Chapter 11: The Visitor I Never Wanted
After eating my coal pot rice like a true village champion, I finally thought:
"Today is over. I can sleep in peace."
I cleaned my mouth, washed my plate (with small soap because things were hard), and collapsed onto my bed like a dying cockroach.
Just as I closed my eyes — KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!!
"Ei, again?!" I shouted from the bed.
I dragged myself up, my bones clicking like an old abacus, and shuffled to the door.
When I opened it, I nearly fainted.
Standing there, grinning from ear to ear, was Kwame — my old schoolmate who I hadn't seen in years.
Wearing slippers two sizes too big, carrying a polythene bag, and smiling like he had won the lottery.
"Chale Samuel! Long time! I dey your area so I say make I pass through small ooo!" he shouted, already stepping inside without invitation.
Before I could even answer, Kwame threw his bag on my chair like he had rented the room.
I just stood there, blinking.
He looked around the room and said:
"Chale, your place nice ooo! I go stay small, no yawa, eh?"
Stay small?
My brother, this boy didn't come to "greet."
He came to relocate!
I forced a smile and mumbled:
"Oh, you're welcome... small stay... no problem..." (Meanwhile, my spirit was crying inside.)
Kwame sat down, removed his slippers, stretched his legs, and asked:
"You get food? I never chop since morning ooo."
I stared at him in horror.
After all my charcoal struggle, after risking my life for coal pot jollof, this guy wanted me to bring him food?
Ghana will not kill me.
I gave him small water, prayed silently for strength, and started thinking of an escape plan.
Because I knew — with Kwame around, my troubles had only just begun.
End of Chapter 11