Chapter Thirty-Five – The Past is Not the Present

Lara listened with rapt attention as I narrated the story to her. She cringed as soon as I mentioned that she broke up with him.

“That’s bad. That’s very bad” she observed. “I know!” I agreed.

We both sat in silent contemplation. Mara looked at us both and laughed. “Relax. I’m sure he’s over her now” she encouraged.

“Over her? Mara, Araba could just as well be his rebound. She’s the placeholder he’s going to use to get his mind right. This is bad. This is really bad” Lara cried.

“I know. You’ve already said that” I whined.

“So how can she know if she’s not a placeholder?” Mara asked. We both inched forward and listened keenly.

“Well, it’ll be hard to tell. Have you guys been intimate; maybe even a kiss?”

I shook my head. Lara threw up her hands in defeat.

“You’re telling me that you’ve been talking for a couple of months and dating for over a month and you guys haven’t even kissed? Araba, what the hell?”

I looked over to Mara for support but she turned away.

“This is bad. This is really bad” Lara said again. I was convinced that if she said it one more time, I was going to throw something at her.

“I don’t think it’s a big deal. I figured he just wasn’t ready or interested so that’s why. I don’t think that has anything to do with anything. Plus they say men don’t like to mess around with the women they plan to marry.”

Lara laughed so hard, she fell out of her chair. “Araba, don’t be childish. All men are the same and they want one thing. I think it’s strange that yours doesn’t.”

I became defensive. “Not all men are the same. He’s different.”

“Okay, there’s only one way to know if that’s how he is or he just isn’t attracted to you. Ask him if he’s kissed his ex before.”

“Why? I don’t want to bring her up again. It’ll make me look insecure.”

“First of all, you are insecure. Secondly, how he was with his ex will give you a fair idea of what he expects from you and honestly, with a girl like that; sheesh!”

I was stressed. Big stressed.

The entire time I was in Sly’s room, I was thinking of how best to approach the subject with him. Finally, he asked, “Araba, are you good? You’ve been acting off all night. I hope this is not still about Trudy.”

“It is” I winced. He grumbled.

“I know! I’m sorry. I didn’t want to bring it up again but I just had to."

“What is it now?”

“Did you guys ever you know...kiss?”

Sly was taken aback. “That was very direct. Yeah, we did.”

I nodded my head one too many times.

“But it’s in the past. Are you okay now?”

“Yes. Um…no. Is that all you guys ever did?”

“Araba, what is this? What does this have to do with us and our relationship?”

“Nothing. I just want to know.”

“Why?”

“Sly, please just tell me.”

“Okay fine. There was more. Like I said, that’s in the past. It doesn’t mean anything to me.”

*

Peter Agyekum had tolerated enough of Lara ignoring him. Her birthday was a week away and this gave him the perfect excuse to pay her an impromptu visit.

“I hear you’ve got a boyfriend now” he laughed. Lara responded in the affirmative.

“Is it because of that small boy that you’ve been ignoring me?” he asked jealously.

“I’ve not been ignoring you” Lara replied defensively. She didn’t like him describing Kwame as a small boy. “Also, don’t call my boyfriend that.”

“You, dating a level 100 boy? Come on Lara, be real with yourself. You know someone like that can’t take care of you or give you what you need. You’re not the kind of girl to be dating people like that.”

Lara said nothing. All she could think of was how Kwame had been acting strange lately. He was basically ignoring her. Peter had a point. What if he was right? What if Kwame was a waste of time.

“Eventually, you’re going to come to your senses and I’ll be waiting patiently for you. In the meantime, check your phone. I’ll send you something.”

He left the room and soon after, Lara saw that a thousand Ghana cedis had been sent to her bank account. She sighed. The men you actually want never put in the work. The ones you don't care about are prepared to move heaven and earth for you.

*

While Lara was questioning her loyalty, Kwame was ready to take his to the next level. I was stewing over my convo with Sly when there was a knock on my door.

“Lara’s not around” I told Kwame when I saw him standing at the door.

“Yes, I know. I’m actually here to see you. I want to throw a surprise party for her birthday and I was wondering if you guys already had plans or if you could help me.”

Now, you guys know that I detest Kwame. Detest is not a strong enough word. Nevertheless, this was so sweet. I felt the ice around my heart thaw a little – emphasis on a little because you must always stay wicked when it comes to men. I don’t make the rules.

“Sure” I said opening the door wider for him to come in. He was grinning like a little child. Could it be that the devil had repented? Could it be that the spawn of Satan had converted to Christianity? Could it be that the very fires of hell were now frozen over? Could it be that this devil child of a man was now a saint?

It could be; but ladies, stay wicked.

*

Mara was chopping her carrots to prepare lunch when a call came from Jean. She asked Mara to meet her in Miss. Gyan’s office and to come with Lara. There was an urgent matter that needed to be discussed. She was restless the entire journey. Urgent news could mean anything and from the sound of things, it was nothing good.

“One of my friends who work with the media just told me that your information has been leaked to the blogs and gossip channels. Mara, as we speak, they’re gathering a profile on you. by close of day, everyone will know that you’re the one who reported Mr. Mintah.

Mara’s heart stopped beating.

“There’s no need to panic. The best thing you can do now is to delete all the information and things you have on your social media.”

Mara quickly opened her Instagram and took off every photo. She wasn’t a very active tweeter so there was not much to be deleted.

“Are you sure I shouldn’t just delete my entire profile?”

“No. That’ll make you look scared. We’re not scared. I have a plan instead. We can get ahead of the blogs and make it our own. You wanted to come forward anyway so then we’ll just do that. You’ll come forward on your own terms and control your own narrative.”

“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” Mara asked, looking over at Miss. Gyan. Since it wasn’t her territory, Miss. Gyan didn’t want to butt in. “I think it’s a good idea” Miss. Gyan said simply. Lara gave Mara a reassuring nod.

“Okay. Let’s do it then.”

“Great!” Jean said clapping her hands together. Within a few minutes she had pulled the camera equipment and lights for filming. Mara got in front of the camera and feigned confidence.

“Don’t let them know that you’re weak” Jean said before pressing record.

That’s something my mother always says to us. That’s free advice for you. Don’t let them know you’re weak.

*

We sat as a group in silence. The video was ready and having been given access to Mara’s accounts, Jean would be posting it soon. We didn’t want Mara to feel alone so we turned it into a big get together sort of thing. The boys got kebabs and we got drinks.

“It’s time!” I cried.

We opened Instagram and watched the video.

“Hi, my name is Marianne. I am a victim of sexual harassment which I experienced at the hands of one of my lecturers. I had wanted to remain anonymous to protect myself. Then I thought of other victims like me who would be inspired to speak their truth if I came forward and told my story. It is my hope that this small act of mine will encourage other victims to seek justice...”

We burst into rapturous applause and took turns embracing the hero. She had initially wanted to curl into a ball and cry but our reaction made her happy.

“I’m so proud of you” I said, squeezing her tightly.

What was supposed to be a solemn night turned into a celebration as the comments on the video were very encouraging. We were all too happy to notice that Boateng was not laughing nearly as loud as we were or smiling as wide.

Lara also fought with herself. Was it time to give up things with Kwame and focus elsewhere? By elsewhere she meant Peter.