STING

CHAPTER 6 [WIFE-FIND]

All through the week, Bekoe thought about the conversation that ensued between himself and his boss. He was alarmed. He had a lot of questions to ask but the nature of his job and relationship with his boss demanded the highest level of obedience and loyalty. He could not risk being perceived as nosy. He had to be calculative and think one step ahead like a military man should. Thinking about what Dr Forson spoke with him about concerning getting a wife, he had to consider visiting his girlfriend Naana whom he hadn't seen a while. She usually spent most of her days in the North because of work and will normally return to town with Gambo Yahaya her boss, when they had work to do in Accra.

Naana was a gorgeous tall dark chocolate woman whom Kofi Bekoe met in the University. She was a human rights lawyer who was a key associate at Yahaya & Associates, a renowned law firm in Tamale. She was the only daughter of Reverend Denu, a priest and Pokuaa his beautiful blind wife. She was now the only child after the demise of her older brother who died as a result of a political riot in Tema during her university days. Naana was a carbon copy of her mother except that her mother Pokuaa was fair in complexion. Bekoe's silence got on her nerves and she could almost end their relationship without thinking but she'd eventually forgive him his sins and take him back him like a lost soul.

Bekoe while on his way back from work after dropping his boss off at home thought it wise to see his woman, knowing very well she had been in town for a while. He knew how much of trouble he was in and that deterred him for those extra couple of days he had defaulted in reaching her. He stopped by the floristry to get some flowers and then headed to Tema where she lived. It was about 7:30 PM when he arrived there and he could only keep his fingers crossed and hope that he wouldn't be crucified.

BEKOE: "Hello! Anybody home?"

NAANA: "Kofi leave my house!"

BEKOE: "Baby...."

NAANA: "Don't baby me Kofi. It's been a week, what's the excuse? Eh? Tell me!"

BEKOE: "I know I know... work and elections... you know how it is. I've been..."

NAANA: "...busy? Don't give me that crap..."

BEKOE: "N...n...no. been missing you"

NAANA: "Oh I am very sure you have"

KOFI BEKOE: "See... I got you flowers"

NAANA: "Kofi Bekoe! Flowers? Really? Which movies have you been watching?"

KOFI BEKOE: "Come on Naana are you being petty? You'd love them"

NAANA: "Kofi this is Ghana. Next time think about something... umm like fixing my Wi-Fi so at least we can skype at night, or oh, let me think, you don't have free time, you've been busy... missing me of course"

"Will you kids stop shouting in my home? We are praying" yelled Reverend Denu

"Or perhaps fix security cameras like what dad is doing at church... so that at least I can keep an eye on Ma while I stay in here." She whispered to herself.

Bekoe stood still beside the staircase for about 5 minutes and she still did not feel perturbed to even descend. That was when it actually occurred to him that she had reached her limit. He walked gently up the stairs and again gently opened the door to her room; there she laid tucked in bed underneath her quilt. Her door was left unlocked and that gave him confidence that he still had a chance to explain.

"Do not turn on my lights" She insisted

[Bekoe crawled up unto her bed to cuddle her up.]

"Kofi Bekoe, I hope you haven't got your shoes in my bed"

He took of his shoes and lay by her explaining for about 15 minutes but she heard none of it. Well, he understood how she was feeling about everything so he just sat on the edge of the bed and recited psalm 23 solemnly.

"When you are done praying, leave. Or better still join Ma and Da downstairs. I have work tomorrow".

Without uttering a word, he gave her a kiss on her cheek, left the roses on the bed and took his leave.

-----

He arrived at work in Accra the next morning and moved straight to Dr Forson's office to report what ensued between himself and his girlfriend.

DR FORSON: "Kofi you hadn't called or seen her since she got to town?"

BEKOE: "Sir the elections"

DR FORSON: "How long has she been around?"

BEKOE: "Since Boxing Day..."

[The room remained quiet for a couple of seconds and then Bekoe spoke again]

BEKOE: "...I got her flowers but she..."

DR FORSON: "Flowers? Come on Kofi. We are in Ghana"

BEKOE: "Exactly what she said and that the next time I should try fixing the Wi-Fi"

DR FORSON: "...and have you fixed the Wi-Fi?"

BEKOE: "I presumed she was only trying to make a point"

DR FORSON: "what are you still doing here?"

Bekoe then dashed out of the office and arranged with the service providers to get the Wi-Fi restored in Rev Denu's house before Naana arrived from work. On returning to the office, He pondered over the questions he has processed in his mind but he dared not question his boss. He had no one to confide. He would probably bite his tongue and swallow it before he ever tried it.