CHAPTER NINE

Patricia had packed her things and was ready to leave the house. Barrister Fasasi pleaded for her not to leave but her mind was already made up. She had concluded that she would be his house since the week before but wasn’t brave enough to tell him. Until this morning, she had endured everything to her brim and could no longer take it. His wife and children dislike her. They refuse to talk to her. She would hear them gossip about how she murdered her husband. She could not walk freely in the house and feel more like a stranger from a very strange land. Even when she tried to help, they would scream and call her names.

Since the incident, she hardly goes to work for the fear of bumping into Sammy’s angry fans. Maybe her employer already planning her sack too; she thought. They would also want to stay clear of scandals. The last time she went to the supermarket down the road to get some milk, some High School students stoned her with eggs. She feels unsafe everywhere. So she has decided to go back to Ghana for a while; at least until this whole issue dies off. She took a cab to the airport to catch her flight back to Ghana. Barrister Fasasi would have loved to escort her to the airport but she refused. She Didn’t want to be noticed at all.

She even had to disguise herself with a sunshade and a scarf. She was scared someone might identify and torture her again. Fortunately for her, she made it into the plane without harassment. Her twin brother, Nana Kwame was already waiting for her at the airport in Ghana. He was so happy to see her. He welcomed her with hugs. The last time they saw each other was at the Muritala International Airport, Lagos when he came for a seminar in Lagos. It been four years before they met in Lagos. It took another three years to meet again. She felt as happy as she felt the day they met in Lagos. Like a good friend, Nana Kwame has always been an understanding brother. He helped her with her bags and showed her to where the car was parked outside the airport.

Kumasi (Ghana) is Patricia’s first home. The freshness of air she felt when they passed Lake Bosomtwe reminded her of home. It meant they are very close to the house. She wasn’t in a rush to reach home. So she had told Nana Kwame to take her to the lake side. She wanted to enjoy the sights from the lake. She closed her eyes to breathe in the air she had missed so much. She wouldn’t have left home if Maame Serwa had allowed her to do as she pleased. She kept frustrating her every attempt to venture into the mainstream media. Maame Serwa doesn’t like journalism. She hates anything pertaining to broadcasting.

Pat’s father was a journalist, a crime reporter. He reported those dirty things politicians and unworthy elites do not want in the open. Until he started getting threats from an unknown sources. He had done a lot of undercover stories that he couldn’t even suspect the source. He reported at police station for protection and tracing but all to no avail. They only promised him security which they never delivered. He, together with his wife (Pat’s mother) was attacked and killed by some armed men. Pat and Nana Kwame became orphaned and Maame Serwa has been their nanny and caretaker since then.

Maame Serwa hates to listen to the news. She believes it’s full of sad stories. It was through the news she first heard about her son and daughter in- law’s death. She dreads the sounds from the radio as though they are about to break the next bad story. But Patricia; she has always loved to be on the radio or television ever since she was a child. Her father and mother supported her choice but Maame Serwa have always opposed it. Whenever she is meant to go for an interview, her grandmother would do all in her capacity to stop her. The last straw that made Patricia leave home was when she soaked all her dresses in water on the morning of one of her interviews. She had to borrow one of Nana Kwame’s shirt and trouser which was way bigger and out of dress code for her.

She looked like she was thrown into a bean sack that morning. She went to the venue of the interview in that mess. Everyone mocked her. She was so embarrassed but determined until she was denied access into the Interview hall because of the way she was dressed. Patricia became so angry that she cursed Maame Serwa for it.

“I hate you, Maame.”

She shouted standing at the entrance of the kitchen like a shelter less girl who picked up clothes from the street. Maame Serwa shook her head both ways without saying a word. She continued cooking. She dint even take a glance at Patricia who was still in her brother’s cloth.

“Why do you keep punishing me, Maame? I’d told you to keep your stupid reasons to yourself. Don’t get worried about me anymore. Keep those worries for your beloved grandson, Nana Kwame, whom you have allowed to do whatever he wanted despite been more dangerous.” She ranted.

Nana Kwame is now a pilot. Patricia thought flying a plane was more dangerous than reporting and broadcasting on radio. But Maame Serwa thought otherwise. She thought Nana Kwame wouldn’t be hurt working as a pilot. She sat still on her stool cooking even after listening to Patricia rudely rant at her. She rather moved around the kitchen singing one of the traditional Ghanaian songs. As a child, Patricia hated those songs and it made her fume.

“I know what to do. I will leave this house for you.” She uttered as she banged the door behind her.

“Yes, that is the best thing to do.” Maame Serwa finally spoke after her long silence.

Patricia rushed out of the kitchen in tears. She did not understand all Maame Serwa was doing was because she loved and cared about her. She understand better now that she is carrying another being in her. She would do anything for her baby; she thought. She decided to keep the baby not because Sammy asked her but because of her personal intuition. She went through all that for her unborn child. She does not want it to lack anything.

They arrived home eventually and she became very hesitant to go inside the house. She paused at the doorstep as she did not know how warmly she would be received by Maame Serwa. Would she accept her back? What will she tell her about her big tummy? Who will she say is responsible? Should she tell Maame Serwa that she was accused of killing the baby’s father? They haven’t met in the last seven years after she had left home. She turned to go back but her brother held her. He understood her feelings. She had explained part of her ordeal to him when they last met in Lagos and he Didn’t judge her for any.

“Let go inside. Maame Serwa will be happy to see you. She missed you.” He said holding her hands.

Her stomach tightened as if something was sitting at the bottom of her stomach. Her heart was racing like a horse in the puissant. She held her brother’s hand tightly too. Her brother does not know what is going on in her mind. She wished she could tell him right this instant but could not.

“Relax, will you?” He said calmly.

She nods as they walk in. Maame Serwa was in the sitting room alongside a slender white lady who was sitting close to her. They seem to be close because they both talked like friends who have known each other for ages. Patricia could not see the other woman’s face because her back was turned to her. But she could tell the lady is younger than Maame Serwa. She was shaken and jumped when she heard Maame Serwa screamed her name. She does not know what to do. But Maame Serwa stood on her feet and rushed towards her. The white lady stood in surprise. She must have been told about her because she smiled all along.

“Akwete, my child.”

She pulled her into her embrace. Pat buried her face in her arms and they both sobbed. “Akwete” is Patricia’s name. It means the first female child of a twin. As soon as she left home, she changed her name so her family would not be able to find her. She had vow not to return home until she had become very successful. Here she is as a successful and a well-known on air personality filled with troubles. She could not brag about her success now. Her dreams had faded like a color washed by water. She could not say her radio name to anyone or show her face. That name is already attached to a murderer.

“Come in my children.”

Maame Serwa made her sit on the chair close to hers and the white lady who now clings Nana Kwame’s hand where seated like her property. She raised her brows which formed lines of curiosity. Her brother smiles and pats the lady’s hand as he moves towards her.

“This is my wife, Harley. She is from Italy.” He said smiling with brim.

His eyes is filled with love; Patricia could tell. It reminded her of Sammy when he introduced Lisa as his girlfriend. She frowned a bit as that thought crossed her mind. She immediately smiled to compliment the expression on Harley and her brother’s face.

“Honey, your sister does not like me.” Harley said as she tries to read Pat’s expression “No, believe me dear. I have nothing against you. You’re beautiful and I sure love whatever makes my brother happy. Look at how he smiles when he looks at you. Am just a bit tired That’s all.” Patricia explained.

“Harley, please get her some water.” Maame Serwa interrupts.

“Yes, Grandma.” Harley responded and makes her way to the kitchen.

Maame Serwa sat close to Pat. She held her hand. She noticed the bump in her belly.

“Akwete, you’re married and you did not think of inviting us even if you don’t want to come back to us. You should have at least called us to your wedding. Why did you not come all this years?” Maame Serwa asked.

Patricia burst into tears. She does not know how to respond. Nana Kwame knew part of this story even when they have been apart for years. He stepped in the conversation for her. He knew there is something going on. But since he could not figure out what it was. Ever since they were kids, he would always wait for her to open up. He doesn’t bother her with questions like Maame Serwa would always do. And after brooding for some time she would be ready to talk. Her brother would patiently wait for that moment.

“Maame, please let her be. She is jetlagged. Keep those questions for another day. She is not leaving anytime soon.” He said.

“Really?” She turned to Patricia. “What about your husband?”

“Erm…Erm… He is travelling and Won’t be back soon.” She stuttered.

“What does he do that makes him leave his wife alone in this condition?” Maame Serwa asked pointing to her bump.

She also do not have answer to that. She was saved by the cry of a baby from the room.

“That must be Andre.” Nana Kwame said.

Patricia wondered who Andre is. She has stayed away from her family for such a long time. She does not even know her twin brother is married. She doesn’t even have his contact. Thanks to Barrister Fasasi who gave her Nana Kwame’s mobile number when she thought of going back home. She called him up to pick her at the airport. He was so surprised to receive her call and was equally happy too. He did not ask a question. That’s her brother. He never questioned whatever she does. He would always support her.

She sure has a lot of explaining to do to the whole family. She is scared how they would all feel when they find out she did not come because she wants to. But she did because she had nowhere else to go. She could only come back to her family. She would have told them the reason right now but Maame Serwa would throw her out immediately. Andre turn out to be Harley and Nana Kwame’s son. He is a beautiful half caste. Pat tried to play with the boy but he looked at her strangely. The child saw her face for the first time. He must be thinking who the stranger was?