5.

Abena asked her friend as she entered the class to speak with her during recess. Akosua, how are things going with Tenison?

"Hmm, things have only gotten worse, oh, he can't afford Maakua's fees anymore, so she went to live with her grandmother for a while while he figured himself out. Just one meal a day, Kwame can't afford it, o.” She complained to her friend in a trembling voice.

She was affected by the whole thing--it hurt her to see the man she was head over heels in love with suffering this way.

What hurt the most was that he would not allow her help. But she forced her way to him at times.

"I hope things turn around for his good," she added as they talked for a while, then she left the class.

"Kwame, how far is the plan going?" his friend Kwabena asked him as they watched a football game. "Everything went well, Serwaa had left, so it left with Akosua, Amma and Nella," he explained.

"Great, let's see who wins," he explained as they resumed play.

"Let me call Kwame for some coins because I'm broke." replied Nella.

"Hello Nela," Kwame replied, beckoning Kwabena to lower the TV.

“Hey baby, how are you?” She asked. “I'm bad, Nel, you can walk past the pharmacy and buy me medicine. I do not have enough money". He said low.

"Up to what level?" she asked angrily. "Where's that, uh, preschool teacher or slay queen?" She asked.

"They're gone, Nella, you're my only family. Don't do this to me," he begged.

"Aw, so touching. You know what since you're broke now er, go to the pharmacy and get the drugs on credit. When you get the money you go pay. Rubbish. Foolish man. Adɛn aaa(what's the problem) I should go get you drugs. Do I look like a pharmacist? My friend gerrout! (get out)" She puffed and hung up.

"Ei, ɛmaaa boeɛ(Eii, women hmm)" Kwabena said as the call was on loudspeaker so he heard everything.

"Where did you pick them from?" Kwabena asked shocked.

"Nella, that was harsh at least you could have gotten him the drugs and then dumped him when you sent them to him." Her friend Kukua said. 

"Madam, as at right now I'm low on cash. I even wanted to get some from him not knowing I'm better than him." She explained.

"Besides I don't manufacture drugs nor own a pharmacy, madam Mayɛ shi wai, forgetɛ Kwasia no( I'm stressed right now, forget the fool)" Nella added as she picked her phone to call another man to ask for money.

Akosua got back from the market exhausted. She went shopping for foodstuff for herself and Kwame.

She had moved into his house temporarily to take care of him.

She stocked the fridge with what she had bought. She started to prepare supper for them. She had prepared goat light soup which was almost ready.

She took the cassava and plantain she had prepared of the fire and began to pound the fufu.

It was a little around 5:30 pm when she finished cooking. Today was a half-day at school so by noon they had closed and her student's parents had come for them. By 1:30 pm, she was on her way to the market.

She served Kwame and his friend Kwabena before she served herself joining them at the table. " ɔbaa wo nsa and bɔ paaah (You're a great cook)" Kwabena praised her.

"Thank you." She smiled as they continued with their meal talking about random stuff.

"Akosua, I've been thinking and I want to sell the house," Kwame said after his friend had left and Akosua had finished with the cleaning and washing of bowls.

"Oh, Kwame that's not a good idea. I know you're short on money and all, but selling the house is too extreme." She reasoned.

"I know it is, but what will you have me do? I need the money to pay for the court case. You know they decided to take the case to court." He explained.

"I'm well aware, I can loan you some money. That will be better than selling your house." She tried to convince.

"Imelda, you've been of immense help to me I can't accept money from you. You've been the one taking care of us since the whole bruhaha." He stated.

"But I haven't complained Kwame, I haven't." She tried to reason.

"I know, but I can't accept it and I'm going to sell the house." He said finally.

"Hm, I've heard you. You can move in with me after you've sold the house. My apartment is big enough to accommodate us." She added.

"I will think about it, besides I can go live with mom or Kwabena. But I'd think it through okay." He assured her.

"Okay Kwame, I've heard all that you have said," Akosua replied. 

"I want to go rest, I'd be inside." She said as she left for her room.

Two down, two more left. Let's see who the cap fits. He thought to himself.

His Secretary updated him with all that went on in the office in his absence. Things were moving on well and he gave instructions to her for them to be done as well.

*************

"Daddy!" Maakua exclaimed when she saw her father. He had decided to go and see his daughter and mother as soon as Akosua left for school.

"Hey darling, how are you?" He asked her.

"I fine." She answered as they walked into the house. "Ma!" He called as Maakua got down and ran off.

"In the Kitchen, Kwame." She answered as he headed there. "How are you fairing ?" She genuinely asked.

"Ma, I'm fine. What of you ?". He asked. " I'm good and as you can see Maakua is well, she has even made new friends." She added.

"That's good, how about her studies?" He questioned as he picked an apple from the tray biting into it.

"She's doing well, her tutor left a few minutes before you stepped in." She said staring her pot of stew.

"So how far with your plan? Any progress?" The woman asked.

"It's going well Ma, so far two women have left, it's left with two. But there's one who is so loving, caring and kind-hearted, she's been taking care of me since the whole "issue" " He explained.

"So why do I feel like there's a but?" She asked. "That's because she's a preschool teacher, Ma. What will people think? The CEO of a renowned company married a common teacher." He said.

"Does it matter? Do not follow what people or others say. Be wise whatever you do people will talk." She advised.

"I have heard you Ma." He added walking off to his daughter's room.