Midwife to Destiny

by Nana Prah

  “There,” he whispered. Her breathing became shallow as she tried to focus on where he pointed instead of the rough texture of his five o’clock shadow on her skin. “You see the stars in the shape of an hour glass, with three in the middle?”

  “Yes.”

  He straightened his legs and brought her flush against him. They gazed at the stars, but he didn’t show her any more constellations, nor did she ask. When his lips slid along her neck, she tilted her head to expose more skin. A moan escaped her at the softness of his caress on her sensitive skin.

  He turned her around and kissed her. She soared toward the heavenly constellations they’d been staring at. Ora wound her arms wound around his neck. When he deepened it, she held nothing back.

  He pulled away and looked into her eyes. Her body burned. Giving in to her need for more, she leaned in to claim his soft lips. She couldn’t get enough. After he pulled back the second time, he nibbled her chin.

  “In all my life, I’ve never met anyone like you. You’re intelligent, beautiful, fun to be around, and faith-filled. You bring me closer to God when I’m with you.”

  Ora pulled back and gazed into his eyes. Her heart beating too fast to be healthy. Love flooded every pore of her being. “We knew each other for a few days in South Africa and I thought falling in love with someone after such a short time was impossible.”

  “Are you still in love with me?”

  She strained to hear his softly spoken question, but answered without hesitation. “With all of my heart. It freaked me out at first, knowing I’d fallen in love with you. My fear reflex took over.”

  They stood so close she could see the pulse along his neck moving at a rapid pace, tempting her to reach up and suck the area, but she had yet to break out of her shyness.

  “Afraid of what?”

  “The intensity of my emotions. Of giving you my love and being rejected. My greatest fear had been that you’d hurt me by leaving.”

  “I would never hurt—”

  She placed a hand on his mouth. “Don’t say it. People hurt each other on a daily basis, sometimes on purpose and others by accident. It just happens.”

  He took one of her fingers into his mouth and sucked it. The sensation of pleasure flowed to her centre. Who knew getting a finger sucked could be so sensual? The popping sound rang out in the quiet night air when she removed it.

  “I’ll try not to hurt you. Is that better?”

  Pain in a relationship would be inevitable, but she nodded. “Yes.”

  The stroll back to her apartment was slow. When they reached the door, they held each other for a long time. Pulling apart, the feather-light touch of his lips on hers left her wanting more.

  Lying in bed later that night, she realized he’d never told her he loved her back.

  Chapter Eight

  Jason met Adam at a restaurant in Osu a couple of days later.

  Adam told him about his latest conquest. “She’s a lawyer. Sexy as hell and smart, too. Smart enough to know she and I aren’t going anywhere. None of that relationship bullshit for me.”

  Jason shook his head in sympathy for his friend and kept eating. Same story, different woman. Although Adam made it clear sex would be the only thing on the table, the female never believed him. Sooner or later, she’d end up hurt and he’d end up with a slashed tyre, or maybe in the case with the lawyer, getting sued.

  “You haven’t raved about Allura all night. Let me guess, you got some and now you’re on to someone new,” Adam said.

  Jason took a drink of his beer. “You know her name is Aurora and no, we haven’t made love.”

  Adam snorted and repeated with a sneer. “Made love. I’m sure I’ll be a dead cat soon, but my curiosity’s getting the better of me. What’s happening with her?”

  He’d played the conversation back in his mind to make sure she’d confessed her love. Her proclamation had made him want to fly to the stars, taking her with him. His own words of love had been stuck in his larynx and refused to budge. The last time he’d told her, she took off faster than Usain Bolt at the 2012 Olympics. “We’re hanging out.”

  Adam squinted. “Hanging out, my ass. If you don’t tell me the truth, I’m going to have to take you to the mat.”

  Jason laughed. Years ago, they’d taken a wrestling course for exercise. Adam, being fifty pounds heavier and surprisingly agile for his size, used to always win their matches, so anytime he didn’t get his way, he threatened to take Jason to the mat.

  “No need to get drastic. Ora confessed she loved me last night.”

  Adam leaned forward. “And you didn’t hit that? Once a woman tells you she loves you, she tends to be willing to spread ’em open.”

  His friend didn’t get it. He could see himself being with her, the long haul. “If I move too fast, she’ll back away like a scared rabbit.”

  “Let me get this straight. You didn’t even try to get any.”

  “It’s not about sex. I need her to know I’m not going anywhere. That I want to be with her.”

  Adam snorted. “Why? Don’t answer that. I wouldn’t understand your answer, anyway. You speak a whole other language when you talk about love. And I’m not trying to comprehend that nonsense. So what’s the problem?”

  “I don’t know how to proceed. All I want to do sometimes is bury myself within her. But then again, I don’t want to rush her, either. I need her to get to know me better so she can see I won’t leave her.”

  Adam rubbed his hands together. “Now that sounds more like it, Chale. I thought you didn’t like sex anymore.”

  Jason wasn’t surprised all Adam picked up was that he had the desire to make love to Ora. He gave up trying to talk to his friend about his problem and changed the subject. “Will you be travelling abroad this year?”

  “Don’t do that. Just because I’m not on the same level as you doesn’t mean I can’t help. Listen, every once in a while when I want a female to give in to me and they’re resistant, I act like a friend, staying away from the physical. I call it the platonic game and after a few weeks, she’s locking my office door and we’re doing it up against the wall.” Adam’s eyes glazed over. “I don’t do it often because it takes time and will power, more than I care to expend, but this one woman had been smoking and worth it.”

  Jason didn’t just want Ora in his bed, but in his life, forever. This concept no longer scared him. The thought of her leaving him again gave him nightmares.

  In his own perverse way, Adam had a point. Perhaps he should keep things platonic between them and see how being just friends went. “Chale, that sounds like a great idea. Thanks.”

  He now had a plan. Woo her with friendship.

  ***

  For the next two weeks, Ora and Jason spent every free moment together, learning more about each other and becoming closer. The more she knew, the more she loved, something she hadn’t thought possible. She glowed with happiness.

  “What’s gotten into you?” Grace asked during a slow time in the Emergency Department. They were all gathered at the nurses’ station taking the unusual moment to relax and chat. “You’re more relaxed as of late.”

  “Don’t you mean, who’s gotten into her?” Ophelia giggled.

  “That’s not right, Ophelia. You’re so crude sometimes,” Rhonke chastised, then turned her eyes to Ora. “But is she right?”

  “I can’t believe you!” Ora exclaimed with no real bite to her voice. “How could you ask that?”

  “Sorry,” Rhonke replied. “You’ve been smiling a lot more than usual. What’s happening?”

  “Can’t a person just be happy? Look at me. I’m blessed. I’m healthy and have a good job. Can’t I celebrate the life God has given me and be joyous about it?”

  “No. Something’s going on,” Ophelia replied.

  “I think it has something to do with that cutie Dr. Lartey,” Beatrice volunteered.

  All eyes turned to Beatrice. “What about Dr. Lartey?” Ophelia asked.

&nb
sp; “He’s picked her up after work a few times. I think they’re more than friends,” Beatrice informed the others with a definitive nod.

  “Am I hearing you gossip about me, in my presence, no less? You’re all amazing.”

  “Shhhh. I want to hear this.” Grace waved a hand to quiet Ora.

  “That’s all I know. I’m just speculating.”

  “It makes sense. I’ve seen you guys eating lunch together in the cafeteria a couple of times and you appeared to be very cosy,” Leah added.

  “He gives me a ride home every once in a while and we eat lunch together sometimes. We’re friends. We’ve known each other for a long time,” Ora defended.

  “It didn’t look like you were friends when you saw each other a few weeks ago,” Rhonke testified. “You remember that, sisters?”

  “I do. I feared having to be resuscitated after being hit with some of the currents of attraction zipping through the air.” Grace said.

  “Why are we still talking about this? Let’s change the subject. How about if we discuss Grace and her expanding belly? You’re becoming huge.”

  Grace rubbed her round stomach and became distracted by her favourite subject. “I know. I had to get new uniforms made. My top looks like a gigantic bubu. I’ve never worn anything so big.”

  Her uniform looked nothing like one of the traditional Ghanaian dresses that were voluminous and tended to be decorated with stitching.

  “You look beautiful. When’s your due date?” Rhonke asked.

  As the conversation progressed about Grace’s pregnancy, Ora breathed a sigh of relief. Being in the limelight made her break out in a cold sweat, especially when her relationships were the topic under discussion. She and Jason were friends and this fact had caused her to stomp her foot and pout while in the confines of her room. She wanted to be more than his pal. The desired title of his girlfriend would suit her well. He’d never broached the subject. Ever since the night she professed her love, he’d stopped being affectionate. No more shared kisses.

  None of it made sense. There were a couple of times when he’d reached out to touch her, but then dropped his hand.

  Had he fallen out of love with her? She wouldn’t blame him. She’d treated him as if he’d been carrying a virus she didn’t want to catch by shutting him out of her life.

  “Hello In-charge!” Ophelia’s voice intruded into Ora thoughts.

  “Yes.”

  “We have new patients coming and the twelve o’clock meds are due. As relaxing as this time has been, we need to get back to work.”

  She sighed and performed her duties with thoughts of Jason still on her mind.

  ***

  While Ora watched television in the hall, Esi came into the house and flung herself onto the couch.

  “I’m in a rut,” her cousin stated.

  “How so?” Ora dragged her eyes from the Friends episode.

  “All I do these days is work and come home. I don’t go out any more. I can’t remember the last time I had a date. I can’t even remember the last time I hung out with my girls.”

  “Why don’t you call them and go out, then?”

  Esi raised her arms and let them flop back onto her lap. She looked in the midst of throwing a mini adult temper tantrum.

  “That’s the issue. Nowadays, everyone is either married and taking care of their family, pregnant, or like you, dating.”

  “I’m not in that category.”

  “Is that so? What do you call seeing a guy every day for two weeks?”

  “It’s a ‘getting to know you, restarting a friendship time’.” She made air quotes with her hands.

  Esi rolled her eyes. “You’re funny, my friend.”

  “Jason and I aren’t out together now,” Ora gloated.

  “Didn’t you say he had a medical conference to attend this weekend in Kumasi?”

  “Yes,” she mumbled.

  “What’s happening between you two?”

  At this point, Esi’s opinion would be invaluable. “I don’t know. As far as I can tell, we’re only friends.”

  An unladylike snort came out of Esi’s nose. “Only friends? I’ve been in the same room with you two. Friends don’t stare at each other as if they alone exist. It’s annoying to be shut out like that.”

  “I’m sorry. We don’t know we’re doing it.”

  She made a sign of the cross sign in front of Ora. “You’re forgiven. Now let me continue my rant on your friendship theory. Friends don’t spend every available waking moment together and then use all of their phone units to talk into the wee hours of the morning. That’s just not a friendship thing.”

  “I don’t know how else to describe us. We talk all the time and hang out a lot, but it’s been two weeks since he last kissed me. I don’t know what’s going on.”

  “He hasn’t kissed you in two weeks?”

  Ora shook her head. “He doesn’t even touch me.”

  “That’s interesting. Have you asked him why?”

  “I couldn’t do that!” Her eyes widened so much she lost focus.

  “Why not? Isn’t open communication important? At least, that’s what you always say. It must be necessary in relationships you know aren’t going anywhere. But when it comes to the ones where true love is involved, being open isn’t important at all. I’ll make a mental note and apply it to my own relationship. That’s if I ever get one.”

  “Stop using psychology on me. I hate it when you do that. We both took the same psych class in nursing school, remember?”

  “Yeah, but I got an A while you got a B plus, so I’m just a little better at it than you are.” Esi stuck her tongue out.

  Ora didn’t even try to contain her giggle.

  “Why don’t you at least think about asking him what’s going on between you two?”

  Ora sighed. After hours of contemplating the matter, only one conclusion made sense. “He doesn’t love me anymore.”

  This miserable confession sent Esi to the floor with laughter. It took her almost five minutes to compose herself.

  “What’s so funny?” Ora repeated the question she’d been asking Esi while she rolled around.

  “Do you know he gazes at you when your attention is elsewhere? He looks at you in the same manner as a new mother does her newborn baby, with amazement and unabashed, unconditional love.”

  Ora put her hands over her heart to try to calm it. “Really?”

  “Yes. I’m surprised you can’t feel it. The man loves you. At least that’s my opinion, but I’ve been known to be wrong a time or two.”

  “Or seven hundred.” Esi’s observations had to be off course. A man in love didn’t behave as if they were nothing but platonic. She had no desire to talk about it anymore. “Let’s get back to your rut. What are you going to do about it?”

  “We should have a party.”

  “Messing up the house and spending lots of money on other people will get you out of your rut?”

  “We won’t be messing up the house.” Esi smirked as if she had a big secret.

  “So it’s going to be a clean up after yourself party?”

  “No. We’ll have it on the beach.” Her smirk turned into a full-blown smile. “Isn’t it a brilliant idea?”

  “Brilliant isn’t the word I would have used. Expensive, yes. Time consuming, to the extreme.”

  “How do we get along so well? We’re total opposites,” Esi said. “I see it as an opportunity to get together with some of my long lost friends, meet some new people, and have fun in the process. We haven’t had a party in a long time. Do you remember the last one?”

  “A few years ago before I went to South Africa. I’m sure the police remember it, too. You almost got arrested.”

  “Good times. A beach party it is. How about two weeks from today?”

  Ora didn’t have the heart to squash her joy. “Okay,” she said. “If it’ll make you happy.”

  Esi jumped off the couch and tackled her in a hug, knocking her over. “W
e’re going to have so much fun. You’re the best cousin ever.”

  “I’ll remind you of this when you get angry at me.”

  Chapter Nine

  Jason returned from the medical convention the next week on Friday. They’d spoken on the phone every day, but he still missed her. He wiped the grin from his face before she opened the door. He’d been trying to play it cool for the past few weeks, keeping things light and platonic so she’d know he had staying power.

  As soon as the door opened, she flung herself into his arms, making him stumble backward. Her light floral sent filled his nostrils as they clung to each other.

  She stepped away and beamed a smile up at him.

  “Wow. I should go away more often.”

  “Why?”

  “You don’t tend to be demonstrative of your emotions, Ora. The way you tackled me tells me you missed me.”

  Her adorable, arched eyebrows scrunched together. “What do you mean, I’m not demonstrative of my emotions? I let people know how I feel. I tell them.”

  “But you don’t show them.”

  “Huh.” She grabbed his hand and led him into the hall, giving him a seat on the couch and sitting close.

  Jason enjoyed her soft curves moulded to his side. He’d never doubt Adam’s methods when it came to women, again. She’d fallen into the trap, just as he said she would.

  “Would you like a drink?”

  He wanted to smother her with kisses starting with her cheeks, moving along her jaw line, sucking on her long elegant neck and then working his way up to those juicy, talented lips of hers. “No, thank you,” he said after giving himself a small mental shake.

  “How was the journey back?”

  He let out an exasperated sigh. “I wish I would have flown from Kumasi to Accra instead of driving. They’re doing construction and the road is terrible.”

  Ora put her hand in front of her and moved it up and down in a continuous motion as if rolling over hills.

  “Well put.” He laughed. “How are you doing?”

  “I’m fantastic.”

  He tightened his arm around her. She snuggled into him and sighed.