Tamarind (E07)

[Welcome back! I must say I have the best readers ever! I have really enjoyed your messages and reactions to last week’s episode. So much so, that I may just have to find a way to bring you more than an episode a week. But then again, the wait can be just as exciting as the read…😉😉😉. Catch up on the previous episode here.]

Eben pulled away from Emefa in shock. “Whoa! Wha-“

“What was that?!” Eben exclaimed. He was confused. Had Emefa interpreted his playfulness and mock proposals as him having an actual interest in her?

“Sorry” Emefa muttered, moved away from him, and looked out the window, embarrassed.

“Emefa….?”

Emefa continued to look out the window, saying nothing in response. Without turning to look at Eben, she could tell he was staring at her. She could feel all of Eben’s questions and his surprise. She wished she had some super powers to time-travel and undo what she had just done.

Eben, after studying Emefa’s posture for a few minutes, began to feel sorry for her. “Emefa,” he started, “I can only imagine how stressed you must be.”

“I’m so- sorry.” Emefa said in a small voice, still looking away.

“Oh no…no need to apologize. I understand. You are under a lot of pressure right now.”

Emefa did not respond. She reached out for the car door handle and opened it. Eben reached out and stopped her. “Emefa, listen. Between you and I, this never happened, okay?”

Emefa nodded and smiled weakly, “Thanks.”

“No, I’m not just saying it. I mean it. Your secret is safe with me.”

Emefa nodded again, then she stepped out of the car and headed for the restaurant door. Now more than ever, she wished she did not have to meet her marriage counsellors. What kind of person would kiss someone and then go meet up with her fiancé and her marriage counsellors? What kind of person does that make her? She paused at the restaurant door, the attendant smiled and held the door for her to enter. She nodded and smiled back.

The attendant welcomed her with a smile. “Good evening Ma’am. You’re welcome. Would anyone be joining you or…?”

“I have a reservation in the name of Jamal Asare-Men”

“Oh right. Please give me a moment.” The attendant signaled to a waiter.

The waiter greeted Emefa with a smile. “Good evening Ma’am. Right this way please. Private dinner right?”

Emefa looked at the direction of his arm. “I’m sorry. Was the booking for a private room?”

“Sure.” The waited said with a mischievous smile.

“Um, say I wanted to move the reservation to the main restaurant…”

“That would not be possible as we’re already full.” The waiter cut in.

Emefa looked around. There were plenty of empty seats.

“Those tables are reserved.” The waiter added quickly.

Oh great. Just great. Sitting in a private room with Jamal and her marriage counsellors is exactly what she needed right now. At least sitting in the main restaurant, would have had other guests and some activity to distract them all. Emefa took in a deep breath and followed the waiter to the private room. The waiter paused at the door and turned towards Emefa, then he stepped aside to let her in.

“Wait.” Emefa said, causing him to pause with his hand raised to the handle of the door. Emefa hesitated. You can do this. Like Eben said, that kiss never happened. She straightened her dress with her palms, took in a deep breath, then nodded to the waiter to open the door.

In the next instant Emefa saw flashing phone camera lights with people shouting: “SURPRIIIIISSSEEEEE!!!”

Emefa felt someone grab her arm and a familiar voice say to her: “Come, come.” Before she knew it, she was wearing a tiara and a sash that read: “Bride-to-Be”. She looked around the room, feeling dazed. She slowly started to recognize the faces of her friends, cousins, and then her sister, Maame. Everyone she knew would want to plan a Bridal shower for her, was present. They all seemed to be talking at the same time. She could hear, “Emefa, were you surprised?”, ” Did you suspect anything?”, “I said, she knew it already la.”, “Who? This girl? Don’t mind her.”

“We’re already late. Let’s pray and start.” Fredericka shouted. Fredericka was Emefa’s favourite cousin and both Emefa and Maame called her ‘Ricka’. Clapping her hands to bring some order to the room, Ricka announced again that it was time to pray and begin. She said short prayer and once the others shouted, “Amen!”, Ricka yelled: “Now let’s show our girl a good time!”, to which the other ladies yelled, “Whooooo!”

Emefa smiled at them and shook her head. Deep within, she just wanted to go home. She wondered where Jamal was. Did this mean she would still have to meet her counsellors? The traditional wedding was barely two days away. Maybe Jamal had called but she hadn’t heard her phone. Emefa checked her phone.

Ricka walked over to Emefa. “Aunty madam. Put your phone away and come and de-stress. You’ve not even touched your food. The steak is a bit chewy but come and try the honey-glazed wings.”

“Oh no. It’s okay. I’m okay.” Emefa replied.

“If you taste the wings, you’ll realise you’re not okay. Let me get you some.” Ricka chuckled and left to fix Emefa a plate.

Emefa went back to scrolling through her phone, almost oblivious to the ongoing party. This was supposed to be a celebration for her but she was the only person in the room who was barely participating. Occasionally, someone would pull Emefa out of her seat to dance or take a selfie. During the activities and games, Emefa tried to stay alert and participate but her mind kept wandering away.

Soon, it was time to cut the cake. Emefa stood staring blankly at the cake. Maame whispered behind her, “Emefa, I know you must be tired but at least smile.” Emefa managed a half-smile. “Even your cake-topper seems to be enjoying this shower more than you.” Maame added teasing her sister.

Emefa looked down at the cake and burst out in laughter. At least that made her smile long enough to get some good pictures.

After nearly two hours of the group partying, Emefa’s sister, Maame announced to the group, “Ladies, let’s start rounding up and call it a night. I know some of us have quite a distance to travel to get home.”, to which one lady replied, “Then let them take the lead and the rest of us can stay!” The room filled with laughter.

“On a more serious note though. We need to wrap up. Our Bride-to-Be has had enough. Look at her.” Maame said, pointing to Emefa.

Emefa smiled, stood up and began to thank the ladies for planning the shower. The ladies said their goodbyes, a few shared marriage advice with her, and others wished her well and promised not to be late for the traditional wedding. All the while, Emefa’s mind was on Jamal. The room had started to empty out. Maame touched Emefa’s arm, jolting her out of her thoughts. “Time to head home. Didn’t want Ma to interfere with us planning this so I told her I’m picking you from a counselling session with Jamal.”

Emefa chuckled, “Then she’ll complain about the time we’re getting home, for certain.” Maame giggled in response.

“Emefa!” Ricka called out as Maame and Emefa walked out of the restaurant towards Maame’s car. Ricka caught up with the two sisters quickly. “I just wanted to confirm that I’ll be with you by dawn on Thursday to start makeup. And also remind you that as I told you earlier, I also wouldn’t mind coming over the night before if you prefer that.”

“Oh don’t let me give you more work. Thursday dawn is fine. We’ll have more than enough time to finish up.”

“Okay.”

Emefa, Maame and Ricka were still talking, when one of the other ladies rolled down her car window and called out as she drove past, “Emefa! Emefa! Don’t forget what I said earlier oo. Start some serious midnight prayers and do this daily oo. Pray against every plan of the enemy, pray for your future children, cancel in-law wahala, Jamal’s exes and aspiring side-chicks, your own exes or maybe work colleagues you have kissed before. Then she was gone.

Emefa froze. That last prayer topic was very specific. Had she and Eben been seen?

[Thank you for reading! Tamarind continues next week. Till then, stay safe!]