Boat and Naana arrived a while later. Boat was alarmed when the door to his house was locked. He had hoped Esenam would be back by the time they got back. Naana had insisted to come with him to convince Esenan she was more than willing to host her. Boat used his key to get into the house.
“The talk today was very powerful and inspiring to me. What do you think?” Naana said, trying to distract him.
“Yes, it was a powerful speech. It gave me the needed motivation to do more in God’s service. Looks like Esenam is not back from the meeting with her Dad yet. I wonder what happened. I hope her father would change his mind and allow her to go back home. She is so unhappy and I hate seeing her hurting like that.” Boat stated absentmindedly.
Naana was jealous. She wondered why Esenam was always in their conversations. She wondered why Boat could not see that she loved him and pay a little attention to her. Boat stood still when he heard something like a sob coming from the guestroom. He asked Naana if she heard it too.
“Heard what?” Naana shot back angrily.
“I don’t know but I think I heard some sobbing sounds coming from the guestroom.”
“I didn’t hear a thing. But to satisfy your curiosity let’s find out.”
They walked briskly to the guestroom door. It was locked. Boat knocked on it but no one answered. Naana stressed that Esenam was not back and asked that Boat sat with her to discuss something of immense importance to both of them. They walked back to the living-room and sat down. Naana went to the fridge and brought out a bottle of water for herself. Boat was still disturbed. He could still hear the sobs. He walked back to the door and knocked on it harder.
“Esenam, I know you are in there. Open the door please.” Boat begged. After what seem like forever, Esenam unlocked the door and went back to lie on the bed face down. Esenam’s cries became louder. Boat sat beside her and turned her head slowly to face him.
“What happened, Esenam? Please talk to me. Why are you like this?” Boat could not bear to see her so broken. Esenam sat up beside Boat and looked at him with her eyes all puffy from crying. Boat pulled her close, forcing her to a sitting position. He embraced her tightly to assure her he would always be there for her. Esenam placed her head on his broad shoulder and cried her heart out. Every sound she made from her pain tore at Boat’s heart with so much force he felt weak. He could not bear to see Esenam in so much pain. He felt so helpless and useless.
“Esenam, please talk to me. I really hate to see you in so much pain. It’s killing me inside. Please talk to me. A burden shared is always lighter to carry. Talk to me please.” Esenam pulled herself from his embrace when she was calmer and told him between sobs that her Dad asked her to strike out her name from his Will.
“Oh no! That is so uncool. You must be very heartbroken.” Boat said, aghast. Naana, who had followed Boat and watched as he comforted Esenam all the while, rushed to Esenam’s side.
“Oh, I’m so sorry Esenam. I’m sorry you are suffering like this. Stop crying and don’t worry, for even in your greatest despair the God we serve will not forsake you. Remember Job; he suffered so much but in the end God made him smile. He overcame his pain and God will do the same for you. It’s just a matter of time. Give yourself time but you’ll surely get over this rejection from the one person you love most.” Naana said and left for the kitchen to make coffee. Esenam still sobbed. Boat pulled her closer as she rested her head on his shoulder. He stroked her hair gently as she sobbed and assured her he would be with her every step of the way in her trying moments.
“You can count on me for anything. I wish I knew how I could take your pain away. God will do it better for you. Just trust Him, okay.” Boat stated. Esenam realized her tears had wet his shirt and pulled away suddenly. She apologized for wetting his shirt.
“That’s not a problem. I am worried about you. Are you sure you’ll be all right?” Boat asked with his heart in his eyes.
“Yes, I will be all right with God’s help. I just needed to get the initial pain from my Dad’s rejection out of my system. It will take some time to get used to the idea that I don’t have a family anymore.”
“Oh, don’t say that. It’s not your whole family that’s against you. It’s your father and you should think of ways of getting to see the other members of your family without upsetting your Dad. Just know that you can count on me for anything, okay?”
“I will keep that in mind. Thanks so much for lifting my spirits, Boat. The world would surely be a better place if there were just a handful of people like you in it.”
“You are special too Esenam. There ain’t many like you. Your husband would be one lucky man.”
