“My Lord, before you is an ex-parte motion, praying this Honourable Court for an order for substituted service of the Writ of Summons and Statement of Claim on the first, second and third defendants…”

In the hushed atmosphere of the Labour Court, Kwesi stood confidently as he moved the motion before Justice Amankwah. Sunday afternoon had brought quite a lovely gift for him when Myles called him and asked him to move this motion for him at the Labour Court. The perfect way to start the week: seeing his crush!

Standing before the calm-mannered judge and waiting as he wrote, he couldn’t help but feel a tinge of nervous excitement as he noticed Nana Ayiba’s eyes fixed on him with eager anticipation. When he entered, court was in session, but they had been exchanging glances and subtle smiles since. Now that he was on his feet, the weight of her gaze of admiration added an unexpected layer of intensity, despite the motion being a simple one.

“My Lord, I move in terms of the motion paper, the supporting affidavit and the annexures. I rely on all the paragraphs contained herein, and humbly pray that this Honourable Court grant the motion to enable us do the needful. My Lord, I pray accordingly.”

As he took his seat while Justice Amankwah continued to write, Nana Ayiba’s eyes briefly met his, and a subtle blush gracing her cheeks.

A grin played on Kwesi’s lips as he noticed it. It had been so much fun chatting with her over the weekend, and it was so good to see her. Too bad they couldn’t talk, but their gazes were enough.

“Motion granted as prayed. The writ of summons and statement of claim are to be served on the first, second and third defendants…”

Kwesi then rose to his feet as the motion was granted. Once the judge was done, he responded gratefully, “Most grateful, my Lord.”

He then gathered his belongings, nodded at Nana Ayiba and Maria with a smile, then stepped out of the courtroom.

***

“Shani. Chale, I move the motion finish,” Kwesi announced as he held the phone to his ear while stepping out of the Court Complex.

“Cool, cool, chale. So I dey the ministry ein car park, I dey wedge you.”

“Sure, I dey come. See you.”

Now that he was done moving this simple motion, he could join Shani for their meeting with some officials at the Ministry for Gender. As he walked to his car, he decided to send Nana Ayiba a little message.

“Hey you,” he typed, “you’re even cuter when you blush. I’ll call you this evening 😊”

He hit send, and smiled as the message winged its way to Nana’s phone. He was loving the growing chemistry, and was hoping things would only get better and better between them. “Yep, I’m going for it, as Kwentsiwa said. Hopefully it works out. I’d love nothing more than that.”

***

As the courtroom session concluded for the day, Nana Ayiba diligently gathered Justice Amankwah’s books and stepped into his chambers. As usual, she efficiently arranged the legal materials on his desk, ensuring everything was in order. As she returned to her seat in the courtroom, she checked her phone, finding Kwesi’s message waiting for her.

A soft giggle escaped her lips as she read it, feeling a tint of excitement rush through her veins. This young lawyer was certainly proving to be quite a charmer, and she liked it. A lot.

Maria, sitting next to her, raised an eyebrow. “What’s got you all giggly?” she inquired, a mischievous glint in her eyes as she lowered her voice. “Is Counsel Kwesi vibing you after all that cute tension between you two?”

Nana Ayiba looked at her in surprise. “Ei, Maria. Which tension too is that?”

“Oh please, you think I didn’t notice? The way the two of you were stealing glances at each other and smiling-smiling plenty, you think I didn’t see it? I saw it paaa, and it reminded me of when Ernest was chasing me…”

Nana Ayiba smiled and shook her head. “Ei, madam! I beg, it’s too soon. I beg. I’m still in a relationship, even with all that’s happening. It’s just that this is the first time we’re seeing each other after we started chatting, so you know…”

Maria simply gave her a cocky smirk. “You’re really explaining well. That’s nice. Good to see the lawyer bug has caught you.”

Nana Ayiba sighed and did a facepalm as Maria giggled.

“Anyways, he seems like a really nice guy. Fine gentleman. Eloquent and all. So chale, like I said on Saturday, just… have an open mind,” Maria stated.

Nana Ayiba sighed again. “I hear you, Maria. It’s just… yeah, we were smiling at each other and all. It was nice to see him after all the chatting and getting familiar with each other and stuff. And yeah, he’s a nice guy, very charming and all. But… Maria, deep down, I… I still love Anthony. I know I said I was tired of his silence, and I still am, but… it’s not easy to just end it, especially when nothing has happened for us to say we’re breaking up. I get angry and say I want to just end it all, then all the memories come rushing in and… I know if he comes back for real, there’s no way I’m saying no. it’s just… I dunno…”

Maria sighed and leaned in, offering a sympathetic look. “That’s tough, Nana. I can understand how you feel. But, you’re not just my colleague, you’re my friend, and I know one thing is for sure: you deserve someone who makes you feel valued and prioritized. We don’t know what’s going on with Anthony, but it’s pretty clear you’re not getting that. Let’s just imagine this Kwesi guy is interested, and it’s quite obvious to me that he is, and he makes you feel that way, and he’s genuine and a good guy. My dear, you’ll need to look at what’s best for you.”

Nana Ayiba nodded silently.

“Let’s continue to see how things go. But please, remember: you deserve to be valued and prioritized. I’ve been valued and prioritized for the past twelve years, and that’s why Ernest and I are so happy together. Make sure you find yourself with the one who does that, okay?”

Nana Ayiba nodded again.

Much to think about for the young lady.

***

“Oh, we thank God. So everything is okay?”

“Oh yes, Maa. Everything is fine,” Kwesi confirmed, taking his seat on the couch. “Work is fine, I’m getting used to Accra little by little. It’s all good, by God’s grace.”

“Thank God for that. Soo, errr… have you spotted any girl since you landed in the capital?”

Kwesi sat back and shook his head, a grin on his face. Trust Madam Yaa Asantewaa Amamfi to ask about his love life; she always was. When the offer from CJ Attorneys came, she had slyly suggested that he was going to find his special one there. Of course, he had laughed it off, along with his father, who always playfully chided her for being so interested in her son’s love life.

Who would have thought she’d be right in this instance?

Well, sort of right. Yes, he did feel that something more was developing for Nana Ayiba, but he hadn’t said anything to her. And he couldn’t assume that she also had feelings for him; that would be naivete of the highest order. So talk of the ‘special one’ prophecy coming true was a bit premature.

“Eii, Yaa Asantewaa! Let your son breathe oooo, let your son breathe!”

Kwesi laughed at his father’s joke in the background. Mr. Kwadwo Amamfi at his usual jovial self.

“Mr. Man, let the boy answer, lah! Maybe he’s seen some girl bi. You never know!”

Kwesi couldn’t stop laughing. How his parents loved the occasional moments of banter, even after thirty plus years of marriage!

Should I tell them about Nana Ayiba, though? I mean, she is a girl I’ve spotted… or should I just move in silence… ummm… I think I’ll move in silence instead. It’ll be nicer to surprise them if it works out. Coz this my mother too, she’ll lament saaa if I end up chopping breakfast, so chale, let me be silent about it…

His internal debate over, Kwesi shook his head. “No, not yet. I’ve just been focused on work and all, but who knows? Let’s see what the Lord will do.”

“Hmmmm, you, your father is here, so I won’t say what I want to say. But please, shoot your shot when you find the right girl ooo! Don’t be shy. You hear? You’re a fine boy, and a lawyer on top. The girls will like you, so please, y3 wild, wai. But we want a correct girl oo! Not those nonsense girls that just want Brazilian hair and expensive iPhones.”

“Ebei! Yaa, I think Kaakyire knows that very well. Na after that stupid girl Yaw brought home, do you think he would dare?”

Kwesi laughed. That was not a memory he would forget any time soon: the memory of his older brother bringing home a girl Kwesi himself termed as ‘ntebe’ as his girlfriend. Mr. and Mrs. Amamfi were not amused at all, especially with the girl’s crass mannerisms displayed in front of them. When the girl left, they warned him not to bring that girl around ever again, and that was pretty much the end of that relationship.

“Oh, of course, Daddy. Ntebe girls di33, never,” he confirmed.

“Good, good. Okay, so it’s good to know you’re doing well. Continue to take care of yourself, and I continue to soak you in the blood of Jesus. May He continue to help you in all your endeavours and guide you in all your ways, in Jesus’ mighty name.”

“Amen.”

As Kwesi ended the call, he had a huge smile on his face. Nothing better than having a good chat with his parents. They were the supportive, loving type of parents everyone prayed for.

“Chale, it was so good to hear from them. I’ve really missed them… anyways, let me call Nana Ayiba and ask for this date.”

He picked up his phone and called. She answered on the second ring.

“Hi, Kwesi.”

“Heyyyy, Nana,” he answered enthusiastically. “How are you doing? Home yet?”

“Yeah, long time. I’m just in the living room with my mother.”

“Oh, okay, that’s nice. It was nice to see you today.”

Nana Ayiba’s giggle sent shivers down his spine. “Me too. You had Maria suspecting us, though.”

“Oh, saaa? Please, tell her there’s nothing to suspect. It’s just a friendly distin, that’s all.”

“Oh, don’t worry, I already told her. She won’t believe me, but that’s my worry, not yours, wai.”

Kwesi laughed. “Yes please. I’ll leave it to you.”

“Thank you. So, what’s up?”

Kwesi swallowed hard. It was time to do the needful.

“Sooo, I was wondering… we’ve not really had face-to-face time since we started talking. So I wanted to know if… if we could hang out some time?”

A brief moment of silence followed. Kwesi had his fingers crossed.

“Ummm, sure, sure. That wouldn’t be bad… if you like, you can come over to my place this weekend.”

Kwesi’s eyes widened. That was not what he had expected. A first date at her place? That was pretty much unheard of. “Ummm, really?”

“Sure. It would be nice to have an honourable lawyer visit my humble abode. I can make some ampesi and kontomire stew for you. You know, something different. The restaurant thing di33, it’s not always my cup of tea. This feels a bit more… comfortable, you know?”

Kwesi’s heart soared within him. “Okay then, that wasn’t what I had in mind, but it sounds good. Your mom won’t mind?”

“Not at all. She’s always happy to have visitors around. Especially big-time lawyers like you.”

Kwesi laughed. “Please ooo, I’m still growing in this profession. Slow down with the hype.”

“Hahaha! Yes please. Okay then, so Saturday it is.”

Kwesi nodded, excitement set aflame in his chest. A chance to spend time with his crush. Finally!

“Great. Saturday it is.”

Well well well, a visit is coming up on Saturday! Let’s see how that’s gonna pan out…