“Hi, I’m Dufie Parker-Benin. Nice to meet you.”

Dufie moved gracefully around the room, her radiant smile lighting up as she introduced herself to each cast member, her voice calm and composed.

“Herh, aboogizi! See babe!” Etornam gasped. “Chaleee, Sakyi, this your partner diɛɛ, ten over ten ooo!”

Gripping his water bottle tightly like it was the only thing grounding him in reality, Sakyi forced a grin, hiding his intense shock. His mind was spiraling wildly, disbelief and shock delivering hefty slaps to the sides of his brain.

He had been excited for this play, thrilled for the chance to make his mark. But now, it was like fate had decided to throw him a nasty curveball by bringing this woman back. What sort of cruel twist was this?

The woman who broke his heart out of the blue was the same one he was going to have to act with? As a lover??

The room felt smaller, and the air heavier, as memories flew around his brain…

It was a lovely Wednesday evening in Crown & Glow, with Sakyi passing by as usual to buy a few items for his mother and engage in banter with his dear ‘cuzzie’. She was giving him the gist on how this Kenyan gentleman was working his way into her heart when the bell above the door jingled, announcing a new arrival.

He turned his head towards the sound, and in entered one of the finest ladies he had seen.

Totally spellbound, he watched her walk in, her presence immediately transforming the mundane into something magical. She was dressed in a beige blouse with a low neckline that accentuated her plump, inviting shape, paired with high-waisted jeans that hugged her curves just right.

“Eii, Dufie! Long time no see!” Naa squealed, getting up to hug her.

Sakyi simply stared as they embraced her, before Naa turned to him. “Sakyi, this is Dufie, my childhood neighbour turned bigshot,” she joked, evoking a laugh. “Dufie, this is Sakyi, a good friend of mine.”

Dufie smiled at him, and it literally felt like the sun had decided to shine that evening just for him.

“It’s nice to meet you, Dufie.” His words were simple as he stretched out his hand.

“Thank you,” Dufie replied, her voice smooth as she shyly shook his hand. “Same here.”

They exchanged a few more words, nothing too profound — comments about the charm of the shop and the usual hustle of city life, while Dufie bought a few items. As she left, Sakyi stared at her, feeling a palpable void in the shop, created by her absence.

Naa didn’t miss a beat, her voice teasing as she turned to him. “Ooooooh, you like her, don’t you? I can see it in your eyes, Sakyi!”

Sakyi smirked. “Chale, Naa, you’re a serious beauty magnet oo! Like, the way you are fine, and you have so many fine friends… issa gift!”

Naa giggled, shaking her head. “That’s how I know you like her, coz the way you’re focused on her, you’ve not done that with others. Please, admit it, you’re feeling the girl, abi?”

Sakyi laughed, then after a moment, nodded. “I mean, yeah, she is fine. And uh, the shape–“

“Chaleeee, the shape! Sexy mama with the juicy bodzyyyy! I know right, I know! See, she doesn’t have a boy. Whenever you’re ready to move to her, let me know, and I’ll do the needful.”

Sakyi blinked at Naa in surprise. “Ei, Naa, you’re serious?”

“I’m not playing. If you make wild, lemme know. I’ll link you guys up, sharpest!”

*

This was their third date since Naa had hooked them up. This plan to spend time together had taken them to a charming little restaurant tucked away in a quiet corner of the city, where the ambiance was set by the soft, rhythmic sounds of highlife music. With Akwaboah’s ‘Awerekyekere’ playing, they continued chatting as they had for hours, totally immersed in each other’s company.

“But you know, Naa really does have a talent for bringing people together,” Dufie remarked, taking a sip from her glass. “I’ve known her since we were kids, and she’s always been the one who could turn any gathering into something special.”

Sakyi grinned, nodding. “No lies there. I mean, we connected on social media, and she treats me like an old-time friend. She’s more than just a wingwoman, isn’t she?”

Dufie laughed softly. “Absolutely. She’s a master at reading people and making things happen. But I’m glad she played her part in this, I really am.”

A brief pause followed. Then Sakyi took a deep breath, his heart pounding in his chest. “Me too. Coz honestly, Dufie, I think I’m falling in love with you,” he confessed. “You’re such an amazing woman, and… I just love being around you. You’re… you’re awesome…”

Dufie looked stunned at first, her eyes wide with surprise. But then, her expression softened, a gentle smile spreading across her lips as she reached across the table to hold his hand.

“Sakyi… I won’t lie, I think… I think I feel the same way.”

*

“Congratulations, Mr and Mrs Otieno! I wish you all the best, sweet!”

“Awwww, thank you, baby girrrllllll!”

The wedding ceremony of George and Naa Torshie was absolutely glorious. The couple looked resplendent in their attire, the ceremony was nothing short of fantastic, and the combination of Kenyan and Ghanaian culture was simply awesome. Definitely a wedding for the ages. And one that the major wedding bloggers would be harping about for the rest of the year.

As Naa Torshie and Dufie hugged, Sakyi shook George’s hand, a big grin on his face. “Congrats, Sonko. All the best!”

George laughed; Sakyi was using the Kenyan term for ‘rich man’ on him. “Thank you, thank you… chale.”

The two men laughed.

“Alright, thanks so much for coming, you guys!” George stated as Dufie joined her boyfriend by his side. “We’re so, so grateful.”

“Anything for my beautiful cuzzie and her boo-boo!” Sakyi remarked. “Enjoy yourselves tonight! Or tomorrow morning, whenever…”
 

“Herh, stop being a bad boy!”

Sakyi laughed as Dufie dragged him away, waving at the amused couple.

A few minutes later, the two walked her to her car. Sakyi nodded and stood back, preparing to say goodnight.

But before he began to bid her farewell, she turned, her eyes locked onto his.

“You’re going nowhere,” she murmured.

Before he could speak, she gripped his jacket and pulled him in, pressing her lips against his.

The kiss was a fierce, all-consuming one: her lips fully claiming his, and her hands tangled in his hair.

She finally pulled away, her breath warm against his lips as she breathlessly whispered beautiful words to his ears. “I’m so in love with you, Sakyi. I am deeply and madly in love with you.”

Holding her waist tightly, he whispered back, “I love you too, Dufie. So damn much.”

All magnificent memories… memories that would evoke the sweetest of feels in any lover’s chest.

But one other memory followed. The most painful one…

“Sakyi, I can’t do this anymore. I’m sorry. Please don’t try to contact me. Take care.”

Confusion overwhelmed him as stared at the message on his phone, his heart sinking into his stomach as he read the words again and again.

What in the world was this? What did she mean by not wanting to do this anymore? What the heck?

This was so out of left field. Everything had seemed normal just the day before; there had been no signs, no arguments, nothing to suggest this was coming.

So how in the world was she suddenly breaking things off with him?

His thumb hovered over the call button, his mind racing with questions. She might have asked him not to call, but he couldn’t just let it go; he had to know what was going on.

He pressed it, listening to the ringtone with bated breath.

The call went unanswered.

He tried again, his heart pounding harder with each unanswered ring until the call was abruptly rejected.

He dialed again.

This time, it went straight to voicemail. She had turned off her phone.

Stricken with instant grief and shock, he sat there, staring at his phone, his mind replaying their last interactions, searching for any clue he might have missed. Was it something he said? Something he did?

How could everything change so drastically without any warning?

He shook his head. “What the hell is this?” he murmured weakly, tears filling his eyes. “Dufie, what the hell is this? What the hell is this…”

“Sakyi?”

Her voice yanked him back to the present. He blinked rapidly, realizing Dufie was standing right in front of him, her hand outstretched.

“Hi,” she greeted with that same polite smile she’d given everyone else. “It’s nice to meet you.”

Sakyi stared at her hand for a moment, trying to school his expression into something neutral. His heart hammered against his ribs as he finally took her hand. Her touch was brief but enough to send a jolt through him.

A touch he had missed badly.

“Umm, yeah,” he managed to reply, his voice hoarse. “Uh, s-same here.”

Before he could say anything else, Leslie clapped his hands together, drawing everyone’s attention.

“Okay, now that we’re all here, let’s get right into the nitty-gritty of it all. We’ve got a lot to discuss—rehearsals, schedules, and, of course, the direction we’re taking with ‘Beyond The Rain’. Everyone grab a seat, and let’s dive in.”

The room shuffled as people settled into couches and chairs, but Sakyi barely noticed. He sat stiffly, his mind a whirlwind of emotions.

He could not believe it: Dufie had walked back into his life, just like that. After everything he had gone through because of her, and his efforts to move on from that crushing heartbreak, here she was, playing Rose to his Kwame.

How the hell was he going to handle this? Speaking romantic words to a stranger might have been easier, but to the woman he once loved? The one who simply ghosted on him and vanished from his life with no explanation?

His mind raced with questions while Leslie spoke.

This wasn’t just a role anymore. This was going to be the performance of his life, and it had nothing to do with the stage.

***

“All right, everyone! This was a great start. Merry Christmas to you all! Enjoy your holidays because, right after Boxing Day, the real work begins. Rest up, and get ready to bring your A-game. See you soon!”

The meet-and-greet was officially over, with Leslie having laid out the plan before everyone perfectly. Cast members and crew murmured their goodbyes, gathering their belongings and exchanging friendly farewells as they exited the house, satisfied with the evening’s event.

Sakyi, who had managed to scrape by despite the storm in his mind, turned to Etornam, extending a hand.

“Chale, it was good to meet you, my guy,” Sakyi remarked with a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes, still slightly distracted.

“You too, bro,” Etornam replied, gripping his hand firmly. “And don’t forget, you dey owe me a call. We for discuss more movies.”

“No doubt,” Sakyi promised, chuckling. “I’ll hit you up soon.”

With that, he stepped out into the cool night air, a deep sigh escaping his chest. His car was parked a short distance away, and he was eager to get behind the wheel and put some space between himself and the storm of emotions brewing inside him.

But just as he reached the car, he heard her voice.

“Sakyi.”

He froze, his hand hovering over the car door handle. Slowly, he turned, and there she was.

Looking as beautiful as ever.

Her expression was soft, almost hesitant, as she approached him. “Umm… how are you doing?” she asked gently.

He stared blankly at her.

How am I doing? Really? That’s the question you thought was the wisest? How am I doing? You’ve got the nerve to ask me that? As though you didn’t rip my heart to shreds nine months ago? How can you stand there and act like everything is fine? Like you didn’t leave me hanging, like you didn’t break me in the worst way possible?

But outwardly, he forced himself to keep it together. His face was a mask of neutrality as he nodded curtly.

“I’m fine,” he answered, his voice dry and clipped, leaving no room for further conversation.

Her expression faltered for the briefest moment before she recovered, offering him a small smile. Sakyi, however, was not the least bit interested in deciphering her emotions. He quickly opened the car door, slid into the driver’s seat, and shut the door without another word.

As he drove away, his mind raced, replaying the encounter over and over. To say he was utterly baffled by her audacity was an understatement. Did she really think she could waltz back into his life and pretend nothing had happened? Did she think he had forgotten the pain, the confusion, the emptiness she left behind?

He shook his head, gripping the steering wheel tightly as he whispered under his breath, “Lord, give me strength.”

Because this was just the beginning. Working with Dufie was going to be hell; a daily reminder of what had been and what had been lost.

He didn’t know how he would get through it, but one thing was certain: he’d have to dig deep, find his resolve, and fight hard to keep his head above water.

Mmm, this is gonna be tough for Sakyi. But why would she just ghost him? That’s not fine…