Love Under the Baobab Tree

Chapter one: Overseas

They hugged each other so tight as if that was the end of the world. Tears flowed down their cheeks as they gaze into each other's eyes. Thinking of the time it will take for them to meet again was so much to endure. All the memories and the late night meetings come to a pause on that day until she returns from abroad.

I will never forget you. I love every piece of you with every part of me. If you leave me, I will die. Please let me hear from you every night ok. Even the promises were not enough to console their hearts. It was time to let go of her hand. Her mother was waiting for her. Their flight would leave very soon. He burst into tears as he watched the only girl he has loved his entire life walked away.

The engine started and the flight was lifted into the sky. He watched the plane until it disappeared out of sight. That was the worst day of his entire life. He couldn't tell his parents; they didn't like that girl. Her parents were Ewes which meant she too was completely one. For that matter, Owusu's parents have warned him several times to stay away from Jasmine simply because she is an ewe. To Owusu, Jasmine was the only girl he could love. He couldn't tell his sister too; he was not in talking terms with her because of the same tribal issues. He could only tell his friend, Derrick; that Jasmine had left to Paris. As a good friend, he consoled him. Cracked jokes together and laughed until they couldn't any longer.

It had been three horrible nights and lonely days but he hasn't heard from her. He spent every night crying and every day sobbing. He had no taste for food or anything. One night after school, He had wanted to sleep early but it seemed impossible. He couldn't just stop thinking about the love of his life. He decided to at least wash his handkerchief which was soaked with his tears. Whiles washing he heard his phone ring. He rushed to pick the call forgetting to clean his hands. The number looked like a foreign number. Deep joy filled his heart. He hastily took the phone but unfortunately for him, the phone dropped from his hands and hit the floor.

The phone was still ringing on the floor. He wiped the foam from his hands and took the phone from the tiled floor. He swiped his thumb across the screen to pick the call but the screen showed no response. The screen had cracked after hitting the tiled floor. He felt like crying not knowing what to do. Then the call came in again, he could see the foreign number on the screen but couldn't take the call. He took the phone rushed outside to go for Derrick's phone whose house was about 20 minutes walk.

He didn't see the car coming. The taxi knocked him down whiles he was crossing the road. It was around 8:00pm.