Tamarind (E04)

Welcome back! As earlier: All events and characters in this story are fictional. Any resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental. This story is for entertainment purposes only. (But of course, if you find this thought-provoking or insightful in any way, that works too. 😉) Now back to where we left off… (Catch up on previous Tamarind Episodes)

The drive back home from Aunty Menaye’s house was an uncomfortable one for both Emefa and Jamal. The car was filled with silence. They could practically hear each other’s thoughts. But neither said anything. Emefa had hoped Jamal would at least explain himself on their drive back, but he had said nothing. Maybe it was because Mark had joined them on their way back, asking them to drop him off at the mall. But Mark had gotten off now, why was Jamal still not talking? She cleared her throat but said nothing else.

Emefa could still not believe what had just happened. She knew Jamal was fully aware that agreeing to letting Aunty Menaye cut the cake with them was a stretch for her. But to go ahead and ask her to be the witness to the marriage in the register? Why would he do that? He had never even mentioned that part of the discussion with his dad to her. How many more surprises did he have up his sleeve? Who was this person she was about to commit to spending the rest of her life with? Without turning her head, she glanced at Jamal from the corner of her eye.

Jamal had his eyes fixed on the road with both hands on the steering wheel like a new driver. The AC was on but he was sweating. This was the most awkward drive he had ever had with Emefa. He was not fooled by her calm exterior. He knew she was fuming within, and not without good reason. He would have been upset in her shoes too. But there was no way he could have told her everything, not with the way she had reacted to the news about the cutting of their wedding cake. He had figured maybe, if she agreed to that, he could chip in signing the register as well. It was the only way this could work. He would make it up to her later, he thought. He turned onto Emefa’s street. It was calm and quiet. Today, they were not as late as they usually were. Jamal slowed down as he approached the third house from Emefa’s house.

“Don’t worry. We’re not that late. Just take me all the way to the gate.” Emefa finally spoke, breaking the silence.

“Okay.” Jamal replied. At least she spoke to him eventually. That’s a good sign, he thought to himself. If there was anything he had learnt about Emefa in their time together, it was that she only spoke when she had started to cool down. He knew his fiancée, she’ll get over it. He took one hand off the steering wheel.

“Babe, you know you rhymed just then? “We’re not that late, take me to the gate.” ” Jamal let out a short nervous laugh. Emefa did not laugh. She did not even smile back.

“We’re here my Emefs Estate.” Jamal said, trying to ease some of the tension, and get her to say something to him at least.

“Thank you for bringing me home, Ji.” Emefa started to open the door, but Jamal reach out and stopped her.

“Baby, about earlier tonight. I’m sorry okay? I really did not have a say. There’s a lot going on and I do not want to give anyone any reason to say anything negative about us.”

“That’s a lot of ‘Any’s”. Emefa replied. Her face dead pan.

“Huh?”

“ANYone ANY reason to say ANYthing negative…” Emefa said softly.

Another nervous laugh from Jamal.

“Don’t worry Ji. I get it perfectly. I understand everything.” Emefa moved to get out, then she paused, turned, planted a kiss on Jamal’s cheek and said: “Goodbye Ji. I’ll miss you”

“Goodnight Babe. I’ll miss you too. “ Jamal smiled. He knew his fiancée too well. He knew she’d come around.

Emefa walked up to the gate and lifted her finger to the bell. She did not care that she may wake her parents. If there was a lecture waiting, let it happen. She was tired already as things were. There was not much else that could possibly go wrong with her evening. She touched the bell, but before she could press it, the gate swang open. It was Kofi, her brother-in-law. He was breathing heavily. Without saying a word to Emefa, he pushed against her, and left. Emefa watched him go, in confusion. What could possibly be wrong? She knew he was very much aware of her presence, and yet had completely ignored her. She walked into the house and headed straight to Maame’s room.

Maame was seated on her bed. It was obvious she had been crying.

“Maame, are you okay? What happened? I just saw Kofi leaving and….“

“Oh it’s nothing.”

“Really? You’re sitting here crying ’cause of nothing?“

“Who says I’m crying?“

Emefa gave her a look and shook her head.

Then Maame replied, “Oh… you know. It’s just the usual marriage things you deal with sometimes. It’s really not a big deal.” She tried to hide her sadness with a smile. Emefa was not convinced.

“Maame, you know you can tell me whatever is going on right? And forget all that ‘Unmarried people cannot give good marriage advice’ stuff. It’s not true. Tell me what’s really wrong.”

“I said it’s not a big deal. Just let it go. You won’t understand. And I don’t want to ruin anything for you before you actually experience marriage for yourself.“

“Maame, my wedding is not very far off. I’m practically already married at this point.” Emefa covered her mouth with one hand, and looked over her shoulder, at the door. “I hope Ma did not hear me say that.”

Maame let out a short laugh. “She’s not even home. Both she and Daddy are at Honourable’s 70th birthday dinner.”

“Oh right. I forgot about that.”

Maame looked at Emefa. “How are things going with the counselling though? Had the session on sex yet?” She winked.

Emefa laughed, trying to conceal her concerns. “See your life? This is why you’re always pregnant. But no, none of that till about two weeks to the wedding. Right now, we’re on Conflict resolution.”

“Oh okay.” Maame went silent for a while then said, “You know, they emphasize so much the bit on communication and conflict resolution, but forget that that’s not all. You only find out the rest when you’re already in. For starters, I really feel like people directly linked to the couple on both sides should be called in for counselling as well. But no. It’s just you two that go for premarital counselling. Then after you’re married, they’ll be holding family meetings to discuss how you spend your money, trying to determine what you eat, which schools your children go to; basically running your life. And, if you dare speak, you are being disrespectful and ungrateful. Fine. Do whatever. Now you are asking when I’m moving back home? How about never!“

Emefa raised her eyebrows. “Um, Maame?”

“Sorry. I just had to let it out. I’m tired! Ah!There’s just so much going on and I really didn’t want to drag you all into it.”

Emefa smiled at Maame. “We’re family. If you don’t drag us into it, who would you rather drag in?”

Maame looked at her sister and sighed. “I’m not happy at all in my marriage.”

“Oh, I know. In fact we all do.”

“You do?”

“Ah, we’ve been waiting for you to tell us the real reason you’ve stayed here for close to 7 months when you said you and the kids would only be here for six weeks.”

Maame bowed her head

Emefa continued. “No one is kicking you out. I’m just saying, if you need anything, we’re here.”

Maame started: “You know Kofi has been eating at his mom’s house every single day since we got married?” She paused, then continued, “We never should have accepted the offer to stay in their outhouse on the same premises as they are.”

Emefa looked at her sister. “I don’t get it. Doesn’t that make things easier for you both? You have a place to take the kids if you need a babysitter. And with the food, it’s like you have a chef but you don’t have to pay, right? How is that a problem?“

Initially, that’s what I thought too. But then I realised something: any time we went over for dinner, his mom would make comments which suggested I was being lazy by not cooking. I jokingly said to her once that both Kofi and I are not cooking though. The look she gave me, I learnt never to repeat that joke. So I stopped going but Kofi didn’t. Now, he is the only one who eats there. Thing is, because we used to have dinner with them daily, Kofi used to give his mom money for groceries. I didn’t mind. I hate going to the market anyways. So she would shop and drop them off at our house, but Kofi was still eating at hers. So basically, she cooks for my husband, brings me groceries to cook for myself, never even buys any of the things I want. You know, I asked her not to shop for me, and Kofi went berserk! It’s like his mother is his first wife and I’m a side piece Now he’s here this evening asking when I’m coming back home. He’s not serious. He can move in with his mother for all I care!

“So let me get this straight: Kofi’s mom cooks for herself, his dad, and your husband. But then sends you groceries to cook for yourself?”

Maame nodded. “Yup.”

“Okay so shop and cook your own food erh?”

“You don’t get it. Even if I go and buy my own groceries, hers will still be in the house. Then Kofi gets upset.”

“Then just throw them away.“

“Emefa, first of all, I cannot keep up with it. For how long will I be doing that? And secondly, is the whole thing not just weird? It’s like I’m her domestic help or something. I don’t blame anyone though, it’s all me. I picked up on a few things just before the wedding, I just thought it was the devil planting doubts and fears.”

Emefa was quiet.

“Don’t worry. Told you you wouldn’t get it. It’s difficult to explain. At least your future in-laws are not like that and they’re not even in the country so none of that drama for you.”

Emefa nodded, deep in thought. “Right.” Then she looked at Maame. “Let’s talk a bit more about this later.” Emefa stood up to go and looked at her baby niece, “If she wakes up during the night and you need a hand, I’m right next door as always. Night night.” Then she left for her own room.

Emefa stood in her room in the dark. She had not turned on the lights. She thought of what Maame had just said. “…. I picked up on a few things just before the wedding, I just thought it was the devil planting doubts and fears.” Could it be…? No, there was no way that could happen to her. She and Jamal would be living away from Aunty Menaye. That meant Aunty Menaye would not hold any influence in their home…. right? There really was no way of knowing.

Her phone started to vibrate. It was Jamal. Emefa answered “Hello?”

“Emefs Estate.” Jamal teased. Emefa did not laugh like she usually would when Jamal called her that. Jamal continued, “Got home a while back but had to find something to eat first. Going to bed now.”

“Oh okay.”

“Yeah. Anyway, so I’m picking you up at 11am tomorrow for the prewedding shoot right?”

Emefa was quiet, and then she asked: “Do you remember what I said when you dropped me off tonight?“

“Yes, you said you’ll miss me.” Jamal chuckled.

“No, I meant before that.” Emefa said, almost sternly.

“Not really. I think ‘Goodnight’?”

“No, Jamal. I said, ‘Goodbye. I’ll miss you.’ “

“Okay…..um, what has that got to do with the time I’m picking you tomorrow?“

“Pre-wedding shoots are for people that are actually getting married. We are not having one because there is no wedding happening here. I can’t marry you, Jamal. The wedding is off!”

[…Episode 5 loading…]