ADOBEA
Oh, it didn’t work, did it? You were not able to convince them not to divorce! God didn’t listen to my prayer, did He?
The kind-faced man buzzes Adobea on the cheek quite affectionately and smiles at her.
THE STRANGER (gently)
My dear, the God we serve ALWAYS answers the prayers of the righteous, especially if they are adorable young girls like you!
The family members are beckoning to them to come inside. Reluctantly Takyi got to his feet, and he puts a grateful hand on the man’s shoulder.
TAKYI
I thank you so much for sharing this story with me. Listen, I really want to know what happened next.
NAA SHORMEI (sighing)
Same here. I really want to know.
AFIA (unsteadily)
Do you know something, sir? I would’ve loved to hear the rest of the story before…before…
THE STRANGER (laughing)
Hahahaha! I can see it has at least touched something in you. That’s good. Don’t worry, go and get your divorce. I would be here mopping the whole place down, so you would see me here when you come back. I’ll tell you what happened next!
AFIA (anxiously)
Oh, please, please, did Kwansema die? At least tell me that! I want to know!
THE STRANGER (smiling)
Go on, Lady. I’ll be here waiting!
He stands up abruptly, takes his mop and begins to clean the floor again. Afia looks at him, very frustrated.
AFIA
What is this, sir? Why are you doing this? At least tell me whether she lived or died!
NAA SHORMEI
Come on, Afia, please. You don’t want to be late. The judge wouldn’t take kindly to that. We need to go!
They all troop into the courtroom. They all sit down, and the tension is almost unbearable for Takyi. A Bailiff comes out and picks up a microphone and looks down at them.
BAILIFF
The Honourable Judge Quaicoe wishes to inform you that she has been called to an urgent meeting. She begs your indulgence that she will be with you in not more than forty-five minutes, Ladies and Gentlemen. Seating therefore resumes at exactly two o’clock. Sorry for the inconvenience.
NAA SHORMEI (excitedly)
Yes, yes! That’s good. I don’t know about you, Afia, but I want to hear out that story!
For the first time in many months Afia smiles, and then she stands up and goes round the table. Her eyes meet the sad ones of Takyi. She stops near him and gestures towards the door with her head.
AFIA
We’re going out to see that old man. Coming?
Takyi stands up, and he gives a little smile.
TAKYI (a little confused)
Yes, yes, I’m coming, of course.
He follows Afia, and as they walk towards the entrance he reaches out, unconsciously, to take her hand, but Afia jerks her hand away and quickens her steps. Madam Amoaba, Afia’s mother, looks puzzled.
MADAM AMOABA
Ah. What’s going on? Adobea speaks excitedly.
ADOBEA
Oh, I think God wants me to pray harder. Come on, Grandma, pray with me, please.
When Afia, Takyi and Naa emerge from within the courtroom they look around anxiously. They find the stranger sitting where they had left him. He has three apples in a bowl of water by his side, and he is eating a fourth.
Afia sits down by his side now, and Takyi sits where the bowl is. Naa Shormei sits beside Takyi. The man smiles with some hidden mirth, and he does not look much surprised to see them.
AFIA
Now, sir, tell us your name, and please end the story. We have less than forty minutes!
The man nods, chuckles, and does not mind them until he has finished eating the apple in his hand. He drops the pith inside the bowl and wipes his hands with the small towel around his neck.
NAA SHORMEI (chuckling)
You can be very infuriating, sir!
THE STRANGER
Hahahahaaa! I know, dear, I know. Well, where were we? Aha, Yaw Kuntu, that infidel, has agreed to Adwoa Timtim’s evil plan to murder his lovely wife Kwansema…
Location: THE KUNTU RESIDENCE
Kwansema was probably the happiest woman alive when Yaw Kuntu returned from Takoradi and apologized to her for his recent horrible behaviour. He put it down to the influence of his mother, and asked for forgiveness. Kwansema, that great Christian, had a heart of gold. She forgave her husband completely. It was probably the best month of their marriage. Yaw went to church with her, took her out, played with her, laughed with her and made sweet love to her. He took a week off work, that snake of a man, and spent it devoted to her. He even agreed finally to her suggestion that they should adopt a son from the orphanage.
They went to the orphanage for the initial processes. Kwansema was bursting with happiness. She had never been happier. Well, let us jump forward now. Finally, the day came when Yaw Kuntu had to put his terrible plan into effect.
It was a weekend where he was supposed to be chairing a symposium for senior officers of his company, which was taking place at Akosombo. Yaw Kuntu, who had received the terrible poison from Adwoa Timtim, took it home that evening. He took Kwansema to dinner, and when they came home she packed his travelling bags for him, as usual, and then they took a shower together and made sweet love! The following day he was supposed to leave in the late afternoon.
It was a Saturday; Kwansema usually worked out for about an hour in their gym every Saturday. She loved jollof rice a lot, and if there was one food Yaw Kuntu knew how to prepare, it was jollof rice. Whilst his wife was in the gym he prepared some jollof, putting in the best of ingredients. He took his bath afterwards and by the time Kwansema came in, he was ready to leave for the symposium. He poured some natural orange juice for her, and then he dished out her bowl of jollof, and took the deadly potion from his pocket.
Three drops. Just three drops would kill Kwansema! Yaw Kuntu measured three drops of the deadly poison into Kwansema’s food whilst the food was still hot and smelling nice. There! He had done it! Kwansema, that poor woman, was a goner!
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Tbc
