"Ugh". Kara sighed as she slept face flat on her mini bed. It was four in the afternoon." Already?" She muttered not really in a good mood. Her mom would be back from work in an hour time. As shitty as she felt she had to go and fix supper. Roaming in the busy market of Makola had drained all her energy and she wasn't just exaggerating, she was overly tired. She will be leaving her mom for God knows how long. And the only thing she could do to feel relaxed whilst learning is to stock the fridge and kitchen with every food , foodstuff just anything to keep her peace of mind whilst abroad. She knows very well that her mom is a workaholic. She has worked over the years to give here a good future.."better than mine..." as she always tell her. After being disowned by their family, her mom moved from Kumasi to Accra. A 22 years old lady with a 2 months old child in the city of Accra. She struggled being a mother she had more to learn but to Kara, her mom is the best. She never lacked anything and she will never make her mom lack anything as well.
"Nana.." Her mom called from the hall. Dropping her car keys on the dinning table. " In here...almost done Maaaa. Get changed first". Kara responded. They have always lived like sisters. Even after mothering a nineteen years old girl, Esther still looked gorgeous. She looked fairer than ever. The only reason why people challenged the fact that Kara is a Ghanaian. She got her father's height and skin color. Esther's interruption into the formation of her color however made her darker than than a normal White. Kara has always been a foreigner in the eyes of many. But just a word from her always cleared all doubts. Kara served the food and turned on their 72 inches flat screen. Her mom showed up from her room already in a good mood. " Oh, oh,....my..what do we have here?" Her eyes beamed with curiosity as if the menu was a secret. Kara giggled at her mom's cute expression. "Awurade.....Maaa.... 3y3 paaa s3 3t)da wo y3 wo ho te s3 akora paaa" ( God mom, sometimes it's good to see you acting like a child) She spoke in their local dialect. Esther shrugged and took her seat. Saying a prayer, they dug in. Kara looked expectantly at her mom as she ate, awaiting her verdict.
" How is it?" Kara asked.
"Well....good..great...but you can't beat the mother though. I taught you " mp)t)mp)t)" (cocoyam soupy meal) so there's no way you can beat the boss". She teased. Kara nodded smiling at her mom's evening mood. Tonight was great, better than the past nights. She wasn't sad...she wasn't nostalgic.. She was happy just being with her and Kara felt it in every act. They made little conversations and finished their meal.
After long talks and spending much time together. They decided to retire to bed. Esther gave her daughter an unexpected warm hug which was well received stopping her from heading to her room. Kara bent a little to lean on her mom's shoulders and to relax as she caressed her. She was taller than her mom....blame her unknown father.
"I love you okay...you are my world Nana. My everything". Esther whispered to her. She was overwhelmed with emotions. Letting her daughter leave to study overseas felt like a repetition of history. But she also knew that she was over thinking. Nana was the opposite of her. It didn't take her long to realise that. When she was just three years old she proved that she was nothing like her mom. It was her third birthday and a lot of kids came with their parents to celebrate it. A child who had a quarrel with Kara who smacked the child in the face ran to her father. The parent asked where her father was. He wasn't angry she was only three and kids fights was normal. Esther arrived to apologise and pick Kara. The nosy father kept on asking where the father was. Kara surprised her mother by hugging legs and muffled " Mama ....no Dada...Mam..is Dada..." The cute girl busily focused on sucking her thumb after filling her mother with joy. Probably her daughter felt that she needed to tell the parent who constantly asked her mother of her father that her mother was enough for her. Kara has lived not asking. She only listened whenever her mom wanted to talk.
Esther after reminiscing was even more reluctant to let Kara go. " Mom..I will be fine. I'm your daughter ". Kara tried to reassure her. Esther released her and gave a sad smile. " That's my problem. You are my child. But don't be me. I wish you would just school here. University of Ghana would gladly admit you." She sighed in dismay. "But I won't stop you. I know how much you have worked hard for this scholarship..so.."
Kara kissed her mom on the forehead to mince her words.
"So goodnight. You worry too much. Way too much". She smiled and headed to her room. "I will drop you tomorrow!!" Her mom shouted.
"No...we will have a good morning together. Then you will go for your meeting. Uncle Kwesi and I have plans. He will take me to the airport...share your daughter a bit". She joked. " Love you". She intentionally switched off the lights leaving her mom in the dark. Esther giggled. She would miss "this".... She thought.