Tamarind (E06)

(Been a minute……okay, maybe a little more than a minute…but so glad you’re here because I’ve been speaking with Emefa and you won’t believe what an interesting turn of events it has been since her last update…..)

“Ei, Bride-to-be. You’re still here? I’m going home then. Congratulations in advance.”

Emefa looked up just as the door to her shared office closed. She was not even sure which of her colleagues had just left. It was her last day at work before she went on leave for her wedding and she was still behind on a number of reports. She had not even touched the handover form HR had sent her to complete, as part of her office leave procedure. She swang around in her chair and peeked outside through the blinds. It was getting dark and the office parking lot was almost empty. She had been so engrossed in the report she was trying to finish up that she had not even noticed that most of her colleagues had left.

Emefa checked the time, 5:38pm. Jamal would be there to pick her at 6pm for dinner with their marriage counsellors. This was going to be their last counselling session before the wedding and she really did not want to be late. Emefa turned back to her computer screen.” Just a little more to go.“, she thought to herself. She knew she would not complete the report before Jamal arrived, but she wanted to get as much of it as she could done.

Emefa had just returned to working on the report when she heard another voice from her office doorway: “The CEO and Founder of Emefs Estate herself.”

She bowed her head in laughter, then looked up at her office doorway. Just as she had thought it was none other than Eben.

Eben had already been working a year at the company when Emefa joined and he had taken it upon himself to show her around and handle her orientation when she started. He was a few years younger than Emefa and after a few weeks of Emefa’s being there, the two had grown so close, their relationship could be likened to that of an aunt and her favourite nephew. Eben seemed to have made it his personal mission to ensure Emefa’s welfare and would always be the first person in her office the moment she arrived at work, and the last before she left, today was no exception.

Emefa stuck out her index finger and waved it back and forth. “First of all, you are not allowed to call me that.” Emefa said with mock sternness.

“Okay then. Mrs. Asare Menako, go home to your husband.” Eben replied teasingly, walking towards Emefa’s desk. He enjoyed teasing her and would never let an opportunity to do so go.

“He’s not yet my husband, I’m still very much single. Thank you.” Emefa replied with a smirk, waving her left hand at Eben.

“Oh great. Then I still have some time to work on getting you to accept my proposal.” Eben bent on one knee, “Emefa, will you be my sugar mummy?”

“Ah! Will you just get off the floor and out of this office please?!” The two burst out laughing.

Then Emefa added, “No, seriously though. You need to get going. I’ve got a lot on my desk I need to complete before Jamal gets here.”

“Oh yeah…..ARAM report right? How’s that coming along?” Eben asked a he got up, dusting off his trousers with his palms.

“I was supposed to be done and getting ready to head out by now but here I am. So, how do you think it’s going?”, Emefa replied sarcastically.

Eben walked towards her. “Easy, easy. Just leave it and go. I’ll take care of it when I come tomorrow. No, wait. I’m on the field tomorrow. So, Thursday. I’ll complete it for you on Thursday.”

“Thursday is the traditional wedding.” Emefa smirked.

“I’m not coming. You didn’t make me your ring bearer.”

“Eben!”

“What? You refused to marry me because you said I’m a small boy. Now you won’t let me at least be in the bridal party.”

Emefa threw her head back in laughter, “So, are you even alright? I was already with Jamal before I started work here. Plus you are like ten times my junior.”

“I am not a small boy oo. Just give me one chance to prove it to you.” Eben started to go down on his knee again, “Will you marry me my dearest CEO and Founder of Emef-“

“Ah! You know what? Go home. It’s late.”

“Nope. Can’t. Jamal called. Asked me to give you a ride. That’s actually why I came here. “

“Wha- wait. I don’t get it. Why would he call you and not me directly?” Emefa replied with a puzzled look.

“Because you’ve called him on my phone before and also because he knows I’m legit competition for him. You can call him though. If that will convince you that I’m not abducting you.” Eben chuckled.

Just then Emefa’s phone screen light came on and her phone began to vibrate. Jamal was calling. “Ji.” Emefa answered the phone, with a hint of irritation in her tone. She listened quietly then continued, “I see. That’s okay. See you there.” Then she hang up.

“See? Ring bearer duties. I’m not even going to try for Best man or ‘Man-of-Honour’, ’cause I know you will say I’m being troubl-.…”

“It’s okay! Let’s just go!” Emefa slammed her laptop shut. She would try to find time to complete her report and form later. She began packing up and clearing her desk. Jamal had just gotten on her last nerve. It was only a few days left to their wedding and he was still prioritizing other things over her. All she asked was for him to pick her up today. But no. He had other more important things to do.

Eben watched Emefa in silence for a few seconds. Then reached out and stopped her hand. “Emefa, let me help you. ‘Cause at this rate you will be going home with a broken laptop and crumpled documents.”

Emefa paused, “I’ll do it!”. She slowed down but did not stop packing. A few seconds later, Emefa was done and headed to the car park with Eben. Eben unlocked the car but before he could open the door, Emefa opened it, slumped into the front passenger seat and slammed the door. Easy girl, easy. Emefa tried to calm herself. Jamal knew how much she hated changing plans at the last minute.

Eben watched her and got into the driver’s seat without saying a word. He backed out of the parking lot, then turned and asked Emefa, “Which way are we headed?”

“Right”

“Okay”

A little over 20 minutes later, Eben pulled up into the carpark of the restaurant Emefa was meeting Jamal and her marriage counsellors at. It had been an awkwardly quiet ride from the office here. Eben glanced at Emefa and said quietly, “I have heard of prewedding jitters causing some friction between couples and it’s considered quite normal. Don’t let this little incident become a whole thing okay?”

Emefa turned towards him. “It’s all good.”

“Sure?”

“Yup. All good here” Emefa managed to smile to conceal her displeasure with Jamal’s actions.

Okay. I’ll see you on Thursday then…I don’t even know if I will still recognize you after your makeup is done.” Eben teased.

Emefa punched him playfully. “Ah! What’s that supposed to mean?”

Eben continued, “I’m just saying…the makeup you ladies do, especially brides. We can’t always tell it’s the same person.

“You’re just so silly.” Emefa looked toward the restaurant door. “I should go.”

“Yeah…sure…Later then?”

“Later.” Emefa was still hesitant to get out of the car and head towards the restaurant. Something didn’t just feel quite right.

Eben’s voice cut through her thoughts, “All the best Emefa. You are an amazing woman with a really great personality. I should just have been born earlier.”

“You really should stop saying that. I’m sure there’s a version of me somewhere in your generation.”

“You’re sure?” Eben took off his seat belt and opened up his arms to give her a hug. Emefa laughed and leaned into Eben’s hug but before she knew it, she was pressing her lips firmly against his. The more she tried to pull back the more she found herself leaning in. Her muscles were simply not cooperating with her brain. Everything in her was screaming, EMEFA! WHAT ON EARTH ARE YOU DOING?!

[That’s it for now. Thank you for reading. Tamarind E07 out next week. Till then, stay safe!]