The Marriage Transaction

Ghana Must Go

Kwabena watched Arnold type out something on his phone and smile to himself before exiting the car.

"You and Salome paa diee, didn't you just leave the house?"

Arnold gave him an amused and long-suffering smile. "Massa, jealousy go kill you ooo. And who told you it is Salome I am talking to?"

"Who else in this world will put up with your nonsense? Your own mother will throw you out if she could", Kwabena teased, deftly dodging the kick Arnold aimed at his shins.

Kwabena had been unpleasantly surprised when Arnold had insisted on transporting him to the airport four hours before his flight, arguing that the unpredictability of Accra traffic demanded an early departure. The much vaunted traffic was nowhere to be found, and hence, Kwabena was at Kotoka at 6pm, for a 10pm flight.

The airport parking lot was abuzz with activity; from hawkers peddling items for three times their actual value, knowing that they had a captive market, to the 'utility boys', who could execute any task for a price. 

Kwabena breathed in deeply, savoring the smell of plantains being roasted and meat being grilled, basking in the cloying heat of tropical evening, and drowning in the discordant sounds of horns blaring and people yelling. He slightly dreaded going back to Chicago, back into the remnants of a seemingly never-ending winter, and to what he had come to realize was a busy but lonely life.

The respite with Joyce had awoken parts of him that had been dormant, parts of him that know demanded attention. Somehow, he had managed to mess up the one relationship that he had truly wanted. Like sand, it had slipped through his fingers because he grasped too hard. Maybe that was the key. Maybe he should have played it cool, cultivated and tended her affections, and played the long game. Maybe, if they had been geographically closer.

Kwabena looked up, and pulled himself together. The 'maybe' game was a mental trap that encouraged useless daydreaming, and he couldn't afford to fall into it. He would strategise on next steps with Joyce once he was back in Chicago.

Arnold was more of a 'connection man' than a pastor. He knew people everywhere, and the airport was no exception. In no time, Kwabena's luggage was checked and secured, and he was at the counter, saying goodbye to Arnold. "You don't have to go through security yet, you know", Arnold said glancing at this watch. Kwabena gave him a glare that could level mountains.

Arnold chuckled his unconcern. "Young man, go find something to eat and stop trying to burn me with your eyes." He pulled Arnold into a hug. "I will tell Salome and the boys that you were crying at the thought of leaving them in my hands."

Kwabena watched his retreating figure and sighed. He desperately wished he wasn't so far from home, and he could pop in on Arnold whenever he wanted, preferably without an invitation, or calling ahead. That will serve the bugger right. He grabbed his carry-on, and headed towards the security gate.

His travel documents had been checked, and he was in line to go through the metal detector when he thought he heard his name. That couldn't be, though. The problem with having a day name like Kwabena in Ghana was that it couldn't reliably identify anyone, since so many had the same name. Then he heard it again, a little louder this time. "Kobs!" He whirled around and ... It couldn't be. Joyce was power-walking towards the security gate. She waved frantically at him, and motioned him to come to her. He didn't need a second invitation. Grabbing his carry-on, he made his way out of the security line.

"No more travel?", the guard asked as he stepped out of the secure area.

"Important business", Kwabena replied, hurrying away.

He slowed down as he approached Joyce and stopped a few feet from her tense figure. She was in a simple, sleeveless yellow dress that showed off her rounded shoulders, and the strappy, Roman looking sandals that women were fond of. Her hair was slightly askew, probably from the power-walking, and her breath was quick and shallow. She looked breathtakingly beautiful, and frazzled.