Where was she going to get money to go to Dansoman? She didn’t even know her way to the place and feared asking. Araba was standing on the streets of Kwame Nkrumah Circle lost, hungry and confused.
While Araba was wondering on the streets, one of the street hawkers saw her. She saw how destitute Araba was and moved in to help. “Hello young girl, I have seen you walking to and fro on this street. Where are you from? The woman asked. Araba refused to respond initially because of her earlier ordeal, but later opened up when the woman persisted.
“I am from Kronkrom and I came to look for my father’s friend at Dansoman.” Araba retorted. “Then why are you walking to and fro if you are supposed to be in Dansoman?” The woman asked in surprise. “I was robbed by some young men some hours ago.
They made away with the little money I had on me for transport to Dansoman.” Araba’s mood suddenly changed when she narrated her ordeal. “Hmmm... This is the situation here. These young men refuse to work and always prey on unsuspecting victims to make ends-meat. Anyway, my name is Dorothy and I stay around this place.” Dorothy said while pointing her fore finger to the slum behind them.
“Forgive my manners dear, I didn’t ask for your name.” Dorothy gave a wry remark. Araba smiled and gave her name as Araba. “Okay Araba, do you have the phone number of the person you are visiting?” Dorothy asked. “No, I don’t even know what that is,” Araba retorted. “Seriously!!! Anyway don’t worry, I will take you to my house first and we can continue from there.” Dorothy finally said.
After ten minutes of brisk walking, they came to the shabbiest place Araba had ever seen. It was even tattered than her house in the village. At that moment, there was nothing she could do. She can’t bite the hand trying to feed her by giving sarcastic comments. She kept quiet and followed Dorothy to the room. “Put your bag over there!” Dorothy told Araba while pointing to a space beside a broken table in the single room apartment.
Araba followed the directives and placed the bag where she was told. “Wait for me here while I sell my things. We will talk more when I come back. There is food in that saucepan on the coal pot under that table. I can see you are very hungry. Dish out as much you can and rest on the mat.” Dorothy said and left the room to continue with her hawking.
It was past dusk and Araba hadn’t return to the house. There and then, Mame Pokua knew her plan had worked. She had successfully achieved her aim of making Araba ran for her life. She was somehow worried. How was she going to explain the disappearance of Araba to the family members? They were all expecting her to come with her to the meeting.
Mame Pokua went to Opanyin Kakraba’s house to meet him and the rest of the family. “I have to be tough or else, they will overcome me and ask me to return every dime I have accumulated from the property.” She thought as she made her way to the gate of Opanyin Kakraba’s house.
Mame Pokua was met with fury eyes that wanted to skin her alive if they had the chance. Most of the relatives had developed hatred for her because of the way she treated her only brother’s daughter. The only generation he had left on this earth.
Regardless of what they thought, Mame Pokua entered with boldness and took a seat. She was the center of attraction since all eyes were fixed on her. She didn’t flinch, but remained in her best composure. “Why should I be afraid of these toothless lions? They can’t do anything even if they hate me. As time passes, they will forget about all these issues and the money I have reserved for my daughters will be intact.” Mame Pokua thought about these prior to the commencement of the meeting. Actually, she had a hardened heart.
“‘Agooo!!!’ please let there be silence!! Let us hear her side of the story. Mame Pokua, you already know why we invited you over. But, I will still go over them. You have two charges leveled against you. One is that, you have sold all the inheritance your brother left for her daughter and spent the money and the second allegation is about how you insulted us the elders of this family when we confronted you on the issue. What do you have to say about these allegations?”
Mame Pokua got up and stood in front of all of them. “I don’t think I owe any of you explanations. When my brother died in his tragic accident and her daughter needed someone to care for her, all of you were giving excuses to why you were incapable.
You schemed and connived to push the esponsibilities on me although you knew I wasn’t prepared. You now turn around to ask me to give an account on his properties. You people are funny!” Mame Pokua spoke with anger in her voice.
Before she could start another sentence, one of the family members interjected. “Hey lady!!! Watch your mouth and what is coming from it. Do you think we are small children here for you talk to us in such an insolent manner? Even the least in age here is older than you. You think we are like your husband you’ve made your doormat. Before I forget, we asked you to come with Araba. Where is she?”
(All the family members shouted in agreement to the man’s interjection and all asked Mame Pokua about the where about of Araba.)
“I have not seen her since yesterday. I sent her on an errand and she hasn’t returned since then. I have searched for her in every place that came to mind but all to no avail. As it stands now, I don’t know where she is.” Mame Pokua lied. “Liar!!! You knew how significant she was to this meeting and you didn’t bring her.
Are you sure you haven’t killed this innocent girl, Pokua?” Another family member confronted her.“Why should you think of something of such nature? What reason would I have to kill my niece?”
“Look at this pretender! You think we don’t know what you are up to? You want to get rid of the girl so you can escape accountability. You lie!!! You don’t know what you have stepped into!!! Better bring the girl or else…..” before this family member could finish, Mame Pokua interrupted her statement with anger. “Or else what!!! What can you do? Don’t get me annoyed this evening or you will see another side of me!!” Mame Pokua stormed out of the meeting in anger to the dismay of all the family members.
To be continued….
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