Love Under the Baobab Tree

Chapter 8: At the Accident Scene

Jasmine cleaned the table and washed the dishes. She mopped the whole house and even removed all the cobwebs. Eddy was in his room playing TV game. You could hear the sound of the game even if you were 50 meters away. Jasmine should I help you? Her mother asked. No mum, you need to rest. I will do everything. Mrs. Addison Brown stood there holding her waist looking at her daughter moving up and down to make sure the whole house is clean. She silently went to her husband, Mr. Addison Maxwell who was busily reading a newspaper. Honey don't you think our daughter has changed for good? It seems Owusu's death is really bringing good fortune to us, don't you think so? Mr. Maxwell didn't reply, he just kept on reading his newspaper.

Jasmine finished up everything and quickly took a bath. She put on the most beautiful dress she had and headed towards Eddy's room. She knocked and knocked but there was no response. She pushed the door and entered. Shouldn't you knock before coming into my master room? Do you know how many times I have knocked but because of all this noise you couldn't hear me knocking. By the way why are you all dressed this hot afternoon? Are you on a date or something special? Owusu asked. Yes I have a date with my sweetheart tonight. Tonight? Who could that lucky person be? I am sure he owns a castle and drives in his own made car to deserve such a beauty like you. Jasmine smiled. Eddy I have a favor to ask from you. I want you to escort me to the place where the car knocked Owusu whilst we were in Paris.

What!! What the hell are you going to do at that place? Do you think mum and dad will allow you to go? That's why I want you to keep it secret. But what are you going to do there Jasmine? You know that place is not safe, especially for you. Will you go or not? Jasmine interrupted. Ok I will go but only this one. Thank you very much my wonderful cousin. So when are we going? Eddy asked. 5:00pm.

Jasmine went back to her room. She took her handkerchief from her pocket and wiped some drops of tears from her eyes. She packed up her things and laid her bed with a white bed sheet. She changed her pillow case and laid down looking at the clock. There was nothing else to think about. Memories of Owusu started flowing through her mind. She started thinking of the day that she didn't do her homework at school. The teacher entered the class and started checking. Owusu eyed her and asked whether she had done it. She nodded her head signaling no. Then Owusu torn the one he had done and passed it to someone to give it to her. She passed it back to him but he rejected it and pleaded that she should use it. The teacher got to her asked her to open her exercise book. She opened it and showed it to him. He looked closely to it asked her why it had torn. She explained to the teacher that her little sister torn it in the morning. 

The teacher shouted to the whole class that he wouldn't accept any torn assignment the next time. Owusu was the last person. He was sitting at the left corner at the back of the class. It was his turn. The teacher asked him to show him his assignment but he wouldn't respond. 

The teacher asked him for the second time to show him the assignment. Owusu looked at him and said he had forgotten to do it. He was walked to the front of the class and was asked to kneel down with his hands up. He was given 7 strong lashes at his back. After which he was instructed not to stand up till break time. Jasmines eyes were filled with tears wondering why he would do such a thing all for her.

That memory really broke her down. She pressed her head against the pillow so that nobody will hear her weeping. She turned to look at the clock and it was almost 4:00pm. She stood up and went to the bathhouse to take a bath. She finished bathing and put on her very best dress. She locked her door and walked towards Eddy's door. She knocked the door and entered.