Elorm decided to let go and tried to change the subject. “Okay, I rest my case for now. I heard you wanted your privacy so much you got yourself a new place?”
“Elorm, what has gotten into you? Yes, I have an apartment now but it’s not for the reasons you are suggesting.”
“Asking for your own room, moving into a new place, these are symptoms exhibited by someone in love. Very soon we will hear you say you are getting married.” Elorm pushed.
“Stop your insinuations, Elorm. Since you are so much interested in relationships, why don’t you tell us about yours?” Esenam replied.
“Can we have some quiet here? You know very well that it’s not good to eat and talk at the same time.” Mr. Fiagbe called them to order.
After dinner, Esenam took the opportunity to thank her family for all that they had done for her. She was grateful for their time, care and efforts.
“I made it this far because you loved and cared for me. I’ll always be grateful, and love you no matter what. Thanks to you all, especially Mom and Dad for the sacrifices you made for me.” Esenam concluded. Mr. Fiagbe stepped into the garden afterwards. He was so proud of Esenam’s academic glories but decided not to say anything more. He was aware he had behaved irrationally with the way he handled the matter with Esenam but there was no turning back now. Too much had passed under the bridge. He really wished he had done things differently but at the same time he was hurt. Hurt by the fact that Esenam gave him up in a twinkle of an eye. Esenam walked to him and asked if she could have a word with him.
“Be swift about it, whatever you have to say.”
“Dad, first of all let me thank you for all that you’ve done for me. I also want to apologize for the pain I caused you. Please understand that I did what I had to do. I didn’t want it to seem like I was disrespecting or disobeying you. Please find it in your heart to forgive me. I’ll be very glad if we can go back to being father and daughter again. I miss those wonderful times we spent together.” Esenam implored. Mr. Fiagbe gave a sarcastic laugh.
“I think we should leave things as they are. You made your bed, lie in it. Things can go back only when you reconcile with Akwasi. You can stay with the Church if that’s what you really want but there surely will be some conditions. All I ever wanted for you was happiness. I know Akwasi will give you that, giving the background. I know he will never mistreat you because of the family ties.”
“Dad, I wish it were that easy. I don’t love him anymore. There are sides of him you don’t know. He is not the angel you are wishing him to be. Please understand that I can’t go back to Akwasi. ”
“I don’t even know why we are having this conversation. I still stand by my word and until you do what’s expected of you, consider yourself without a father. You being here was your mother’s idea. These days all she does is threaten me at the least opportunity, thanks to you and your wayward ways. I only tolerated you for her sake. I want you to know and remember that nothing has changed and will ever change. You are disrespectful and disobedient. Now your minute is up.” Esenam felt a sharp pain in her heart. She got to her feet sadly. Her feet wobbled and she felt lightheaded as if she was going to pass out. Her father’s words had cut through her like a double- edged knife. She steadied herself and headed for the living-room.
“One more thing, young lady,” Esenam stopped and turned to look at her Dad with tears coursing down her cheeks.
“Whenever your mother invites you to this house tell her anything but don’t accept the invitation. I can’t bear the sight of you. It makes me sick.” Mr. Fiagbe concluded. Esenam closed her eyes tightly to clear the tears that were blinding her.
“I’m sorry you feel that way, Daddy. I love you. I want you to always remember that.” Esenam wiped her tears and hurried to the main house, picked her bag and said her goodbyes. Elorm tried to push for answers for the drastic change in her attitude and countenance but she simply could not utter a word. She needed to get out of that house in a hurry. Yayra insisted she stayed till it was her bedtime so she could read to her but Esenam told her she could not stay. Elorm and his Mom exchanged worried looks. Esenam gave Yayra a peck on both cheeks and promised her she would stay the next time she came around.
Esenam walked into the cold evening with a broken heart. She went straight home and took a long bath to stay calm. She picked up her phone to see messages from Boat. He was online.
“Hello!” Esenam posted.
“Hi Pretty Face. How did it go with your folks?”
“Not as well as I had hoped. You should have heard the things my Dad said to me. He’s hurt me deeply again but I will get over it. I think I’m getting used to that now.”
“Sorry my love. I really wished and prayed that things would be different this time. Anyway, don’t worry; God’s time is the best. Don’t lose hope because God will melt your father’s heart someday. Just remember that I have enough love for both of us.”
“Yes, I know, and I love you too.” Boat could not believe his eyes. Had Esenam posted she loved him? He read Esenam’s last post ten more times and smiled broadly.
“Yaw, are you there?”
“Yes sweetheart, I’m here. Do you know this is the first time you’ve actually said it.”
“Said what?”
“That you love me.”
“Oh, that. Yes I love you and with my very soul.”
“Oh my Esenam, you just made me the happiest guy in the whole wide world. I thought you only liked me.”
“Ah! You should have thought better. What I feel for you is more than love. You are my lifeblood.”
“And I love you twice as much as you love me.”
“Oh, stop kidding me; it’s simply impossible to love twice as much as I love you. I simply can’t live without you.”
“That makes two of us. I do love you, Esenam.”
“I love you too, Yaw Boateng.”
“You just gave me an overdose of a sleeping pill. I’m going to sleep blissfully. I have to go now because I feel drowsy with love. Goodnight Pretty Face.”
“Goodnight.”
Awww, LOVE IS INDEED SWEET!
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