Chapter Sixty-Five – Relationships Never Stay the Same

I sat in Boateng’s room long after he’d left, thinking and thinking. This was a more intense version of ‘he loves me, he loves me not.’ I was grappling with my very soul. What was the use denying it? Clearly there was something there and my pretending to only see a friendship with Boateng was starting to eat at my soul to no end. What was a girl to do?

Kwame had started his Bible study group in earnest now. It was a humble beginning of himself, his roommate who happened to also be in the church and one young lady from the church. Religiously, they had had two sessions.

Kwame was now thinking. It was a bit discouraging to have only two members and to have those two members be your friends from church trying to support you. Yes, he’d just started but it sure would be nice to have some more people. That way, he’d feel like he was making impact. He pondered on what he could do as he approached the entrance of the hostel. Tonight, was bring and share and so he’d bought a few sticks of kebab for the group.

As he approached the entrance, he saw Lara standing there staring at her phone. There was a millisecond debate about whether to engage her or pass by quickly. One can safely assume that he was led by the Spirit to talk to her.

Lara was glad for the conversation. It didn’t take much convincing for her to tell him what had happened with her parents and the money they’d sent. Kwame listened sympathetically.

“That really sucks. I’m sorry” he said, offering her a hug. They stood in silence for a little while before Kwame surprised himself. “I am having some Bible Study with my friends. You remember the one I told you about? Would you like to join us? It could make you feel better.”

Boateng had told the group about his Bible Study. Carl had laughed in his face. It was a loud guttural scream of laughter. It was honestly very embarrassing. I originally planned to say that I would rather chew hot gravel than ever attend his Bible Study but after that outburst I managed to say I’d think about it. Boateng had just offered a reassuring pat on the shoulder and Mara had lied that she’d attend. Lara had only said “eii Kwame. Now you are osofo*?”

After that humiliation Kwame had quietly thought to himself that he needed new friends and then promised never to bring the Bible Study up to us ever again. He might be changing now but he still had an ego that could be bruised. He was not about to subject it to any form of harm ever again. Yet now here he was, asking Lara. Honestly, sometimes he wondered if he was really himself.

On a normal day, Lara would have said no and in the safety of her room, laughed at the prospect of attending Kwame’s Bible Study. Him? The same one that she’d slept with? Please be so for real! But today, her spirit was broken and she had nothing better to do so she said yes. So, off the two went to Kwame’s Bible Study.

There are truly many strange things in this life. Kwame, a Christian leader. Lara becoming a follower. Them walking side by side as friends. Wonders shall truly never end.

***

Boateng and Aseda had a jolly good time together. She was indeed an interesting girl – his type to a tee. He reasoned to himself that he should probably go all in. After all, he and I were going nowhere. A bird in hand as they say, is better than two in the bush.

“Let’s play a game” Aseda suddenly said. Boateng agreed, amused. “Let’s play rock, paper, scissors. If you win, you can ask me to do whatever you like but if I win, you have to kiss me.”

Well, I’ll be. In all my years, again, they are not many, I have never met a level 100 girl with more charisma and experience. Even Boateng, the retired Casanova was very surprised.

“I think I like this game” he said, matching her freak.

Oh, God collect me!

And so, the game began. One was playing to win and the other to lose. That’s not usually how games are played but these two idiots want to be unique so badly. Anyway, I don’t think it’s necessary to say who wanted what. Do the math.

Despite their best attempts, Boateng’s rock crushed Aseda’s scissors. Smiling she said, “okay so you win. What do you want me to do?”

“I want you to pretend you won” he replied with a smirk. Aseda smiled sheepishly. Their lips met and …

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*Osofo means pastor