Chapter 20

 

 

FRIDAY ROLLED IN, AND Esi found herself increasingly looking forward to tomorrow’s party. Since the kiss, he hadn’t been as curt with her as before, and they’d had several conversations which had not resulted in raised voices. She held hope in her heart that this meant he’d finally worked through whatever Osei had said he needed to do. Maybe they could be happy now.

He hadn’t made love to her, but she would give him time. She’d finished her chores for the morning and sat down to prepare lessons for Ama. Almost as soon as she sat down with the exercise book, the doorbell chimed.

Who could that be? “Ama, see who is at the door.”

From where she sat in the dining room, she couldn’t see the front door, but she heard a woman’s voice ask if the girl’s ‘mother’ was home. She held her breath. The voice sounded like Mansa, but how could it be?

Curious, she stood and went to the sitting room. The moment she entered, her gaze clashed with Mansa’s. Immediately, they both screamed and found themselves in each other’s arms.

“Esi, how are you?’ Mansa asked.

“Mansa, what a surprise!” Esi started simultaneously.

They laughed, each one trying to restart, laughed again, and hugged some more. Esi turned and found Ama watching them with a look of amazement. This was probably the first time the girl had seen her so excited.

Esi beamed. “Ama, this is my friend from my village.”

The girl smiled shyly, and Mansa asked, “How are you, Ama?”

“I am fine, Auntie.”

“Ama, please get a drink for Auntie Mansa,” Esi instructed, and Ama left. Turning back to her best friend, she grinned. “Ei, Mansa. Hmm, I’m shocked.”

They embraced again and sat down. After Ama served the drinks and left, Esi took her friend’s hand.

“What are you doing in Accra? How did you find the house?”

“I came to look for my uncle, the one who travels to the Ivory Coast for goods. I am going to hairdressing school like you advised, and Mama sent me to come and ask him for money.”

“Oh, I am so happy to hear that.”

“Before leaving Ebinom, I went to your husband’s house, and Maame Badu gave me the address and directions. My uncle dropped me.” Mansa smiled. “Esi, you are looking good. Look at your house; you have a maid. You don’t even look like the Esi I knew in Ebinom.”

“It’s lonely without you,” she confessed.

“Are you fine?”

The urge to break down and tell her friend about everything gripped her, but she pushed it aside. Anything she told her friend would be reported back to her family, and she didn’t want to cause any unnecessary worries.

“Yes, I am fine.”

Mansa smiled. “Your mother will be pleased to hear that. Maame Badu, too.”

“I wish you were here, though. When Yaw goes to work, there isn’t too much to do. I have been looking for work.”

“I am not surprised. You always wanted to work.” Mansa stood, looking around. “This house is big. I am sure you can always find something to do.”

“Do you want to see the whole house?”

Mansa gave an eager nod and followed Esi as they began a tour of the house. All the while, they talked and giggled like they did in Ebinom, enjoying each other’s company. They finally ended up at the porch in the back, where the bamboo chairs caught Mansa’s attention.

“I like this place. Let’s sit here.”

After they took their seats, Esi asked, “How is everyone?”

“They are all fine,” Mansa responded. “Abena is the one who got sick. She had Malaria and had to be taken to the district hospital in Mampong.”

Alarm shot through Esi. “Is she all right?”

“Calm down, she’s fine. She’s back at home now. I only told you because I thought you’d like to know.”

“Mansa, are you sure you’re not just trying to keep me from worrying?”

“Look, Abena is fine,” her friend assured her. “Why would I lie to you?”

“I know you won’t lie to me, Mansa. I was just worried,” Esi replied. “Do you want to eat?”

They shared lunch and chatted some more. Shortly after four o’clock, Mansa wanted to leave.

“So soon? Why don’t you wait for Michael? We could drop you home later.”

“No. I have to talk with my uncle since I am leaving tomorrow.”

“I will be very sad this evening because we couldn’t chat more.”

“Oh, Esi, don’t be sad. Yaw will be here with you.”

She forced a smile. If only her friend knew the truth.

“Wait here,” she said and left for a moment, returning with some money in two envelops. “Use the money for transport, and give the envelope to Maame for me. I’ll come to Ebinom soon, but I have to tell Michael first.”

“Aware sↄ,” Mansa teased as they went out of the house together.

Perfect marriage? If only it could be true.

 

****

 

Michael looked up as his office door opened. Lena walked in holding some files. When she reached his desk, she blew him a kiss like she used to do.

“Hello, handsome.”

“Cut it out, Lena. We’re no longer doing this.”

“Oh, lighten up. What are you afraid of? If you’re so secure in your so-called marriage, what’s the harm in me having a little fun?” She set the files in front of him. “What’s the plan for tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow?”

“Duh, the party,” she reminded. “Don’t tell me you’re taking her.”

“Of course, I am.” He waved his ringed finger at her. “She’s my wife.”

“Come on, Mike, do you know what kind of embarrassment you’re going to face with a villager as your escort?” She stared at him as though he’d momentarily vacated his senses. “You have an image to maintain.”

He gave her a hard stare. “Call her a villager one more time.”

She seemed taken aback. “Mike, I don’t deny she’s rather sweet. I’m not surprised you brought her to Accra, but be rational about this. Even she won’t be comfortable. Are you going to embarrass her just to—I don’t know—prove a point?”

“There’s no point to prove. You don’t know her. I have no doubt that she’ll be all right. To tell you the truth, I think they’ll like her. If I were you, I’d be worrying about getting a date.”

A few seconds elapsed.

“Suit yourself.” She tapped the files she had placed on the desk. “Here are the hard copies of the templates you asked for and the research proposals you’re supposed to review.”

He opened the files and flipped through the contents, one after the other. “Thanks.”

“Anything else?”

“Actually, yes. How’s your afternoon looking? I could use your help with typing some notes I scribbled earlier on. It needs to go into my presentation.”

She squeezed her face as she responded. “I’d like to help, but I have some urgent stuff to do for Mr. Koranteng. It will probably take all afternoon. Let one of the others help you out.”

“Kafui’s typing speed is good, and she’d able to read my handwriting. Maybe—”

“You know, I won’t mind doing some overtime. I could get to it around four-thirty when I’m done with Mr. Koranteng.”

Lena was back in ‘play’ mode.

Michael shook his head, ignoring the suggestive tone of her voice. “Never mind, I’ll just work a little late and do it myself.”

Lena shook her head, smiling. “You still want me, Mike. I know that look. You’ll never be able to forget me, and you know it.”

She began to say something, but the telephone rang.

“Excuse me,” he cut in and picked up the handset, but waited for her to leave before answering. “Hello.”

“Michael?”

Esi. Catching the urgency in her voice, he asked, “Is everything okay?”

“How much longer will you be in the office?”

“Not very long.” She’d never called him at the office before. “What’s wrong?”

“My friend just arrived from the village. She says my sister is sick.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. Is it serious?”

“I don’t know.”

“What would you want us to do?” He took a mental step backwards. Did he just say ‘us’?”

“I want to go and see how she’s doing. Mansa is going back tomorrow. I thought maybe I could go with her.”

“Tomorrow? Esi, the party is tomorrow. I want to go with you.” She didn’t answer for a while. “Are you still there?”

“I can travel next Friday,” she said at last. “It will give me a chance to prepare properly.”

“Great. I—uh…I’ll see you later.” He continued to stare at the phone after he’d hung up.

I love you. Why was it so hard for him to utter those words to her?

 

****

 

Saturday rose peacefully over Accra—clear and bright, just like the weatherman had said. Esi and Ama finished the housework early, and Michael had offered to drive them to the market, giving the driver a day off. After shopping, they met Mansa in town, and Michael treated them to lunch at his favourite restaurant. Finally, they dropped Mansa off at the bus station and returned home.

Over the course of the day, however, he became ill-tempered. He spoke very piercing words if he spoke to her at all, leaving her reeling at his complexity. The sudden anger didn’t make much sense, for they hadn’t even argued once so far. He must be tired, she finally decided. He had worked late yesterday, and driving them around town today must have taken its toll. Maybe the party would cheer him up.

Six o’clock found her in the bedroom pre-occupied with preparations towards the party. Her hair, which she usually wore in braids, had been straightened with a hot comb and let down. The new black dress hugged her curves alluringly. She’d never worn such a lovely dress before. It had cost a lot of money, but it was worth it. She grew apprehensive. What would Michael’s friends think of her? They must have met Lena before. Was she going to seem to them like some unsophisticated villager he had brought back with him?

When she caught her image in the mirror, some of her worries were assuaged. She had never seen herself look this beautiful. On tiptoes, she went over to the shoe rack, retrieved her black suede pumps, and returned to the dressing table. She opened her underwear drawer like she’d done so many times before, but they were gone! Her pills. She ransacked the drawers.

Nothing.

“Is this what you’re looking for?”

Michael’s voice startled her. She turned around and found him standing at the door. He wasn’t wearing his shirt, and her gaze lingered on his bare chest before dropping to his hand. She gasped, and her eyes widened on seeing what he held out. She swallowed.

“How did you come by those?” she managed to ask.

“Since when have you been taking this?” he inquired, his voice deathly calm. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

She didn’t respond. Her heart pounded.

“Answer me, dammit!” He tossed the pills carelessly on the carpet.

Without thinking, she dashed after the scattered tablets, but he caught her in the process.

“You won’t take them again,” he commanded.

“You’ll mess up my dress,” she cried.

“Forget it. We’re not going to the party.”

Esi looked at him in surprise. Why was he so angry? He didn’t care about her. Why was he so worked up about the pills?

“You made me waste all that money to buy a dress just to tell me that you cancelled the party?”

“You can always wear it another time. Right now, you’ve got questions to answer.”

“Michael, please,” she begged as he half-hauled her onto the bed. Even though his actions frightened her, involuntary waves of excitement rippled through her body at the feel of his hand on her skin.

Where would he take this?

 

****

 

Michael had so many questions. Why was she taking pills? What was wrong with her? Didn’t she want children? His children? And why hadn’t she even bothered to tell him? There were too many unexpected things about her that surprised—amazed—him. Where had she learnt all that? Her complex character perplexed and excited him all at the same time.

She was beautiful. He should have known that putting her on the bed would be a mistake, but leaving her now was going to be impossible. It had been such a long time since he’d made love to her, and his body was stretched to breaking point. Without thinking, he grabbed her dress and ripped it apart, exposing her ample breasts.

“No!” she screamed, fighting him off in reflex. Tears filled her eyes.

“Aw, shut up,” he said impatiently, shielding himself from the attack until he was finally able to hold her hands apart.

“Don’t fight me, Esi,” he whispered against her lips.

His grip remained firm on her wrists, yet gentle enough not to hurt her until she stilled. Tears rolled down the corners of her eyes, and her breath came in short, sharp bursts. Her heaving breasts did nothing to appease his desire. Her warm puffs against his skin made his body tingle.

He released her wrists, brushed her hair away from her face, and began kissing her, making up for weeks of needing her. It was pure Heaven. The thrill of tasting her again overwhelmed his senses. He couldn’t stop himself from wanting her…until a tiny voice reminded him he couldn’t do this.

Immediately, he pulled away. What had he been thinking? Walk away, man. He wanted desperately to be able to do so, but he couldn’t. He didn’t want to; not when he was so swollen with need for her that his knees had grown weak and his heart desperately bled for her to surround himself with her.

“Run.” The throbbing of his heart echoed in his lips. “Because I can’t stop myself from wanting to—” His voice caught, for even talking made him hurt in places that should only feel pleasure.

She didn’t move.

“You’re not leaving.”

“No.”

When he looked at her, whatever he was going to say died on his lips. She wanted him, too. His wife yearned for him just as he did her, and he reached for her. The vision of the raw need in her eyes shocked him, making him realise, for the first time, that he was a temptation to her just as much as she was to him—all the more reason to avoid her.

Tomorrow.

Tomorrow, he would be strong, but tonight, he ached for her. His fingers brushed her lips before he claimed them. A long, soft moan sounded against his mouth, melting his heart, and he knew he was going all the way.