“Counsel, do you and your colleagues all have the record of proceedings or not?”

Lawyer Faizal Stalaga stood at the bar, looking quite nervous. “Um, no my Lord, but we’re currently-“

“Counsel, it’s not about you currently doing whatever. This business of adopting the proceedings in this case has been pending for literally 2 years now! Ever since I came here, it’s been adjournment after adjournment after adjournment, with the same old excuses. I keep telling you to contact your colleague so you can all work together on obtaining the full record, but it’s always the same story. Counsel, honestly, I’m going to have to strike out this case.”

“My Lord, with the greatest respect, we crave your indulgence in this matter…”

“Oh, as for my indulgence, you can crave it ooo. That’s not a problem. It’s actually gaining it that is the problem. And I’ve honestly indulged you people long enough. Please, sit down.”

Lawyer Faizal attempted to argue further, but Justice Paul ignored him and began to write in his entry book.

Natalie, from behind her desk, smirked as she typed by the ‘By Court’ paragraph: Case struck out.

She was as tired of this case as Justice Paul was. Every single day this lawyer came by, he had a new excuse. She and Elias had been talking briefly about it before Justice Paul entered the courtroom. They both predicted he would whip up another excuse, and true to form, he did. Justice Paul, however, was not ready to give them any more time.

She glanced at Elias, who had a knowing smirk on his face. The expression clearly read ‘We said it, didn’t we?’

Just as they had been saying.

By the way, she suddenly thought to herself, it’s quite interesting how cheerful Elias has become in the past few days. That trip home must have done him a whole lot of good or something…

The clearing of Justice Paul’s throat had her little monologue cut short.

“I have observed that this case has dragged on for an unreasonable amount of time, and the adoption of proceedings has been stalled due to the unwillingness of Counsel to comply with the orders of the Court to ensure that they all have a certified true copy of the record of proceedings. It is the opinion of this Court that the parties have no interest in the pursuance of this case, and there is no reason to continue entertaining such. As such, this case is hereby struck out for want of prosecution.”

Lawyer Faizal rose to his feet, looking quite the defeated counsel. “My Lord, we are much obliged,” he murmured.

Justice Paul nodded curtly, then called out, “Next case!”

As Natalie watched the crestfallen lawyer pick up his file and make his way out, her eye caught that of another lawyer.

Lawyer Marty Amegbo.

She smiled at him, and he smiled back.

What a great support he had been since the break-up! From the moment he saw her by the sidewalk, messed up and devastated over Naphtali’s decision to call off the wedding, he had been super supportive, constantly checking up on her and making sure she was doing well. Even while everyone else was displeased with her behaviour and did not hesitate to let her know that, or stayed silent about it like her fellow court workers, Marty had chosen to be a source of comfort.

And boy, was she glad he was! She really needed that comfort.

***

Later that afternoon, when work was done, Wayne was at Garsah Medical Centre, waiting for Alayaa after getting a call from Stephanie that his wife was having another faint spell, as well as some pretty bad back pain. She was now in her sixth month of pregnancy, so the symptoms were getting a little more intense with the growth of their baby.

As Stephanie assisted Alayaa out of the hospital entrance, Wayne quickly stepped out of the car and rushed over to his wife, his heart racing with concern. Her face looked rather pale and etched with discomfort.

“Hey, sweetheart, I’m here,” he said, gently wrapping his arms around her as she leaned against him. “You’re going to be okay, alright? You’re going to be okay.”

As she nodded in acknowledgment, buoyed by her husband’s words of tenderness and reassurance, he asked Stephanie, “Is it really bad?”

Stephanie shook her head. “It’s gone down now. She just needs to get as much rest as possible. Doctor Francis suggested she rest tomorrow as well.”

“Alright, alright, no problem. Then babe, tomorrow’s a day off.”

Alayaa simply nodded. “Alright.”

As the Smiths made their way to the car and Stephanie helped Wayne buckle Alayaa up, they bade her farewell and left the premises.

Just as they drove out the gate, Wayne’s phone buzzed.

He looked at the called ID. His face immediately darkened.

It was Nii Sodjah.

This boy sure was persistent! Couldn’t he just get the message and leave them alone? Neither he nor Alayaa answered any of his calls, and they were not willing to do so anytime soon.

Alayaa saw the call, and sighed in frustration. “Ugh, this boy kraaa… why?”

“I wonder sef,” Wayne snarled. “I don’t know what makes him think any of us want to talk to him? Mtcheww! Rubbish kraa!”

Alayaa shook her head and rested back in her seat. A moment later, however, she lifted her head. “Honey, you… you answer it.”

Wayne quickly shot her a surprised look. “Huh?”

“Answer it. Let him hear from you direct how disrespectful he is. He’s only seen texts and the way we are ignoring him. Let’s let him hear it, so it’ll enter that arrogant head of his.”

Wayne sighed. He really did not want to talk to the little ingrate. Memories of the boy’s rudeness, as well as the lame apology message, still stung deep. He would rather continue to ignore him until the end of time.

But, Alayaa was right. It would be best to let the anger off his chest directly.

So he nodded, then answered. “Yes?”

“Sir, please, Mr. Smith! Please, please, I beg you, I’m very sorry. I’m so sorry! I’m sorry for the way I behaved toward you. I’m sorry! I was wrong, I beg you, I’m sorry. I beg you…”

Wayne looked at Alayaa briefly, then back at the radio display. The young man sounded quite remorseful.

Sniffs could be heard over the phone as he continued. “I’m sorry, I really am. It’s just… after everything, I… I sort of felt you should have let me come and stay with you, and…”

That last statement did not go down well with Wayne, who immediately cut in.

“Listen, listen. Young man. There’s nothing like ‘we should have’. You don’t pay our bills or our rent. The choice to bring you into our home is entirely our decision, and even if you don’t like what we decide on, you must respect it. Not spit at me like that and reject my calls because you are angry. And listen to me very well, when you offend a person, do it well! You don’t send some useless text bi as if you’re chatting with your friends and think that’s good enough! It’s not! It’s even more disrespectful than hanging up on me!”

Nii Sodjah was silent over the phone. Then he murmured, “Please, I’m sorry…”

“Oh, you, I’ve heard. If you’re sorry, that’s fine. No problem. Alayaa and I will try and forgive you, and I’m sure we will, eventually. But please, our place in your life is over. Abi you’ve gotten out of that house, so your mother won’t come and attack you? Yeah, that’s what we wanted. We may not be happy with you, but we’re happy you’re out of that dangerous environment. So we’ve done our part. You too, move on with life and learn to appreciate what people do for you, and remember to be grateful and not entitled. Alright? Cool. God bless.”

“Sir, please, I-“

Wayne hung up and nodded at Alayaa. “All done, honey.”

Alayaa was shaking her head. “Hm! This boy. He felt we should have… ei, did we sign contract or something that he should join us?”

“My love, don’t mind him. Abi I’ve said what I needed to say. Let’s just get home, wai. I need to take care of the sweetest wife in the world.”

***

“Oh, wonderful! That’s great to hear! To be honest, when I heard the pounding, I was guessing it was the plantain and cocoyam you guys used.”

“Oh yes! The way I had been craving cocoyam fufu for some time, once you brought them, I knew God had answered my prayers! Especially when they’re from the farm direct!”

“Hehe, I’m glad He used me to answer your prayers, then.”

The location was Horez House, and as always, Elias and Akyaa were outside, chatting. When coming back from Adeiso, he had brought quite a number of foodstuffs back with him, and took the opportunity to give some of them to the Aubynns. They had been very grateful, and now Akyaa was filling him in on how they had used his gift to satisfying effect.

That feeling of warmth was as alive as ever while he faced her, and he was convinced beyond any shadow of a doubt that he was in love with Akyaa. She was everything he liked in a girl: beautiful, sweet, nicely rounded from behind, kind-hearted… she was indeed the whole package.

And it wouldn’t be long until he made that all-important move. I just need to get the perfect moment and make the most of it, he had reasoned to himself.

Their conversation continued for a few minutes before it was interrupted by the sound of footsteps approaching the door. Akyaa’s expression changed slightly, knowing it must be her mother.

The door opened, and out stepped Madam Loverance. She glanced over at Elias with a brief nod of acknowledgment.

“Good evening, young man,” she greeted, her tone polite but distant.

Elias, caught off guard by the unexpected greeting, quickly composed himself. “Uh… g-good evening, Madam,” he replied, a hint of surprise in his voice.

Akyaa seized the opportunity to further bridge the gap between the two. “Maa, I was just telling Elias how we really made use of the cocoyam and plantains he brought from his village. Like the cocoyam fufu we made last weekend.”

Madam Loverance nodded, her expression softening as she turned to Elias. “Ahh, yeah, yeah, true. Uh, yeah, thank you for thinking of us and bringing us those foodstuffs. It was very kind and thoughtful of you.”

Elias felt genuinely touched by her words. She looked truly grateful. “Oh, it was my pleasure, Ma’am. I’m glad you appreciated it.”

Madam Loverance nodded before turning to Akyaa and reminding her to come and heat one stew in the fridge. She then nodded at Elias, and disappeared back into the house, leaving Elias and Akyaa there.

Akyaa had a big toothy grin on her face. “See? I told you she just misunderstood you. You see she’s now being nice to you?”

Elias smiled and nodded. “Yeah. You were right. That actually felt so good.”

“Uh-huh. I mean, she has to like someone in this house apart from me. And between you and that stupid boy upstairs, I think it’s a no-brainer.”

Elias laughed. “Fair point. I’m definitely not like Felix. God forbid kraaa.”

“At all. Anyways, I guess I’ll see you later. Lemme go and do what Maa says I should do. See you.”

“Sure, sure, no problem. See you.”

Watching as she entered the house, Elias’ smile remained on his face.

Yep, this girl was definitely worth chasing. She would definitely be the kind of girl who would move heaven and earth to ensure her man was happy. Just look at how Madam Loverance, who once thought lowly of him, was now being nice to him! There was no way he could slack on her; he needed to make his move soon enough.

Hmmm, all I need is perfect timing, he thought to himself as he headed back to his apartment. Just the perfect moment, then I’ll tell Akyaa I’m in love with her. And the way things are, I have no doubts that she’ll say yes to me. No doubts at all…

Well, Elias seems pretty confident. Let’s hope it works out for him. And it’s interesting to see Marty provide comfort to Natalie. How’s that gonna pan out?