Whispers of Destiny

Chapter 8

***The local shopping mall is bustling with activity as Nsiah and her auntie, Auntie Akyaa stroll the aisles, checking items off their camping list. Nsiah carries a small notebook filled with reminders, her excitement palpable.***

Auntie Akyaa: ( holding up a blanket) So, do you think this one is warm enough for you?

Nsiah: ( nodding enthusiastically) Defy! And we need to get some snacks please...

***As they continue shopping. Nsiah glances around, her mind racing with thoughts of the upcoming camping program. Suddenly, she spots her friend Maame Efua, who is shopping with her mother a few aisles over.***

Nsiah: ( grinning) Auntie, look ! It's Maame Efua!
(Nsiah waves excitedly and walks towards her friend, her auntie following closely behind )

Maame Efua: ( noticing Nsiah and waving back) Nsiah! Hey!
( Nsiah and her auntie reach Maame Efua and her mother, Auntie Nancy, who is also inspecting some pillows ).

Nsiah:( smiling) What are you doing here?

Maame Efua: ( beaming) My mom and I are picking up some last- minute things for the stay over . We just saw this pillow.

Auntie Akyaa: ( chiming in) The pillow looks comfy.

Auntie Nancy: ( looking up with a smile) Hi there! It's great to see you both. Are you all set for the staying over at school?

Auntie Akyaa: We are getting there! Just making sure we everything she might need.

Maame Efu and Nsiah continue to chat about random stuffs.
***As they chat, Auntie Akyaa picks up a few more items, keeping an ear on the conversation.***

Auntie Akyaa: ( smiling) It's wonderful to see you two so excited. Just remember, study hard.
( Auntie Nancy adds, looking at Nsiah and Maame Efua)

Auntie Nancy: And help each other all the time.

Auntie Akyaa: ( glancing at her watch) Alright girls, we should probably get going. We still have a few more things to pick up before the camping .
** With that, Nsiah and her auntie wave goodbye to Maame Efua and her mother, heading off to finish their shopping.**

The afternoon run filters through the curtains of Kweku's grandfather's living room. Kweku is sprawled on the couch, thumbing through a magazine, when he hears the familiar sound of the front door opening. He looks up to see his mother, Auntie Ama, enter carrying several shopping bags. A fleeting smile crosses his face, but it quickly fades.

Auntie Ama: ( brimming with enthusiasm) Surprise! Look what I brought for you!
( Kweku stands up , forcing a smile as he approaches her. She sets the bags on the table and glances at the contents- snacks, a new water bottle and a cozy blanket).

Kweku: ( trying to sound cheerful) Thanks mom.

Auntie Ama: ( noticing his lack of enthusiasm) I thought you'd like these when you stay at school, your grandpa informed me.
( Kweku shrugs, his expression distant)
Kweku: ( quietly)  Yeah, they are great.

( His mother's smile falters and she sits down beside him , seeing something is off).

Auntie Ama:( gently?  What's wrong, Kweku? You seem a bit down.

Kweku: ( sighing) I don't know. It's just... you haven't been around much lately.
( His mother's expression shifts to one of concern, she reaches out placing a hand on his shoulder)

Auntie Ama: ( gently) I understand. I promise I'll make more time for you. It's just that things have been hectic.
( Kweku nods, but his heart is still heavy. He forces a smile not wanting to hurt her feelings).

Auntie Ama: You have to study hard during this period.

Kweku: Alright mom.

( As she gathers her bags to leave, Kweku watch her go , a mix of gratitude and sadness welling up inside him. He knows he should be happy for her visit, but the feeling of neglect lingers, casting a shadow over his happiness).

***Kweku's POV***
When I heard the front door creak open, I looked up and there she was— my mom. She stepped in with that familiar brightness, carrying shopping bags that seemed almost too heavy for her arms. A smile tugged at my lips but it was fleeting. I couldn't shake the feeling of reluctance that settled in my heart.

"Surprise! Look what I brought for you", she exclaimed, her voice full of enthusiasm.
I forced myself to smile as she emptied the bags onto the coffee table. I should have felt excited, but instead, I felt a twinge of frustration. It was as if she was fulfilling a duty rather than spending time with me.
"Thanks mom", I said  trying to sound genuine as I picked up a bag of plantain chips.
She sat down beside me, her brows furrowing as she noticed my lack of enthusiasm. I knew she would ask what was wrong and i braced myself for that moment.

I didn't want to hurt her feelings but I couldn't keep pretending everything was okay.
I wanted to enjoy her visit, to feel connected again just like when Dad was alive but the underlying frustration lingered. I wanted her to know that I mattered to her, that I wasn't just another responsibility to check off her list.

Watching her gather her bags to leave, a wave of conflicting emotions crashed over me.
As she walked out the door , I felt a piece of me go with her, a reminder of what I missed -our time together, the connection we used to share. I hoped the maybe, just maybe, I could find a way to bring that back.

*** Nsiah and her auntie pull into their driveway after a successful shopping trip. The sun is beginning to set , casting a warm glow over the neighbourhood. As they exit the car, Nsiah can hear the sound of laughter and playful shouts coming from inside the house***

Auntie Akyaa:( cheerfully) I think your cousins are already in full swing!

Nsiah:( smiling) I can't wait to see what they're up to.

( They walk up to the front door l, and as soon as Nsiah opened it, she's greeted by a whirlwind of energy)

Nana Akosua and Papa Yaw : ( in unison) Nsiah! You're back!

Nana Akosua: Did you get everything?

Nsiah ( laughing) slow down , Nana, Yes I got lots of stuffs. I will show you everything after dinner.

Nsiah is sitting cross- legged on the bed , surrounded by pillows and few open books. Nana Akosua sit down beside Nsiah , trying to have some more of their midnight chats before she leaves for camping which is four months long.

Nana Akosua: Hey! Can I ask you something?

Nsiah: ( looking up from her book) Sure, what's on your mind?

Nana Akosua: ( leaning closer, whispering dramatically) Do you still have a crush on Kweku?
( Nsiah feels her cheeks warm as she bites her lip , trying to suppress a smile)

Nsiah;( playfully) Well , maybe...But he doesn't feel the same.

Nana Akosua: Well you never know... He might—
Nsiah:( interrupting her) It's just a crush, okay? It's not a big deal.

Nana Akosua: What if he likes you back?
(Nsiah feels her heart race at the thought of, but she shakes her head)

Nsiah;( sight) it's complicated. I don't want to ruin our friendship.
( Nana Akosua leans back , considering her sister's words)

Nsiah packed her books away and they both laid in bed silent, gradually falling asleep.