“Ei, so that housing project at… what’s the name again… Saglemi, what are they doing about it?”

“Ahh, I dunno ooo, Mama. Now diɛɛ, it’s like it has fallen in water. I keep hearing things about them saying they’ll get private investors to complete it or something. I dunno, honestly.”

“Hmmm. Ɛyɛ asem ooo. Didn’t the government say they are going to prosecute some people about the matter?”

“Yes ooo, they did. I asked one of the registrars some time back; she said the case was in court. But you know how our system is. Adjournments and more adjournments. So I don’t know how far that case is going.”

“Hmmm. As for you people and your system, let me not talk.”

Nana Ayiba giggled as she adjusted herself to lean on her mother while they watched the news.

Evenings like these were quite blissful. Just the two of them watching TV and talking. Super therapeutic, especially in the light of her complicated place.

A few more days had passed, and it felt like the pendulum was beginning to swing in favour of Kwesi. Anthony, as usual, had not responded to her last message, and the more she thought about it, she more grated her nerves got.

Was it really worth holding on for this guy? It was extremely draining, having to make excuses to herself for this guy. Wasn’t it clear he was not serious about this relationship anymore? Why was she continuing to hope against hope? The hold was gradually weakening.

Besides, she could sense a growing fondness for Kwesi. Whether it was down to Maria’s advice and Madam Theresa’s words, she couldn’t really tell, but now thoughts of him brought a tint of excitement to her. Maybe the idea of getting with him wasn’t as strange and impossible as she had previously thought.

Maybe… maybe she could take a chance…

Her attention was momentarily diverted by the vibration of her phone. She picked it up.

And was instantly surprised by the caller ID on display.

It was Anthony’s name.

Raising herself up, Nana Ayiba excused herself hastily, her heart fluttering with anticipation and wonder as she rushed to her bedroom, closing the door behind her. She sat on her bed and answered the call with a mix of surprise and apprehension.

“Hello, Anthony?”

“Hey, babe.” Anthony’s smooth voice flowed through the phone. “It’s been so long. I’ve missed hearing your voice. How have you been?”

Nana Ayiba, though irritated with that comment, replied, “I’ve been good. Busy with work and everything.”

Anthony sighed. “Yeah, same here. School and work have been incredibly stressful. That’s why I haven’t been able to keep up with you as much. I hope you understand.”

Nana couldn’t hold back the frustration welled up within her at hearing that. How was this guy talking like his sporadic attempts at keeping in touch with her weren’t so bad?

“Uh, no, I don’t understand. Are they so bad that you can’t even respond to a text message each day? Are they so bad that you can’t call me every now and then, at least. Anthony, communication is important in any relationship. You’ve not been fair to me in the slightest. For the past ten or so months, I feel like I’m the only one making all the effort to keep this going. And you think I’ll just understand like that? Really?”

Anthony sighed. “Babe, I know you’re not too pleased with me…”

“Not too pleased? Ei, bra, you think that’s it? Not too pleased? For almost one year, your communication skills have been horrible, and you think I’m not too pleased?”

“Alright, alright, alright, okay.” He took a deep breath, then continued. “Nana, I’m sorry. I… shouldn’t have undermined how you’re feeling. I know, with all that’s happened, that was the wrong… phrase, I should say. I just started off the wrong way. I’m sorry.

“Umm, Ayiba, the truth is, I know I’ve not been the best boyfriend to you, and after really thinking about that over the past few days, it really hurts me. To think I’ve been wrongfully neglecting the woman I swore to love for the rest of my days, it just… ugh, look, I’m sorry. I’m really sorry. I don’t deserve the kind of loyalty you’ve shown me. I mean, the average girl of today would’ve just said goodbye without a second thought. But you… you’ve stayed faithful. Even with my foolishness and all. I’m sorry. I’ve been such an ass to you, and I’m deeply sorry, honey.”

Nana Ayiba simply stayed silent and listened to him. She really was ready to give him a lot more than what he had just received, especially after that start to the conversation. Anthony’s voice, however, now carried a tone of sincerity mixed with some genuine-sounding remorse. She felt inclined to hear him out.

“Nana, the reason I called you is because, I’ve realized how awful I’ve been to you, and how I’ve got to stop this attitude of mine. Another reason is… umm, I’ve been doing some serious thinking, and I… I want to make things right with you. With all you’ve been through, I need to do the right thing, so…”

Nana Ayiba remained still, wondering what was coming next.

“Nana, I want to come back to Ghana and make you my wife.”

Nana Ayiba’s heart skipped a beat.

What!

Talk about an unexpected declaration! The weight of those words lingered about for a moment or two, then slowly sank in, leaving her stunned yet oddly elated.

“Nana? You still there?”

She was gobsmacked and short of words. This was not what she had been anticipating that day; she was on the way to letting go. Now the prospect of solidifying their relationship and finally being together for life had stirred a whirlwind of emotions within her.

“Anthony, I… I don’t know what to say,” she confessed. “Are… are you serious?”

Anthony’s voice was filled with determination as he answered, “Dead serious, Nana. Not many guys are blessed to have a sweet lady like you. I need to be serious and do what is necessary.”

A rush of conflicting emotions gushed through her in that moment. This was one hell of a bamboozling decision. “But-but-but how will you… your school and… how are we… are we…”

Anthony gently spoke, “I understand, baby, I understand. So many questions. And by all means, we’ll sit down and straighten everything out. But, I just want you to know that I’m very serious about this. Nana, I love you, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I meant this when I first proposed to you, and I still mean every word of it.”

The butterflies that had magically appeared in her tummy fluttered all about as she continued to imbibe the reality of his statement.

“Babe, remember our date at Aburi? The one where we were there at night, just admiring the skies and all?”

Still in a daze, she nodded. That was one of the fondest memories of their time together.

“Hello?”

“Oh, sorry, yeah, yeah, I still remember it. I do,” she responded, remembering he couldn’t see her nod.

“Great. Remember how awesome it was? The full moon was out that evening, if I remember correctly.”

“Yeah, it was, it was. It was such a beautiful night, I remember. We sat on the bonnet of your car, watching the stars, talking to the moon…”

“Uh-huh. Yep. I remember all that too. And you know what else I remember? The promises we made to each other, that we’d share these moments together for the rest of our lives. I still remember the words I said to you: ‘With every heartbeat, I feel more certain that you’re the one I want by my side for eternity.’ I still feel that way, Nana, in spite of my behaviour. Let me make up to you, my love.”

Nana Ayiba’s heart could not stop pounding against her chest. The precious memory of their date at Aburi, the sincerity in his voice… it was working magic on her.

“From now on, I’m gonna be in touch with you every day. I’ve slacked enough; it’s time to get back on track with you. Besides, now that we’re going to start the process, I dare not go back to misbehaving. I’m ready, babe. I’m ready to do right by you.”

A blaze of joy ripped through her veins. Just what she had been hoping for! Maybe the waiting hadn’t been a mistake after all. “Okay, sweetie. Th-th-thank you,” she stuttered.

“My pleasure, babe. How is my dear momee, Madam Theresa?”

“Uhh, yeah, she’s fine, she’s fine.”

“Thank God. Chale, I’ll need to speak to her soon ooo…”

As they continued their heartfelt conversation, Nana Ayiba felt a surge of conflicting emotions wash over her. On one hand, she was overjoyed by Anthony’s desire to commit, and the prospect of him returning to Ghana to solidify their relationship filled her with a sense of happiness and excitement. What she had been waiting for was finally starting to take shape.

Yet, a pang of sadness tugged at her heart as she thought of Kwesi and the budding connection they shared. The image of the mild-mannered lawyer lingered in her mind, his genuine affection and understanding tugging at her heartstrings. The happiness of Anthony’s declaration was tempered by the realization that her feelings for Kwesi remained unresolved, and she didn’t know what to do about it.

So even as she smiled and laughed as her boyfriend joked and filled her in on all the latest gossip, deep down, she couldn’t help but feel torn between the comfort of the past and the uncertainty of the future.

Her heart was caught in the crosscurrents of love and longing, and there was no shore of clarity in sight.

Bruh, where did this come from? Anthony wants to marry her? Is this worth accepting at all?