Here we are, at the end of this wonderful tale about Miss Acolatse. What an engaging journey it’s been!We’ve seen her grow over the past few seasons, and it’s time to say goodbye…

FIVE YEARS LATER

Auntie Serwaa’s Beauty Saloon was busy as always, with the hum of many hair dryers mingling with the lively chatter of stylists and clients. Akushika grinned and admired her reflection in the mirror as Auntie Serwaa, the owner of the beauty parlour and her trusted stylist, put the finishing touches on her fresh curls.

“Eii, Akushika!” Auntie Serwaa exclaimed, standing back to admire her work. “You are a fine girl ooo. A proper queen, la! This hairstyle… How do the younger people say it… it’s giving class, it’s giving confidence, it’s giving—everything!”

Akushika gave a dazzling smile, her dimples adding to her charm. “Auntie Serwaa, can I ever doubt your ability to make me look like a queen?” she teased, adjusting her earrings. “You always deliver. That’s why I don’t go anywhere else. I mean, just look at this. On point.”

“Too on point!” Auntie Serwaa laughed. “Oh, Shika, you’re looking gorgeous. Extremely gorgeous. This one, when Bra Raymond sees you, he’ll forget how you’ve made him wait for so long.”

Akushika giggled. “Sharp kraa.” She then reached into her purse, pulling out crisp cedi notes and placing them in Auntie Serwaa’s hands. “Keep the change as usual,” she added with a wink. “Same time next month, dear. I’m sure you’ll prepare to outdo even this masterpiece.”

“You know it already ooo! Thank you, thank you, and see you next month,” Auntie Serwaa gushed, putting the notes in her pocket.

With one last look in the mirror, Akushika swayed to the door and pushed it open.

A few meters away from the saloon, leaning casually against a sleek black SUV, was Raymond.

Her fiancé.

Not long after Ellen turned a year old, he proposed to her, and she instantly accepting, setting off a sweet three year relationship that would soon be ending in marriage. Now that Raymond was working at a top IT firm in the city and Akushika was serving as the assistant of the city’s top fashion brand manager, all was set for them to begin life together as one.

Of course, with little Ellen in the mix, who already referred to Raymond as ‘Daddy Ray’, considering how close they had become.

“Wow,” he gasped, straightening up as she approached. “Now that’s my queen. Damn, you’re glowing!”

Akushika paused, one hand on her hip, eyebrows raised. “Hmm, glowing?” she questioned, feigning nonchalance. “You’ll have to do better than that, Mr. Raymond Nii Adamah.”

Raymond grinned, taking in every detail of her look. “Okay, fine, fine. You are… radiant. Stunning. An absolute goddess walking among us mere mortals.”

“Better,” she declared with a smirk, stepping closer until she was inches from him. “But you missed the most important part.”

“Oh, what’s that?” he asked, amused.

She leaned in, her lips meeting his in a slow, lingering kiss. When she pulled back, her eyes sparkled mischievously. “The part where you said I’m all yours,” she murmured.

Raymond chuckled, pulling her close by the waist. “That part goes without saying, though.”

“Good answer,” she teased, patting his chest.

Raymond laughed, tucking a lock of hair behind her ears and simply staring into her eyes as she stared back, the good old connection between them stronger than ever.

She had always known there would be something special between them, but this reality honestly surpassed her expectations. Being loved by Raymond was an absolute dream. Of course, just like every other relationship, it wasn’t perfect, but there was so much intentionality and effort on Raymond’s part to make her and Ellen happy. This made it so easy for her to put her all into making him happy as well.

And she knew without a doubt that this would translate into their future marriage.

As she slid into the passenger seat and he started the car, he glanced over at her. “So I was chatting with Jonny, and yeah, everyone’s already at the Mills-Odoi house. Jonny and Bukky brought the twins, Israel and Isobel. Adoley and Dromo came with their husbands, and, of course, Sir Remmy and Maa Dru are there, with Ellen.”

Akushika smiled and nodded. “Sweet. Issa full house, then. This should be a good one. First time Sir Remmy has all his children and grandchildren around since that stroke.”

“Yeah, chale. That was one scary period.”

“Honestly! Like, I don’t know what I would’ve done if we lost him. I’m soooo grateful to God that he’s doing much, much better now.”

Raymond nodded. “Yep. I thank God for that every blessed day, chale. Coz losing him just after Adoley gave birth diɛɛ, it would have been horrible.”

“So horrible! The way things have been going so well: he and Maa Dru moving into their new house, Bukky and Jonny winning African Idol back to back, followed by their wedding and the birth of their twins, and Adoley and Dromo too getting married… chale, it would have been one horrible anticlimax.”

“Yeah, it really would. But hey, God is good. He might be a little slower now, but his recovery has been superb. Chale, you can’t hold the old soldier down!”

Akushika laughed. “Not at all ooo! He cannot be held down.”

“Yep. When he has more grandchildren to have fun with? It’s settled: our man isn’t going anywhere yet. Anyways, let’s get moving!”

***

Forty-five minutes later, the SUV arrived at the gate of the cozy new bungalow that Remaliah and Drusilla moved into about two years ago. As they got out of the car and walked through the gate, Akushika marveled at the well-manicured garden sandwiching the bungalow. She might have already seen it when they dropped Ellen off that morning, but she never ceased to appreciate its beauty.

“Honestly, I can come here ten times and this sight will never get old. Maa Dru doesn’t play with this garden ooo! Wow!” she breathed as they made their way to the front door.

Raymond nodded. “Yeah. She always said she wanted to have a little garden of her own. As she’s got it diɛɛ, she’s not toying about.”

Then, the front door swung open to reveal Adoley and Dromo. Both women beamed at the sight of the two, their arms wide open.

“Shikaaaaa! Raaayyyyyy!”

“Heeeeeeyyyyyyy!” Akushika cheered delightedly, running into the arms of Dromo and hugging her tightly before giving Adoley the same embrace. “You girls look amazing!”

“And so do you, girl! Lemme guess, this is Auntie Serwaa’s handiwork, right?” Adoley asked, admiring Akushika’s hairdo.

“The one and only!” Akushika affirmed extravagantly.

“As for Auntie Serwaa, stop oo! She’s the GOAT of Kumerica hairdressers!” Dromo commented.

“A proper tour de force!”

As the ladies chatted animatedly, two men appeared at the door.

Kelvin Azian and John Kru, the husbands of Adoley and Dromo respectively. Kelvin had their 7 month old son, Paul, in his arms as they enthusiastically greeted Raymond and Akushika before they all entered the house.

In the living room, Remaliah was seated on the floor, his face lit up with joy as he played a game with the children. Little Isabel and Israel toddled around him, shrieking with laughter as they chased a toy car, while Ellen clapped her hands in excitement. Bukky and Jonny sat nearby, watching with indulgent smiles as their twins had fun with their old man.

“Grandpa, let’s see how fast this car can go!” Israel shouted, placing the car back into his hand.

Despite the slow movements of his recovering left arm, Remaliah maneuvered the toy expertly, making it zoom across the floor. The children squealed in delight, chasing after it again. As they did, he looked up and saw them enter the living room. The smile and wave from him was as bright as the sun against a clear blue sky.

Akushika paused at the entrance, her chest tightening at the sight and his bright expression.

The old man had endured so much struggle in the past couple of months, but through it all, remained a source of love and strength for everyone around him. Seeing him now, surrounded by his grandchildren and playing with them, was a testament to his resilience.

This was a man she loved so deeply, and it was so heartwarming to see him in such a happy place. He deserved all this happiness, without a shadow of a doubt.

“Shikaaaaa!”

The voice of Bukky rang out as she sprung from her seat to embrace Akushika excitedly.

“Bukky, Bukky!” Akushika happily responded, hugging her back. “It’s so good to see you guys. How was the show at Rwanda?”

Bukky separated herself and gave a chef’s kiss. “Magnificent! The show was just awesome! The people were just wonderful, and the energy… from beginning to end.”

As Jonny embraced her and Raymond, he added, “I’ve never seen anything like it. They were singing along with us, hyping us… chale, chale, Rwanda has my heart.”

“Nice, nice! Ei, chale, now diɛɛ, Jonny and Bukky be superstars ooo!” Raymond laughed. “Very soon, world tour dey come!”

“Ebei, Ray!” Jonny laughed.

“Na is he lying?” Remaliah added, turning to them briefly. “The way you two went viral with your finale performances, a world tour is possible!”

“Oh yeah!” Raymond agreed. “It is possible. Bukky’s ‘I Have Nothing’ performance is nearing one billion views on YouTube. And Jonny, your rendition of ‘House of the Rising Sun’ has over 800 million views. You guys, you be global ooo!”

“But you know my all-time favourite performance?” Remaliah mentioned, rising to his feet with Ellen in his arms. “That day you guys came and did the Iba song in church after Jonny’s win.”

Akushika clapped her hands. “Riiiiiiighhhtttt! The chills I got when Bukky was singing the Yoruba appellations, eh?”

“Honestly! The whole church was on fire! And how Jonny just went off with the Twi and Ga names of God! Chale, chale, chale, that was pure fire ankasa!”

As they laughed and continued to chat away, Drusilla emerged from the kitchen. Her favourite spot where had prepared lunch.

“Ah, Shika, Ray, you guys are back. Just in time for lunch!” she said. “And I can see Auntie Serwaa’s handiwork is making you glow.”

“Yes oo, Maa Dru,” Akushika confirmed. “As for Auntie Serwaa, one of a kind. Best recommendation you made to me.”

“Grandma! Grandma! Are the yam balls ready?”

Drusilla laughed as Ellen and Isabel ran to her excitedly. “Yes, my loves, it’s ready. Just give me a few minutes, okay? We’ll serve everybody.”

“Yaayyy! Yes, Grandma!”

Raymond laughed as the little ones returned to Remaliah. “Maa Dru, your yam balls diɛɛ, legendary. Everyone loves them!”

“I tell you!” John agreed. “Low-key, I’m sure the whole Kumasi loves her yam balls. Won’t be long before the Manhyia Palace summons her and demands she build a restaurant.”

Drusilla laughed out loud. “You, John, the way you keep harping on about the Manhyia Palace calling me, are you sure you’ve not told some connection of yours about it?”

John shrugged, a mischievous smirk on his face. “You never know.”

She shook her head. “I’ll deal with you later. Adoley! Dromo! Shika! Come help me with the food!”

***

A few minutes later, the living room was buzzing with family camaraderie. Plates of jollof rice, perfectly spiced kelewele, and crisp yam balls were balanced on laps, spread across the coffee table, or held in eager hands. The sounds of laughter, the clinking of plates, and the occasional delighted squeals of the children all combined in a sweet, joyous atmosphere.

Remaliah sat in his favorite armchair, his plate on the armrest as he fed Ellen a bite of jollof. She giggled as her small fingers reached for a yam ball. Beside him, Drusilla watched the interaction with a fond smile, occasionally picking a piece of kelewele from his plate.

On the floor, the twins were perched on Bukky and Jonny’s laps, each holding their own little plates. Adoley and Dromo sat cross-legged beside them, joking with their husbands, Kelvin and John, over who had eaten the most in a short period of time.

At the edge of the room, Akushika sat on the arm of Raymond’s chair, her plate already half empty. She paused for a moment, her eyes scanning the room. Her chest swelled with gratitude as she observed everyone looking happy and at peace.

This was more than a family—it was a miracle. A circle of love that had carried her through the darkest times and given her the strength to become the woman she was today. She couldn’t have been more grateful.

“Hey,” Raymond called softly, nudging her. “What’s up?”

She smiled down at him, her eyes glistening. “Just… thinking how blessed I am. To be here and have all of you with me. I’m so grateful. I’ll always be grateful.”

He reached up, lacing his fingers with hers. “We all are, babe. And we’ll always be.”

She nodded, and looked around once again, smiling at the gathering before her, and inwardly thanking God for them.

Thank You Lord, for this beautiful family. I’ve got all my peoples with me, and I’m grateful. Long may this continue. Amen.

THE END

Indeed, no greater blessing than being surrounded by those who truly love you. We saw her when she was abandoned and cast away, now she’s with her real people. Wonderful ending.

Thank you for reading, and as always, continue to enjoy yourself around the State!