Your Own People: Part 2

By Nick Ochere

Serwaas life has become miserable because Yaappiah, the madman, would not stop chasing her about as his wife. Koomotey suggests that the family consults a spiritualist to help solve Serwaas problem at the cost of fifty million cedis. The family contributes the money and gives it to Koomotey, but he absconds with it, with the intention of going to Gabon.

Meanwhile, after many years of scorn and pressure from Evelyns mother for her to divorce Joe, the couple still braves the storm until they are blessed with twins, a boy and a girl.

Pressure on Abusuapanin from Koomoteys in-laws and Serwaas issue make him take refuge in Tweapiase where he impregnates Adwo, a cripple, young enough to be his granddaughter. Serwaa accuses Auntie Cornie of trying to destroy her life but Cornie maintains it was Serwaas greed that landed her into hot waters. The fracas leads to the two families being summoned to the palace, where Serwaa confesses to their plot against Joe. In her attempt to run away from possible punishment, Auntie Cornie ends up in Nigeria, where Koomotey had also incidentally become stranded.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: Feb 12, 2016
• ISBN: 9781504998451

Nick Ochere

The author was born in Begoro in the Eastern Region of Ghana in 1960. Starting his elementary education at Begoro Anglican Primary, he completed at Laterbiokorshie “4” Middle School, Accra in 1976. He studied telecommunication at Emit Electronics and worked at the Department of Civil Aviation for a few months before leaving the shores of Ghana for Nigeria. He has travelled extensively and now lives in London with his wife and four children. An Elder of the Wembley Central Assembly of the Church of Pentecost, he blends his adventures with life experiences to paint a picture about how to hold your head high in the face of pressure and opposition. This is the first part of his book Your Own People. Enjoy reading and look out for subsequent parts in due course.

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2016 Nick Ochere. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 06/08/2016

ISBN: 978-1-5049-9843-7 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5049-9844-4 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-5049-9845-1 (e)

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and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

CONTENTS

Foreword

Acknowledgements

Synopsis

Serwaa’s Life Becomes Miserable

The Cloud Begins To Move

Looking For A Solution

Koomotey Absconds With Fifty Million Cedis

Triumphal Return To Diasempa

Abusuapanin In Trouble

No Condition Is Permanent

The Escape From Afikpo

Serwaa Confronts Cornie Again

The Moment Of Truth

Joe’s Testimony

Hagar Is Spotted

I

dedicate this book to my wife and children for their patience, understanding, support and encouragement.

FOREWORD

This is an immeasurably important book and I am delighted and very much honoured to have been invited by its gifted author to read the galley proofs and to write the foreword. I consider it a novel of universal significance and appeal. Every reader, no matter of what race, creed, colour or nationality will see himself or herself playing a part in the story at one time or another. While the novel is built on and woven around very solid religious principles, it deals with the realities of life and includes events that portray the picaresque.

This novel develops and grows with the reader such that there comes a strong bond between the reader and the writer which makes it difficult to put away once started. The greatest feature of this and indeed of every great novel is its ability to keep the reader wanting to know what happens next - the suspense element.

From very humble beginnings, the writer takes the reader through the challenges of life in both rural and urban settings and drives home the idea that with determination, changes for the better are always possible.

The main character, Joe, and his wife Evelyn, struggle with infertility, which ultimately leads to unrest in their respective families. It is sad when your own people, instead of supporting and encouraging you in turbulent times as a couple tend to put pressure on you to go your separate ways. Such was the situation of Joe and Evelyn in Your Own People and Nick Ochere touches on important and prevalent topic that is not often portrayed in novels.

When a situation arises and it becomes necessary for a family to contribute large sums of money to find a solution, you would not expect one of your own people to abscond with the money, but that is what we see in the likes of Koomotey.

The title of the novel is a whole lesson in itself and at every point the reader gets hit in the face by surprises from the actions and inactions of Your Own People. This is a must read of a legacy by an author who has experienced it all and wants to share the experience with others all over the world. You will love it from the first to the last page!

S.W.K.TSADIDEY

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

First and foremost, I give glory to God for how far His mercy has brought me, giving me the knowledge and ability to write yet another book to tell the world what He can do in the lives of those who trust in Him. I am also greatly indebted to a lot of people in my writing career, especially those who helped in the process of the first part of Your Own People which paved the way for this second part. You know yourselves and so I say God bless you all.

There are also other people whose encouragement and direction has helped me to come this far; people like Apostle Dr Michael Ntumy, Apostle Gyesi Addo, Apostle Newton Ofosuhene Nyarko, Apostle Daniel Kwame Noble-Atsu, and my District Pastor, Rev. Raphael Yaw Wiafe and his wife, Irene.

I am grateful to Rev and Mrs Robert Entsir of Voice of God Ministry, Rev and Mrs Mark Nyarko of Mount Zion Revival Church, Elders Benjamin Erdeaw, Fred Owusu-Bempah, George Opoku, Mr and Mrs Daniel Oware, Mr William M. Osafo (Education Attaché, Ghana High Commission, London), Cllr Parvez Ahmed (Deputy Mayor of the Borough of Brent, London), Nana Twum Sakyi Ayeboafo (Okyeman Amanonehene and his wife), Ms Cynthia Bosumtwi-Sam and Mr S.W.K. Tsadidey both of the Ghana Education Service, the entire Church of Pentecost, UK, especially Wembley Central Assembly in Harlesden District, Begoroman Mma Union, UK and The Great Mmralets. I am also grateful to Ken Livingstone, former Mayor of London for the interest shown in my book during our first meeting.

To my wife, Mercy Ochere and our children, Patience Ochere, Felicia Ochere, Joseph Ochere and Nick Ochere Jnr, I say a very big thank you for their support and understanding. I am proud of them just as I know they are of me.

Nick Ochere

London

January, 2016

PART TWO

SYNOPSIS

Serwaa’s life has become miserable because Yaappiah, the madman, would not stop chasing her about as his wife. Koomotey suggests that the family consults a spiritualist to help solve Serwaa’s problem at the cost of fifty million cedis. The family contributes the money and gives it to Koomotey but he absconds with it, with the intention of going to Gabon.

Meanwhile, after many years of scorn and pressure from Evelyn’s mother for her to divorce Joe, the couple still brave the storm until they are blessed with twins, a boy and a girl.

Pressure on Abusuapanin from Koomotey’s in-laws and Serwaa’s issue make him take refuge in the village of Tweapiase where he impregnates Adwo, a cripple, young enough to be his granddaughter. Serwaa accuses Auntie Cornie of trying to destroy her life but Cornie maintains it was Serwaa’s greed that landed her into hot waters. The fracas leads to the two families being summoned to the palace, where Serwaa confesses to their plot against Joe. In her attempt to run away from possible punishment, Auntie Cornie ends up in Nigeria, where Koomotey had also incidentally become stranded.

CHAPTER ONE

SERWAA’S LIFE BECOMES MISERABLE

The Akans say that if the tortoise desires to increase the volume of its blood, the quantity is often diluted with water. If Serwaa had stuck to her boyfriend, Kay, and not listened to Cornie, she might have been married to him. But she had desired more money, the kind that Joe had and this had led to her being sought for by Yaappiah, a poor vagrant.

Although Joe had been suspicious of his aunt, he did not have the slightest idea that she could go that far. But the God he was serving so faithfully was fighting on his behalf. You see, if you depend on God and serve Him with all your heart and soul, He will prove His faithfulness to you in times of calamity. Consider what He did for Mordecai when Heman plotted against him as recorded in the book of Esther.

Yaappiah’s attack on Serwaa became the talk of the town and the visitors also took news of it to their various towns. Later on, when everyone had left the funeral grounds for their homes, Betty discussed the incident with George in her room.

I am sorry about the incident at the funeral, she said.

I also feel very sorry for your friend. You have to go and see her, George suggested.

Yes, but I can’t leave you here all by yourself.

I can drive you to her house if you wish. Moreover, it will give me the opportunity of getting to know the layout of your town.

It is a good idea, said Betty, but I don’t know how she would feel with your presence so let’s forget it. I’ll go and see her later, when you are gone.

As you wish, so be it, George said.

Betty had wished George would have a change of mind to stay with her till the next day. So far, Betty had proved to George that she would be a good wife. George had also shown his worth as a good husband but he still would not spend the night with her, under the same roof and on the same bed until his investigator gives him the green light. So he returned to Accra after spending about an hour or more with her.

Evelyn and Joe returned from a trip one afternoon and were too tired to go to the shop so they allowed Rexy to manage it on his own. However, there were certain things which had to go to the shop so Joe suggested that Hagar took them to Rexy in Evelyn’s car. She was to do some shopping as well while in town and take some things to Evelyn’s seamstress on her way back.

Hagar drove through town and did all the assigned duties successfully. She felt so happy and grateful to Joe and Evelyn for making her into what she had become. When she stopped at a traffic light and saw boys and girls of her age selling all sorts of things in the sun, running after cars and shouting to advertise their wares, she cast her mind back to her days at Diasempa as an iced water seller and compared it to her present state, driving in the city and watching others doing what she used to do. In her mind’s eye, she could see youth with potentials that had been overshadowed by harsh circumstances. She wished she could help some of these youth come out of their conditions like Joe and Evelyn had done for her by God’s grace. Hagar gave glory to God and prayed in her heart for God to open avenues for these youth hawkers.

On the first day of the week-long prayer and fasting programme, after the choruses, the Pastor told the congregation of the purpose of the meeting. The hall of the Central Assembly at Dansoman was larger than the other local assemblies in the district, yet it could not contain all the people. Some had come with their relatives and friends who were not members of the church, because they were expecting miracles to happen as on previous occasions when they had united to pray on a specific issue.

Some eight months earlier, the district needed a hall to rent for a nursery assembly at Gbegbeiseh and when they met to pray about it God miraculously provided one while the week-long programme was still going on. On the fourth day when this happened, they devoted the rest of the week to worshipping God and praising Him for His provision and Majesty.

Today is the opening day of our seven days fasting and intercessory prayer, said Pastor Odei, "and I deem it well to tell you of the purpose of this exercise. Many times in the Bible, we are told where people interceded for others and God changed their situations. A typical example is what happened when Peter was put in prison after James had been killed by Herod. The Bible says in Act 12:5 that while Peter was in prison the believers were praying for him and God dispatched an angel to set him free. Praise the Lord!"

Halleluiah! responded the congregation.

We are therefore embarking on this seven day exercise with the hope of seeing God’s hand in the affairs of our loved ones. Each of us here knows somebody or some people who have burdens on their hearts. We are forgetting about ourselves in these seven days to intercede intensively for such people.

After telling them of Abraham interceding for Lot and Esther for her people, he asked them to be on their feet to pray. With arms lifted up to heaven they prayed for God to touch lives. The Pastor himself, the District Executive, all Presiding Elders and the district prayer warriors had been fasting for the past three days so the leaders were already charged spiritually before the meeting began. Led by the leader of the district prayer warriors, Elder Nyadedzor, the congregation prayed continuously for about twenty minutes before having an interlude with songs of praise.

Joe and his wife had been good to a number of people in the church and all these people were aware of their childless condition, so they interceded for them. Pastor Odei had earlier told the congregation to forget about their own problems and pray for other people, so Joe and his wife were also praying for others. There was this lady who was having complications with her third pregnancy and she was the one that they focused on. She lived close to Rexy’s house and once when they were praying in the shop as they did most mornings, Rexy mentioned her to them so they all prayed for her. He told them the lady had had two miscarriages in the past three years and since that day they always prayed for God to see her through this third one successfully. She attended the programme but she could not fast as the others were doing, because of her condition. She did not know that Joe and Evelyn were praying for her. Rexy and Akyaa also decided to pray for Joe and Evelyn and this lady.

In Rexy’s neighbourhood lived Kaywuo, an elderly man whose jovial and friendly attitude made everyone enjoy his company. He was highly esteemed in the area and everyone felt free to approach him when they had problems. It was this man that Dede approached to help her beg Asomasi for some time. Her husband had gone on a trip and was due back the following weekend. The man welcomed Dede and asked of her mission.

Well, it’s about my son, Alex, and Asomasi. Alex kicked a ball which broke his double glazed window and he is insisting that I replace it immediately. I am therefore appealing to you to go and have a word with him to be patient till my husband returns from a trip to sort it out.

When is your husband coming? asked Kaywuo.

Next weekend, Dede replied.

Next weekend is a long time to live in a room without a window, you know. Besides, I would have done you request if it were somewhere far from here, said Kaywuo.

Why? she asked, looking very surprised.

Because I heard something very disheartening about you some time ago which I investigated and found it to be true.

Me? What is it?

I heard about the fridge and I believe Asomasi is being hard on you because of what you did to your co-tenant. I am very sorry because it would be ridiculous on my part to go with you, knowing what you have done previously.

Kaywuo took the opportunity to dress Dede down properly, telling her that in life calamities could befall everyone and at such times we need to be sympathetic to the afflicted and not to capitalise on their problems. He told her he was very surprised when he heard of the way in which she made demands for the fridge at a time when David was in pain. Clothed with shame, Dede left Kaywuo’s house not knowing what to do or whom to contact next for assistance. But she was not the only one who was ashamed because of her action. In Diasempa, news about Serwaa’s encounter with Yaappiah was yet to subside when after a few days he met her again in the market. He was standing at a corner eating when he saw Serwaa and, throwing the food away, he rushed to her.

Where have you been, love? he asked.

He embraced Serwaa from behind as she was paying for something she had bought and wrestled her to the ground, trying to undress her. She wriggled out of his grip with some unusual strength and took to her heels, leaving her shoes behind. She fell twice in the market as she looked back to see Yaappiah still following her. Like it happened during the first attack, people were trying to obstruct Yaappiah so when Serwaa turned a sharp corner he lost sight of her. Once outside the market Serwaa chartered a taxi to take her home. Yaappiah kept looking for her in the market and just like it happened at the funeral, there was so much confusion as people waited to find out what he was going to do next.

A madman, as Yaappiah was considered by many, madly in love with a beautiful lady was unheard of in the history of Diasempa. Serwaa, the once elegant lady who walked the streets of Disamepa with her head held high, was now finding it difficult to go out of her own house because she had become the talk of the town. Those who did not know her but had heard of the attacks were yearning to see who she was. Wherever two or three people were gathered, Serwaa, Yaappiah or both of them were their topic for discussion. Pupils talked about them at school and farmers on the way to their farms did the same. For bookmen and drivers at the lorry station, it was like a daily occurrence as someone always raised the incident and tried to explain it.

At a certain point in time there was not a single person in the entire town who was not aware of what was going on between Serwaa and Yaappiah. Some people said Serwaa might have had an affair with him in the past, even though Yaappiah had been insane before Serwaa was born. Once at the lorry station, one driver brought up a theory that some people use materials that had been used by mad people for some magical powers, therefore he suspected that Serwaa might have tried to use something from Yaappiah which had backfired. Her family members were now getting worried about the situation because they were always being asked by those close to them if they had tried finding out the reason for the attacks.

Gentleman Joe, however, was still thinking of ways of doing good. During one of their discussions, Evelyn, mentioned that she was surprised at Rexy’s honesty in his handling of issues relating to the shop. Joe also commented that he seemed to make more money in the shop than the two of them put together. There was always a smile on his face when dealing with customers so he could drain your pocket without you knowing. Joe told Evelyn of a day in the shop when Rexy sold an item for about a hundred thousand cedis more than he would have sold it. At the end of their discussion they decided to reciprocate Rexy’s good deeds by getting him a small shop to manage on his own and account to them. His management of this intended small shop would determine if they have to get him a bigger one, depending on circumstances in the future. When Evelyn mentioned the word future, Joe asked a question and answered it himself.

When is the future? I believe the future starts from now.

So what do you suggest? asked Evelyn.

I think we have to do something for him now, said Joe.

Here was a couple who had tried to help their own people but had only been paid back with scorn. Now an outsider who has proved to be trustworthy, dependable and reliable was about to benefit from their generosity.

Serwaa’s life was now becoming miserable as a result of the attacks from Yaappiah. Some school boys who witnessed the attack in the market planned to mock her with it. They constantly were on the look out for an opportunity to carry out their plans, but Serwaa hardly came out for fear of coming in contact with Yaappiah. In order to make sure their plans worked, one of the boys pretended to be Yaappiah and the other boy being Serwaa.

When we see her I will embrace you and, you must scream for help, said Boy One.

He was trying to kiss her so you should do the same then I will push you away and take to my heels, said Boy Two.

I will approach from behind, Boy One said.

They practised this act over and over again until they became satisfied and continued looking for Serwaa. They planned to act their play in a crowded area to create laughter. Serwaa took some long and unusual routes, always looking over her shoulder as she went to tell Auntie Cornie that she was scared of going out. She said she did not know what Yaappiah would do to her if he saw her again. She was right, because a madman madly in love could be dangerous as he had been during the two encounters.

I don’t know why things have turned out this way, said Cornie. Are you sure you did not drop some part of the concoction on any food somewhere before bringing it to me?

No, when I put it in my bag at Ormoaa’s place, you were the next person I came to; to deliver it to you, said Serwaa.

And I personally put it in the food for him. This is a mystery, said Cornie. Even the surplus food I destroyed it myself, so why is this happening?

I don’t know. I don’t know; and this is making me feel very uncomfortable, said Serwaa, shaking her head which she held with both hands as she stared at the floor.

With all their wicked intentions, each of them claimed to have made no mistake. When Cornie mentioned food, Serwaa recalled what the gateman said to her at the party when she insisted that they should drive Yaappiah away. She was told someone had given him some food so he would leave by himself. She had watched Joe eat his food so it could not be him who gave Yaappiah the food. Whatever a man sows the same shall he reap when the time fully comes.

Some days later, Bevelyn, Evelyn’s twin sister, read Matthew 18:19 and the revelation she had after reading it that day made her feel as if she was reading it for the first time in her life. She had read this scripture many times before, but on this particular day, the Holy Spirit interpreted the text to her in a very different perspective. She therefore decided to go to their mother for further discussions about her sister’s condition. She told her mother that she believed if they could agree to help Evelyn in prayers, God would do something about her situation.

For how long have you been praying for her and what has been the result? No child, said Konadu. That husband of hers is not a man, he just can’t make babies. He may be good at making money but not babies, so forget it.

How can you be talking like that, Mum? Have you forgotten all the good Joe has done to you in these six years and over? The house and its maintenance, the clothes, the food and money, have you forgotten all these so soon?

Bevelyn was getting furious about her mother’s behaviour and comments about Joe. She had come with good intentions about her sister’s condition but her mother had a different opinion.

Your general up keep and that of Dad’s before and after his death, and the funeral, have you forgotten? The funeral was the talk of the town for a very long time and it was all because of how Joe and Evelyn organised it and footed all the bills.

Her mother looked nonchalantly at her as she talked; she knew that Bevelyn was speaking the truth but she decided not to accept that she was in the wrong.

Do you think if your father had been alive, he would have been happy with the way things are going? she asked.

Dad would never have behaved the way you are doing, Mum.

Oh! Did you come here to insult me? asked Konadu.

No, Mum, I am not insulting you. I am just telling you the truth. Dad would have supported Evelyn in times like this and appreciated what Joe has been doing for you.

Her mother was losing the argument with every statement from Bevelyn. Their father had indeed appreciated all the support from Joe when he was alive, especially when he became incapacitated. Joe would personally go and get him out of bed, help him dress and take him to the clinic, wait for him to be treated and bring him back home before going to the shop. He made sure they lacked nothing in the house and acted as a first-born son to them. Their fifteen year old brother was still in school and could not do much so Joe took the entire family’s responsibilities upon himself. It was about a year after she had shed her customary black widow’s clothing that Konadu began behaving strangely towards Joe and the marriage, because of what her friends whispered into her ears.

Why is Evelyn not having children?

What is she waiting for?

She better start now because no one knows tomorrow.

When Konadu heard these questions and suggestions, she also asked Evelyn the same. At first, Evelyn lied to her that they were waiting till a certain time to start having children. Konadu had accepted their mutual agreement initially, but when after some years nothing was happening, she started doubting if it was okay for them to continue staying together.

After leaving her mother’s place without any agreement, Bevelyn called to tell her sister that although she had been praying for her over the years, now she wanted the two of them to come into an agreement, based on the word of God which says that, If two people on earth agree on anything and ask, it will be done by the Father (Matthew 18:19). So they agreed and decided to pray at a particular time from that day on. Bev also asked her husband to join them in their prayers and he was very glad to be included in this plan. He said it would help his own prayer life. That same day, Evelyn and Joe went to see their doctor who had been supporting them physically, spiritually and medically.

First and foremost, Dr Ankrah-Badu addressed Evelyn, when you make love, try to lie on your back for at least thirty minutes. This will help the sperm to swim through its natural route and, do not bother douching immediately after making love.

They listened as the doctor told them that though it may sound nasty or funny, it was a very important practice for them in their peculiar circumstance. He enquired if Evelyn was taking the folic acid regularly and doing her exercises. She wasn’t taking chances so whatever the doctor asked her to do, she did it religiously. For some time now she seemed to be full of hope that something good was in the offing. The reason being that none of the doctors she had met in the past had shown so much concern to the extent of joining them in fasting and prayers. The seven days intercessory prayer had also increased her faith that her prayers would be answered.

Apart from praying for the lady with complications and some individuals, Evelyn had agreed with Joe to pray for the entire Church of Pentecost. Their prayer for the church was that God would enable the church to take the gospel to the outermost parts of the world so as to make many disciples for the Lord Jesus Christ. Being obedient to the spirit of God as He had spoken through Pastor Odei for everyone to forget self and pray for others, they did not pray about their problems. But the good thing was that almost every member prayed for them.

Sometime later, the school boys in Diasempa got the opportunity to put their plans into practice. They lived in the same area, so since the day they saw the attack and decide to taunt Serwaa, they always walked to school and back together in the hope of meeting with her to act the play. That afternoon, as they were coming from school, they saw Serwaa walking ahead of them.

Let’s walk past her and do it where people can see us, said Boy One.

They doubled their steps to walk past her with, Boy Two going ahead of Boy One. They kept going with a few yards gap between them until they got to the junction at Kit Kat Canteen, where there was a crowd. Serwaa was about to turn left to the old post office when suddenly she heard;

Here she is, my love, Boy One shouted, running after Boy Two.

Serwaa’s heart skipped and she stared at the boys.

I want you to come with me. Come on, come with me! Boy One kept saying.

Boy Two was running and screaming, but then he slowed down a bit for Boy One to catch up and throw his arms around him and try to kiss him but he pushed him away and both boys ran in the same direction, towards the old post office. Unfortunately for Serwaa, she was going the way the boys had gone, and she did not know what they would do next, so she decided to turn to the right heading down towards the Anglican school. Although many people had heard of the attacks, not everybody at that moment knew Serwaa, so some began to laugh at the boys’ act while others pointed fingers at her. Those who knew her, somehow, sympathised with her. When she turned to get out of the probing eyes of the bystanders, she took to her heels like a scared dog with its tail between its hind legs. The boys hid in a corner and laughed till their ribs ached for the success of their plan. They planned to find where she lived so as to hide near her house and torment her even further.

In Diasempa, a story is told that long ago there was a young man who had some mental problems. You could not classify him as a madman but he was not fully well in the head. Sometimes he could converse with people like any other normal human being, but at other times, when his ‘brain cells jammed up,’ as they used to say of him, everyone was careful not to cross his path. He was from the royal family, and so could be found in front of the palace most of the time, talking to himself and sometimes to others. He knew most of the past chiefs and their relatives. He could talk for hours on end and the saliva that foamed at the corners of his mouth left white marks when dry, like the sides of the beak of a young bird. He was over six feet tall and very energetic. It was said that he used to steal crops from people’s farm but no one dared to confront him. He did the same to livestock but again, woe to anyone who would accuse him of stealing his sheep, goat or chicken.

Once he went to an elderly man’s farm to steal as much plantain as he could carry home. Because of his height, sometimes he did not need to cut the trunk of the plantain down. He just grabbed the produce from on high and cut it there, leaving the trunk still standing. That was his trade mark. If he went to anyone’s farm, they could tell that he had been there. The man whose farm he had visited that day was there and saw him doing what he had come to do but he could not confront him. Instead he ran to hide behind a big tree from where he watched him do his own thing. When he was leaving the farm, he observed another plantain that was matured, but he had had enough already so he went to stand by it for a while, thinking whether to cut it or come another time for it. The farmer was still watching from his hiding place, trembling. He planned to teach this thief a very good lesson to stop him from coming to his farm.

As soon as he left the farm, the farmer went for one of the giant metal traps, the one they called ‘Jack’ which he had placed at the edge of the farm to set under this matured plantain that the guy had targeted. His intention was to break all the bones in his leg.

Just as he had thought, the guy did come back the next morning for the plantain, but he was smart, he saw the trap and so did not walk into it. Instead he repositioned it by tracing the footsteps that had come to set it, saying if it was meant for him then whoever did it had made a mistake.

In the afternoon of that day when the farmer came to check on the plantain, he could see from a distance that it was gone. It looked like it had been freshly cut so he suspected that the guy might still be on the farm. He tiptoed towards the still standing trunk without its produce. Instead of looking where he was treading, for fear of this thief who he knew could beat him to death, he kept looking over his shoulder until he stepped straight into the trap. This was the kind of trap that was very difficult to free oneself from without assistance. So the farmer was caught in his own trap! He screamed so much that a couple heard him from their farm and came to his rescue. He lied to them that he was trying to set it up when he accidentally stepped into it.

This was the situation in which Serwaa found herself. She has been caught in her own trap while her target walked freely, doing his business. Joe has heard of Serwaa’s problem but he had no idea that God had repositioned the trap that was meant for him and the trapper has been trapped in her own trap.

Evelyn had been feeling feverish in the last few days and so Joe spent most of the time with her at home. Trustworthy Rexy managed the shop without a problem. He came home one evening to brief Joe on how the day had been and also to see how Evelyn was feeling.

So how was business today? Joe asked.

One of the best days, in terms of sales, responded Rexy, smiling.

Is it? Evelyn asked.

Yes, Madam.

Hagar brought water for Rexy and after drinking it he thanked her and gave the glass back to her. Referring to the day when Hagar drove Evelyn’s car to the shop, Rexy said the people around thought it was Evelyn herself so when they saw Hagar come out of the car they were all surprised.

They didn’t know she could drive, Evelyn said.

No, said Rexy.

I will be giving them more surprises in future, Hagar said with a smile.

When Hagar had left the hall, Rexy told them how the day had gone, who had been there to ask for them and so on. Then he shifted to money matters.

I banked 18m cedis and kept 2.5m in the safe. I also brought 1.5m for you, just in case you’ll need some cash.

Good thought! exclaimed Joe. In fact, I would have sent Hagar to come for some cash tomorrow.

Rexy’s honesty and faithfulness was far beyond what words could describe. According to Elder Antwi who introduced him to Evelyn, he had known Rexy for some time and could stick his neck out to defend him as a trustworthy individual.

‘People do change, but for as long as I have known him, he has never given me an instance to doubt his integrity,’ Elder Antwi had said to Evelyn when he was telling her about Rexy.

Evelyn said the same words to Joe when she was telling him that Elder Antwi had mentioned Rexy to her one Sunday after church, but Joe was a bit sceptical. Considering what Kwaku did to them at Diasempa, Joe didn’t want to employ any other person in the meantime. But Evelyn managed to convince him to give Rexy a trial, and now he was proving to be all that was said about him, a man of integrity. Before he left, Rexy gave Joe a piece of paper on which he had tabulated the day’s transactions.

All this while Serwaa had been under self imposed house arrest as she could not go out, unless under the cover of darkness. So Cornie chose to go to her house one day to see what was going on. Serwaa had given up all hope of Joe ever coming to look for her.

I have not seen you for a while, so I just came to find out if you are okay, said Auntie Cornie.

Serwaa would not say a word for a few seconds as she gazed at Cornie. She looked very pale and worried.

Are you alright? asked Cornie.

Hmmm, Serwaa responded after taking a deep breath in and out. I am well, but my life is in a mess. Now I can hardly go out of this house, because besides Yaappiah who chases me whenever he sees me, there are some boys who are also making things worse for me.

Boys! What about them? asked Auntie Cornie.

On two occasions in the last ten days or so, they have followed me to where a lot of people were gathered and one of them would pretend to be Yaappiah and chase the other who would scream like I have been doing whenever he attacked me.

Do you know them? Cornie asked.

No.

We have to do something about this, said Cornie.

Something like what? The boys or Yaappiah?

Both, said Cornie.

What can we do? Serwaa asked, very disappointed.

Cornie suggested that to start with, Serwaa should go back to Ormoaa and explain the situation to him. She was of the view that Ormoaa could do something about it.

Now I can only leave this house under the cover of darkness, with a lot of caution. If I am spotted by the boys or Yaappiah I am in trouble. I have also become the talk of the town. Everybody is talking about me, Serwaa said, almost in tears.

I know, but you must go back to see him. He can do something about it.

Cornie told her to report whatever Ormoaa said back to her, in case she personally had to do something about it to help her out of the situation. None of them could understand what was going on. Why Yaappiah of all people and why Serwaa among all the ladies in Diasempa? They were yet to realise that when you throw a ball at the wall, it bounces back to you.

News about Serwaa’s predicament travelled far beyond Diasempa. When Kay, her boyfriend first heard about it, he thought someone was just trying to pull his legs, but then, some other people who knew about their relationship kept telling him about it so he had to investigate the rumour. One of his colleagues knew somebody from Diasempa so they worked through him and found out the truth about a madman claiming Serwaa as his wife. The investigator painted the picture just as it was, including the boys’ recent attacks. Everyone was talking about it so it was not difficult to source the required information. Kay’s mother had also heard the rumour but she did not want to talk about it. The last time she talked to Kay about Serwaa, he was not happy so she had decided not to raise her issue again for the time being.

When Kay got the full report as it was, he had the courage to tell his mother about it. He also told her he was sorry for not listening to her at first. When his mother asked him of his decision on Serwaa, Kay said that was the end of the affair. And that indeed was the end, he did not make any attempt to see Serwaa again, and she could not go to Koforidua to see him either.

Evelyn’s feverish feelings got no better and sometime later she started complaining of severe headache and general weakness. Many nights she stayed awake praying and asking God for His favour. Joe told her to relax, have enough sleep and also try to eat well. He suspected that lack of sleep most of the nights might have had some effect on her physical well-being so he advised her to go and see the doctor one morning. He was expecting some deliveries in the shop so he said he would let Hagar drive her to the hospital and he would follow up later.

In the meantime, Betty and George’s relationship was developing into courtship. Betty arranged to formally introduce him to her mother and so George travelled to Diasempa one Friday. Her mother was so excited that she was going to introduce her man to her. Betty was her first child and she had always prayed for God to give her someone that would understand and love her for the rest of her life. She had had a good marriage herself and had enjoyed the company of her husband until death took him away when the last of their four children was about eight years of age. Because Betty’s mother married early and started having children at the age of nineteen, Betty was more of a sister to her than a daughter. Besides, they looked very much alike. She knew almost everything about Betty and so did Betty about her. George went to pick Betty from her office to take her home. They were a bit late so Betty apologised to her mother when they arrived.

"I have nowhere to go so I was just waiting for you. Feel at home, Krakye (Gentleman)," she said to George.

The woman had taken the whole day putting things in order in the living room so the place looked spotless and well organised. George sat down and looked around the room while Betty got some drinks from the fridge at the corner to serve him. Her mother went out of the room awhile. A few seconds later, she came back to formerly welcome him by shaking hands with him.

How is life treating you in the city? she asked.

Well, we are managing, by the grace of God, George replied.

I got your message that you will be visiting us today.

George smiled but said nothing while the woman was talking. He was being diplomatic. He had not been formally introduced, so he felt it was too early to start talking.

Mum, this is the gentleman I told you about. He is called George Asare and works at SIC (State Insurance Corporation). He came for a visit today and decided to come and say hello to you.

"Thank you for coming, Baafour, she addressed him by the appellation of his surname. Betty has mentioned you to me and I have always wanted to meet you but she said you were such a busy person."

Well, he is not too busy today, Betty said and winked at George.

So where are you from? asked Betty’s mother.

I’m from Begoro but I’ve been living in Accra since 1973, George said.

At the mention of Begoro, Betty’s mother got excited. She knew Begoro like the palm of her hand.

Begoro! I have been to Begoro many times, Orbuorho, Ahomahumasu, Abuorso and all the small villages around, Empaam and Ehiamankyen.

George was taken aback as the woman kept mentioning some towns and villages around Begoro. Some of these towns he had only heard of in name but had never been there.

I used to trade from there in the late sixties to the mid seventies. Some of their cocoyams were as large as yams. Do you know Boy Beko?

Of course, everybody from Begoro knows him. He is an old man now. I will be going there in two weeks’ time to see my mother.

That is good. You see, when we as parents are visited by our grown up children once in a while, it helps to ease our tension a lot, said the woman.

Someone told me they used to use their cocoyam as chocks to stop cars from moving. I will have to go and see this so much talked about Begoro one day, Betty said, smiling.

George was feeling comfortable now as they all laughed while talking about his home land, Begoro.

You have been to Begoro many times because it was during the time when I used to trade from there that you were conceived. And even long after your birth, I still took you there many times.

Oh! So I know Begoro after all! Betty said, laughing aloud.

As they talked about other social issues and Begoro in particular, Betty’s mother said she wanted to prepare some food for him