The dim lights of the car park cast a soft glow on empty parking bays as I step out of my accounting firm. It's well past 9pm, and the usual hustle and bustle of our office building has given way to the sleepy peacefulness of an unoccupied workplace at night. But peace is the last thing I feel. Clutching my handbag tightly under one arm and balancing my laptop and a stack of accounting files in the other, I trudge towards my car in the flickering lights of the parking lot. My high heels make a soft clicking sound on the concrete, reminding me with each step of the aching blisters on my toes from my new shoes. As I approach my car, a deep sigh escapes my lips, my shoulders sagging. I fumble with my keys, my tired hands struggling to find the right one. I see my fatigued expression reflected in the driver's side window but avert my eyes. Finally the door unlocks and with a sigh of relief, I place my belongings at the back seat.
I settle into the driver's seat, taking a moment to lean my head back and just soak up the silence. I feeling of relief at reaching the end of another long day, mixed with ever present anxiety, floods through my bones. My mind races with thoughts of unfinished reports and deadlines looming ahead. Have I done enough to reach my targets for this quarter? My untouched 'To-do' list, which at this point is at least three pages long mocks me from the back seat. With a heavy heart I give myself a shake and remember I can't sit it this car park till morning. I wearily start the car and begin my journey home. The city lights pass by in a blur as I drive through the quiet streets of Cantonments. The sound of raindrops begin to gently tap on the windshield adding to the ambience of the night. I turn up my Chillhop playlist, sinking into the rhythmic sound and letting it smooth out my worried thoughts. I don't want to go home, I think. My exhaustion threatens to overwhelm me but a little stubborn part of my brain reminds me its Friday night. I'm only thirty-four, for goodness sake. I shouldn't be ending this god-awful week alone in my apartment with just my thoughts.
Surprising myself, I turn left away from the route that will take me home. One drink, I coax myself. I avoid the colourful bars littering Osu, filled with tourist and twenty-something revellers, the pulse of Afrobeats rattling passer bys bones. I make turns blindly until I see a tiny bar tucked into a non-descript corner, potted palms linking the exterior. I allow a 'Gorro' boy to guide my Honda Civic into a parking spot between two larger vehicles. I nod to him as he greets me and promises to watch my car diligently to prevent thieves breaking in. I tip him GHC 5 and promise him more if I return to find my car intact, hoping the money would dissuade him from breaking into the vehicle himself. He smiles revealing a beautiful set of pearly white teeth and a wicked twinkle in his eye giving me a quick nod to acknowledge our silent agreement.
I shiver as the rain drops hit my skin whilst I make my way to the bar. I look up and notice that the bar is covered with greenery, plants tucked into and hanging off what looks like every available corner and shelf. There is no loud music here. Music similar to the instrumental chillhop I was just listening to in my car trickles through. I glance around grateful that the bar is neither empty or full. A smattering of people dot the venue, talking in low voices. I grab a seat at a small table off to the side and catch the eye of a waitress. She bends her head attempting to ignore me but suddenly snaps it back up. She picks up her pad and makes her way towards me.
"Good evening. Welcome to Adzo's Place. Can I take your order?" The waitress repeats her script to me in a monotone voice but I notice her eyes linger on something or someone behind me.
"Can I please have rosemary gin and tonic? No ice." I wince in anticipation of the headache the gin is likely to give me tomorrow. But the way I'm feeling tonight, my usual white wine spritzer isn't going to do the trick. The waitress doesn't seem to hear me. Instead she cranes her neck for a better view of whatever is behind me. "Hello? Madam. A rosemary gin and tonic." I repeat in frustration. Finally the waitress casts me a sour look as if by giving my order I've disturbed her. She sulkily repeats the order and slowly makes her way towards the bartender, turning around every thirty seconds to gaze back curiously behind me. I don't bother to look at whatever seems to be fascinating her.
I slump back into my chair and close my eyes. The items on my 'To-Do list' dance behind my eyes. I push them away and try to think of something else. My phone buzzes. I glance at the incoming Whatsapp message and freeze.
Nahki sweetie, I hope you remembered to call the insurance company. Daddy's car insurance is expiring on Thursday. Let me know when it's done. Go home early today. Love you, Mummy.
Fuck. I forgot to call the insurance company. I had forgotten last week too. And the week before that. I began to feel my throat close with pent up tears. My parents were always so careful not to bother me knowing how demanding my job is. This was the first time in ages they had asked me to help out and I had let them down. Guilt swamped me. I closed my eyes so I could properly drown in it.
I heard the sound of a chair scraping in front of me and felt a body move to sit in it. My eyes flew open as a warm hand landed on my chest, lightly pushing me. That's when I saw the most beautiful man I had ever seen. And his hand was firmly on my breast.
