Two Mistakes Ago

Chapter 4

Most people say, joy comes in the morning. Without any doubt, mornings are always bright and beautiful. The whole environment is radiant and the sun's golden rays dances elegantly across the earth. That's why our forefathers believe that mornings are the most important part of everyday and should be welcomed with a sound mind and a refreshed soul. I saw over 122,000 mornings and when I died...well probably 2,800...but a morning like this one, I had never seen before.

The whole place was dark and very scary, like the beginning of a horror movie. I couldn't bring my weak eyes to decipher anything at all. I was terrified and confused. I could hear strange faint noises, but I was not sure where they were coming from. I thought my ears were playing tricks on me. I could barely hear Sheila's very very tiny voice. But that was once a while. I didn't understand what was happening outside. I didn't know if Mr. second death really existed and had finally come to get me or I was simply going crazy. Or, had the akwaaba wall clock finally broken into pieces leaving my poor soul wandering around blindly? Or it simply wasn't morning? Different thoughts kept entering and exiting my brains with fear lurking around the corners of my heart.

I finally decided to accept my new black fate. I was just unhappy I wasn't going to see Sheila again, playing childishly in her room. It had been eight happy months without Seth. She worked happily and lived maturely, without any man trouble. She stayed up late watching movies and ate a lot of junk. Everything about that young lady fascinated me. No woman, apart from Nancy Appiah had been able to occupy my mind for so long.

Well, Nancy was the woman I loved when I was alive. She bore two daughters and three sons for me, but we never got married officially. I didn't see the need to waste my hard earned cash on that ridiculous engagement ceremony, especially when her greedy father was demanding for twenty four cows, ten fowls and three sewing machines in exchange for one human being. Her mother's long list was even what discouraged me from engaging in that traditional marriage. A church wedding was also definitely a no-no as we were both pagans during our youthful days. We lived together till the day I passed on, watching our children and grandchildren grow sweetly. She was the best thing that happened to me. This might sound clichèd but whenever she smiled, there was nothing else I could see. The whole place would be perpetually as dark as this very morning, and her smile... glittering.....Then I'll say to her, "Nancy, you know I love you".
She would smile and playfully hit my chest as though she did not believe I adored her, perhaps she didn't believe in my love for her because I refused to pay her dowry and marry her properly.

Trrrrrr.....trrrrr.... I was startled, till I saw Sheila's fingers carelessly ripping apart the brown paper she had rapped me in tightly. She was sweaty, tired and dirty. When I looked around. I realized we had relocated. So that silly little girl wrapped the akwaaba clock several times with brown paper to avoid breakages. That was why my whole morning was dark. Obviously we just spent the entire morning travelling. I wandered what town we were in now, but I was certain it was no where near Accra. The journey was terribly long.

I was very shocked. I never heard her discuss this serious relocation with anyone. Not even Aunt Mara. I didn't even hear her making plans or reservations for such a massive journey. Maybe, just maybe she made all such calls at work, and I couldn't hear anything...

...apparently, I was asleep the entire time she was packing her stuff or maybe I was the first thing she wrapped with the brown paper.

She hung me on the wall opposite the door beside her wardrobe. I could get a clear view of her pink and purple painted room and when she opened her door, I could see her balcony and kitchen. Her bedroom was bigger than the one in Accra. I just hope she will keep it tidy this time.

As I was scanning the room trying to figure out why we were here, the doorbell rang.

"Knock, knock," a male voice called.

"Just a moment, please..I'll get the door, she said, still brushing her hair carefully...

" Oh, hi...you must be Elorm? She asked..not too sure though.

"Yea...Yea..I am your neighbour and coworker, maybe soon to be husband... He said with an indifferent face as if it was a usual thing to say with his outstretched hands, hungry for a handshake.

Sheila placed her beautiful palm in his broad huge palm and he rubbed it with his other palm flirtatiously.

"You know, on a cool normal day, I wouldn't use just an ordinary handshake. A tight hug would do the magic..don't you think so?" He asked running his fingers through his overgrown beard as his lips curved into a seductive smile.

"yea right.." She nodded in agreement.

I actually expected her to roll her eyes out of spite at the tall, brown skinned lad with square eyes but instead she smiled sweetly.

"There's a party at 'DNA' tonight, errm DNA is the most happening night club in the whole of central region and most of our colleagues will be there. I mean those you will be working with. You might want to come there and meet a few coworkers before tomorrow," he said.

"Oh..that's fine. You know, I don't want to feel like the new kid on the block tomorrow. I am not a fan of night clubs though. I have never been to a night club actually. But I can socialize with a good number of people before tomorrow..." she said with a loud chuckle.."I can be garrulous sometimes though".

They both burst into laughter. The conversation finally ended on the note that Mr. Next-door would come for her later to a night club called DNA...how lame? I hope she doesn't fall into the trap of this woman predator. I am not jealous, I am just being protective...and I just remembered I'm only a speechless wall clock. There's not much I can do. I might as well mind my own business.

From what was going on it was clear she had moved somewhere around central region to work. Why would she do that knowing perfectly well that Aunt Mara and Seth are in the same region? She was not safe around either of them. Sometimes I wish I could just be the life coach of this clueless girl. Why would she want a transfer? She was happy in Accra with Seth out of the picture. Clearly this young lady is naive and confused.

How could she even agree to go out with this new guy she met two minutes ago, to a night club? This is how she will end up in trouble, then she will come back and cry herself to sleep. I know I'm a bit old school..okay I am very old school but Sheila is really being overly friendly with this guy. One look at him and you will know he is a chronic womanizer looking for someone to trap.

And she doesn't seem to mind.

..Hey peeps, I am so sorry for this very very long break. I was just caught up in some kind of difficult exam and I barely had enough time to do anything. Good news is, I'll try my best to post the other chapters ASAP..Meanwhile your comments are gladly welcome :):)...

My sincerest apology,
EstellaApenuvor.