wrong.”

Maria looked at her. “Lawyer Kwesi?”

Nana Ayiba nodded. “I’m going to accept his proposal.”

Maria raised an eyebrow. “You sure you’re ready to consider this?”

“Absolutely. I’ve thought about it all morning and… look, this was the door God had opened for me. It was just my silliness in holding on to the past that kept me from seeing it. It’s still early days, but Maria, I have a good feeling about this in my soul. You told me things change, and you weren’t wrong. This might just be what God has for me.”

Maria shrugged and nodded. “Okay, you’re right. I guess it is divine intervention that showed you who Anthony is, now that you mention. Go ahead, then.”

Nodding in agreement, Nana Ayiba felt a renewed sense of courage wash over her. She knew that there was nothing to hold her back any longer. It was time to take a chance on love with this gentleman.

***

Hi Counsel. Hope you’re good. Could I please see you after work? I need to speak to you.

It was about five minutes later that Kwesi, enjoying the conversation in the office, saw the message from Nana Ayiba, and his stomach immediately burst into flames.

This was it, wasn’t it? The moment he had prepared himself for.

She was definitely going to turn him down.

He sighed. Inasmuch as he had geared up for this, the thought of hearing it still shook him up. The whole ‘I hope we can be friends’ jazz and all that was not something he was ready to hear.

Nonetheless, though, it had to be done. And that would bring him the closure he needed.

So he nodded. And typed a response.

Hello. Alright, no problem.

***

It was about 5:25 pm when the Honda Civic arrived at the Court Complex. Nana Ayiba was waiting outside, dressed sharply as always. She slowly walked to the car and got in.

“Hi,” she greeted quietly.

Kwesi nodded at her. “Hi. Have a good day?”

She nodded. “Y-y-yes. And you?”

“Yeah, it was okay.”

“Alright. Umm, shall we… move to a quiet place?”

“Here isn’t okay?”

She shook her head. “The security guys will lock the gates soon.”

“Alright. I know another place we can go to.”

“Okay.”

***

About thirty minutes later, they were in the underground car park of the Osu Mall. Quite a convenient place.

As Kwesi killed the engine, he looked at Nana Ayiba. “Alright, so… you wanted to speak to me. I guess it has to do with my proposal, if I can call it that.”

She nodded. Going silent for a moment, she took a deep breath, then began.

“Ummm, so… first of all, Kwesi, I’m sorry for how I’ve behaved towards you yesterday, and over the past few days, actually. I know it’s been rather unpleasant, and I promise you, it’s not because you’ve done anything to me. I was just… in a terribly bad space. Like I told you, my situation is… extremely complicated. Or it was. Thankfully, things have settled now, and I know what to do.”

Kwesi gulped, then nodded.

“Kwesi, I didn’t just have your proposal to deal with, the guy abroad came back. Not to the country, but he got back in touch with me. And… he proposed as well. Marriage proposal.”

Kwesi’s heartrate tripled. Marriage? Crap! I’ve definitely lost out. Definitely.

“So I was in a mental fix, and… crazy as it sounds, I didn’t know what to do. Thankfully, it was only yesterday that, lemme put it this way, God intervened and brought me to my senses. Yeah, I unfortunately didn’t do too much praying about this, but He still stepped in and straightened things out.”

Kwesi nodded, already resigned to defeat. It was almost here. The moment where she’d utter those words to confirm that he had no chance of being with her.

Well, what more could he do than take it in good faith and wish her the best in her new stage of life…

“After showing me the man I was with is one hell of a philandering bastard.”

Kwesi sat up. That sentence caught him by surprise. “Wh-wh-what?”

“Yep. Yesterday, thanks to Lily, the typist, I discovered that he’s being having fun with some Maltese babe over there all this time. They’re on some couples cruise at the moment, meanwhile he told me he was working overtime the last time we spoke. Once I found out, I ended things with him. Straight away.”

Kwesi’s heart skipped a beat at her revelation, a surge of excitement coursing through him. She had him in the first half, that was for sure. What a beautiful revelation!

He shook his head, however. That was despicable of the guy. “Ah. Really? So, like, he’s been enjoying with some girl bi over there, but wanted to come back for you after? So he wanted to eat his cake and have it? This guy paaa.”

Nana Ayiba shook her head. “Yep. It was supposed to be a ‘for the last’ somtin with her. Have fun with her for the last time before coming to marry me. Such foolishness!”

Kwesi couldn’t help but scowl. Foolishness indeed! This guy really be yawa guy!

Nana Ayiba’s lips curved into a small smile as she noted his look. “Yeah, it was a tough thing to discover. But, Kwesi, can I be honest? Even without all of that, the truth is that I’d have struggled to say yes to him, because… I actually have some level of affection for you.”

Kwesi stared at her, the excitement slowly making itself known on his face.

“It was obvious. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t have wasted any time accepting his marriage proposal wholeheartedly. But… there’s something about you that just feels right. And in hindsight, this was how it’s meant to be. I was just silly in choosing to hold on to what I knew. You know, that whole ‘the devil you know’ type of nonsense. But, that’s over now. I know who to choose. And Kwesi, I choose you. I choose to give us a chance.”

Kwesi’s heart soared at her words, a flood of happy emotions washing over him. Oh, the glorious feeling! It felt so good to have his expectations subverted like this.

“Nana, I… I d-d-don’t know what to say,” he stammered, his voice filled with disbelief and joy.

Nana Ayiba reached out and placed a hand on his arm, her touch sending a jolt of electricity through him. “No need to say anything now. You said you want more, right? So let’s go there.”

Kwesi’s heart swelled with emotion as he met her gaze, a sense of warmth and belonging flooding his soul. “Sure, Nana. Let’s really get to bond more,” he declared, his voice filled with conviction.

Nana Ayiba nodded, her hand still on his arm. “How about we begin by getting some drinks at Shoprite?”

He nodded enthusiastically. “Sure, sure. And I’ll take you home straight after.”

“Sure. So what do you want?”

“Oh, me di3, I like malt. I’m tired of the sweet soft drinks, so chale…”

Nana Ayiba smirked and shook her head. “You think you are dodging sugar by drinking malt? My dear, you don’t know…”

Sweet! And yeah, she seemed unsure of the cheating bastard from the onset. It’s best she chose Kwesi. So, now that they’re together, we can see this one out nicely…