All too soon, we’ve come to the end of this awesome story around these six friends! It’s been beautiful though, hasn’t it? Everyone’s getting their happy ending as should be the case. How about we see them off in grand style?
The hospital waiting room was heavy with tension, as Bruce sat on the edge of a chair, hands clasped tightly in silent prayer, while Becky sat beside him, her arm resting lightly on his shoulder, offering silent comfort.
He had brought Nana Asor in six hours ago, close to midnight, and the wait had been long and torturous. It had taken a couple of hours for dilation to progress, but the last time a midwife passed by, he had been assured that labour would commence shortly, as she was nearing the 10 cm requirement. Becky had come in that morning with homemade cups of coffee. Two hours later, and they continued to wait on, praying that this period of waiting would end quickly.
As they continued to wait, the door to the waiting room creaked open, and in walked Deladem, Olivia, Delasi and Clarence.
“Chale, Bruce, wassup? How’s she doing?” Deladem asked as he approached them.
Bruce sighed. “Chale, the labour dey start. Them say make I wait for here. Them say them go call me soon. So chale, we just dey wait. The tension, eh…”
Rubbing him on the shoulder, Delasi encouraged, “I can imagine. But fear not. She’ll be fine. She’s in good hands. You’ll be holding your baby in no time.”
“Amen to that,” Clarence replied.
The group then took their seats and engaged in quiet conversation, each person trying their best to keep Bruce distracted while they all shared the same levels of anxiety and hope.
An hour passed by, and while Bruce joked about how Nana Asor had been stressing him out during the duration of the pregnancy, a nurse in scrubs stepped into the waiting room. “Mr. Bruce? The doctors need you to come into the theatre.”
Bruce’s heart pounded in his chest as he stood abruptly. Becky squeezed his hand for reassurance, while Deladem patted him on his back.
Bruce nodded at the nurse. “Alright, I’m coming.”
He duly followed her into the theatre.
***
A few more hours had passed, and Bruce had not stepped out of the theatre. Everyone was understandably anxious and waiting to hear some news. Deladem was scrolling absentmindedly through his phone while Olivia leaned her head on his shoulder, and Becky was pacing slowly in front of the vending machine, while Delasi and Clarence debated softly about the best way to calm a crying baby.
Suddenly, the waiting room door swung open. Everyone turned as Bruce stepped in, his face flushed and his eyes glistening with tears.
Becky took a step forward, her voice full of hope as she asked, “Bruce, Is she okay? Is the baby okay? What happened?”
Tears spilled over, streaming down his cheeks as he nodded, a smile breaking across his face.
“Yes, yes, Asor is okay. And yes… the-the baby is out. I… I’m a father now. I can’t believe it.”
The room erupted into cheers of joy. Becky rushed forward to hug him, followed closely by Deladem, Olivia, Delasi, and Clarence. They smothered Bruce in a warm, joyful group hug, their voices overlapping in celebration of this new life that had just arrived into the world.
“Congratulations, Bruce! Oh, my goodness, I’m so happy for you!”
“We praise the Lord oooo! He has done it again!”
“Congrats, my guy!! This is wonderful, chale!”
“Our niece has arrived ooo, she has arrived!”
***
“Jesus Iyeeeeee, You have done it again,
Jesus Iyeeeeee, in Your special way…
The naming ceremony of Bruce and Nana Asor’s daughter was underway, and as Bishop Gordon cradled the little one in his arms, the compound was chock full of the couple, the squad, and some family members singing joyfully to Nathaniel Bassey’s ‘Jesus Iye’. Everyone was clad in white, waving white handkerchiefs and doing the dance to the song, placing their hands on their heads. From the entire squad to Olivia, Irene, Akpene and Rakim, to Bruce and Nana Asor’s mothers, everyone was caught up in the vibe.
Once the song was done and everyone returned to their seats, Bishop Gordon smiled and stepped forward. The little girl had been named and blessed by the various families, and now the man of God was set to add his to the mix.
“We are grateful to Jesus. Indeed, He has done it again, and He deserves all the praise. People of God, as we have duly praised Him for this glorious gift of grace, shall we join our faith together to bless her? Please, stretch your hands forward as we pray.”
The gathering duly obeyed, and for the next minute or two, everyone prayed over the precious bundle of joy.
Then Bishop Gordon began his prayer.
“Heavenly Father, we thank You for Elsa Ewurakua Aforo, a child of destiny, purpose, and promise. We declare that Your plans for her are good and not of evil, to give her a hope and a future. Lord, may she grow in wisdom, stature, and favor with You and with man! We speak Your divine protection over her life. No weapon formed against her shall prosper! We declare that her steps are ordered by You and that she will walk in paths of righteousness! Lord, we ask for an anointing of excellence upon her. She will excel in her studies, in her work, and in all endeavors, bringing glory to Your name always!”
He lifted Elsa slightly higher.
“Father, bless her hands to create, her mind to innovate, and her heart to love unconditionally. We declare that she will be a beacon of light in this world, a salt to the earth, and a city set upon a hill. Grant her parents wisdom and strength to guide her, and let her life testify of Your goodness and mercy, in Jesus’ mighty and matchless name!”
Cradling her with one arm expertly as he laid the free hand gently on her head, “In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, we bless you, Elsa Ewurakua Aforo. May you fulfill every purpose for which you were created, in the mighty name of Jesus we pray. Amen!”
***
While the laughter and chatter of the guests filled the compound after the ceremony, Nana Asor and Becky were stationed in front of a pastel-colored backdrop, striking exaggerated and hilarious poses while the photographer for the event snapped away.
Nana Asor was throwing up peace signs and sticking out her tongue while Becky was dramatically flipping her hair and giving a cute girl pose, and the photographer was loving every minute of it, taking as many pictures as possible. Nearby, Rakim stood patiently, a smirk on his face as he watched the playful duo have the time of their lives being silly together.
Once the photographer signaled they were done, Rakim stepped forward. “Newest momee in town, I salute ooo!” he called out to Nana Asor. “Please, since you’re done with your photoshoot, can I see my girl?”
Nowhere near done with her silly mood, Nana Asor immediately threw her arms around Becky and held onto her dramatically while glaring at him. “Never! She’s mine! All mine! You can’t have her!”
“Herh, Asor, will you stop being silly?” Becky laughed, prying Nana Asor’s arms off her. “I’m coming, baby!”
As she peeled her friend off her and bounced towards her boyfriend, Nana Asor gasped in mock horror. “Wow, Becky! So this is how it’s like? After all we’ve been through, this is how you treat me? Leaving me for him?”
Visibly enjoying the feel of Rakim’s arm around her shoulder, Becky gave her a deadpan look. “Uhhh… yeah. Bye.”
The couple laughed as they walked away, just as Bruce, carrying Elsa, approached his wife. She pointed accusingly at them. “Bruce, you see this girl? Now because this fine boy is pressing her bottos, she’s turned her back on me.”
Bruce shook his head. “Please, my dear, issokay, wai. Clearly, she enjoys it. Let her be. Meanwhile, your mom is looking for you. She’s in the kitchen…”
***
“Hi, baby girrrrrrl… hi, baby girrrrrl… ei, you’re coming for my phone again? Sister, it’s not edible ooo!”
Becky laughed as Elsa, now six months old, reached for her phone. She was at the stage where everything she laid her hands on was likely to enter her mouth.
“Hehehe, the good old oral exploration stage,” Olivia commented, smirking. “This is the stage that you have to be careful with whatever they get their hands on.”
“I tell you. If you don’t watch them, they’ll go and pop something in their mouths that shouldn’t be there,” Becky agreed.
“Eiii, Miss Irene! This your baby fever, I can see you’ve not recovered from it,” Bruce chuckled, observing Irene’s starstruck gaze at Elsa.
She giggled and shook her head. “Not at all oo, Bruce. And it’s not like it’ll get any better, with the way Olivia too is bringing another cutie soon. It’s baby season over here!”
Everyone at the table laughed.
A few months had gone by, and the squad, meeting up at Cues Corner as always, were as happy as could be. Bruce and Nana Asor could not be happier raising their sweet little Elsa. Deladem and Olivia were now expecting their bundle of joy. Clarence was steadily progressing in his workplace, already one of Rakim’s favourite employees, and his relationship with Irene was growing stronger, as was Becky’s with Rakim.
Now Delasi was finally exiting the singleness stage, as a gentleman named Eddie had captured her heart a few months ago when they met at a church program the Shalom Temple choir was invited to. She was currently on her way to the restaurant with him, ready for the squad to meet her boo.
As the laughter subsided, Olivia spoke up, smiling as she placed a hand on her baby bump. “On the real, though, I just can’t wait to meet our little guy. I have so many plans already! Teaching him Hillsong from the jump, watching all the classic Disney movies with him… oh yeah, and playing FIFA, I mean, FC…”
A chorus of groans erupted from the table, followed by Bruce doing the facepalm. “Livi, please! Not you and FC. You suck at that game!”
“Correction!” Olivia pointed at him with mock seriousness. “I used to suck. I’m getting better.”
“Ehhh?” everyone gasped. As everyone knew, she’d happily claim to be a pro when she wasn’t even fit for beginner level. So this admission meant something.
Nana Asor looked at Deladem, her head cocked sideways. “Didayy, please, do you have anything to do with this sudden change?”
Deladem sighed. “Chale… she’s been insistent,” he admitted, sounding thoroughly defeated. “So I… I’ve been trying to show her the basics… so at least… she doesn’t embarrass herself too much.”
“And you didn’t tell her it’s an egregious violation of the FIFA bro code?” Bruce pressed.
Shrugging helplessly, Deladem gestured at Olivia. “Chale, bro, look at these eyes! I… I can’t say no to them. I can’t!”
Bruce and Nana Asor glanced at each other and smirked. “Ah, we said it, didn’t we?” Bruce declared triumphantly.
“We said it ooo! Before marriage, Didayy did his mouth yabi-yabi-yabi, as if he’s immune to the power of adi dɛdɛ. Now you see your life? You see how kpokpo body make you mellow?”
“Stay humble, eh. Stay humble!” Bruce mocked.
The table roared with laughter. Rakim shook his head, chuckling. “Chale, Didayy, this one, them give to you ooo!”
Deladem shook his head and sighed. “Chale, me naaa, I see.”
Just then, the door to Cues Corner swung open, and Delasi entered, looking radiant in a flowy floral dress. Behind her was Eddie, a bespectacled young man with a shy smile. As the couple approached the table, Delasi waved enthusiastically at the squad, going round to greet everyone and give Elsa a little kiss. Eddie followed her, his disposition as shy as his smile.
As they took their seats at the large table, Irene raised her hand, a mischievous twinkle in her eye. “Excuse me, excuse me! Quick question, please. Can I join the vetting committee for Eddie? Because I have so many questions for him. Harrrrd-hitting questions, in fact.”
Eddie, who already knew her, gave her a side eye while Delasi just shook her head. “Awula Irene Ocquaye, you better behave yourself this beautiful Sunday evening, do you hear?” she warned her in crisp Ga, forcing laughter out of her and Clarence.
Becky leaned forward. “Irene, we beg, don’t do that. Abi nobody vetted you when you came into Nii Ayi Addy’s life. You were accepted straight away because you’re the pinnacle of extreme cuteness.”
“Facts! E lef small sef, it was me that was going to be vetted!” Clarence added.
“Indeed! I wasn’t vetted either,” Olivia joined in. “And our fine caramel chocolate definitely wasn’t vetted. Na why should he even be vetted?”
“Preach, sister!” Nana Asor quipped. “Jamestown Emilia Clarke sef, we’re not vetting her, then FCC himself.”
Rakim, who had recently discovered the FCC nickname, covered his eyes while laughing. “Ei, Lord, you people dey pressure me! As if I’m some Ghanaian version of Brad Pitt or George Clooney…”
“Baby, you are hotter than those two actors. Period!”
Once again, everyone laughed.
Once it subsided, Deladem stared at Eddie. “Chale, Eddie, you are welcome here. With this small intro diɛɛ, you’ve already seen how we’re like, chale. That’s our vibe, you get me? This squad, we’re all about having fun whenever we meet up.”
Everyone nodded in agreement.
“As you see us like this, bro, we’ve been through a lot together,” Deladem continued, his gaze steady. “Years of ups and downs, celebrations and heartbreaks. And we’ve been together through them all. This squad is more than just friends: we’re family. Bound for life by an unbreakable cord, as I always like to say. And once someone has good intentions, like I believe you do, they’ll always find a place here. My beautiful wife, Irene and this big boss are proof of this.”
Eddie smiled and nodded as Delasi reached for his hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze.
“So yeah, bro, like I said, if your intentions are good, you’re already one of us. I just hope you’ll treat Delasi well—because she deserves nothing less. And as we grow together, may we all keep this family bond strong.”
“Amen!” the group echoed.
A mischievous glint appearing in his eyes, he added, “But chale, hold am well. I no dey want call any small meeting bi…”
Everyone laughed out loud.
Eddie joined in the laughter, shaking his head but clearly at ease. “Noted, Deladem. I promise to keep your ‘small meeting’ unnecessary.”
“Good man!” Deladem quipped, offering a fist bump that Eddie accepted with a chuckle. “And please, call me Didayy.”
As the evening unfolded, their laughter and camaraderie echoed with a warmth that could only come from a cord that transcended friendship. A cord that celebrated each other’s joys and stood firm through challenges. A cord that created a space and a sanctuary of unconditional support and love.
An unbreakable cord.
THE END
And there it is: a beautiful end to a beautiful story that reminds me of that beautiful thing called friendship. If you’ve got friends like these, hold tight to them. As Cues Corner has shown us, it’s one helluva blessing to have this; friends who stick with you through the highs and the lows.
Thank you for reading, and as always, continue to enjoy yourself around the State!
