The hope to carry on (2)

"What do you want to eat tonight?" My mother asked me. She was combing my hair. "Ermm, spaghetti and chicken! No, pizza, no a club sandwich!" I yelled. She just laughed and shook her head. "I don't think your dad will be happy about your choices." She said. She tied my hair in a ponytail and we heard my baby brother crying. My dad came into the hall with him. "I have no idea why." He said handing him over to my mum. Just like magic, when my mum held him he stopped crying. "Eh, that's how you are eh?" my father said and we all laughed. I heard the door bell and rushed to the dining room. I knew who it was. "I hope you practiced yesterday." My mum said and went upstairs with my brother. I waved at him as they left and he started giggling.

"Wow that was brilliant Fafa. I guess you have been practicing a lot." My teacher said. I smiled broadly and nodded. I was lying. "Mr. Botwe, I wrote something for you. Should I play it?" I asked. He nodded for me to go ahead eagerly. I sat upright and picked up my violin. I played what I remembered with my eyes closed. When I opened my eyes I saw my uncle, and my father and they were all clapping for me. "Efo, your daughter is really talented." My uncle said. "Uncle Oku!" I screamed and rushed to hug him. He put me on his lap. "When you grow up I want you to play the violin for me every day." He said. "Yes I will." I said hugging him tightly.

"Sister, this be last stop." The driver's mate said and I woke up. I couldn't believe how sharp my life had turned around. There were tears in my eyes. I had just 40 Cedis in my pocket. Half of it was for my uncle's wife. She was nothing like him! I missed him so much but I missed my parents more. Death, is sometimes more painful for the ones who are left behind. My brother and I did nothing to deserve this. When I got to the house my brother was sitting outside alone. "Edem, why aren't you asleep?" I asked. He rushed to me and held me. "Auntie says if you don't give her the money I should not come in." He replied. I couldn't believe this woman. I took out the money from my bag and went inside the house with my little brother. "Here's the money." I said and handed it over to her. She took it and looked at me suspiciously. "So when are you leaving? You can't be living here for free like that." She complained. I took out the rest of the money. "This is another 20 Cedis. I need two more weeks to get a new place." I said and gave the other note to her. She smiled. "There is food in the kitchen. Go and eat." She said walking away. I had given her the last piece of hope I had. Edem rushed to the kitchen and gobbled the food down as fast as he could. I couldn't allow my brother to suffer like this. He was too young. I closed my eyes and prayed...

"God please, please make a way."

To be continued...

Strings and voices

"Mr Buckman I'll pay the rent by the end of the month. I know sir but I don't have it now, please understand me...Hello?" He hung up on me. I was explaining to this man that I hadn't been paid yet but he wouldn't listen. There was so much going on in my head. I remembered a friend of mine owed me some money. He bought my laptop and hadn't paid fully. I dialed his number but he didn't answer the call. This was the 5th time it had happened.  Now I had to think of a way to go to his house. Maybe tomorrow during lunch break? No, I had to finish a report for my boss before 2pm. I had to look for another way out. Just then I heard it..... music. Everything seemed to disappear. All I could see was the beautiful voice over the perfect cordination of strings.

I turned around and saw the source. There was a girl sitting on a stool with a guitar. She was singing a very familiar song, No woman no cry, by Bob Marley. She sang it like the song was written for her. My mouth was literally open. I way clearly staring and I wasn't alone. A crowd started to gather around her. Slowly her little basket got filled with money. Wow, she was cute too. She kept her head down the whole time. I guess she was a bit shy. People clapped for her right after each song and dropped money for her. Then she started singing my favourite song, Come home, by One Republic. I was frozen with amazement. She hit every note perfectly, it felt like I was watching a music video. "..Come home, come home..." She sang.

The words of the song she was singing made more sense to me than ever. This little girl just warmed my heart. All of a sudden it was so clear. I realized what was missing all these months. I was home sick. I took out a 20 dollar note and put it into her basket. It was getting late. If I stood there much longer I would miss my bus. I walked away slowly and took out my phone to call my mother. "Hello, mum. I'm coming home. I can't take it anymore here. I'll buy a plane ticket as soon as I get paid at the end of the month." I said. "Oh Philip, we were so worried. How much would you need? Don't worry about it. We will pay for that, just come home." My mother said in the most motherly voice ever. I smiled broadly when I heard my sisters jubilating in the background. I turned around and looked at the girl singing. Thanks to the music, I was going home.

The hope to carry on (1)

It seemed like the whole room was silent. More like the whole world went mute. All I could hear was my tears fall. I closed my eyes and opened it several times, hoping and praying that is was a dream. The unfortunate truth was glaring. I heard the front door creek and wiped my tears immediately. My little brother rushed in and dropped his bag on the bed. “Good afternoon.” He greeted. I responded and walked out of the room. I had to cry some more but not in front of him. There was a big mango try right behind the landlord’s room. I sat there and wept my eyes sore. Was there something wrong with us? Had we been cursed? Why did my uncle have to die now?

My uncle’s wife who never loved us anyway didn’t hesitate to look for another home for us. She said we were cursed and would not allow us to kill her too. When she packed our bags later that evening I wondered where she wanted us to go? It seemed like my family agreed with her because everyone had an excuse. At the funeral it seemed she was more interested in sending us away than burying her belated husband. Even at the funeral, our sad faces didn’t change the minds of anyone. 

I dropped out of school to get a job because my uncle’s wife gave us just 2 weeks to look for a place to stay. As much as I loved school and landed A’s in almost every subject, getting a place to stay in two weeks and paying for the rest of my little brother’s fees was much more important to me at the time. I went from place to place, person to person in search of practically any job. I didn’t have a senior high school certificate but at least I was willing to learn. After applying for a 1000 jobs, a friend told me about another friend of hers, a recruiter who could help me. I quickly went to see him. “So you want a job right? Your qualification is really bad.” Mr. Wilson complained when I got there. “I know that Sir, but I’m willing to do whatever it takes. I’m a very fast learner too.” I added. He looked at me again and smiled. “I like your determination. I’ll see what I can do.” He said with a smile.

In a few days I was working as a waitress at a restaurant not too far from my house. My uncle’s wife was very relieved when she heard this and kept reminding me about our departure date. She was so cold, I wondered how my uncle put up with her. I was to make GHC 100 a month. I know it wasn’t much for a 9am to 9pm job but it was all I could get. I promised my brother a water gun by the end of the month. He was so excited because he hadn’t had a new toy since our uncle died. He was only 6, he deserved to play.

At work one day, Mr. Wilson came to the restaurant. He said he was coming to see if everything was ok with me. I smiled and nodded. “Your employer made a complaint.” He said. I looked at him confused, then he went on. “She said you don’t have a phone so communicating with you is hard.” I was relieved, that was scary. “Yes Sir, I can’t afford a phone but when I get paid I will get one.” I replied. He looked at me and shook his head. “We decided to give you one now, so when you get your salary we will deduct 30% every month.” He said and handed a very simple phone over to me. I smiled broadly. “Thank you Sir, that is very kind of you.” I said. “The phone costs 27 Cedis with the chip so we would deduct 9 Cedis each month. It’s better than buying it at once.” He explained. This was brilliant. I couldn’t believe I had a phone!

My uncle’s wife agreed to let us stay till my first pay. Of course there was a condition. We had to pay her 20 Cedis for the extra two weeks. According to her she was risking her life just allowing us to stay. Seriously, if I was a witch as she kept saying it would have been her I would have killed and not my parents or uncle. Pay day arrived and I was ready to see the cash of my labour. After work on the last day of the month I went straight to Mr. Wilson, my recruiter. He was the one to pay me. I got to his office right on time.

 “Ah, Fafa you have come for your money right?” He asked beaming with smiled. I nodded eagerly, remembering the water gun, my two week rent and the rent for a single room I was going to hire. “Why don’t we go for a drink and chat a little before I give you your money.” He offered. “Sir, I have to rush home. I promised my auntie I’d cook supper today.” I replied. He didn’t seem to believe me, or so I thought. “Oh come on, it won’t take long. Alright then let me just show you my house.” He offered again. I was beginning to see the picture from the look on his face. “Sir please I can’t. I’m sorry.” I said in the politest of ways. “Look here, it seems like you don’t want your money eh? After all I’ve done for you. This is what you are telling me eh?” He said harshly. This was the worse situation I had ever been in. I got down on my knees. “Sir please. I need the money but I can’t do that, please understand me.” I pleaded in tears. “Fine!” He said and threw 40 Cedis at me. “I have deducted the full amount for the phone because I don’t trust you anymore and the rest is my percentage. Foolish girl, next time you will be more serious.” He said and rushed out of the office. 

What would you have done? 

To be continued...

Flirtatiously me

I noticed he was staring when he sat down. His eyes seem to twinkle when he turned to look at me. It could have been the light though, but whatever it was, this hottie definitely caught my eye. I whispered to Bijoux, “Oh my goodness, that guy is checking me out. Do you know who he is?” She pretended to be calling the waiter and looked at him. “He’s hot!” She said and we both giggled. “No I don’t know him but his friend looks familiar. That’s Daddy’s lawyer’s son. Don’t really know his name.” She said. Bijoux knew everybody! I looked in his direction one last time and caught him staring. I turned away shyly and straightened my long hair. “Go talk to him.” Bijoux said. I turned and looked at her like she was mad. “Are you kidding? I can’t. He will come here in a few minutes. Just watch.” I said with a smile. Bijoux took a sip of her wine and giggled. 

I think I had gotten to the second stage of eye flirting when a problem came in. A tall girl walked into the pub. She looked so odd with so many colours in her outfit. “Look, it’s a rainbow.” I whispered to Bijoux. She turned around sharply and giggled. “Let’s go to her table, maybe we will find a pot of gold.” She teased. I burst out laughing. This was to get my hottie to look at us but it didn’t work. She was staring at the rainbow. Huh? Was he serious? I had to up my game. I took out my pen from my bag and dropped it. I saw him turn as I bent over to pick my pen. Our eyes met when I was getting back up. I smiled shyly and turned away. Then I noticed his friend turned to look at me too. Then he shook his head and pointed to miss rainbow. Oh, this boy too, what was his problem?

I was beginning to consider Bijoux’s advice but how? I couldn’t lose to a rainbow? I mean seriously, a rainbow! I had one last move, the walk. I told Bijoux to see if he would stare and I got up and walked out slowly, pretending to be on the phone. I came back in five minutes and sat down eager to hear the news. “I have good and bad news.” She started. I crossed my legs and said, “I’m listening.” She smiled, “He looked at you when you were going and all the way till you got out.” She said. I smiled and clapped. “Wait but the bad news is, when you shut the door he started flirting with the colour junkie.” Bijoux added. I was mad and looked at her one more time. Just then, the hottie got up and walked in my direction. My heart missed a beat and I put my hand on Bijoux’s just to calm down. “Hi, hope you girls are having a good time.” He said when he got to our table. I nodded and looked straight at him. “So…” He said turning to me. “How much do you charge a night? My place is not too far and my car is right outside.” He said.

I looked at Bijoux and back at him, took off my Zedi earring then I….. (Scene too violent to even put in words. Your guess is as good as mine)

Out of my league

Six inch heels, pink lipstick, long wavy hair

Little black ZediCross dress, silver clutch, studded earrings

Purple eye shadow, brown highlights, statement ring

Beaded anklet, dangling Daddy Range keys, brown eyes

Perfect teeth, spotless skin, Lacoste Inspiration fragrance

Neatest eye brows, manicured and pedicured nails, brown eyes

Rude friends, perfect skin tone, long firm legs

Slim waist, amazing bone structure, proud glare

You say I'm out of your league but honestly we are just from different worlds

The kiss goodbye

I looked at myself in the mirror one last time. I grabbed my bag and went downstairs. My best friend was watching TV with my mum. I noticed her eyes move away from the TV to me and got up so we could leave. “You are really looking extra fly today.” She said when we were in the car. I smiled and winked at her. “I plan on turning heads.” I said and we both laughed. The laughter didn’t do much. I could still feel the butterflies in my stomach. This was going to be a little hard for me but I knew I could do it. 

When we got to the house, a lot of people were leaving. It didn’t take us long to find a place to park. “Are you sure you want to do this?” Lisa asked. I nodded and we got out of the car. There were children running everywhere. “Jas!” A lady called. I turned around and it was Esi, Fiifi’s sister. I smiled and walked to her. We hugged and she smiled at me. “Wow, it’s been so long, you look great. I heard about your model agency. Congratulations.” She said beaming with smiles. “Thank you, this is…” I said turning around to see Lisa. “This is Lisa, my friend, she’s a model too. We missed the wedding but I just had to come and see Fiifi and give him this.” I said holding the present up. She smiled at Lisa and looked around. “Oh, the gift table is all the way over there. I could take it there for you.” She offered. I nodded and handed it over to her. “Let me get you two a place to sit.” She added and we followed her. 

This was not as difficult as I thought but I hadn’t seen Fiifi yet. I stretched my neck as much as possible to steal a glimpse of the newly wedded couple. I really wanted to avoid his parents though. Then I saw him, they were dancing. He had his hand around her waist as they slow danced. All of a sudden the butterflies started flying in every direction. Esi was walking way now, because we had a place to sit. Lisa sat down and turned to look at me but I was frozen, I couldn’t sit. Just then Fiifi turned and our eyes met. I don’t know how to describe how I felt but it wasn’t pleasant. I turned around sharply and run off in my heels! “Jasmine!” Lisa called after me. There were tears in my eyes. She caught up with me on the verandah. “Hey, do you want us to leave?” She asked putting her hand on my shoulder. “I thought I had gotten over him. My coming here was to prove it but look at me.” I said, wiping my tears with a tissue. “I will never find another guy like Fiifi. I blew it!” I added. She sat me down on a chair and said. “Jasmine, Fiifi is not the only man in the world. You broke up because he didn’t understand you, that’s not your fault. You being here is brave enough, show him how strong you are. Show him the Jasmine Asigri we all know and fear. Oh and if it’s any consolation at all, the bride isn’t even half as pretty as you.” I giggled. My tears had stopped oozing out. I turned around and hugged Lisa. Those were all I wanted to hear, especially the last sentence. 

I walked up to Fiifi and his bride. “Jasmine, wow thanks for coming. I thought you said you couldn’t make it.” He said. I smiled. “Yea, well I had some stuff to do so I rescheduled my flight. Congratulations!” I said with a genuine smile. “Anyways I really have to run. I got you something special though, hope you like it.” I said and turned but he held my hand. “Thank you.” He said and hugged me. That took me by surprise and at that very moment, it felt like he sucked out all my feelings for him. For some reason right after the hug I saw him in a different way. Not Fiifi the cool guy I used to date and still loved but Fiifi the man whose love existed only in my past. 

“How did it go?” Lisa asked, opening the door for me to get into the car. “Very well, I just kissed the love I had for him goodbye. It’s gone, never to be heard of again.” I said feeling much better now. “Nice, so does that mean I can give Leonard your number?” Lisa asked as we drove off. “Leonard from your neighbourhood? That sounds like a plan.” I replied and Lisa screamed with joy. “Oh you will really like him. Did I tell you he paints in his free time? He’s such a nice guy...” She went on and on….

A tough guy's confession

The first time she did it, we were at my cousin’s wedding

I didn’t see it coming but it felt really nice and calming

She made me want to stay in that position much, much longer

I love it when my girlfriend closes her eyes and puts her head on my shoulder

She looked so peaceful and relaxed on my arm

Sometimes she held on to me but remained very calm

I looked down at her and told myself to always protect her

She put her trust in me completely and I am always going to be there

Having her head relaxed on my shoulder

Had the exact effect that Sampson got from Delila

I couldn’t believe how this effect was so strong on me

She would never have guessed that this made a tough guy like me.... mellow

Bruno 'Tails' - Brown fur

I couldn’t believe I was here already. This was much shorter than the other journey we made last time. I couldn’t wait to see Billy oh and I was getting hungry too. The trip was really boring and this time I had no one to talk to. I slept most of the time. Maybe that’s why the journey seemed short. The skinny guy came for me again. This time I was really tired and eager to get off the plane so I didn’t give him much trouble. I walked out and the heat hit me like a Frisbee. My bones! Where were we? The sun was steaming hot and just when we touched the ground I realized it had been hot for a pretty long time. Then I saw Billy! The skinny dude released me and I run to him like crazy. I jumped right on him and he rubbed me under my ears. That feels so nice. 

It was really refreshing as we drove to where he was staying. I had my head out the window and the wind blew over my face but people were staring. That was strange. What was their problem? By the time we got to our destination I also realized almost all the people around were dark. Wow, this was going to be an interesting stay. I rushed into the house. It was cool there and when I found the kitchen, my food was waiting for me. My bones! It looked so good. I barked for joy and enjoyed my meal. 

The next morning my owner, (I call him that because calling him my master is a little demeaning, I mean I’m a dog not a slave!) woke me up pretty early. Oh puppy, he had started his jogging again. Strangely enough it was pretty cold. I liked the weather. We got out of the house and he locked up. It was pretty annoying jogging by his side because he was so slow. I’m sure his belly had a lot to do with it. As we jogged in cat pace, I looked around to get familiar with the area. Then I saw her; the most amazing bitch in the world. She had brown fur and was very furry. She was sniffing around a pile of trash. I increased my pace and stopped closed to her to catch her attention. She didn’t even turn. My owner came and passed me by. I had to move so I slowly followed him but kept my eyes on her. “Bruno, hurry up!” My owner called. Can you believe him? Then she turned, my bones! She was so hot. I stopped and turned around. Just then two other dogs came around her and they disappeared in the opposite direction. “Keep running, fur ball!” One of them barked as they run off. “Whatever, I don’t even like dirty bitches.” I barked to myself and kept jogging.

Join Bruno again as he shares his 'tails'. lol