by Boadi, Lilly
“It’s obvious. So, your family is in the US?” asked Kiara.
“No. I am in the US with my dad. My mom and siblings are in the UK, and my elder brother is in the country at the moment.”
“How many siblings do you have?”
“Six strong ones, including himself,” said Haida.
“Wow, that’s a lot!” exclaimed Kiara. “Your dad must have gotten himself busy all day long” and they chortled.
“Yeah, I know. Two intelligent elder sisters, two sweet younger ones, and an elder brother,” said Alex.
“Any married?” asked Kiara.
“My elder sisters.”
“Oh, so I have a chance with your elder brother?” asked Kiara amusingly, and they laughed once more.
“Maybe not a good one, because to the best of my knowledge, he has a serious girlfriend, and I believe they might be getting married soon,” said Alex.
“Ooh, that’s too bad for me” said Kiara amusingly. Another giggle rolled. “But, how come your mother and sisters are in the UK and you are in the US with your dad? Are your parents divorced?”
“They are happily married!”
“Happily married? With that much distance?” asked Kiara.
“I bet you. They get to see each other and have much quality time together. You see, like my dad and unlike my mom, I love US as compared to the UK. When I was twelve, my mom decided to move to the UK with my other siblings, who probably had the same taste as her…” he succeeded in being humorous, as they giggled once more“My dad did not stop her from moving, if only that would make her happy. Besides, he had a company to take care of in Ghana at the time. He retired barely two years ago, and my brother is in charge now,” explained Alex.
“I never knew your dad owned a company here,” said Haida. “Which company is that…?”
“Excuse me ladies, just a moment. Waiter?” said Alex, waving at a waiter who was just approaching the table before them. The waiter got to their table immediately. “What will my beautiful ladies like?” asked Alex, and the ladies gave out their preferences. “You have Suppe?” he asked, and the waiter answered affirmatively. “That’s great. Get me a bowl of that and some pieces of grilled chicken. And please be fast with that,” he said, dismissing the waiter.
“It’s quite interesting, the story about your dad and mom” said Kiara. “I see distant relationship as a burden and ineffective, or is it because they are a married couple?”
“I share your opinion. You know what I think? That my dad was so occupied with work at the time he was away from my mom, and so he didn’t really experience much loneliness. He was that kind whose work is his companion, and now that he has retired, I think he is getting the feel of what real loneliness is like, else, he wouldn’t have suggested we move permanently to the UK,” said Alex.
“Oh, he did? He must really be lonely then, especially now that you are here,” said Kiara.
“He isn’t completely alone. One of my uncles is with him, but my dad is getting old and he needs the company of his wife and not a brother.”
“Yes, when a couple is getting old, that is the time they need each other more than ever,” said Kiara. “It is good he has decided to join his wife in the UK. That means you would have no choice but to join them there, too?” she said.
“By the time I decide to go back and settle permanently abroad, I’ll have had the necessary means and reasons to settle in the USwith my family – my family of procreation.” He stressed into Haida’s eyes.“I should be in the company of my wife and children you know, and not alone like my dad,” said Alex humorously looking at Haida and they giggled.
“You sound like you will not be leaving the country any time soon, and if I understood you, it seems like you are calling for wedding bells very soon…” said Kiara teasingly and another round of giggling ran around the table.
“And you are such a good mind reader!” exclaimed Alex gleefully and they laughed. “Leaving the country? No. Not that soon. I’m actually here to assist my brother to run the company…” said Alex, “…and may even get settled here if that is what Haida wants,” he whispered, looking into Haida’s eyes. Haida blushed and glanced at Kiara, who forced a smile out.
“Oh, so you are here to run your dad’s company?” asked Kiara.
“Yes. That is the reason I studied Entrepreneurship for two years.”
“Such a man of focus!” thought Haida and she smiled into his eyes with admiration.
Late into the evening when Kiara called Haida, the two ladies talked about Alex, “So, what do you think of him?” asked Haida.
“Oh girl, he is great!” exclaimed Kiara. “He is one of a kind! I’d have said don’t let go of him if only you weren’t more in love with someone else.”
“Kiara, please don’t start with that! What I need is your encouragement in this relationship and not the other way around. I’ll do my very best and make it work out well, because I can hardly come across a man like him anywhere else in the world!” said Haida.
Kiara sighed deeply and remained silent, “Anyway, have you seen Mellis since you arrived?” she asked eventually.
“No, I haven’t, and I wish I never see his face again! I’ll do my best not to see him again!” snapped Haida, and there was a pause. Haida knew Kiara didn’t like it when she talked about Mellis that way. It affected Chad indirectly, but she was aware her friend was still in love with that jerk. She shouldn’t hurt her feelings because of her anger towards Mellis, “Em, how are things going with Chad though?” she changed her tone to speak very softly.
“Quite smooth. He proposed an outing this Saturday you know.”
“And did you say yes to him?”
“Yes, I did. Guess it is of no clemency if I decide to have fun with him. Don’t worry. I won’t put my heart so much into it like before. Besides, this will also be a chance to study him more closely,” said Kiara.
***
Palace was one of the few finest hotel/restaurants in the country that blazed all night long on Saturday evenings. It’s club was one of the few paramount. There was no type of music that one wouldn’t find the pleasure of listening to during that time, for there was a live band that played both local and foreign music of all genres. Palace was therefore known for its large crowd on Saturday nights who loved all kinds of music. Knowing Kiara loved music, Chad specially chose to dine with her at this place. They were talking about work and that brought some humor amongst them. It was getting quite difficult for Chad to get straight to the main reason he had invited her out. She was listening to an R & B song, her favorite genre and song, and was looking very delightful. “You love that song?” asked Chad.
“Yes. And I love this place too; listening to all this kind of music…it’s…so calming…” she said, her face beaming with true contentment and joy. “You know, music is truly the soul’s food, and I find this place wonderful. Thanks for this,” she said softly into his eyes, grinning.
Chad was pleased that she loved the place, “It’s my pleasure sweetheart. To be able to make you happy, and most especially, to have you close by me like this is all I want,” he said sweetly and he thought it was the opportune time to do what he really came to do. “Kiara,” he said softly and put his hands over hers, looking serious all of a sudden. “I love you. I want to make you mine forever…I don’t want to lose you,” he stammered and she began to feel uneasy. Her uneasiness intensified when, suddenly, he brought out a cute little box from his suit’s pocket. It was obvious what was inside the box. He opened the box and taking her hand, slipped the ring onto her finger. She was dumbfounded as she kept glancing at the ring and him intermittently. “It’s stunning,” she stammered, gazing at the ring. It was the first ring on her wedding-ring finger.
“You like it?” he asked with a grin.
“Yes, it’s nice,” she stammered once more, teary-eyed. He was the first man who had put a ring on her finger. “You know…” she was about to tell him that but thought it wise not to be fl
amboyant about him yet “…I do really like it…”
He took her hand into his and looked into her eyes, “Marry me, Kiara?” he whispered, and she sighed deeply. She was apt, not knowing what to say, and then she was saved by a familiar voice behind them. “See what a beautiful couple I have here, brightening up this beautiful evening even more.”
“Hi, Mellis! Surprised to see you here,” said Chad.
“You shouldn’t be, because you know what chemistry exists between music and me,” said Mellis hilariously.
“Are you alone?” asked Chad.
“Yes.”
“Join us then?”
“Can I, madam?” asked Mellis politely, and Kiara laughed.
“No problem. Yes, you can,” she said.
“It’s been quite a long time since I saw you Kiara. How are you doing?”
“I’m well. How are you?”
Mellis pursed his lips, “Not as great and lucky as my friend here,” he said and Chad giggled. “When are you leaving?”
“Depends on my queen,” said Chad.
“Oh, very soon I believe. We’ve been here for quite a long time you know,” said Kiara.
“Urr, can I talk to you before you leave? Chad, grant me your sweetheart for some time?”
“For what man?” asked Chad amusingly.
“Not as you’re thinking man,” said Mellis and they crackled with laughter.
“How long shall I grant you my darling?” asked Chad flirtatiously
“Long as she’d let me know what I need to know.”
“Definitely it is about Haida, huh? Go on, but I give you only ten minutes.”
“Ooh that’s too small a time to talk about Haida, don’t you think?” said Mellis.
“Well, then you would have to meet some other time, but I’m whisking my darling away after ten minutes! Period!” said Chad as he confidently made his way to the bar, and Mellis wondered what went on before he came.
“Kiara…” said Mellis somewhat nervously.
“What about Haida, Mellis?” asked Kiara, anxiously. She really didn’t want to be the one to tell him Haida was back nor anything he wanted to know about her. Haida would spank her for that. But her wish was swept away by the wind when Mellis asked, “Kiara, tell me. When did Haida arrive in the country?”
“You know Haida is in the country?” she asked, surprised.
“Yes, I saw her. Tell me, when did she arrive?”
“Oh, a week ago. Why do you ask?”
“Kiara, please tell me what’s going on. Is Haida in a relationship with Osborn?”
“No! Why that question?”
“I saw her with him some days ago. I know Osborn is to her, something more than a friend, but I really can’t bear to lose her to him.”
“Please Mellis! Osborn is a married man and Haida would have nothing to do with a married man!”
“Oh really? So what was she doing kissing him like a lover?!” Mellis snapped.
“What? You saw them kiss?” Kiara was surprised.
“Yeah, I did! Guess somebody didn’t know!” he scorned. Kiara was lost for words. Haida must have only done that to annoy Mellis. “Haida hurt me a lot, but I still love her and wish we could have the wonderful times we had again. You see, I used to believe with no shadow of doubt that Haida and I were meant for each other, yet she had been giving me every cause to believe otherwise. But I still want to hold on and be optimistic about us because I love her so much.” he said.
“But why then did you destroy what you both had by cheating on her with Kelly?” asked Kiara blatantly.
“I don’t want to sound defensive, but I was doing anything to put Kelly away because I don’t love her like I love Haida. Nevertheless, Haida gave me reasons why I shouldn’t by cheating on me with Carlos, and then Osborn…”
“Haida has never cheated on you with any one! The story about Carlos was just to get you jealous. She never slept with him!”
“I know she’s your bosom, but it’s unnecessary to defend her this way!”
“Mellis, it hurts me that you don’t trust Haida for who she really is. You are the only man she ever loved, and she wouldn’t sleep with you even, how much more a man she hardly knew and definitely didn’t love?”
“Ha! And she lied to you that she is a virgin! You don’t even really know her anymore, do you?”
“Get out of it, Mellis! You cannot make me believe you over her!” Kiara said firmly.
“It takes two, and don’t forget I have been her boyfriend for almost a year!”
“I would bet a million dollar on that arrangement! Sorry, but you wouldn’t get me on that one” she scathed. Yet, inwardly, she doubted ‘Did he really sleep with her that night at the beach resort?’
“Why won’t you? What do I expect?! Birds of same feather will never do what will change the other’s feather if only they want to keep flying together, isn’t it?” with all that agitated demurring, Kiara yet noticed in him a fine artistic skill and tried hard not to laugh out loud; for the man didn’t look like he will find pleasure in that.
“Why did she have to use that lie to get me crazy, then?! What did she expect me to think?! How did she expect me to feel?!” Mellis was the more upset. “See, I want to believe you Kiara, but actually I saw a text message on her phone that came from Carlos, expressing the pleasure of the splendid love making they had and stuff about the fun they had. Why would he send her such a message if nothing really happened between them?”
Kiara scoffed, “What are you talking about?” she asked, lost, and Mellis told her about it all. “Haida is oblivious of this message, right?” she asked.
“Well, the thing is I deleted it after reading it, neither did I inform her about that, and I’m not sure if Carlos told her about it,” said Mellis.
Kiara chuckled, shaking her head, “It was all planned, I’m sure. A plan to get you two separated.”
“A plan?By who? Carlos?”
“Yes, masterminded by Kelly!”
“Kelly? How? What could she have to do with this?”
“Kelly appeared to be a good friend to Haida all the while, but of course, with bad intentions. I never liked her because I realized she was only a hypocrite. I warned Haida about her, but she wouldn’t listen…”
“Wait. I don’t get you. Since when did Haida and Kelly become friends?”
“Since half a year time you two got together, I suppose – I mean Haida and you. In fact, they were friends for close to two months, till Haida got to know about the harm she was causing her behind her back, and the fact that Carlos was her acquaintance! In fact, their friendship ended the day she saw her at your house, but by then, it was too late.”
“Haida and Kelly were friends for close to two months? What are you saying?” asked Mellis, lost.
“I knew it would come as a shock to you, but that is the kind of woman you are with, a hypocrite and a slippery snake!” said Kiara with contempt.
“No, no. The thing is, Kelly was in the country for only three weeks, and in fact, the day Haida saw her at my house was the very day she had arrived. So what is this about Haida and her being friends for almost two months…?” Mellis was bewildered.
“She was in the country from where?” Kiara cut into him.
“From the UK. That is where she resides and works with a construction firm. In fact, it was her work that brought her down here at that time. She came back for the holidays just last three weeks,” explained Mellis.
Kiara sighed deeply and chuckled “This girl is really something else!” she exclaimed. “She lied to everyone including you! She made Haida believe she had been in the country for years and was managing one of her mother’s chains of shops! Listen Mellis, I had been seeing Kelly myself all that time, though quite often. I’m sure she was in the country for more than the three weeks you are talking about. It’s obvious she played her cards so well and made sure you never saw her, and especially not with Haida. Didn’t Haida mention anything to you about her?
” asked Kiara.
It was then that Mellis recalled one Kelly Haida used to talk about, and everything became quite clear. But how could she? How could she stoop that low and do something like this? No, it was unforgivable. She is the one who actually destroyed his relationship with Haida, the woman he loved, and it was unforgivable. “I can’t believe this,” he whispered, very upset. “Kelly was my girlfriend before I met Haida, but I’ve never loved her. When I fell in love with Haida, I decided to call it quits between us. Please don’t say this to Haida, but my last trip to the UK last year was intended to break up with her, and was not about business or work. I found it difficult breaking up with her because my mother is a strong factor in all this mess. She adores her and wants me to marry no other woman but Kelly. Yet, I believe with an issue like this, she is going to understand why I can’t marry her!” he was furious.
“Mellis, I knew all this while that there was something more to the misunderstandings you had with Haida. Both of you are only victims of deceit and hypocrisy, and you both have to talk and solve your problems…”
“Hey, times up!” said Chad, joining them. “It’s late, and I must take my queen away to get some sleep, alright?” he said and they laughed.
“Thanks man, for lending me your queen,” said Mellis.
“You are welcome,” said Chad. “Shall we, my darling?” he added to Kiara who stood and walked off majestically with her hand in his.
“I think I’m leaving myself,” said Mellis with a confused look, as he stood and followed them.
A few steps away from his car, Chad excused himself from Kiara who walked towards the car. “What’s up?” he hissed apprehensively to Mellis, “Anything positive?”
“Looks like I’m getting some necessary info against Kelly and for Haida,” said Mellis.
“And what is that?” asked Chad inquisitively.
“Hey, she needs some rest, I think,” said Mellis, glancing at Kiara, “Let’s talk about this later.”
“Tomorrow! I’ll be at your end in the morning,” said Chad.